Author: hopebroker

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Tricky end-times questions.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted. Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The disciples had experienced a massive amount of change in their pre-conditioned beliefs propagated among the religious leaders of the day. It is interesting that when we don’t know something about God, we look to religious leaders for answers, but it turns out they often get it wrong! Knowing the scriptures in the past and interpreting for the present is already hard. Then add the ability to guess at its future fulfillment? That’s nearly impossible!

I find it interesting that the disciples, common working class guys, are now interested in eschatology – the end of things. They are so curious that they are listening to the lectures and debates of the Pharisees and Sadducees – which made up the Sanhedrin, the religious council of 70 men in New Testament days.

After the experience of Peter, James and John, it prompts the guys to ask Jesus some pretty heady spiritual questions. They ask, why do the “teachers” insist that Elijah must come before the Messiah! This is a great question because Peter had already declared his belief that Jesus is the Messiah! So, if the religious leaders are correct, when did Elijah come (other than three of them seeing him earlier on the mountain with Jesus and Moses)?

This discussion could have become very complicated with Jesus trying to explain the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophetic word in Malachi 4:5-6. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” It made it even more difficult because John the Baptist came behaving a lot like the Old Testament prophet, to the point where people asked him, “Are you Elijah?” To which John said, “No, I am not,” John 1:21.

Jesus, more than once, referred to John the Baptist, as the one who fulfilled the Spirit of Elijah, paving and preparing the way for the Messiah, Matthew 11:9-14. It is believed that Jesus confirmed the Spirit, the same kind of passion as Elijah, showed up in John’s behavior and ministry. Yet, the physical return of the ancient prophet, Elijah was still yet to come. This technical and timely discussion was important to prove that God keeps His promises, and that Jesus, and only Jesus, would fulfill 100% of the prophecies, the future-telling of the Messiah.

Jesus being THE Messiah is an undeniable truth. I understand that as we experience our own cycles of tremendous change and signs of the end times, we can get very anxious and naturally curious. However, we must be careful in listening to “religious experts,” who have only proven to be consistently wrong throughout history. Some even declare they are prophets of God and have heard “words” from the Lord.

It is critical that we continue to focus on the Word of God, and our mission of both being a disciple and making disciples. There have been many signs in our past and there have been plenty of misguided promises and projections. The truth is, even when we see the signs, we still do not know exactly when the Day of the Lord, nor the parousia, the “catching away”will happen. But, guaranteed- it will. Because everything God promised and Jesus confirmed will happen. We can trust in Jesus and take comfort in our future.

Prayer

​Dad,
I’m tracking with the disciples. I am just a common, come from chaos, kind of man. I love to think I understand complex theological issues and have thoughts on theories, but when it comes down to it – I’m simple! I depend on folks much smarter to help navigate all the scriptures in the past to bring understanding in my own life. And, just as important, what I then do with that knowledge! What I do know is that I trust you and I trust that what you will do in our future. Amen.

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Does God “gentle parent” us?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gentle parenting is a current style used by many to positively, affirmingly, understand their child’s behavior and allows them to self-correct. “A parenting style that focuses on empathy, respect, and connection to help children develop strong social skills and emotional intelligence.” And, “Gentle parenting focuses on parenting children without shame, blame, and punishment. This style of parenting centers around collaboration between parents and children.”

The author of Hebrews leans on an ancient Proverb and gives us a practical interpretation, Proverbs 3:11-12. Proverbs ends with this, ”For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs uses the Hebrew word for discipline, “yakach,” to decide, adjudge, even to argue! Hebrews uses the Greek word, “paideia,” the rearing of a child, training, discipline, correcting and proving. The Greek has the idea of chastening or purifying. This shows up in verse 13, where the Greek word, “mastigoó,” to scourge, appears. There is just no way around this very strong use of physical pain to be used in training. Does God send “severe pain” in the best eternal interests of the believer?

Anyone who studies the idea of the discipline, even in the context of learning skills, especially in sports, knows that pain is critical in the development of our own muscles! Pain may not be literally delivered in physical whippings or beatings, but life itself frequently delivers warnings in the learning process. When we fall, touch fire or electricity we experience pain! It’s a really good reminder, even an educator, to not repeat the behavior. The focus of the verses, here or in Proverbs, is not really the pain of discipline, it’s the idea that correction, chastening and proving is an act of love! For a parent of a young child to withhold warning, correction, even proper, age appropriate physical pain, to train a child about authority and boundaries would not be love. Proverbs speaks of the reason it is so critical, “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child! “ It is also bound up in the human heart. The Hebrew word for foolishness, “ivveleth,” is from the word, “evil.” Look, if we came out of our mother’s womb with a moral sense of goodness, purity and wisdom, then parenting would hardly be necessary. Ah, but we are not born with an internal sense of good, are we? We use the word for babies referring them as innocent, but that’s just because they are needy and defenseless. It doesn’t take long for any parent to realize they have a self determined will and most, not all, are excited to challenge you.

However, whether you believe in gentle parenting or hard boundaries with gentle, physical consequences for clear challenges from a child, the point is God does discipline us. And, God does so with physical corrections because he loves us. What does it look like? It’s different for every person. I believe that God uses circumstances and even people to deliver His discipline. What have you learned? Have you recognized correction from God? If you wonder what will happen when we purposely continue to choose sin, challenging God with his own loving boundaries, God will step in to keep us on His path.

Prayer

​Dad,
Not only do I believe your Word when you clearly discipline those you love. I have experienced your correction, and have learned to recognize it and respond with confession and repentance. I know it’s for my own good. I know it’s because you are watching, and are actively keeping me accountable because of your faithfulness, patience and love. Thank you for your boundaries, and your discipline! Amen.

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The King’s ride.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness like a cloud of smoke? Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense and every kind of spice? Look, it is Solomon’s carriage, surrounded by sixty heroic men, the best of Israel’s soldiers. ‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon is not doing too bad in his reign over Israel. His opulence is celebrated! Who doesn’t want their leaders having the best of the best. I don’t know the history of king’s carriages over the millennia, but I’m sure they have always been extravagant. Today, leaders ride in armored limousines with bulletproof, blackened windows. Back in the day, it was all about shiny gold and the entourage! Sixty guys, “all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.” This book, “Song of Songs,” also lets us know that the carriage itself was tricked out as well. Even though it was designed and handcrafted by skilled woodworkers, it was elaborately decorated by the local young women’s league of Jerusalem, “King Solomon’s carriage is built of wood imported from Lebanon. Its posts are silver, its canopy gold; its cushions are purple. It was decorated with love by the young women of Jerusalem.”

But why is the Song of Solomon even in the Bible?

I got this from Jay Harvey in his book, Song of Solomon. Four great reasons this book is necessary!

  1. A Deeper Appreciation of the Gospel, highlighting Christ’s love for the church through marriage, revealing the mystery of Christ’s love for his Bride.
  2. It’s mostly from a woman’s perspective, a female voice. From beginning to end, the reader encounters the woman’s perspective more than any other.
  3. A Revisioning of Sexual Intimacy. It revises our understanding and helps us reclaim holiness in sexual expression that God has created and declared good. No prudes here.
  4. A Realistic Perspective on Love. It is a series of love poems that capture the joys, insecurities, sorrows, and frustrations that accompany the journey of love. The relationship captured in this poem is his Word for his children’s understanding of love, marriage, and sexuality. And it is good!

Solomon, being a type of Christ in wisdom, is also a type in a deep, intimate understanding of love within the context of covenant. All we have to do to see its beauty is to toss out the 999 marriages and focus on just one – his first wife, Naamah the Ammonite.

Prayer

​Dad,
I don’t remember reading much of the Song of Solomon since I was a teenage. I was told it was sexy and blush worthy. I know there are a lot crazy stories in the Old Testament, so this book is not surprising, it’s just hard to figure out practical applications from it. I would have no idea how to take it out of a marriage class and apply it to singles and sexuality! Yet, I know the message is about such a deep, pure love that it transcends all of what is propagated as “love” today. I am thankful for your love for me. I am also thankful for the covenanted love for my wife as well. It is very good.

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Meme Meditation.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭97‬-‭100‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Psalm 119 is structured as an alphabetic acrostic, with 176 verses divided into 22 stanzas of eight verses each. Each stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse in a stanza begins with the same letter. For example, the first stanza is named “A” and each of its eight verses begins with the letter “A”.

Today’s devo is brought to us by the letter “M.” Mem is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Numerical value: 40. Sound: “M” Meaning: 1. Water. Chabad.org explains, “The word mem stands for mayim, which means water. Water constitutes a vital element in our lives: a human being is largely composed of water and the majority of the earth is covered with it. Torah, the most vital element in our spiritual lives, is referred to as water, as it states: “Ein mayim ela Torah13—There is no water but Torah.” As the Prophet tells us, “He who is thirsty shall go and drink water,” meaning that a Jew’s thirst for spiri­tuality will never be sated by looking to other cultures or religions. The only thing that will quench one’s thirst is water, which is Torah. Just as a fish cannot survive without water, a Jew cannot survive without Torah.”

It is believed that Ezra wrote Psalm 119 as a manual for devotion. The “מ Mem” stanza is a beautiful meditation about God’s law, His instructions for life, guidance and wisdom. The most memorized verse in this passage is vs 103, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Echoing the words of David in Psalm 19:10, “[God’s Law] They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.” Which also reminds me of Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good.”

The psalmists do a wonderful job of giving us picturesque language to help us associate God’s goodness with things that we are very familiar with. God’s wisdom, like “Mem,” water, is pure and refreshing. It is like eating of tasty wisdom that sets up for success above our enemies and helps us excel in understanding even beyond our teacher and elders. Not in a competitive or arrogant manner, but in humble curiosity of an unquenchable appetite to know God! And, it is GOOD!

Prayer

​Dad,
I have tasted and I have seen the goodness of your Word. It has been that delicious treat for the cravings of my soul. It has been a light in darkness, illuminating my path ahead. It is everything the Psalmists have declared it to be. Thank you for your living Word that eternally works within me! I am a satisfied customer of your grace and mercy! Amen.

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Valedictions.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬

I have always loved the Apostle Paul’s grand greetings from his letters to churches and individuals. I never realized in signing off, in his salutations, Paul posted some powerful theology.

▫️Romans, “All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.”
▫️ 1st Corinthians, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.”
▫️ 2nd Corinthians, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
▫️ Galatians, “Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
▫️ Philippians, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
▫️ Colossians, “Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.”
▫️ 1 Thessalonians, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
▫️ 2 Thessalonians, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
▫️ 1 Timothy, “May God’s grace be with you all.”
▫️ 2 Timothy, “May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.”
▫️ Titus, “May God’s grace be with you all.”
▫️ Philemon, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Paul’s phrase, “May the grace…” is the most used, twelve out of thirteen letters. Also noted is the Lordship of Christ. A few times, Paul closes with encouragement that Jesus “be with your spirit.” And uniquely writes “and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,” to the Corinthian churches! However, as far as titles go, to the churches in Ephesus he gives proper titles to “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I’ve always wondered if we could see growth or changes in the Biblical writers as they age. I compare John’s gospel to his letters to churches and I see a lifetime of wisdom and tremendous growth as a result of suffering.

If you are interested in the chronological order of Paul’s letters, you can use this link: https://bit.ly/PaulChrono. Thessalonians was his first letters, and 2 Timothy was his last. Seven out of thirteen letters were written from Roman imprisonment or house arrest. Paul wrote Ephesians about 15/16 years into his missionary journeys. It just strikes me that Paul uses the powerful full titles of both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to the churches in Ephesus. Robin and I have been to the ancient city of Ephesus. It is amazing, but sad. There are virtually no churches left there and very few followers of Jesus. There are a few Catholic buildings, but they are more touristy than anything else. Did we lose both salutations and valedictions in fast-paced texting? Who hand writes letters anymore? I still hand write birthday cards, hundreds a year. Let’s not lose the art of a well spoken or written greeting and valediction!

Valediction:

May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, bless you, keep you and give you peace. Amen.

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The mystery of the faithless village.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home. Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus, arriving in Bethsaida, is met with folks bringing him a man who is blind. Bethsaida, home to apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip, was also known as the city that rejected the gospel. “Bethsaida has come to represent those who have heard the gospel, understood God’s plan of salvation, and rejected it. Jesus implied that their eternal punishment would be harsher than that of those who did not have such a privilege (Matthew 11:22).”

Mark notes some particularly odd details about Jesus healing this blind man. One, Jesus led him out of town. People brought the man to Jesus, then Jesus walked him away from the crowd. Why?

Looking up some of the commentaries, they suggest that Bethsaida, as a city, was known for a lack of faith. Similar to the sad pronouncement about Jesus’ own hometown, Nazareth, where few miracles were done because of unbelief, (Matthew 13:58). Jesus’ compassion for the man meant that he needed to remove him from his neighbors, even though they brought him in the first place. Can a city-vibe of unbelief be so strong, so prevalent that it prevents God from moving in miraculous ways? It seems so with these cities. This may be why Mark points out the second oddity.

Jesus had to touch the man’s eyes TWICE! And, after the first touch Jesus asked him IF he could see anything? The man responded honestly, I see but everything is blurry. Well that won’t do at all. Jesus touched his eyes again. Mark writes, ”his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly, (‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭25‬). Was this “second touch” also necessary because of the deep lack of faith in the man’s village? Did unbelief dull this man’s own faith? This also seems to be the reason.

The city’s anemic spirituality might also explain the third strange thing that happened. Jesus told the man – “don’t go through the town on the way home.” Wow, that’s specifically weird too. Normally, Jesus would say, “don’t talk about your healing,” or “go and show yourself to the priest,” who would verify and document the miracle. Jesus was clearly trying to protect this man’s fragile faith and didn’t want the town trashing his belief or his healing.

Do you find that we have a lot of cities that are known for unbelief? Traveling around the United States, folks were surprised that California has believers at all! We’ve got top healthcare, technology and personal rights, why would California need faith? If you live in California, as a believer and fellowship at a Bible believing church, you know it’s true – faith is a rare spiritual attribute in our cities. I’m certain that Jesus would be cancelled because of his sermons and miracles. People are in awe and wonder when a pictogram of Jesus’ face shows up on toast, a tree or a cloud, but a real miracle would be mocked on late night comedy shows.

Faith is harder to find and to live by in some of our own towns. Yet, Jesus still finds a way to take the hurting by the hand, lead them away from disbelieving crowds, touch them twice if necessary, and send them back home, avoiding the negative gossip-gab places. Jesus’ faith finds a way to help our unbelief!

Prayer

​Dad,
There are places and people of influence who not only lack faith, they mock it! I am so fortunate that you got me out of town, away from my friends and touched my life as a teenager. You broke through to me and for me! I know you will do that for many who are broken and hurting. When they seek you, they will find you! Thank you for faith that rescues us even from unbelief. Amen.

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David’s moral wishlist.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is believed that Psalm 101 was inserted toward the end of David’s life, but it’s obvious that he wrote it when he was young, likely before becoming king. I like what one commentator used as the word that described David’s intentions to rule his country well, DETERMINATION.

David was determined to do right. David was anointed king three times. Samuel anointed David in his youth, (1 Samuel 16:13). After Saul’s death he was anointed king over the tribe of Judah at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). Seven years later he was anointed king over all the tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). But as life unfolded in David’s life, he lost sight of his original passion for God and justice. What was it that cooled or shifted his focus of being this righteous standard he had set for himself. David had a front row seat to observe what power, authority and wealth had done to his predecessor. He watched Saul’s spiritual life unravel right in front of him, throwing a spear at David because of the king’s spiritual torment. Is seeing a bad example of leadership helpful to guide one’s own idea of a good leader? I think it is. Yet, it is clearly not enough to be different. A great leader has to grow beyond just doing better than the person before them.

David’s own words in this Psalm must have haunted him as he looked back, he wrote, “I refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar!” Or, “I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.” These are evidence of a young man’s battle to control his own thoughts, disorder desires and overcome temptations that come his way. Job declared that he had made a covenant with his own eyes, “not to look with lust at a young woman,” (Job 31:1). When David was coming into his years of being a king at 30 years old, his intention, his determination was to NOT put up with conceit or pride. As it turned out, David’s moral wishlist ended up becoming his downfall. What he hated at thirty, he succumbed to at fifty. What do you think caused such a shift from passion to do right to passion to do whatever he wanted? Twenty years of battle victories led to kingdom wide peace and wealth. David no longer needed to go to lead his army against his enemies. He was too valuable, too important, too busy? In the spring when kings go off to war, David stayed home, (2 Samuel 11:1). Everything had been conquered in David’s life, except the desires within his own soul!

I get why this Psalm was inserted into the songs of praise at the end of David’s life, it is a reminder to guard our hearts and stoke the righteous passions of our youth even when we’ve made it, especially if we’ve won.

Prayer

Dad,
There are so many lessons to be learned from great men and women in the Bible. The heroic stories, the rags to riches stories, the famous “such a time as this” stories, all of them are so inspiring. Yet, David’s extraordinary life is one example of how quickly things can turn when I lose sight of the most important thing, the number one priority relationship in my life – you! I had wild and crazy expectations of changing my world and Your Church when I was young. Now, I just want to fulfill my calling and tend to my most precious relationships. I need your grace and mercy to finish strong and end well.

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Circuitous ways of God.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

From a dreamer, to a pit and prison, then second to the Pharaoh. How does God do it?

God didn’t make Joesph naively, arrogantly, tattle on his older brothers nor blab his extraordinary dream to them. God didn’t make the brothers HATE their spoiled, aka, “well loved” son of Rachel & favorite in the family. God didn’t make Jacob send the young lad to spy on his boys. God didn’t make the boys decide to kill the dreamer and throw him into a pit. God didn’t make Judah convince his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery and make some extra money.

Then there’s the whole providential encounter with Potiphar who happened to be captain of the guard for Pharaoh. Potiphar, seeing Joseph’s potential and God’s blessing, promoted him to manage his entire estate! Of course Potiphar’s wife had other plans and entrapped him, forcing Potiphar to save face and throw Joseph into the king’s prison.

All along God was working out timing and details to position Joseph where he needed to be, when he needed him to be there. That timing meant that Joseph had to wait it out in prison, being passed by even though he had become skilled in interpreting dreams. Finally the time came when the Pharaoh had a very disturbing dream, a dream, he knew was critical for his life and the lives of those he ruled over. The king’s cupbearer remembers Joseph and Pharaoh sends for him.

Joseph had learned humility, and lots of patience. Joseph had spent 10 years as a slave and 3 years as a prisoner. 13 years for God to build character in Joseph and put together an extraordinary plan to save Israel. Joseph confidently told the Pharaoh, “It is beyond my power to do this, but God can tell you what it means and set you at ease,” (Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭16‬).

We look at the incredible success story of Joseph and often forget the difficult seasons for God’s plans to come together – PERFECTLY! God’s timing is amazing. This is why Joseph, when looking back on his life and all the pain-points had time to process what had to happen – “It was God who sent me here ahead of time!” Humans did what humans do, but God used every moment to fulfill His will!

Are you facing a difficult season in your life? God has not abandoned you. He is with you. It may very well be a part of plan that requires seasons of waiting or even suffering. Have you come through a time that was horribly dark and you felt your life was over and all your dreams were crushed? Looking back, can you now see some purpose, or timing of why things happened the way they did? I pray you see God’s hand of provision and purpose in your previous shadows. God knows and sees, and ultimately has purpose in everything, even if we can’t immediately see it. Trusting Him and staying very close, keeping our heart open and soft builds our faith and protects us from bitterness, blame and anger.

Prayer

​Dad,
When I was young I would have never been able to see the providential opportunity in Joseph’s story. Yet, now that I am older, I not only see it clearly, I am able to understand through my own experiences of frustration, confusion and lots of questions with no answers. Trusting you, kept me sane. Leaning into you, kept my heart soft. Listening to your Word and being obedient, helped me forgive and release those who hurt me. I am thankful for your timing – it is not only perfect, it is beautiful. Amen.

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Seasons just make sense.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By chapter three of Solomon’s “life experiment,” we begin to see some real insight and the wisdom of God begin to kick back into place. The general idea of chapter three is so obvious, but because of our human brain, it is also painfully and often ignored!

The heading: A Time for Everything.

It’s like our lives often feel like they are left in a spin cycle of teenage angst. We forget that nothing we experience here in life lasts forever. Sure, Murphy and his odd law of continued failure and doom may be the exception, Edward A. Murphy Jr. said, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” History, however, proves that impossible. Things do go wrong, but things also go right plenty of times. But even Murphy, as an American aerospace engineer, would agree, those calamities led to new creative possibilities.

Solomon walks us through the highs and lows of being human. He calls them seasons. If you live in normal parts of the United States, you get four distinct seasons. California only two seasons, summer and not summer. Our lives come with their own God-given seasons each year. Just reading the seasons listed here in chapter three makes me feel more normal. When a teen goes through their first love, followed by their first heartbreak, it’s painful wisdom to let them know that life is not over when that person breaks up with them. In terms of these seasons, these life episodes, they don’t last forever.

Grief, pain and extended suffering tend to last the longest, but even these do not triumph over the human spirit and will to rise up even in the midst of dark situations and surroundings. The sun will set today but will return tomorrow morning. What I love about chapter three is one of Solomon’s most powerful thoughts. It needs to be life-long meme – ”Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end,”(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬).

Even in the seasonal downturns, if we really think about it, can be beautiful in their own way. Did you know that even our tears are different under various emotional states? Emotional or “psychic” tears have more protein-based hormones. Yet, even the molecular structure of emotional tears are different. Tears of joy look different from tears of sadness! The body doesn’t lie.

God is the one who not only brings comfort in tumultuous times, He can bring an odd, even euphoric PEACE. It might not make sense, but it’s very real. I have spoken with folks who have lived a very hard, very tragic life, yet never show it in their words or behaviors. I feel sorry for them, yet they encourage me. I guarantee you, they are not faking these calm, sturdy, hope-filled moments. God has gifted them with a delightful presence of peace that surpasses our comprehension. It’s an encouragement to remember – in God’s economy, His Kingdom here, yet coming, He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Prayer

​Dad,
Now that I have taken a few trips around the sun, experiencing the lowest of lows in chaos, loss and grief as well as the highest of highs in love, gain and wonder, I completely agree with Solomon’s perspective. You become more extravagantly beautiful through the lens of joys and sorrows. And through all of the seasons of life thus far, I am humbly grateful to live seeing the fulfillment of every promise you’ve made. Great is your faithfulness! Amen.

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Are social viruses real?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus seems to believe so. Mark’s gospel captures an odd blowback to the disciple’s argument about who forgot to bring enough food.

Food among men is always a heated topic. Most men are driven by base desires like food, sleep and another I won’t mention here. How often did Jesus have a foody discussion with his disciples? How about staying awake for prayer? I believe Mark’s gospel exposes raw emotions on purpose. It shows the reader that Jesus, being fully God and fully human, had human desires, but kept them in check without sin. The disciples, are totally and observably human!

The men are in a boat, crossing the sea of Galilee, and someone forgot the midday meal! Apparently one “Boy-Scout” (always be prepared) brought just enough for himself. I completely understand their frustration. When I was younger I was insanely driven by meal times being ON TIME. I was convinced that if I didn’t eat I would turn into Mr. Hyde in front of my wife and kids. It was totally a self absorbed lie! I just needed to learn patience, but I hid it under hunger.

The disciples tore into each other with blame and shaming one another with no finger-food pointing! Blaming and shaming is not a listed as a Biblical one-another for how we treat each other. It was Jesus response to their outburst that intrigues me.

Jesus warns them – Watch out (horaó) see, perceive, or attend to what is happening here! “Beware,” Jesus says, (blepó) to see something physical, with spiritual results. Why two words of warning? It’s like a teacher that snaps their fingers TWICE or claps their hands getting the attention of the class. It’s a way of stopping, interrupting our brains that are already tracking down a useless path. It’s a full 🛑. Listen and pay attention. Oh, how Jesus is the master of using very emotional, carnal situations and bringing us back to real life – the spiritual life! Have you experienced a “SNAP-SNAP” moment from the Holy Spirit? I have.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere Jesus drops this line about yeast. Yeast in the New Testament is normally used to illustrate sin. But it is useful to understand a whole other mystery. How yeast works. One thing is for sure, it replicates quickly throughout bread. Yeast has a phenomenal growth rate and can duplicate itself every 90 minutes by a process called budding. In bread it’s yummy, in our bodies the fungi is deadly. In Jesus’ warning I’m sure it’s a bad function of yeast and not a good one. If we are the dough, then Jesus’ point of being exposed to the hungry fungi of the Pharisees and Herod is a very bad thing.

What do the Pharisees have in common with Herod? Why is their “yeast” extremely dangerous and viral? Was it their religious hypocrisy? Saying one thing, but living completely different? Was it their spiritual abuse of power? Was it their misrepresentation of God? What did the disciples argument about food have to do with the evil yeast of these religious leaders?

Jesus draws their attention to the one loaf of bread they did have and reminded them to focus on the miracles of supernatural replication of bread served to the masses of people. Ah, then maybe the bad yeast warning had more to do a lack of faith? Can a lack of faith, like a fast spreading virus, be contagious? Let me ask this. Who and what was in the boat? The disciples were physically in the boat. But also, Jesus was with them in the boat. What else was in the boat? One loaf of bread!

How quickly we forget the miracles of yesterday and instead become distracted, with our lack of perception, that the same God that provided BEFORE is with us NOW. Jesus may have been talking about the social virus of UNBELIEF! Both the Pharisees and Herod had all the facts, the necessary proof that Jesus is the messiah, yet lacked faith, they would not believe.

Jesus was warning the disciples not to allow unbelief to capture and control their hearts, minds and stomachs! It happens that fast. Jesus was in the boat WITH a loaf of bread yet they worried that they would go hungry!!! That’s hilariously human, right? We would say, “If the bread had been a snake, it would have bit them.” Jesus told us when a child asks their father for bread, a good father does not give them a snake, he gives them good food to match his great love! Snap Snap – pay attention when the social virus of unbelief comes to steal our faith.

Prayer

​Dad,
I believe, but help me with my unbelief. Help me to stay clear of social viruses that would steal my faith in you. You are my hope and provision. Amen.