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For many my words will probably be critical and harsh. But that is ok. Sometimes things needs to be said that people may not want to hear.

The Corinthian Church basked in the wisdom of the world and conducted themselves in a worldly lifestyle living out their spirituality. They were saved; but they were a long way from being Biblically spiritual. And Paul let them know how he perceived them and bluntly told them so. I am not a Paul. All I am saying is that I would like to point out a concern.

A personal note: As I was beginning this blog, my wife, entered my office, asked what I was doing. I told her starting a blog. She asked about going for a walk. I told her, no problem, so I shut down the blog. As we began our walk, she began sharing with me that she was not happy about the news broadcasts we have been watching. I told her that I understood. As we continued, she then told me that she realized that she had to consciously walk in the light of the Lord and not in the darkness of this world. I again understood, and realized that she was also referring to the news broadcasts. We have wrestled with this before; and we struggle to find news outlets that we are comfortable with as a news source. What was very interesting to me was that she was expressing to me what I was about to write about in the blog before we went for a walk. The Holy Spirit was confirming my thoughts. Also, I received an acronym for the the word light. Light is Living In God’s Holy Thought. (emphasis mine)

I am back from our walk; so now it is time to resume the blog.

As I said, Paul refuted their stance. I Corinthians 1:18-31 reads, (Tree of Life Version), “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the intelligent.” Where is the wise one? Where is the Torah scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For seeing that–in God’s wisdom–the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased–through foolishness of the message proclaimed–to save those who believe. For Jewish people ask for signs and Greek people seek after wisdom, but we proclaim Messiah crucified–a stumbling block to Jewish people and foolishness to Gentile people, but to those who are called (both Jewish and Greek people) Messiah, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brothers and sister, that not many are wise according to human standards, not many are powerful, and not many are born well. Yet God chose the foolish things of the world so He might put to shame the wise; and God chose the weak things of the world so He might put to shame the strong; and God chose the lowly and despised things of the world, the things that are as nothing, so He might bring to nothing the things that are–so than no human might boast in Messiah Yeshua, who became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and holiness and redemption–so that, just as it is written, “let him who boasts boast in Adonai.”” (emphasis mine)

For Paul, the Corinthian Church was not walking the light of God’s Word, they were not Living in God’s Holy Thought. (emphasis mine)

It is my understanding that there are churches that have embraced the thinking of the world with respect to CRT, WOKE, and MAGA. They are of the opinion that the church needs to embrace such thinking to be inclusive and relevant in the culture of our nation.

Is this type of thinking walking in the light of God’s Word? Is this God’s Holy thought?

I would like to put my spin on such thinking. As a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I will shock many, by saying that I embrace C.R.T., W.O.K.E. and M.A.G.A. Let me explain.

The world believes in Critical Race Theory. I, as a believer in Christ, believe in Christ’s Redemptive Teaching. Which of the two is God’s Holy thought?

The world believes in Woke-‘being open minded’, especially, ‘alert to racial prejudice and discrimination.’ I, as a believer in Christ, realize that I need to be open minded to the lost, and that there is no place for racial prejudice and discrimination in the Body of Christ or toward unbelievers outside the church.

It is no secret that the Church is accused of being intolerant, not open minded, and discriminant as it adheres to the Word of God. This has become a major stumbling block for many congregations and denominations. The issue is what does the Word of God teach? For me, personally, to be W.O.K.E. is Walking Out Kingdom Ethics; it also means Worshipping Our King Everyday.

So, which of the two major understandings of WOKE align with God’s Holy thought?

I also realize that many believers in the church embrace a politically MAGA lifestyle. And that lifestyle can and does affect the Body of Christ. Many believers support M.A.G.A.-meaning, Making America Great Again. The church must come to the realization that the government, a political party, or Christian Nationalism will not Make America Great Again. Am I anti-American, NO! There is only one way that this nation can be restored to its working order as established by our Founding Fathers. The Church must repent of it’s sins, the sins of this nation, seek God, and pray. That is not new news for the Church. Only our Heavenly Father’s Divine Intervention can save this nation. We are at the ‘edge’; and we are teetering on that edge precariously. As a believer in Christ, M.A.G.A. means to me Magnify Almighty God Again(Always).

Which of these two understandings express God’s Holy thought?

Psalms 33:12 (Tree of Life Version) says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is Adonai, the people He chose for His own inheritance.” (emphasis mine)

According to I Peter 2:9 (TLV), as believers in Christ, we, “…are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praise of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (emphasis mine)

Remember what I shared at the beginning of this blog. My wife Christine mentioned that she needed to focus on the light and not the darkness. In Christ, we are children of the light. Jesus said, ” I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, TLV) [Also see John 1:1-5; and I John 1:5] (emphasis mine)

I would like share the following passage of scripture written by the Apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus for your encouragement and admonition.

Ephesians 5:1-20, TLV, “Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly beloved children; and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed–don’t even let these be mentioned among you, as is proper for kedoshim (saints). Obscene, coarse, and stupid talk are also our of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Know for certain that no immoral, indecent, or greedy person–who is really an idol worshipper at heart–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s judgment comes on the children of disobedience. Therefore do not be partners with them. For once you were darkness, but now in union with the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light ( for the fruit of light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them–for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that are done by them in secret. Yet everything exposed by the light is being made visible, for everything made visible is light. This is why is says, “Wake up (Church), O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Messiah will shine on you.” So pay close attention to how you walk–not as unwise people but as wise. Make the most of your time because the days are evil, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is recklessness. Instead, be filled with the Rauch (Spirit), speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your heart to the Lord–always given thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” (words in parentheses are my inserts) (emphasis mine)

Let me close with a question. Upon whom or what do you focus? Where is the focus of your attention? What if F.O.C.U.S. means, Focus On Christ Using Scripture.

I submit to you that as you FOCUS on Christ using the Word of God you will walk in God’s Holy thoughts.

When Paul called up short the Corinthian Church for lack of spirituality, and accused them of being like the world with regards to wisdom and knowledge, he said to them in I Corinthians 2:1-5 TLV, “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with excellent of speech or wisdom, proclaiming the mystery of God. For I decided not to know about anything among you except Yeshua the Messiah– and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive word of wisdom–so that your faith would not bein the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (emphasis mine)

Paul was focused upon God’s Holy thought.

What was Paul’s message? What is the mystery he referred too? What Holy thought was he fixated upon?

It was “Christ crucified”.

The world wants nothing to do with the message of the Gospel.

Unfortunately as the church considers other topics of importance and ignores the foundation of the gospel message, the church renders itself ineffective without an authoritarian voice expressing God’s Holy thought to a lost world; and the church will preach a non-essential, meaningless message to the people within the church.

The focus of the Church must be on Christ, and message of the Gospel, based upon the light of God’s Holy thought in the Word of God.

It is time for the church to wake up, and ask itself if it is walking in the Light, meaning, Living In God’s Holy Thought. (emphasis mine)

Is the local church that you attend focused upon Christ, and God’s Holy thought as outlined in the Word of God? If not, ask the Lord to find you a new place of worship that focuses on Christ, and God’s Holy Word.

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

Before you stands three doors to choose from, door #1, door #2, and door #3.

Door #1, refers to Make America Great Again. For many you may want to choose this door. However, for the purpose of this blog, I am not making a political statement; nor am I endorsing or repudiating political parties.

Door #2 refers to Making A Gross Assumption. Let me explain.

On February 8, 2023, at Asbury College, after the conclusion of their regular weekly Chapel service, something irregular happened. Students stayed after the conclusion of the service and the Presence of the Lord came and the weight of His glory was more than evident. For the next two weeks plus, there was continual worship and prayer. Students didn’t want to leave. Many came from many other college throughout the United States (the last number I read was 200), many people came from other nations to experience and/or check out what ‘ God was doing’. All of this you can discover for yourself on the internet and I recommend that you do so.

So, what does Making A Gross Assumption mean?

I am concerned that people in our nation, beginning at the top, in our government nationally, in our states, in our counties, and even in our local communities, spiraling its way downward into our churches, and coming to rest in our populace in their households will assume that the outpouring of the Presence of the Lord that began several weeks ago at Asbury College is a referendum of God’s approval of our lifestyle as a nation, a people, and even of the church. I do not believe that is true at all. Do I know God’s thoughts about the condition of our nation? No, but God has instructed us to examine the fruit of people’s work and words. Do you see good fruit or bad fruit? Do you hear words that lift you up or cause fear and despair? It is not wrong to judge such things.

There is no doubt that the Lord has come. As one pastor’s wife commented, who went to Asbury with her husband, and I paraphrase, it was as if God came seeking us, not us seeking Him; we are responding to Him; He is not responding to our initiative. This is not man-made; this is God-made.

I will say it this way, for us to assume that our lifestyle as a nation is pleasing to God and He chose to come is Making A Gross Assumption.

I would like to draw our attention to Isaiah 60:1,2 (Tree of Life Version, Hebraic emphasis). It reads:

“Arise shine, for light has come! The glory of Adonai has risen upon you. For behold, great darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the peoples. But Adonai will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.”

In context, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to Israel about their wanton lifestyle. He is pleading with them to repent and return to Him. Why? Because He loves them.

Israel has committed spiritual adultery against their God. They forsook Him and sought out many other lovers. We, too, as a nation, have turned our back on God, rejected His influence and providence in the founding of our nation, and set aside His Word as an influence to govern our personal lives and the national affairs of this nation.

The Light that we as a nation, once abided in, has been ‘darkened’, if not close to being extinguished, ‘deep darkness’. (I recommend that you read Isaiah 59 in its entirety. )

Isaiah 59:1-2, TLV says: “Behold, Adonai’s hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Rather your iniquities have made a separation between you and your god. Your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

Sounds like there is no hope. But God….Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise shine, for your light has come…”

Question: What came? Light (John 1:1-5) Who is the Light? (John 8:12) Jesus; (I John 1:5) God; Who took the initiative? Ephesians 2:4 TLV, “But God was rich in mercy…” .

This is what happened at Asbury College? God came. He took the initiative in spite of our sinful lifestyle as a nation. Why? That’s Who God is; that’s the Father’s essence.

What we are witnessing here and throughout the world is God’s game plan.

What is that G.A.M.E. plan?

His Grace And Mercy Extended to a lost and darkened world.

We as a nation are shrouded in ‘darkness’; alas, ‘deep darkness’. What does it mean to be ‘shrouded’? wrapped in burial clothes, covered from view, to be concealed. We are dead in our trespasses and sins that have separated us from our God.

Can this nation be resurrected? Only God knows!

Jesus said to Martha, ” I am the resurrection and the life! Whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 TLV

There is hope! We can confidently say that because God has come; and as we respond to Him in faith, hope is present. God sent His Son because He loved the world (John 3:16). He still comes into the world to make Himself known and to minister to His people and to save sinners from their sin, and to forgive them of their sins. Such is the Grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Hebrews 11:1,6 TLV says,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen…Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

At Asbury College, God came, the students responded to His Presence, and in faith pursued Him. God initiated it; the students responded; and people were blessed; and that Presence is spreading all over the world.

At Asbury College, God, Himself, chose to intervene in the lives of a student body.

Again, let me bring our thought back to where I started regarding door #2.

Don’t misunderstand what God is doing.

MAGA does not mean door #1 is being opened; meaning God is making America great again and

Don’t believe that door #2 means that God is present because everything is ok in the nation-wrong! Don’t make that gross assumption.

There is still one last door.

Door#3.

Door #3 shouts out, let us Magnify Almighty God Always.

What is the Testimony of Jesus concerning this outpouring at Asbury?

God is being magnified for Who is He?

Our God is an Awesome God!

Jesus is being worshipped, magnified, exalted, extolled, praised, honored…

The Word is being read and shared.

Testimonies are being shared.

People’s lives are being changed, not by hype; but by a life changing encounter with a Person. The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As others have intimated that this ‘looks like’ pure Gospel ministry.

A Jesus ministry. Not orchestrated by people; but ‘conducted’ by the Holy Spirit.

In short, this is a Family affair, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the Three in One.

Examining Isaiah 60:1.2 closely, it is not far fetched to see God magnified in this passage. We are to rejoice that our light has come; we are to recognize that His glory is upon us (rejoice and magnify the Lord); and even though “darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the peoples” that does not prevent God Himself, Adonai, arising upon you, personally. (rejoice your Heavenly Father has come to you…to you…to you-let that sink in.)

So, what door are you going to chose to walk through?

door #1

door #2

door #3

Upon what or who will you focus?

door #1 focuses on politics

door #2 focuses on a wanton lifestyle

door #3 focuses on a personal relationship with the Lord, worshipping God, and being helped by the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to focus on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 62:2-3,6-9, TLV says,

“My soul wait in stillness only for God from Him comes my salvation–He alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress–I will not be moved…My soul wait in stillness only for God–for from Him comes my expectation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower–I will not be moved. On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God.”

Jesus is Lord, blessings, deo

This is the sixth in a series of blogs about Luke 2:1-52.

This concludes a series that began with the Incarnation.

Mary and Joseph have found Jesus. Jesus had chosen to stay in Jerusalem after the celebration of the feast of Passover and talk with the teachers of the Torah in the Temple. All things considered that doesn’t appear to be wise. At least three days had come and gone since Mary and Joseph had left Jerusalem with a caravan assuming that Jesus was present traveling with “relatives and friends” (Luke 2: 44, TLV).

His parents have been through an emotional ‘hell’. Upon finding Jesus, Mary has confronted her Son with the question, “Child, why did you do this to us?” (TLV)

I would like to interject this thought. To our knowledge, no angel has showed-up during this episode in the life of Joseph and Mary to give them instructions about what was taking place; what was about to happen; or what they were going to experience. God, the Father, did it differently. The parents were on their own. The angels had served their purpose in the formative stages of the life of Jesus. Now, no more angels. The Torah has and is governing the family.

Therefore, I propose to you that this episode in the life of Mary and Joseph becomes an awakening in their hearts to see and experience Jesus with a new understanding. Mary must realize that ‘Jesus is no longer a Child’. Joseph must recognize that ‘the Child is a Bar Mitzvah, a son of the commandment’. Jesus, according to the Torah now ‘Belongs’ to the Jewish adult community. But, what does that mean with regards to His relationship with His mother and father, right now, tomorrow, and the future ?

Where did they find Him?

He was sitting, conversing with the teachers of the Torah. And, it appears that He was holding His own in the conversation. The teachers of the Torah were amazed at His understanding and His responses. Can we safely assume that Jesus was expressing ‘wisdom’ that the teachers of the Torah believed was beyond His years?

(remember, the definition of ‘precocious’; it said of a child, that it was expressing ‘wisdom’ beyond his/her years?) (insert mine)

Jesus has been separated from His parents for at least three days. Jesus obviously has exercised poised resourcefulness. For me, this speaks of His upbringing, His ability to take care of Himself, and His personal strength.

Verse 49 (TLV) is Jesus’ response to the moment, to His parents, and about His future. Jesus says, “Why were you searching for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be about the things of My Father?”

Sounds like Jesus has everything under control.

I believe that Jesus understood what being 12 meant at this time in His life. Jesus had remained in Jerusalem because that is what His Father had directed Him to do. Jesus is no longer a ‘Child’ in the eyes of the Jewish community; He has ‘Become’ a ‘son of the commandment’; and He, now, ‘Belongs’ as an Adult to the Jewish nation into which He was born, but don’t forget, He is 12.

Can we conclude that Jesus is exhibiting a ‘Boldness’? He is seeking to do His Father’s will. This boldness has caused a ‘tear’ in the relationship between Himself and His father and mother; and though it has caused momentary grief, it is a necessary grief, that will initially hurt, but be healed; however, we are aware that a greater ‘tear’ ‘will be experienced by His mother, as she witnesses Her Son’s ministry that leads Him to the cross to be crucified.

Read the narrative carefully of the life of Jesus in Luke 2. Directing our thoughts to two verses, verse 39 says (TLV) “When Joseph and Miriam had completed everything according to the Torah of Adonai, they returned to the Galilee, to their own city of Natzeret (Nazareth).” Verse 41 says, “Now His parents were going every year to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.” Jesus is in Jerusalem at this time because Joseph made sure his family kept the Torah. Jesus is being bold and in His Boldness, He is being strong: body, soul, spirit. Jesus is keeping the Torah, accountable for His own actions and responsibilities.

Returning to verse 49, there is nothing in Jesus’ response that is “childish’. It speaks of Luke 2:40 (TLV), “The Child kept growing and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him.”

This 12 year old is manifesting the fruit of verse 40 in the presence of the teachers of the Torah and also expressing it to His parents. What His parents had witnessed for the past 12 years in their quiet, respectful home is now blossoming (remember that was part of the definition of the word ‘precocious’ that we considered in the previous blog). His blossoming is a manifestation of the ‘favor of God’ that was upon Him. That favor is Grace! The word “favor’ is the Greek word, ‘charis’-grace.

Simply put again, making a strong statement, this 12 year old ‘Bar Mitzvah’ standing before Mary and Joseph, responding to His mother is no long the Child as His mother had known Him.

I submit that verse 49, which is Jesus’ answer, respectfully responds to His parents with a quiet boldness that left them amazed by His answer; just as the teachers of the Torah had been amazed by His answers to them. Jesus is not challenging His parents; nor is He ridiculing them. Let’s look at Jesus’ answer again.

“Why were you searching for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be about the things of My Father?”

Luke provides for us what many of us may be thinking. To what degree of significance did His parents understand this moment in the life of Jesus at the age of 12 years old and coming to the feast of Passover? I would say that they envisioned their pilgrimage like the other family’s from their town of Nazareth. Their Son has turned 12; He has now passed from Childhood to being responsible as an Adult under the Torah; and He is responsible for His own actions. Nothing wrong with that, except, Jesus is more than a natural son, He is the Son of God/Son of Man. God in the flesh. He is unique. There is no one else like Him, then or now, or in the future. That is why what has transpired in the life of Jesus and His mother and father is significant.

Interruption: I just had this thought and I want to express it: Mary is ‘giving birth’ again. She is experiencing the ‘birth’ of an Adult Son. Do you see it? or am I imagining it? this time it is in her heart.

Verse 50 (TLV) tells us that “But they did not grasp the message He was telling them.” And if the teachers of the Torah heard this same conversation, I do not believe they understood it either.

And we know Pharisees and the teachers of the Torah didn’t understand Him when He was an Adult ministering for three plus years on His way to the cross.

Verses 51-52, are an incredible revelation in the life of Christ. Remember, Jesus is 12 years old. He has entered ‘Belonging’ to the Jewish community. He has been ‘Bar Mitzvah, a son of the commandment’; He is now recognized as being an Adult and responsible for His actions. As stated previously, it is easy to recognize that the ‘favor of God was upon Him’ based upon His interaction with the teachers of the Torah and His response to His parents. Ok, you have said this before; I know, but…

Question: How did this 12 year old young adult live with His earthly parents after having this spiritual encounter orchestrated by His Heavenly Father, in the Temple (His Father’s House) talking with the teachers of the Torah and causing disruption in His parents lives?

Verse 51 (TLV) tells us that He went back home to Nazareth with His parents and “was obedient to them.” Jesus didn’t flaunt His age before His parents. Jesus didn’t have an attitude that said, ‘I’m an adult now, and I will do things My way’. I am the Son of God, step aside. He didn’t think of Himself more highly than He ought to think. As the Son of Man, He continued to humble Himself and was obedient to His parents and to the Torah. (boldness mine)

Why are the words ‘humble‘ and ‘obedient‘ an important words?

Jesus is living out Philippians 2:5-8 (TLV) “Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua”…

“Who, though existing the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be grasped. But He emptied Himself–taking on the form of a slave, becoming the likeness of men (Incarnation) and being found in appearance as a man. He humbled Himself–becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (insert, boldness mine).

Remember Jesus is the Son of Man/Son of God, the Second Adam, in the flesh. He is living a sinless life. He is growing into Manhood. He is fulfilling the Word of God perfectly (See Matthew 5:48). I Peter 1:13-16 (TLV), the Apostle Peter exhorts us, “So brace your minds for action. Keep your balance. And set your hope on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah. Like obedient children, do not be shaped by the cravings you had formerly in your ignorance. Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do. For it is written, “Kedoshim you shall be, for I am kadosh.” (You shall be holy, for I am holy) (emphasis mine) This requires walking humbly before the Lord. What did Jesus teach about humility? Matthew 23:12 (TLV), “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Holiness is the life that Jesus lived as the Son of God/Son of Man. He was perfectly Holy because in Him was no sin. Here is an acronym for the word H.O.L.Y. — Humble Obedience Loving Yahweh. This is the lifestyle that Jesus walked out here in human flesh.

Remember Philippians 5:5 (TLV) instructs us to “Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua.” That is a daunting statement. Apart from Christ in us it is impossible to fulfill. Only by the Grace of God can we learn to walk in the likeness of Christ.

This is the attitude that Jesus lived as He grew up in preparation for His Ministry, and the attitude that He continued to live while fulfilling His Ministry.

How long was He at home with His parents? To answer that question, we need to keep reading. Beginning with Luke 3:1 and following, we can find the answer to that question. Luke 3:23 (TLV) says, “Yeshua was about thirty years old when He began His ministry.” Doing the math, 30 -12 = 18. So Jesus apparently stayed home and helped His family for around 18 years; and since many believe that Joseph passed away while Jesus was still at home, then Jesus assumed taking care of the family, because He was the oldest Son. How can I say that with confidence? When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He spoke to John to take care of Mary His mother; and told Mary that John was now her son. He made sure His mother was taken care of. (John 19:26-27)

Simply stated, Jesus submitted to His father and mother and lived with them until the time came when He had to be about ‘the things’ of His Heavenly Father. That ‘thing’ was to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. (John 1:29)

Reflecting now on verse 51 (TLV), Luke writes about how all of this affected Mary.

“But His mother treasured all these words in her heart.” Sound familiar, the shepherds had come to worship the new born King. The shepherds had told Mary what had been revealed to them in the fields that night. Luke 2:19 (TLV) says that Mary upon hearing these words…”treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Jesus’ words spoken to His mother, Mary, quieted her anxiousness, her sorrow and her fears.

I highlighted the words ‘treasured‘ on purpose. I found out in the Strong’s concordance that they are two different Greek words. The first one, used in Luke 2:19 means ‘to keep, observe, keep closely together; the second one, used in Luke 2:51 means ‘ to watch thoroughly, to observe strictly’.

Based upon these two different words, do you see a difference? The difference that I see, is why I am saying, a ‘birthing’ took place in Mary’s heart.

What I observe here is the ‘mothering process’ that explains about how Mary ‘handled’ the early years of Jesus’ life; and then how Mary “handled” the latter years of Jesus’ life. From Jesus’ birth to age 12, as a mother, she watched over Him, making sure everything was right. She was a ‘hand’s on’ mother that kept a ‘close watch approach on Him’, but was not suffocating. Now, at age 12, Jesus is entering the next official stage of His Jewish life. Mary needs to change her ‘mothering’ routine. Jesus is going to live out His Bar Mitzvah. This means that Jesus is no longer a Child. Mary musts take a ‘hand’s off’ approach as HIs mother. Realizing that He is 12, from now on she is to ‘observe’ Him living out His life as He matures into adulthood. This is the ‘birthing’ revelation that Mary had about Jesus in her heart– Birthed out of Childhood into Adulthood. Isn’t this the exact same thing that we as parents need to understand and embrace as we mother and father our own children.

In the beginning, before Jesus was born in the flesh, God, the Father, sent His angel to speak to both Joseph and Mary and tell them what was going to take place. God continued to use angels as they were necessary to establish this family in a safe place. Over the past 12 years the family has been dwelling in that safe place. The place is still safe; but the dynamics are changing because Jesus is now 12 years old. His Heavenly Father has come into the midst of this family through the Torah and showed Mary and Joseph that Jesus is now beginning a new stage of development at the age of 12. He now ‘Belongs’ to the Jewish community in a new way. From a practical parenting standpoint that means that the process of fathering and mothering must change with regards to Jesus’ age and development.

This brings me to a final comparison. Compare Luke 2:40 with Luke 2:52. What similarities and differences do you observe? (TLV)

This is what I would like you to observe ? Luke 2:40 is Jesus’ growth and development as a Child, as typified, by what Mary treasured in her heart. Luke 2:52 is Jesus’ growth and development as an Adult, as typified, by what Mary treasured in her heart. Luke 2:52 is the maturing of Luke 2:40. What Mary treasured in seed form, grew for 12 years and has now ‘birthed’ into what she will treasure watching her Son mature.

Notice the wording of each verse.

Luke 2:40 (TLV) “The Child kept growing and became strong, filled (to make full, complete,[picture to the brim]) with wisdom; and the favor [grace] of God was upon Him.” (inserts mine)

Luke 2:52 (TLV) “And Yeshua (not the word, Child) kept increasing(to advance in amount, to grow[picture what was originally given is now maturing])in wisdom and stature(as big as, how great), and in favor[grace] with God and men(His influence and recognition is expanding in the community; He was becoming an integral part of the community of Nazareth; His influence was beyond the ‘four walls’ of His household.) I would like to share a scripture that substantiates His integral part in the community showing how He grew in favor with men. Luke 4:16 (TLV) tells us, “And He came to Natzeret (Nazareth), where He had been raised. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on Shabbat and He got up to read.” I believe that this is a testimony of the type of life that He had lived from the time He was 12 years of age until He began His formal ministry about 18 years later. (inserts and emphasis mine)

Do you see the process in its beginning stages of His Birth through Boyhood to age 12; then from age 12, His Bar Mitzvah, through His Adult life until it’s time to enter into His ministry about age, 30? All of this, Mary had been and was now treasuring in her heart. Mary was in the transition. Her transition required embracing a ‘birthing’ into the next level of her ‘mothering’ responsibilities in Jesus’ life.

The nuances between the two verses are significant. A seed breaks forth out of the ground into the sunlight; the plant begins to grow; the plant becomes strong; the plant blossoms; the plant blooms; the fruit of the plant is partaken of… and then the plant dies. Why?

Jesus said (John 12:24 TLV) “Amen, Amen I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” What is Jesus referring too? His sacrificial death on the cross, as the Lamb of God.

But He is also referring to much more.

I want to close with the following verses found in John 12:25-26 (TLV),

“He who loves his life will lose it, and one who hates his life in this world will keep it forever. If any man serves Me, he must follow Me ;and where I am, there also will My servant be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”

To live out these words requires humility, obedience, and agape (God’s love).

In Christ, we ‘Belong’ to the Father; and we are all in the process of ‘Becoming’.

As we continue our walk with the Lord, we grow and blossom. I am sure that you are familiar with the words, ‘bloom where you are planted’. Those words are still true. Jesus bloomed where He was planted. And as we bloom where we are planted; we, too, will grow in favor/grace with God and man.

blessings, let us go forth, to serve in the Kingdom of God, deo

Part 6

This is the fifth in a series of blogs about Luke 2:1-52.

Your child is lost, you have spent a long time looking for your child, and finally you find him or her. What is your response? relief, anger, frustration, confusion, love…maybe all of them in some form or another, but most likely a lot of emotional mixture.

Without sounding too pious, in this circumstance, we must remember Who this Child is and what His parents have been chosen to do. We are not Joseph and Mary. But under these circumstances looking for our lost child, would that negate having a concerned ‘loving’ response when we found our child? I assume that many of us would be ticked off, and find it very hard to be loving. Is that true of all of us? Probably not; but I would hope that we could have a loving response; at least somewhat of a loving response. But under the emotional stress of looking for our ‘missing’ child, most of us don’t know how we would respond. Do you?

Can you imagine what it might have been like realizing that you didn’t know where Jesus, the ‘Son of God’, was, the One, who had been committed to your up bringing?

Let’s remember what the angel of the Lord had told each of them some 13 years earlier.

Matthew 1:20 (TLV) “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miriam (Mary) as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Rusch ha-Kodash (the Holy Spirit). She will give birth to a son and you shall call His name Yeshua; for He will save His people from their sin.” (inserts mine)

Luke 1:30-33 (TLV) the angel spoke to her, “…do not be afraid, Mariam (Mary), for you have found favor with God. Behold you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name, Yeshua. He will be great and will be called Ben-Elohim (the Son of God). Adonai Elohim (the Lord God) will give Him the throne of David, His father. He shall reign over the house of Jacob for all eternity, and His kingdom will be without end.” (inserts mine).

No pressure, right?

Both of them were probably really afraid. Where is the angel when you need him?

Jesus is ‘Becoming’. As I shared in the previous blog, God is ‘presenting’ His Son in the Temple. God, the Father, is giving Jesus, His ‘Bar Mitzvah”. Jesus has become according to the Torah (Law) a ‘son of the commandment’. Jesus is also now entering into ‘Belonging’, ‘Belonging’ to what? He is ‘Belonging’ to the Jewish nation of Israel as One responsible for His own actions and the keeping of the Torah.

This ‘Belonging’ has been directed by God, His Father, according to the Torah in the presence of the scholars/teachers of the Torah in the Temple. I would like to say that this is a ‘special’ moment for the Father in the life of His Son, Jesus.

verse 46 says, that Jesus’ parents “found Him sitting in the center of the teachers listening to them and asking them questions.” Jesus is exercising His wisdom interacting with the teachers of the Torah. Do you think that Mary and Joseph recognized this as a special moment in the life of Jesus?

Before answering that, I would like to share a thought that I cannot prove.

I wonder if any of the teachers involved in this encounter with Jesus, when He was twelve years old, were present in Jerusalem, listening to Him, when He, as an adult, was teaching in the Temple during His ministry? Consider this ‘aha’ moment: “I remember Him… He was… 12… we were in the Temple… He was sitting in the center…we were encircled around Him… we were talking back and forth…suddenly His parents showed up and…

verse 47 (TLV) records the reaction of the Temple scholars, “and all those hearing Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers.” That same amazement was paramount throughout His entire adult life. All who heard Him were amazed. Why were they amazed? They had a difficult time comprehending the depth of the conversation that was happening between them and Jesus. It was the ‘wisdom’ that He accumulated during His formative years .

I see, sitting before the teachers of the Torah, a well behaved, good looking, young boy who spoke like no other 12 year old they had ever encountered before and ‘the favor of God was upon Him’.

What we do not know is the pattern of formal education that Jesus has had as a Child growing up. But, I believe that it is safe to conclude that Joseph made sure that Jesus’ education as a Child was handled properly according to the Torah and to the educational opportunities available in Nazareth. His education provided the back round and the input that became His wisdom.

Deuteronomy 6:4-8 says, TLV

Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart. You are to teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when to lie down and when you rise up. Bind theme as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Part of the mystery of the Incarnation is stated by Paul in Philippians 2:5-8(TLV), “Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua, Who, though existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be grasped. But He emptied Himself–taking on the form of a slave, becoming the likeness of men and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself–becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

At this time, all, I want to reflect upon is what does this mean in terms of His ‘wisdom’ as a Child? As God, He is omniscient; but, He emptied Himself of His prerogatives as God. What does that mean in real life, having been born as a Baby and then in the process of growing up as a Child? This is unknown to us.

I sought to find out what Jewish education consisted of at the time of Jesus’ Childhood. There was a lot to read. In short, the father is responsible for his children’s education. There were centers for learning; and there was a time table of education based upon the child’s age. Restating what I said earlier, I think that it is safe to conclude that Joseph made sure that his children’s education was properly taken care of, and that included Jesus.

Two blogs ago, I encouraged readers to read Luke 2:41-50 and consider the question why could, what has been described in this passage, been difficult for Jesus’ mother and father to comprehend?

Let me begin restating, I believe that since the family’s return from exile in Egypt, having been sent there to avoid Herod’s rampage to kill Jesus, they had lived a quiet, respectful, ‘normal’ life in Nazareth. I conclude this based upon Luke 2:39-42. However, we must consider this: that because of the special events surrounding the birth of Jesus, it seems reasonable to assume that His parents must have anticipated a time when things would change; the problem was not knowing when that change would occur and under what circumstances.

We, too, as parents know that a time comes when changes take place in the dynamics of our family life as our children grow up.

Guess what? The time for change has come, according to the Torah. Now that His Son has turned twelve, God, the Father, is moving His Son, Jesus forward, governed by the Torah. Jesus goes to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover traveling with His parents and stays behind to speak with the teachers of the Torah. His parents discover Him missing; like normal parents, they panic; and trace their steps backward to Jerusalem. And finally they find Him. Now what?

What is His parent’s response?

verse 48 (TLV): “When His parents saw Yeshua (Jesus), they were overwhelmed (KJV-amazed; NKJV-astonished)” “and His mother said to Him, Child, why did you do this to us? (inserts mine)

Question: Is this comment a negative confrontation by His mother? “Look! Your father and I were searching for you frantically (TLV)” (KJV-sorrowing; NKJV-anxiously). (insert mine)

I am not a theologian. I have not studied Greek. But as a parent, I think I hear exasperation; at least, surprise. In essence I hear Mary saying, “Jesus you’ve never treated us this way before.” Do you sense what I am sensing as a parent? Many years ago I wrote a note to myself in my Bible about this passage, wondering if, at this moment, Mary had forgotten, “What she had pondered in her heart” (Luke 2:19) (TLV), 12-13 years earlier, when Jesus was born, and she was holding Him, wrapped in swaddling clothes on that first night in a stable.

Looking up the definition of the word ‘frantically’, it means “distraught with fear, anxiety or other emotion; it also means in a hurried, excited and chaotic way.” (Oxford Collegiate Dictionary) . I conclude that Mary and Joseph reacted like normal parents, having been pushed to the edge emotionally, very anxious and distraught because their Child has been missing for three days.

In the KJV, it says, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” (emphasis mine)

In the NKJV, it says, “Son, why have you done this to us? Look! your father and I have sought You anxiously.” (emphasis mine)

In the TLV, it says, Child, why did you do this to us? Look! Your father and I were searching for You frantically.” (emphasis mine)

Question: Was this confrontation private, or in front of the scholars of the Torah? Did His mother and father walk into center of the circle and confront their Son? I don’t know for sure but just reading verses 46-48 (TLV), and taking the verses at face value, it appears to me likely that may have happened.

I do not know what the Greek tenses are.

Follow this thought: “After three days they found Him in the Temple sitting in the center of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Yeshua (where was He? He was sitting in the center of the teachers), they were overwhelmed. And His mother said to Him (no indication of movement by Jesus to His parents or vice-versa; therefore, it appears that Mary interrupted the proceedings) “Why did you do this to us?” ” (I suggest Mary, seeing her Son, impulsively interrupted what she saw before her, and blurted out her question. Rude, yes; but I do not think it is totally out of the question.) (inserts mine)

But we do know how Jesus responded as a twelve year old ‘Bar Mitzvah’. I used that designation on purpose. His mother (TLV) called Him Child. Other translations use Son. He is most assuredly a Son, especially The Son; I wonder if His mother still considered Him a Child? I am assuming that the translators of the TLV know that meaning of ‘Child’ is an appropriate translation for the Greek word used. The word ‘Son’ (Strong’s Concordance) means child, daughter, son. So, I am back to my original question, does His mother still consider Jesus as a Child in her eyes, when in reality, He is 12, and according to the Torah, Bar Mitzvah, now an Adult Son? Let’s let the event do the talking.

The dynamics of this Divine Intervention by Jesus’ Father having His Son interact with the teachers of the Torah in the Temple has caused an ’emotional upheaval’ in the life of Jesus’ parents. Jesus’ ‘Belonging’ is undergoing transition. But doesn’t that happen to all parents as they go through experiences that affect their relationships with their children? Discernment is required for letting go; especially knowing when is the right time and how to let go.

So, I will conclude this section with another question.

If Mary considers her Son still a Child, what does that tell us about how Mary envisions her Son at this moment in her life? in her heart?

TBC, a journeyer in Christ, deo

Part 5

This is the fourth in a series of blogs looking at Luke 2:1-52.

In the narrative of Luke 2, the life of Jesus has been shared recounting His birth, His early boyhood, and His growth to age twelve. Events surrounding His growth from His circumcision and recognition in the Temple to His return to Jerusalem as a twelve year old is summarized in one verse, Luke 2:40 (TLV), which says, “The Child kept growing and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.”

There are significant events that accompanied His early years recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew writes extensively about the coming of the Magi, their interaction with Herod, their worship of Christ, an angel’s intervention stopping them from returning to Herod, Herod’s fury regarding the birth a king, and Herod’s edict to kill all male infants 2 years old and younger. In the midst of this atrocity, an angel appears to Joseph and instructs him to take Jesus and his mother Mary to Egypt to escape Herod’s fury to kill the Baby Boy. Joseph obeys the angel’s instruction, flees to Egypt, and stays there until he is told by an angel to return to Israel because Herod has died. Joseph returns to Israel but is afraid of Herod’s son, who is now the king; an angel instructs Joseph to go to Nazareth fulfilling what was previously spoken by a prophet saying, “that out of Egypt I have called My Son.”; and the word spoken by the prophets that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. All of this is detailed in Matthew 2:1-23.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are in Nazareth. The family is growing and Jesus is becoming older, stronger, wiser, and blessed by His Heavenly Father. It would be interesting to know what all of that looked like in real life.

Luke 2:41-52 opens for us a window into the life of Christ. One can only imagine the details of Luke 2:40 that I just referenced and wondered about; yet, I believe that the wording is significant. So I will revisit the verse. Luke 2:40 (TLV), says, “The Child kept growing and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him.”

At the close of the previous blog, I asked a question. Do you think Jesus was a ‘precocious’ child? I am aware that one must be very careful ascribing adjectives to the person of Jesus because Jesus is unique. He is the Incarnate Son of God in the flesh; therefore, He is the Son of Man. He is completely sinless. He is without sin.

The word ‘precocious’ (according to the Oxford American College Dictionary, c. 2002) means (of a child) having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual. (of behavior or ability) indicative of such development: a precocious talent for computing. (of a plant) flowering or fruiting earlier than usual.” Is this true of Jesus? One can only speculate. We must be careful not to make outlandish statements. It is too easy to make assumptions using man’s wisdom. However, I think it is safe to say that Luke 2:40 encapsulates the meaning of the word ‘precocious’; and I would like to share with you why I believe that is true according to the passage before us, Luke 2;41-52.

verses 41-42, tell us that Jesus has journeyed with His parents to Jerusalem. Officially, as a twelve year old, He is required to present Himself before the Lord at each of the three feasts. He is coming to Passover, the first of the three yearly feasts(Exodus 23:14-17, Deuteronomy 16:16). Jesus is presenting Himself before His Heavenly Father according to the Torah. He is fulfilling the law; but it is more than that.

Is Jesus ‘strong’? There is no reason to doubt His physical growth. The word ‘strong’ (Strong’s Concordance) means to be vigorous. The root word that it is derived from means mighty. I believe that it is safe to say that Jesus has grown into a healthy young boy now 12 years old.

verse 43, tells us Jesus did not return home with His parents; He stayed in Jerusalem, and His parent’s were not aware of it. Question: Now that Jesus is twelve, and He has become ‘Bar Mitzvah’ (son of the commandment), has He decided to do His own thing? After all, He is now recognized as an adult, responsible for His own actions; is He selfishly testing the ‘waters of Belonging’? He can’t be acting selfishly. He is the Son of God/Son of Man without sin. If we don’t remember that, then we can easily accuse Jesus of being disobedient. The reality is that we know that Jesus will not sin. Paul said, 2 Corinthians 5:21(TLV), He (God, the Father) made the One (Jesus, the Son) who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” The Apostle Peter wrote, 1 Peter 2:22(TLV) “He (Jesus) committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.” End of speculation. (inserts mine)

I believe that Jesus was acting in ‘wisdom’ at this moment in His life. He was doing what was right.

But, His decision to remain in Jerusalem caused a panic when His parents realized that He was not in the caravan headed home.

verses 44-45, tells us, “Supposing He was in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, then began looking for Him. When they did not find Him (Opps!), they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. (insert mine)

I wonder what was going through their minds? I wonder what they were discussing? Is it possible they said to one-another ?, “He’s never done anything like this before.” “What has come over Him?”

Sounds plausible to me.

Have you ever had to look for your child? One that was missing ! Christine and I have had to do that. One time it was for Rebecca; the other time it was for Daniel. Not fun. Stressful. Anxious. Scary. But, we found them.

verse 46 tells us that after 3 days they found Him (huge parental relief) in the Temple. I wonder why it took them so long to go there to look for Him? (just curious) (inserts mine)

What do you think would be your response regarding finding your child under similar circumstances?

Let’s stop there for now, and let you ponder that thought.

Guess what? I am still a parent, concerned about my children.

deo

part 4

The blog that I am about to share has created in me, not a fear to write it, but a fear to publicly share it. Why? Because of a fear that I perceive is growing in this nation. I am wondering if a person still has the ‘freedom of speech’ to have an opinion different than the thoughts of our current administration and share that opinion without fear of personal ramifications, such as, being labeled as a threat to the nation. Sounds drastic, doesn’t it, but I am not sure if one’s freedom of speech and thought has been drastically curtailed if it doesn’t agree with the administration’s rhetoric. I will share my thoughts, and…we shall see.

B.U.T. Believer Understand This: “For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love ad a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)

As the hours, minutes, and seconds wind down to November 8, 2022, a fiery rhetoric has heated up to an exceedingly hot temperature that reminds me of a story in Book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzer, who was the king of Babylon, had made an edict that for the space of a month, the people of his kingdom were to bow down to a golden image that he had had constructed.

I am sure that many of you who are reading this blog are fully aware of the story. As you will recall, three Hebrew young men, refused to bow down to the image and obey the king’s edict. The penalty for not bowing down to the image was to be thrown into a fiery furnace.

Because these three Hebrew young men had defied the king’s edict, they were “cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:21b, NKJV)

So intense was the heat of the furnace; and so ‘harsh’ was the king’s anger, Daniel 3:22 (NKJV) says, “Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (to the furnace to throw them in) (insert mine).”

As I mentioned earlier, assuming that most of you know the story, then you know the outcome. Three men were bound and thrown into the fire; but when the king looked into the furnace himself, Daniel 3:25 (NKJV) says, “”Look! he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the fourth is like the Son of God.”

The Spirit Filled Life Bible notes on this verse says (page 1237, for 3:19-27) “This is a dramatic illustration of the personal presence and protection of the Lord with His people who suffer for their testimony. The fourth man is a Christophany (pre-incarnate appearance of the Messiah) who Nebuchadnezzer recognized to be like the Son of God. ” 3:26-28 says, “Nebuchadnezzer acknowledged that the deliverance was of God.”

My concern is that the voting electorate of the nation has been challenged with a fiery rhetoric that commands us to vote as our current administration has told us. This is not the true spirit of democracy. The electorate’s freedom to vote for whomever it chooses is the definition of democracy not a fiery rhetoric that seeks to tell the voters of this nation how it must vote.

On November 8, 2022, the voting electorate must choose whether it will acquiesce to the fiery discourse of our administration or ignore its ‘command’ and be willing to be thrown in the fiery furnace of the results of the election and its consequences depending upon its outcome.

Like you and many others I have been praying for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (paraphrase Matthew 6:10) for this election.

I have been praying to the Lord asking Him to fulfill Psalm 64 in behalf of this nation. What does that mean? Pease read Psalm 64.

In short, I am asking the Lord to shoot His arrow as it says in Psalm 64:7.

Psalm 64:7-9 says (NKJV), “But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; And all who see them shall flee away. All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider His doing.

Psalm 64 is the fourth man in the fiery furnace of this election that is being heated up rhetorically. Count on it, the rhetoric will heat up more these last few days. Nebuchadnezzer saw in the fiery furnace God’s sovereign intervention.

God’s A.R.R.O.W. is an acronym that says, A Righteous Revelation Of Wrong-doing. May God’s ARROW do its intended work.

If you are interested, you can go to livingwordsofencouragement.com and read The A.R.R.O.W. of God.

Let us go forward in the boldness of the three Hebrew men!

blessings, remember to pray, a brother in Christ, deo

I am sure that almost everyone has heard of the idiom “the straw that broke the camel’s back”. It is interesting to read its etymology. There does not seem to be a consensus of opinion. No problem. What I want to share with you is my own version of this idiom.

My idiom is ‘the straw that breaks religion’. Consider this acronym for the word straw. S.T.R.A.W. = (be )Still, Take His yoke, Rest, Abide, Wait.

The STRAW that breaks religion’s hold on the believer is to BE STILL, and TAKE HIS YOKE, so that you will find REST for your soul; and in your REST you will learn to ABIDE in Him, and become able to WAIT for the Lord.

Reflecting upon those words will loosen religion’s hold and grow your relationship with Christ.

I want to encourage you to do your own follow up regarding each of the words used in the acronym for the word STRAW.

For instance:

BE STILL: Psalms 46:10, NKJV says, “BE STILL and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

TAKE HIS YOKE: Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV says, “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. TAKE MY YOKE upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For MY YOKE is easy and My burden is light.”

REST: Hebrews 4:9-10, NKJV says, “There remains therefore a REST for the people of God. For he who has entered His REST has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.”

ABIDE: John 15:4, NKJV says, “ABIDE in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it ABIDES in the vine, neither can you, unless you ABIDE in Me.”

WAIT: Psalm 27:14, NKJV says, “WAIT on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; WAIT, I say on the LORD!”

What you will discover when you use a concordance or the cross references in your Bible, is how many of these words intersect their thought in the scripture.

The nation and the world in which we are living is besieged with rhetoric that is inflammatory, deceitful, full of lies, and creating an atmosphere of lawlessness.

Christ is our Rock, our Refuge, our Shield, our Fortress in these turbulent times.

Christ is the Word.

John 1: 1-5, 14,16,18, NKJV says, ” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him; and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace…No one has seen God at ay time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.“

Our refuge is in Him, and His Word.

Let us unite ourselves in Him afresh, by being STILL, taking His YOKE, finding our REST in Him, ABIDING in Him, and WAITING upon Him.

“Psalm 62:5-7, NKJV says, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.” (emphasis mine)

a sojourner in Christ, deo