“O that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! Speedily then I would subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.” Psalm 81:13-14
Asaph wrote this psalm hundreds of years before the time of Christ. It was set to music, accompanied by a Philistine lute.
There sure are all kinds of enemies in this world. What about the old saying, “He’s his own worst enemy.”? I know I’ve been my own worst enemy over and over again in life.
Priscilla Shirer, author and worldwide Bible teacher, says that “the heart is the centerpiece of the soul”, and consists of mind, will, emotions and conscience. Getting these under control goes a long way in protecting your heart ❤️.
Satan and his army of demons do their best to deceive us into believing lies about ourselves and God. They attempt to redirect our ambitions to focus on short-sighted goals. They get our emotions stirred up with runaway responses like anger, discouragement, revenge, or sadness to persuade us into making unstable choices. They influence our conscience to misalign it from God’s standards.
Yes, God wants to subdue our enemies, and promises to do it when we listen to Him and walk in His ways. It starts with guarding our hearts. 💞
What’s Over There?
On a foggy dusk in Venice, I wondered what was over there across the water. Shadowy images, vaguely visible, looked beautiful, and made me want to go see that nearby island in the daylight.
That’s the way we see heaven from our present vantage point. A beautiful place over there through the mist. The Bible gives us glimpses of it. Occasionally we get bits conveyed by people with near-death experiences.
Jesus told his followers that he was going to his Father’s house to build rooms for us. In Jewish customs, during the betrothal period, the father and son built a new room onto the father’s house. He promises to bring us there to live with Him.
The apostle John recorded visions of the future in the book of Revelations. Chapter 21 tells of a new sky and a new earth. God will live with people there. He will wipe away all our tears. Death, anguish, sorrow, mourning, grief and pain will be no more. He is making all things new, and He commissioned John to write ✍️ it down for us to know.
And He further said, It’s done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of Life (verse 6).
What’s over there? Like on that foggy dusk in Venice, we envision something beautiful. I look forward to going over there when the time is right, and experiencing heaven for myself.
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The Power of Sand
Have you ever thought about the power of sand? The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God placed sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier which it cannot pass. Though the waves toss and shake themselves, they cannot prevail against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature sufficient for his purpose. Though the billows roar, they cannot pass over that barrier (from Jeremiah 5:22).
Isn’t that amazing? With all the tumult going on in the world today, each of us may feel as helpless as a grain of sand. Yet what power of resistance sand has–even to hold back mighty ocean waves 🌊. Individually, a tiny grain of sand is just a pretty speck, but all the sand on the beach sifts the water, effectively slowing and stilling it, preventing it from continuing onto the land.
What lessons can we learn from sand? Although we may seem insignificant and feeble, together we do have the power to resist the evils and tumults of the world. So take courage. God has placed you where you are for a reason. Together with His other grains of sand, YOU are making a difference.
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The Greatest Feast of All
Recently in Geneva, I came across a picture on an outside wall in the old quarter, showing a church feast for all. A potluck, possibly to celebrate the harvest. People of all kinds participated and ate happily together.
This morning I read in Isaiah 25: 6, about another church feast, which will be the greatest feast ever. The Lord Himself will make this feast. It will be for all peoples. It’s the coronation festival inaugurating the reign of the Lord on earth 🌎.
What will he serve? Rich meat 🍖 full of fat and marrow, it says, and the best of well-aged wines 🍷.
What will he do when he reigns? Verses 7-8 tell us that he will abolish death forever and wipe away tears from off all faces. Wow!
This is God telling the world, long before the time of Jesus, through the prophet Isaiah, of his love for all people. That includes you, whoever you are, and me too. God loves us all, and he, when he reigns, will restore relationships and life, as we feast together at his table.
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Jesus is a Party Guy
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Here’s a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Matthew 11:19a
Venice is a party place. It’s also a place that celebrates Jesus. 🍾 There are over 100 churches in Venice. All kinds of people from around the world visit Venice, eating and drinking 🍸 together and visiting churches ⛪️, observing amazing artwork depicting the history of humanity and Christianity.
Jesus loves people. All kinds of people. Despised people. Ordinary people. He didn’t attempt to hang out with the rich and famous. He didn’t care that people judged him for eating and drinking and who he associated with.
Jump in and celebrate with Jesus. Enjoy people. Have a meal and a drink with them. Praise God together for creating us and loving us all.
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God’s Appointment
For followers of the Bible, there are a few pills that are hard to swallow. At least for strong-minded individuals. Romans 13 is one of them.
What? We must subject ourselves?
Written at a time in history when the countries around the Mediterranean were subject to the Roman Empire, many likely objected to their rule and the taxes they imposed.
Yet, the chapter goes on to say more. Since governments are actually appointed by God, we incur his wrath by not respectfully submitting to them.
But the government is no good 😕
It may at times be hard to believe that God himself has appointed and put in place those in government who we find ourselves subject to. But it says here that we must respect their authority to avoid God’s wrath. Strong words. God wants us to live as principled people, because we represent him to the world.
We must follow the example of Jesus, who respected and honored the rulers of the day, even paying the taxes they demanded of him.
The Roman Empire was not a democracy. They had conquered the surrounding countries. People were treated unfairly, often cruelly, and taxed heavily.
Hey, what about my rights?
Things are different now, aren’t they? We now vote in governments and have ‘freedom of speech’. Yes, even an obligation to speak out for what is right.
So let’s exercise our rights, bearing in mind these verses. That governing authorities have been appointed by God, for his own reasons. And we, as his followers, represent him. Speak and act with respect and honor. Pray for our rulers. Not just for their sakes, but also for our own.
With all the things going on in today’s world, it certainly can’t be easy to be in government. Rather than respect and honor, they are subject to daily ridicule, even threats, in the name of ‘freedom of speech’. But this is not principled behavior for followers of the Bible. Bear in mind that whether or not we agree with them, the authorities are appointed by God.
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A challenge to live in godly love ❤️ from Romans 12. It doesn’t come naturally.
Broken but Loved
Broken but loved, this ornament is a gift from my son 💙. It represents his love to me. But alas, the tail broke off some time ago. I glued it back on, but later it broke off again. Then it sat in a drawer for several years, until yesterday I got it out and glued it back together again. You can see where it broke, but I put it back out where it can remind me daily of my son who I love.
We are all like this ornamental bird, broken but loved. God our Father and Creator loved each one of us from the beginning. No one is perfect. We’re all broken. But he sent Jesus to redeem us and restore us to himself.
Romans 3:23-24 (The Amplified Bible) says: Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives, all are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is provided in Christ Jesus.
I’m so glad God loves me that much. In spite of my foibles, big mistakes, stupidity, brokenness and shame, he loves me. Jesus has redeemed us, and by faith in him we are restored to a right standing with God.
I wish I could undo the stupid things I’ve done, but I can’t. Yet God loves me anyway. And you too. Broken but loved.
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What the World🌎 Needs Now…
Is Love, Sweet Love
Remember that song 🎵? Today as I read my Bible I was reminded of God’s love, which He has continually blessed us with throughout history. We just need to open our eyes and see it. God opened the eyes of the apostle Paul, who spread the gospel of God’s love to the world.
I [Paul] stand here testifying to small and great alike, asserting nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses declared would come to pass; that the Christ, the Anointed One, must suffer; and that He, by being the first to rise from the dead, would declare and show light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:22-23 (The Amplified Bible)
Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa and the prominent citizens of Damascus. He had been falsely accused by Jews who didn’t believe in Jesus, and wanted to kill Paul.
Paul himself had previously persecuted Christians, until Jesus spoke to him personally one day out of a blinding light.
Jesus appointed him as a witness to both Jews and Gentiles “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in me.” (verse 18)
The Gospel of God’s Love Keeps Spreading
Paul had been given the astounding privilege of spreading the amazing message of the gospel to the world. Those who tried to kill him only helped further the gospel by giving Paul the opportunity to testify before Roman authorities and prominent people.
This same gospel message still reverberates around the world 🌎–a message we all personally need–to be forgiven and accepted and loved by God. Jesus made it possible–praise God! He turns sinners into saints by making us right with Him. Who wouldn’t want that?
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Mercy
You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the testimony [the ten commandments] that I will give you. Exodus 25:21
It strikes me that the mercy seat was placed above the 10 commandments.
The 10 commandments (found in Exodus chapter 20) are very good–given from God who loves us and wants us to live in a good way. But we continually fail to live up to even those few commandments.
So God, in his love for us, puts the mercy seat above the commandments. He goes on to say that at the mercy seat he will meet with us, and speak intimately with us.
Who wouldn’t want to sit there on that seat between two angelic golden cherubim spreading their wings of protection overhead, with God sitting next to us and speaking intimately with us.
Wow! From the beginning God showed his understanding, love and mercy for us people who he created. We are so in need of mercy all the time. Thank you so much God!
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Respect
You shall not revile God [the judges His agents], or esteem lightly or curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28
Disrespect for authority is rampant these days. What has become of respect? As a child in the 1950s I was taught to respect my elders, teachers, pastors, police, and anyone in a position of government.
People in such positions fulfill a purpose in society–to represent God in guiding us with principles and keeping us from being wronged.
Yes, often they are wrong–sometimes even evil.
But the fact is that they ARE in a position of authority. How they got there may also be right or wrong. Nevertheless, we ought to esteem them and pray for them rather than reviling and cursing them.
We must pray that they make good decisions, God-honouring and wise. We can speak out to address issues in many ways these days–by writing to the authorities directly or by posting on social media. Yes, certainly address issues, but do it with respect.
Bear in mind that they are actually God’s agents. When you feel like cursing them, pray for them instead, that their decisions and judgements will be godly.
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The Lord
The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2
A joyous song of praise that Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord after he opened the sea for them to pass through, and then drowned their pursuers.
Is there a sea 🌊 that lies before you, impossible to cross? God will make a way. And he’ll put a stop to the enemies that pursue you.
It’s no use trying to make your own way. Can you imagine if the 600,000 Israelite men with their wives and children, herds and flocks, tried to swim across? No, they were forced to rely on the Lord. He was showing the world who he is.
Someone once asked me where I get my strength. I was going through deep waters, yet I had a song of joy in my heart. She saw that I had some type of strength in my spirit and wondered where it came from. I told her that I’m a Christian. She just shook her head. There wasn’t time to explain that the Lord is my Saviour and my heart is full of songs of praise.
He’s our Saviour and Redeemer. We are not to worry and fret, but to look to him and follow his leading. And joyously give him all the praise and glory. He loves us.
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The Book of Isaiah–Our Creator Speaks to Us
In the Book of Isaiah, Our Creator Speaks to Us
Have you ever read the book of Isaiah, in the Bible? I love it. In the book of Isaiah, our Creator speaks to us. I find it especially good to read during Advent, because it foretells the Messiah–God’s promise of a Saviour.
This year I read it in a different version–The Amplified Bible. It’s more academic than other versions of the Bible that I’d been reading from. It includes notes explaining original meanings and how and when the prophesies came true. It also gives cross-references to other passages in the Bible that say the same things. New Testament writers after the time of Jesus often quoted from Old Testament prophets.
But Isaiah was Speaking to the Jews–Or was it to All of Us?
I grew up reading the King James version of the Bible in the 1950s and 60s. Then in the 70s newer versions became available that were easier to read, in modern English. But with all these versions, I never really understood who Isaiah was addressing.
The book of Isaiah is full of scolding that sounds like threats of severe punishment coming down, interspersed with beams of bright hopeful light. Scary and wonderful. A clear message to fear God our Creator, and get aligned with His ways. Or else. And amazing blessings and protection for those who do.
Having studied the Bible for my entire life of 67 years, and learned much of the history of the Jews, this time through reading the Amplified version I was better able to put the prophesies into context. I used to take all of it as meant for everyone, which, in one sense it is.
The Jewish Nation Carries God’s Message–Through Them Our Creator Speaks to Us
Now I realize that Isaiah was specifically addressing the Jews. Yet through their story, our Creator speaks to all of us.
From this time perspective, in now 2022, we are able to look back and see many of the prophesies fulfilled. Not only in the coming of the Messiah (Jesus), but in more recent history, the restoration of the country of Israel as their homeland, and Jerusalem as the capitol.
I’m not much of a fighter–I come from pacifist roots. However, this week I watched 60 Minutes on TV, and learned the history of the Ritchie Boys. SO interesting. More of Isaiah fulfilled.
During World War II, while Hitler exterminated as many Jews as he could in the hell of the holocaust, some Jews escaped. The Ritchie Boys were American Jews, trained in a special unit of the army to go back to Germany and do their part to win against the Nazis. One of them told his story about his job interrogating Nazi war prisoners who had killed many of his people. He said he was sure to let them know that now they were under the control of a Jew. This was all predicted in Isaiah, over and over again, how God would turn the tables. After using enemy nations to punish His people, God would turn the tables against those enemies.
What’s in the Book of Isaiah for the Rest of Us? Is our Creator Speaking to Us Too?
As a Christian, I feel as though I’ve been adopted into this family, and seeing their vindication and restoration causes me great rejoicing.
Yet, although Isaiah specifically addresses the Jewish nation, God speaks through Isaiah to every individual person on earth. He shows His heart of compassion. Chapter 54 is His love-letter to women. To widows, divorcees and mothers whose children have died. To those who fell in love in their youth, with someone who promised the moon, but rejected them later. The brokenhearted. He promises to be their Husband. God Himself. He promises them many children who will learn from them and keep their memory alive. This goes for eunuchs too–men who have been deprived of their ability to have children.
God our Creator clearly speaks to all of us through Isaiah, telling us that He created the earth and the universe for us to inhabit, and that He cares, even especially for the wounded and broken, and for those who humbly follow His ways. That’s not by ritually following religious rhetoric. He explains that too. What He wants is for us to simply recognize Him as God, pray to Him, quietly, confidently and expectantly trust in Him. That’s how He promises to save us.
Are Isaiah’s Prophesies All Fulfilled Already?
And He’s not done yet. He also says He’s going to create a new universe. This one will pass away. Yet His people will live on, in our new home, where the evils of this earth shall be forgotten.
If you haven’t read the book of Isaiah yet, I highly recommend it. God’s letter to us. We are that important to our Creator, that He speaks to us.
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Life
I am thinking about life these days. There is the end of life, and there is the beginning of life.
But life itself, as we know it on this earth, lies in between the beginning and the end.
We have the ancient writings of Moses, constituting the first five books of the Bible and telling the story of creation and the early history of people, especially of the Israelites. Moses recorded the famous Ten Commandments, guiding principles of life and society. He urged the people to follow them in order to prosper.
It was not about obeying a distant and mysterious religion. First and foremost before any list of rules, was to listen to the message in your own heart and soul; God’s very own voice asking for your love.
Moses said, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses… Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NLT)
He said that this message “is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.” (verse 14)
Our lives on this earth are so short in the scheme of things. If we are lucky enough not to lose our lives in some untimely fashion, we might feel we have lived a full life by the time we get past the middle stages and into retirement, having accomplished some of our goals or desires and therefore feeling fulfilled.
But is reaching goals and desires really what gives meaning to life? Only some people actually get to do that anyway. Moses said it was about loving God. Not about loving each other? We can’t see God, and many even doubt his existence.
And what even is love? It means different things to different people. Is it acceptance or kindness or gushiness or feeling comfortable together? Moses associated loving God with following his guidance and rules for living. Jesus summed up these rules by saying that firstly we need to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, and secondly (but just as importantly) to love our neighbour as ourselves. (Mark 12:30-31, NLT)
Hmm… “as ourselves”. Well, I feel loved when I have someone who looks out for my well-being. Not necessarily in the same room, or even always in the house with me, because I feel better if I have lots of time alone. Alone with God, that is. God’s Spirit is with me all the time without being intrusive. He is there to talk to, and in the quietness of meditation one can hear his voice too.
And it is the Holy Spirit who brings us good feelings too; those of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, NLT) Out of those we can really love each other, but more than being about each other we will be relating to God.
Life is often disappointing, and we cannot rely on other people, but if we purpose to love God and trust in him, he will be with us through this life and on into the next, which we catch glimpses of in the Bible as well.
So via con Dios my friend; love him and cling to him through it all, and be to others the way you would like them to be to you. This is the best way to live life.
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Rainy Day Musings on Islam
A rainy Saturday. The past few days have been unusually warm for April in BC. Up to 23 degrees Celsius here in Nanaimo. This week has been more like July. The days seem to have suddenly lengthened too, with the sun up before 6 am, and not down until 8:30 or so.
We knew the rain was coming for the weekend, so last night my husband barbequed steaks for supper. Mmm, I can still taste them, along with garlic toast, cream corn, yellow potatoes, and sliced tomatoe. A special meal for us, but our Japanese student didn’t seem to care. He seems to like my vegetable and peanut butter stir-fry on rice better.
I look out at the steady rain falling on the dark green lake at the bottom of our lot. Sid mowed the lawn last night too, knowing he wouldn’t do it today or tomorrow in the rain. The grass is lush at this time of year. The flowers on the dogwoods have popped open this week.
This morning my husband and I watched YouTube videos about Islam. Many Islamic people have been moving to Canada in the last few years, and we want to learn something about them and their beliefs. For a week Sid had borrowed a Koran. He found it contained some of the same Old Testament stories as the Bible. We have learned that Mohammed could not read or write, so he dictated it to his friends and they wrote it down. Apparently it was all from things that Mohammed had heard or thought.
The Muslim people descend from Ishmael, who was Abraham’s first son, born through Hagar the servant of Sarah. So, the God they worship, whom they call Allah, is the same God that Abraham worshiped. Their lists of the attributes of God are similar to the Biblical ones, merciful being a main one. They even believe in Mary and Jesus, but they do not believe as Christians do, that Jesus is the son of God.
I do not claim to be any expert on these things, but I have known several Muslim people, all of whom were very polite and kind.
Here in Nanaimo quite a few Syrian refugees come to receive help from the Crisis Pregnancy Centre where I work occasionally. They always express gratitude with smiles, and bring us tasty pastries that they make. They have many babies and come to us for diapers, formula, baby clothes and more.
When I lived in North Vancouver I knew several Iranian families who came to ESL classes which we gave free of charge in my church. One man, after hearing the joyful singing in the church, said to me, “I want to become a Christian! In our religion we have to be sad all the time, mourning for our heroes who died. I want to change to this happy religion!” And he did. He was the first of their group to be baptised in the church.
Another lady who I met through the Schizophrenia Society in the North Shore, told me that she had become a Christian and left her controlling Muslim husband. I had asked her what she thought of the possibility of Sharia law coming to Canada, and she was adamant that Muslim women do not want that, because it would take away the freedom that they legally have in Canada.
A rainy day is great for learning and musing about such things. I would love to get some discussion and interaction going with you, if you have anything to say or add! Please feel free to put your comments in the Comments section below, so others can read them too.
