Mission Faithwalk

                 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)           Now and again, I hear or read questions about how God could condemn someone to eternity in Hell for telling a little white lie, stealing a pack of gum, eating an apple (or according to one atheist, eating a poisoned apple). Here’s a hint, it wasn’t an apple, and the “poison” wasn’t in it. Everyone makes mistakes. They shouldn’t be punished forever because of them, should they?           The thing is, Adam and Eve didn’t eat the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil because they were hungry, or mistakenly. They chose to eat it. In the Mosaic Law, there were procedures for when someone, including the whole nation...

                 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16)           The “engraved you on the palms of my hands” idea is strange to us in some ways. Biblehub.com suggests that it refers to slave and soldier tattoos: “Egyptians and later Persians engraved the names of deities or masters on the hands of devotees. Yahweh inverts the custom—He is the Master who bears the marks of His servants.” ( Biblehub.com link )           Somewhere and somewhen, I read that travelers would draw or write on their hands the place they wanted to go back to. I can only share that as a bit of gossip because I don’t find evidence of it now. But, people tattoo...

                      So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear;” I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. (Isaish 41:10-14) One of the warnings that I heard decades ago was that we should never claim for ourselves promises that were made to someone else. So, when I read passages ...

  Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)           Looking up the use of “banner” in Biblical times, one source describes it as “In the Bible, the term "banner" symbolizes identity, unity, and divine protection. It represents a standard or ensign raised high for all to see, serving as a rallying point for God's people. The Hebrew word for banner, "נֵס" (nes), signifies not just a physical object but also a spiritual concept deeply rooted in the identity and protection offered by God.” ( Bibledictionarytoday.com )           Armies rallied around and marched under a banner that told everyone who they were. Citizens welcomed the victorious with banners much as fans welcome the victorious do today, with banners, flags, and cheering. Their banners make it clear to everyone that they’re with the team.      ...

                 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.   You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.   Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm139:1-6) Today’s passage includes my favorite verse about how God sees me. In my imagination, I see God (indistinctly, of course) sitting on His throne doing His God-thing. Suddenly, He raises a finger and says something like, “Hold on a sec. Karen’s thinking a thought and I want to listen.” I know that’s not Biblical. God doesn’t have to interrupt His “God-thing” to listen. But the point is that He perceives my thoughts. He has searched me. Not searched for me, but searched me. ...

                 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16) This is from my favorite psalm, but I must admit that this has not been my favorite part of the psalm. I’ll share that tomorrow, though I’ve commented on it before. The ridiculous thing is that the only difference in focus is time. Today’s passage deals with the past; tomorrow’s deals with the present. There are lots of ways you can describe me. I was a latchkey kid. I’m now a sort of hermit. I don’t think about how I fit in. I think in terms of how I don’t....

                 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.           Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  (Psalm 8:1-9)   ...

                 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them...   God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. (Genesis 1:27 & 31)           Seeking God by Trevor Hudson provides exercises for our souls, and this exercise is one I’ve used before. The author provided a nice list of verses and passages, and suggests that we read them while looking in a mirror or write them down in a manner that personalizes them. Notice or circle the phrases that touch you deeply. Take note of other verses that this verse brings to mind and add them to the list. The idea is that once you’ve gone through all the verses and passages, your goal will be to write a 6-8 sentence paragraph to remind yourself of the way God sees you. He only sugges...

              When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:4-6)           “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)           This is one of the prophecies about which I’ve heard derision from some. Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus declared that a census be taken. Detractors chortle and proclaim, “That’s not the way Rome did ce...

  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations t...

              Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)   This is a favorite prophecy for Atheists. “Parthenogenesis is impossible for humans, so it’s impossible, so it didn’t happen…and by the way, prove your god exists. How? I don’t know, but no, something happening that isn’t possible isn’t evidence because it couldn’t happen, so it didn’t happen, blah, blah, blah, case closed.” Of course, even if they saw a clear miracle, after a short time, they’ll decide it was a trick. This is also a favorite prophecy for Christians. I like it, too, but we tend to only read the Matthew quote and don’t put the Isaiah quote in context. At the time of the prophecy, it referred immediately to t...

              The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him . (Deuteronomy 18:15)           Today, we switch from Jesus’ claims of “I am” to prophecies made about Him. My Bible platform is starting in Deuteronomy. I’d start in Genesis, where we would learn that the one who would save us would be a descendant of Eve (Genesis 3:15), of Noah (by default), Abram and Sara(Genesis 12:1-3). Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Jacob (Genesis 25:23), Judah (Genesis 29:8), and David (II Samuel 7:12-16). There were also references to a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-32). In addition, there were prophecies about when and where the prophet/Messiah would be born and what would happen to him.           Of course, naysayers will claim that Jesus’ life was retrofitted or reverse enginee...

              “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)           There are books that discuss this extended metaphor, and if I tried to summarize them, I’d miss something integral to the idea. So, today’s verse isn’t like the first three I ams: “I am the bread of life… I am the light of the world… I am the gate… I am the good shepherd…” which could be understood as Jesus as a teacher, Today’s verse is like the last two, in which Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life and the way, the truth, and the life. Life comes from Him, through Him. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, including live.           Now, I have to return to my “It’s not magic” chorus. There is no one alive who reached the point where they are without help. A...

              Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me . (John 14:6)           If “I am the gate of the sheep…I am the good shepherd” from chapter 10 is a double whammy, this verse is a triple whammy. And its first victim is the notion that any other so-called god was acceptable or the same as Jesus. He, and He alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to get to the Father. There is no other Savior, or Redeemer, according to Jesus. Now, to be fair, other religions will claim that their religion or god(s) are the only way. That is the nature of gods and of religions. If this and that are equally good and agree on what’s necessary, then this and that are the same thing, so there’s no need to from the other to one. If that’s the case, then why speak against the other or promote the one? There’s a song I’ve been listening to i...

                   Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (John 11:25)           The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” (Proverbs 22:13)           “I am the bread of life… I am the light of the world… I am the gate… I am the good shepherd…” We can spiritualize these say that each of these can refer to Jesus as a teacher. His words will fill our spiritual bellies, teach us to see more clearly, protect and guide us. Today’s claim is a little harder to spiritualize. We can do it, but it’s harder because all the others involve adding Christ to our lives. Today’s demands something of us. Our death. Resurrection can’t happen to what is alive. The one who believes in him will die, and yet live.   ...

                 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep . (John 10:14) God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Genesis 3:14) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths     for his name’s sake. Even though I walk     through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,     for you are with me; your rod and your staff,     they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4) For the Jews, it was politically incorrect to make claims about yourself as a teacher (or possibly as anything else.) Teachers were expected to take pride in the...

               Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.   (John 10:7-9) What we think of as a sheep’s pen is not what the folks in Jesus’s time and area thought of. It wasn’t a fence with a wooden swinging gate. It was a wall of loosely stacked rocks, and the entrance was where the shepherd sat and slept. For Jesus to refer to Himself as the gate for the sheep would not have gotten a “Say, what?” from His audience. This also makes more sense of the notion that hirelings being not as likely to protect the herd. If the sheep weren’t yours, and you were being stared down by a pack of wolves, would you stand your ground? I suspect I wouldn’t, partly because I’m too weak t...

            When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.” C. S. Lewis (Is Theology Poetry?   Reflections: Christianity Makes Sense Of The World - C.S. Lewis Institute ) It seems that my Bible platform is going to go through Jesus’s “I Am” statements, and that’s fine with me. And again, maybe I’m the only one who hasn’t understood them in the past, but I don’t think so. The statement, “I’ve seen the light” or “I saw the light” tends to be understood either as my having come to Christ for salvation, or having otherwise repented because we’ve finally come to realize our error. It’s the candle in the window that leads us to safety. And I won’t say that aspect of it doesn’t exist. ...

                  Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty . (John 6:35)           I have to admit that this is one of the verses in Scripture that unsettles me a little. It’s not a deal-breaker with God because my failure to be 100% with what the Bible says is not required any more than my being 100% with any person. It’s entirely possible that I’m the one missing the puzzle piece. A lot of people would say that this passage is easy. Jesus was referring to Himself as the bread of life, so the bread in question is spiritual or figurative. It doesn’t mean that if those who come to Him choose to fast for forty days that their stomachs won’t growl and they won’t lose weight. It also doesn’t mean that groceries will appear in the cupboard.           ...

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...

                 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6) It has been a tough few days. Wednesday night, my “good” knee became my “bad” knee in a melodramatic incident. I handled the emergency fairly well, I think, but it’s taken several days to my knee to recover to the point that it has, which isn’t quite where I’d like it. I had downs and ups about an assigned article and my story, but I thought I was doing better. On Sunday morning, my pastor preached a great sermon about hope. Then I came home, and things slowly failed to be as productive as I wanted. It doesn’t help that I started into a process online that just can’t be simple. No great surprise, really. But by bedtime, I had spiraled down into anxiety. No great surprise, really. I prayed. I whined. I screamed in silence. And this morning I got up with my...

                 At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. (Deuteronomy 15:1) This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.   Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:6-8) How long has it been since you cancelled debts? I know we love the idea of having our debts cancelled. Buy a brand-new house and vehicle and pay on them for only 7 years. Or, better yet, buy them at 6.5 years through the cycle and only pay for 6 months! I don’t think it would work that way, but we like the idea. And, as for the forgiving debts others owe me, well, I don’t have the money to lend, so that is a non-issue. ...