Day 300

Can you believe it?! I really can’t. We started this year at “Day 1.” No one expected the monumental year of 2020 to be what it has become. There are only 66 days left on the calendrical year. How did you think 2020 would have gone? Were you able to accomplish any of the goals that you had set? This devotional blog is a goal that I set, to write every single day. There were days when I would just stare at the computer screen without a thought crossing my mind. There were times that I had to break my writing up into multipart segments because I was writing too much. But to be honest with you, I never envisioned myself sharing this much of my heart and mind online. The longer I write the more honest I become. On January 1, 2020, in the first devotional blog entitled Day 1 I said: “Who can I hold accountable for the broken promises to myself? And does God even care if I break them?” I discussed a few of my “New Year’s Resolutions” which never got off of the ground. There’s something about starting over that is rejuvenating for the human spirit. The idea that “tomorrow” will be a new day and that I can start “tomorrow.” But how often do we use “tomorrow” as an excuse to do what needs to be done “today”?

Those of us that excel in that arena is known as procrastinators. There are only 66 days left of this year. That’s an average of a little more than 2 months. You may be thinking, we’re too late in the year to start something new. C.S. Lewis said: You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” We can’t go back and change the way the year 2020 began. But we have the power and ability to change how it ends. Today I woke up extra early to go workout. Everything hurts. I had my Teams and Zoom meetings, signed off on payroll adjustments, and worked on deadlines, still sore and hurting everywhere. I started 2020 in terrible shape, and I have tried multiple times to “jump-start” my new healthy journey, only to fall flat on my face again. So I resided to tell myself “tomorrow. I’ll start again tomorrow.” But tomorrow never came. But yesterday came and went.

The Bible tells us: Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1. I think that should have been the 2020s mantra. Last week I went in for my annual eye exam. It was 7 months later than my original appointment (COVID changed things…) but I was finally able to be seen (get it?). During my eye exam my doctor started asking me some really weird questions, then she did something that has never happened to me at an eye appointment, she took my blood pressure. I thought it was a bit overkill for me to get an updated prescription for contacts, but I shrugged it off. After she dilated my eyes, she preceded to do tests that I’ve never done at an annual eye exam before (and I’ve had glasses for almost 3 decades). After she was done, she flipped the light switch and sat down facing me. “You have a blood clot in your left eye. You also have a degenerative eye condition that I have never seen to such a degree before, in any patient.”

I promise you when I woke up that morning I did not think that this was a conversation that I would be having. She walked me to the front of the office where an appointment was made for me to see a retina specialist within the next 36 hours. Turns out the blood clot had about 3 different possibilities: 1) hypertension, 2) diabetes, 3) eye stroke. The degenerative eye condition was something separate, and they had no explanation for it. All of a sudden, all of my tomorrows seemed to blur on the horizon of my mind.

A friend of mine who is a physician told me that the news was not good. But he said I could still change things around. I could start by living a healthier lifestyle. After an honest conversation, it was concluded that I needed to lose an almost overwhelming amount of weight. I felt defeated before I had even gotten started. Maybe I’d wait to start a new lifestyle in 2021. The Bible tells us: You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14. My friend seemed to be on the same page he told me that I would not wait until next year. But that he would walk this journey with me so that I wouldn’t be alone.

The idea of not dredging this painful and difficult road alone was the driving force of me setting my alarm to wake up early enough to work out today. I realized that this is one of the ways Christ works in our lives. The road is tough and it’s hard, there’s no denying that. And I will have to do the hard work, someone else can’t do it for me. But someone will be there with me. And that makes all the difference in the world. Like Jesus, my friend didn’t tell me all the terrible things that I did to get to my current situation. Instead, he just told me that I’m not staying there. I will start my tomorrow today knowing that Jesus tells me: And to her Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more from now on.” John 8:11.

Day 277

I have a treadmill that I purchased a few weeks/month or so ago. I’ve used it maybe 2 or 3 times. You see when COVID hit and the gyms closed, I was walking around my neighborhood maybe 1-4 miles a day, every single day. I had my dog with me, and since everything was closed down, and the law prohibited people from going outside, except to exercise and take care of your dog. When certain restrictions were lifted, I was finally able to visit my parents and drop my dog off with my dad. I’m sure I’ve shared this before, but for those of you who don’t know, I have a Maltipoo named Lola. She’s 5 years old, and we’ve had her since she was a baby. My dad and I share custody (long story). When Lola was no longer my excuse to get up and walk consistently, I lost the habit. Then you would think it was monsoon weather where I live, and the back of my porch would get flooded with every rain session. So I resolved myself to buy a treadmill. But like I stated in the beginning portions of this paragraph, it has barely been used.

Now, what good do you think it does me collecting dust in my spare bedroom? If you said none, you were correct. Unfortunately, it doesn’t even help by becoming an impromptu clothes hanger, because it slides right underneath the bed. It’s compact and efficient. But it is useless. This machine that was produced to help me reach a certain goal is of non-effect because it is not being utilized. A simple Google search let me know that over 100 million Bibles are printed EVERY SINGLE YEAR (Google.com). Did you read that? Over 100 million are printed every single year. How many of them do you think are sitting in people’s spare rooms, collecting dust, not being utilized?

Jesus said that the words, the stories, the very Bible itself testify of Him: You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me” John 5:39. Now, at least the individuals He was speaking to were pouring over the scriptures, they just had the wrong idea about it. They thought that by consuming the literal knowledge within the text that it would give them the right to eternal life. But they were missing the forest for the trees. The book itself cannot provide eternal life. Just like my treadmill by itself cannot prolong my life. If I turn on the treadmill but don’t use it how it was intended to be used, I’m wasting my time and electric bill. The ones who Jesus was talking to, thought that they could use the Bible any way they wanted, not in the way it was intended, but still thinking they could get the same result.

So how should we read the Bible? Is it 100% literal? Is it 100% figurative? It’s neither and both. The Bible is 100% narrative. It tells the story of the Divine. When you read the pages of the Bible, the words should carve out the image of God in your head. But the problem is too many people have been hit on the head with the Bible: Don’t do this, don’t do that…eternal hell and damnation!” Whew. If I stepped on my treadmill and it yelled at me and told me how fat and disgusting I was, I would NEVER get on that thing again. And so the Bible has received a really bad rap because many people who are “explaining” it don’t even know how to use it appropriately. Like any good narrative, there are characters, protagonist, antagonist, plots, subplots, several climaxes, there are even a prologue and an epilogue. The Bible is a beautiful interwoven supernatural masterpiece that God has authored using mankind’s help: knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21.

I like the part that the Bible is not up to someone’s own interpretation. Because I have heard some wonky stuff. I’ve shared it with you before. One I heard 2 seasoned (preaching from the Bible for at least 2-3 decades) pastors discuss how Genesis chapter 6 was the mingling of fallen angels and human beings that created these “Giants.” And then for me to read some of the comments below the video that people were thanking them for clearing this information up! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I was so angry. Not because they were wrong, people get things wrong all the time. But because they were passing off their insane interpretation as fact and tripping people over with their lies. Just in case you didn’t have a chance to read that devotion, here’s a brief recap: ANGELS CAN’T REPRODUCE (PERIOD). Because Jesus said so: But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” Matthew 22:29-30.

You see how Jesus said, “You are wrong because you neither know the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Believe it or not, He was talking to the religious leaders or pastors of His day. You see, “specialist” can get it wrong too. But unless you take the time out to learn about the God of the Bible, the beautiful all-powerful being that says: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3. That said: “I have loved you,” says the LORD.” Malachi 1:2. The Bible tells us: But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” Psalm 103:17. You’d never know any of these beautiful ready to be discovered truths if you don’t take the Bible off of the shelf, and use it how it was meant to be used. Happy reading my friends.

Day 264

I recently did something that is a bit out of my norm. But the more that I think about it, isn’t life no longer “normal”? I keep wondering will we ever get back to a world where I don’t need a masks in order to go into a place of business? An entire generation will be defined by wearing masks as their norm, everywhere they go. Masks will be in every major life event captured on film (or at least digitally). We’ll have the world pre-COVID and post-COVID. I know of so many pending weddings due to this world changing event that has occurred in 2020. I wondered, could I go ahead and get married if my family could not be there? Would I postpone my life with my future spouse in order that the family of my past be present for my once in a lifetime experience? I don’t know if I could do it? Yet so many couples are having to make that tough decision. Choosing which job to take, which college to attend, which city to move to, should be tough decisions, not “should I get married without my loved ones being there?” That a decision God never wants to make. But He might have to.

The Bible uses the most intimate relationship within the confines of the human experiment (I use this word, because sometimes we get it right and most times we don’t. Life ,that is.) to express the desire God has for us. When a guy sees a girl that he is really into, he does the most out of the box thinking, in order to get her attention. He’ll write poetry, sing songs to serenade her, he’ll even stand outside her bedroom window with an old school boombox over his head, blaring her favorite song (iconic movie clips anyone?). But the whole point is trying to get the attention of the one you can’t imagine spending or doing life without. When I say “doing” life, that is exactly what I mean. From the highs and lows, from a full house to an empty nest, someone where you can explore all the nuances that breathing grants us in this world. Believe it or not, God wants to “do” life with you. It may sound strange, but it’s true.

I come from a culture where storytelling is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. This is how we express ourselves, love, danger, desires. We use other people’s stories, their lives as a mirror to what we want to experience. God also uses this technique. For example the marriage that Hosea the prophet had, was a mirror of God’s relationship with the nation of Israel, who was considered the “Old Testament Church.” Listen to what is written in the second chapter of the book that bears the prophet’s name: I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.” Hosea 2:19-20.

God wanted the church, the nation, the individual people to know that He loves and desires what’s best for them, more than a husband could ever want, love or desire for his wife. He wants to show us righteousness and justice! I mean a world that is saturated in unrighteousness and surrounded by injustice, this is literal music to my ears. He also said that He wants to show His unfailing love and compassion to us. This unfailing love, is what novels are based upon, what “Happily ever afters” try to portray. For some reason, we as humans are unable to reach this sphere of relational integrity, but our hearts yearn for it; both men and women. He says that He wants to show us compassion. This is like water to my dry and weary soul. I’ve purposefully avoided the news, because of the lack of compassion that is expressed as some type of badge of honor during this political season. I am tired of being berated by unkindness and the “illiteracy of decency” (yes, I’ve coined that phrase) in our world, aren’t you?

But then God finishes that statement with “I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.” Here, He is saying, that He knows that we are not used to being in a relationship where one person is willing to be faithful to another unto death, but He is telling us, that we can finally experience it. He’s here and dying to be with us. So often people recite the vows on their marriage day “Till death do us part.” But even as they say it, somewhere in their heart, they know that this statement will probably not prove to be true. Not that they don’t want it to, but that people do not know how to see it through. But God does. He says that in that day when we finally realize that He is faithful, and will never walk away from us, that we will FINALLY know Him as our LORD. Or in the context our faithful Spouse.

He declares that: But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33. In the New Testament He declares that: this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:27. This is the God who is faithful towards us. But there are some who will refuse His gesture of love. They will reject His ultimate sacrifice, the one where He spilled His blood for their opportunity to live with Him forever. And a time is coming, when He will stand up as it is written in Daniel chapter 12, and the invitation, the boombox over His head opportunity will be over. And those who have decided to “give the ring back” will not be a part of the celebration that He has been planning since the foundations of this world were first laid.

I know He will be sad, and devastated that they will not be able to join Him and be a part of the festivities of the wedding of an eternal-lifetime. I hope that you keep the ring which is His law written in our hearts. So that one day you and I will be able to see Him face to face and experience His loving compassion like we’ve never experienced anything before. Where life will be anything but the norm, but unfailing love will be the law of the land.

Day 214

The date January 28th doesn’t really mean much to most people. But to those that I have an intimate relationship with, it’s a day of celebration and if I have my way, uninterrupted quality time with those whom I love. On this day, those who know me go out of their way to spend time with me and to shower me with love and affection. It’s a day where we laugh and hug, smile, dance, and just revel in joy with one another. It is only a 24 hour period that occurs once a year. It’s a blessed day and those who know me honor me with their time and presence. I imagine it is something similar to wedding anniversaries and those who are in intimate fellowship with one another. And so it is the same for God and the Sabbath, and for those who are in an intimate relationship with Him. You see, I know plenty of people, who I communicate with and have genuine good times together  (even in this COVID social distancing environment), but I don’t know their birthdays and they don’t know mine. And just because people don’t know my birthday, does not mean that it stops being a special day. It’s just that those who don’t know my birthday yet, are unable to celebrate with me, yet. So to remedy that, the closer I get to someone, and more comfortable I feel, I let them in on the date of my birth, so we can celebrate and have uninterrupted quality time together. And believe it or not, it’s what God wants, not with a few people, but with ALL people.

I can prove it. That God desires intimate uninterrupted time with every single person on this planet as if we were the ONLY one. Okay, in order to prove it, we have to agree that the Bible is where we’ll get our information. If you’re okay with it, let’s keep going. So in the book of Revelation, the very first sentence tells us that this book is about Jesus: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” Revelation 1:1. So we see that this book is the revealing of Jesus our Messiah (that is what Christ means), and it is about things that will happen and it will be coded. Now one of the reasons why it was “coded” or “signified” was because part of the book discusses the destruction of Rome. And since John was a Roman captive, I don’t think they would have allowed him to send his letters abroad. So, it was coded, but God gave us the decoder, the rest of the Bible.

Over 60% of the book of Revelation is taken exclusively from the Old Testament. And there are other parts where Jesus just straight out tells John the vision that he just saw (See Revelation 1:20). But in Revelation chapter 14 there’s an amazing scene developing before John. He explains that he sees an angel flying in the middle of heaven, which could be like space as the angel is flying around the globe. But he sees that the angel has something and that something is the “good news”. When was the last time in the Bible that we saw an angel in the heavens declaring “good news”? Excellent question. Let’s go over to the book of Luke.

A few shepherds were outside at night watching their flock, and then suddenly all around them was this glorious bright light, and then this happens:
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11. Here we see that the angel has good news or good tidings in the KJV. And this good news is about the Savior, the Messiah, our Lord. The good news is about JESUS!

Now jump back to Revelation 14:6 we see John’s account: And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” Revelation 14:6. I’ve color-coded some of the text that we’ve read. And I am warning you that I’m about to GEEK OUT! Okay, the phrase “good tidings” taken from Luke is the Greek word “euangelizomai” or “good news.” In Revelation, the word “gospel” AND “preach” are the word “euangelizomai“. So the translators were not sure how to put “And I saw a messenger flying around the world with the perpetual good news good news for every ethnicity on the planet.” That’s the simplest Greek translation.

In Mark 16 when Jesus tells the disciples to “preach” the good news, it uses the Greek word “kerusso“, which means to proclaim or publish or to officiate as a herald. But when John wrote this epistle, he purposely said “GOOD NEWS GOOD NEWS!” Don’t you want to know what this good news is all about? I’m glad because I am bursting at the seams to tell you. But, you’ll have to wait for part 2 tomorrow. In the meantime, please celebrate this day, the Sabbath. That God has set apart to enjoy uninterrupted intimate quality time, in fellowship with Him and your closest loved ones.

Day 192

In a meeting today I was discussing the Fall 2020 plans with the Vice President responsible for my division. Typically, we would begin to put things in place for the Spring of the following year, because our plans are contingent upon one following the other. But then he stopped me and pointed out, perhaps the most realistic view of our current situation: we don’t even know what this term is going to even look like (speaking of the Fall). He was right. Here I was creating contingency plans A – F for something that I may have to completely scrape up and toss out the window just start over. We did not meet any of our numbers as projected from last year’s predictions, we lost a lot of money, and yet are still being asked to perform at a top rate level. How is that even possible? It’s possible, not because we are superhumans, and don’t act like COVID doesn’t bother us. Not it is in spite of this pandemic and the world literally drowning, that we slip on our life jackets, and just keep swimming.

What does our new normal look like in this ocean of trepidation and insecurity? It looks like everyone walking around like they are part of a science fiction movie, with their face shields and masks, gloves, and goggles, just to fulfill everyday duties. M planning helped me realize that 2020 will be over in just 5 months! Do you know that you and I have been on this journey for 7 months! I can’t believe it! But in all seriousness, in 5 months we will be saying goodbye to this year that certainly did not disappoint in theatrics, drama, and danger. Only to be saying hello, with extreme caution to the year 2021. What will the turn of this new decade bring?

But instead of having an ominous thought process of the future, we could be helping our mental processes by dwelling on more facts than unknown realities. Months ago, actually, during our first month on this journey, we discussed the story of Jairus’s Daughter and the woman with the issue of blood for over 12 years (Day 30). That story was really intense. But one of the most profound things that were seen in that story, was God’s timing. I’m sure after the first few weeks this incessant bleeding that the lady realized that there was a problem. But my goodness! after a few years, this was no longer an isolated incident. She had no idea what the next day would bring, except trying to keep her head above water and trying not to drown in a sea of worry and depression. On the other side of town was a wealthy well-known man whose life seemed perfect. And then trouble entered into his life as well. He tried everything within his power to help his daughter, but every single effort failed them both. And for a moment he too was tossed into the sea of unknowingness. But then, they both met Jesus.

And I don’t want to drag on a story that we’ve discussed before, but I am fully aware of the despondency that an uncertain future brings. And for the woman, her ailments brought her isolation in every conceivable way. For the man, he had lost all power and was helpless. At times life will lead us further and further from the shore of peace and stability, and we will feel like we are sinking in an ocean of unprecedented problems. How can we solve tomorrow’s problems when we are still in today? Jesus points out the same issue: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” Mathew 6:34. But Jesus what should we be doing? What did the woman who had tried everything and nothing worked, do? She sought Jesus. And what of the wealthy man who exhausted his power and influence, do? He sought Jesus. So what should we be doing: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

Earlier in the same passage, Jesus tells us not to be anxious for anything, because what does anxiousness and worry accomplish? The answer is nothing: And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matthew 6:27. What has you worried? What are you anxious about? What keeps you up at night, knowing that you are barely keeping afloat? Whatever it is, I implore you to not just give it to Jesus, but don’t pick it back up again. Sometimes, we lay our problems down at His feet, only to pick them back up and keep our souls burdened. Instead, let’s seek His kingdom, which is filled with His love towards us. And even though we may see that life may be trying to overwhelm us, remember who is the Giver of life. And that He is so connected to you, that H knows the very hairs on your head: And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows.” Luke 12:7. A bird in which people think is insignificant, Jesus states that our Father in heaven pays special attention to them, and you are worth more than sparrows. You are worth the blood of Jesus. So, even though we do not know what tomorrow may bring, we know who holds tomorrow.

Day 181

Life will never be the same, however, we will get used to it. And we will develop normalcy around the abnormal. We will uphold the regulations and laws put forth by our legislators and governmental bodies on three conditions: 1) They do not go against the laws of God, 2) They do not promote injustice to someone else (which really falls under the first condition), and finally 3) It does not go against my conscience (which falls under the second condition). A few months ago we saw countries mandating masks to be worn by all their citizens, and visitors. On this side of the pound, we laughed at how silly everyone looked. Within a matter of weeks, we were ordering custom made masks on specialty websites, or downloading patterns from craft websites, and watching how-to videos on DIY mask projects. Life will never be the same. How have you changed?

The silver lining in this terrible disaster of the first half of 2020 is that I tell my family that I love them more. And I show my God that I need Him more than ever. And I do this with my time and my resources. Spending dedicated time with God is something that Jesus did: After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone” Matthew 14:23. Jesus had to send people away in order to have that special time with His Father. Now in reading the entire story you will see that Jesus healed them as well as fed over 5000 people. When He had done what He could for them, He then turned and did what He needed for Himself. And that was to spend dedicated moments with His Father in heaven. And this was something that He did often: Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.” Mark 1:35.

And I wondered if the Creator of the universe needed dedicated alone time to speak to His heavenly Father, how much more do I need it? When Jesus was on earth He stated that the Kingdom of His Father was one that had nothing to with how the current kingdoms of the world operated. God did not desire to impose forced restrictions over people and lord over them, instead, He created mankind to be free and operate in a selfless giving category. We manipulated and abused our freedoms, and that meant oppressing and subjugating our fellow human beings. Jesus told us about the stark difference in the book of t Matthew: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

How do you store up treasures in heaven? I understand how to do so on earth, with excessive consumerism. Again He also tells us: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. Okay, but how does one seek first the kingdom of God, what exactly entails in this request or better yet, directive? What is valuable in the eyes of the citizens of Heaven? Jesus does not keep us wondering: In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God” Luke 15:7. He also states: For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10. And: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21.

The treasures of heaven are souls. Souls for the kingdom to populate the place where God dwells, and peace reigns, where love is supreme and life is eternal, where pain is a distant memory and sadness doesn’t exist, where the only thought of heartache are the scars where He carried our brokenness, where safety is as normal as breathing, and the air is pure, where we shall never want for anything, but desire to give always. This is a place where Jesus says: If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3. So hold on. I know that right now you probably are wondering when life will ever get back to how it used to be. I’m here to tell you, it never will. But don’t cash in all your chips on this side of eternity where thieves come to rob you, and insects eat up your goods. Instead, tell someone about the love of God, who sent His Son to take away the sins of the world, so that one day, we could look back at this nightmare, and barely remember that it wasn’t all a dream. But you’ve got to bring someone with you, and you do that by putting your money where your heart is. Invest in someone, love them like you’d want to be love. In doing so, you’re storing up your treasure in heaven.

Day 141

What are you willing to give up? I mean for the one who your heart calls for. If you are in a committed relationship, great. May I ask you, what were you willing to give up in order to be with your significant other? And if you haven’t found the one, may I inquire what are you willing to walk away from if it meant that you could be with them, forever. There was this guy (of course), and he told me one day that I was the one his heart wanted to be with. I believed at the time that I felt the same way. When discussing our future, however, something came up that he could not walk away from to be with me. When we discussed it, I told him that he had to do what needed to be done, but as for me, I could not share my place with another who may have still been in his heart. He was torn, but in the end, he made the choice to walk away from me. I cried and felt so terribly heartbroken, but I could not share my place with anything or anyone else. I suppose on some level this is how God must feel about us and the first commandment.

When the children of Israel were freed from Egypt, God had Moses lead them to Mount Siani so He could speak His covenant of Love to them. This covenant had 10 precepts which became known as the 10 Commandments. In all honesty, when reading it in the original context, it should have been named the 10 Principled Promises. Due to their over 400 year exposure to a culture that did not honor the true God, the Israelites had misunderstands about a God that they could not see, which lead to a distant Master-subject relationship. This was something that they were used to. In Egypt as slaves, they had masters and they were subjects. But God was not searching for that type of relationship with them, but it was what they understood, so the name of the 10 Commandments. They, of course, were not suggestions, but God wanted them to write these promised precepts in their hearts, in order to grow from their comprehension of a Master-subject to a Lover-loved relationship. We see that God was not searching to be distant in His dealings with them because the King of the Universe came down to speak to them.

When God came to speak to them, they were floored, as any human being would be hearing the majestic voice of the One who literally spoke life into existence. Being a people ruled, they were used to, but God wanted them to see that they were free: I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:2. This is how God begins His covenant with them. So many people miss that portion, and go straight to the “You shall have nots.” Missing that as God has freed them, He has freed us. What type of slavery has God brought you out of? Slavery of depression, abuse, financial ruin, a terrible friendship, relationship? Whatever it is, He is telling you that “I am the LORD your God.” And because He is YOUR God, He is saying that: You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3.

That’s it, that is the first promise within His decalogue of precepts. This sets the basis for the entire 10. You see, if you can understand who you in relation to God, the rest of them fall in line quite nicely. If the King of the Universe, the Creator of life is YOUR God, then what purpose or sense would it make to have any lesser being attempting to take His place? Imagine (unless you are already, then just envision) that you are married to someone, and the two of you (prior to COVID) were able to announce your love in front of your friends and family. You both pledged “I do” to a list of promises (or commands, depends what type of relationship you have) that no one would take the place of the other. One day when you are looking for something in the closet, a little black book drops in front of you. You open it up, and it’s a list of individuals in which your spouse has kept in circulation. After the initial shock, you confront them. Why haven’t they gotten rid of this book with potential mates in it? They have no good excuse. And you wonder if they ever were really committed to you. You ask them to get rid of it, and they hesitate. How do you feel?

God feels this on a magnitude that is invaluable. The fact that He gave everything up for you and me, and we keep little black books filled with other “gods” that we turn to when things are going well, or even when they’re not going well at all. We reach out to these other “gods”, whether they might be alcohol, sex, drugs, entertainment, other people, social media, shopping, the list goes on. We use these substitute gods to fill holes that only God can plug up. These substitute gods usually have a way of leading us back to the slavery that God has freed us from. But if we can place God where He belongs in our lives, first, and let everything else fall in place, we would see everything from a different point of view, a view of freedom.

When we understand that God loved us so much that He gave His life up for us and placed us first, that is when I believe we will place Him first. And then our relationship with Him will change from Master-subject to Lover-loved: In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call Me ‘my Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘my Master.’” Hosea 2:16. God is searching to have that intimate relationship with you, and it all begins with you saying ‘Yes’ to Him, and no to the things and people that pull you down.

 

Day 128

Recently I was having a conversation with my mother. In which she was telling me a conversation that she was having with one of our family members who was freaking out. Apparently, someone, he knew contracted the COVID-19 virus. They are on the mend (thank God), but he was not, well at least mentally. Now, this specific family member is well educated and extremely intelligent. Yet, when the situation, that the whole world has been battling for months hit close to home, he was in freak out mode. He was telling my mother, that he went out looking for vitamins and he couldn’t find any in the stores. He was searching for masks, but he couldn’t any of those either! He was panicking. He asked my mother if she had any of these, and she responded that she did, and before he could ask if he could partake in her inventory, she told him, that she only had one mask for every family member, and that she couldn’t share the family’s vitamins with him. Instead, she told him to go and buy his own. Being the type of person she is, she looked some up on Amazon and sent them over to his house. As I listened to the encounter, I of course thought of a similar incident told as a parable in the Bible. So, let’s talk about it.

This story happens in Matthew chapter 25. If you happen to have a Bible which has “Red” letters, you’ll see that this entire passage is marked in red, meaning that these were quotations of Jesus. The story has been deemed the “Parable of the 10 virgins.” Okay, so we are going to have to do a little work, and I mean doing some digging in the Bible to understand this parable or allegory. So let’s walk through it: Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” Matthew 25:1-2.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus mentions and likens the “Kingdom of Heaven” to multiple objects. Once He said it was like a mustard seed, another time it was like a treasure (both can be found in Matthew 13). This time He compares it to 10 virgins. So clearly this is a spiritual application. Once Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). So He used parables or allegories to try and explain the characteristics of His kingdom, this time He is stating that within the kingdom of heaven (which is on earth as it is in heaven) there are those who claim citizenship in the kingdom of God, the virgins. Why virgins? Well, Revelation 14:4 explains that virgins are individuals who do not defile themselves by fornicating with false doctrine and lies about God. Also in the text, we see that each of these virgins had a lamp. According to Psalm 119:105, the lamp is the Bible or the word of God. So these are individuals who have the gospel truth and claim to belong to the kingdom or have the characteristics of those who follow Jesus. I know, a lot, and we’re only done covering the first 2 verses. But I promise it goes faster from here.

So the next 2 verse tells us what separates the foolish from the wise: For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.” Matthew 25:4,5. Okay, so according to Jesus what separates the two groups, is that one group did not have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:1-6, explains oil represents the Holy Spirit). While different, there is something else that makes them similar: Now while the bridegroom was delayed…and they [all] fell asleep.” Matthew 25:5. All of them fell asleep. Sleep in the spiritual sense is very dangerous (when it doesn’t mean death). In the same book Jesus discuses another parable and in this one He explains what happens when we are asleep spiritually: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” Matthew 13:25. This means that the enemy of our souls, who desires to destroy us (Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11) came and slipped in some sleeper agents to cause strife, problems, and to leak in false doctrines and misrepresentations of the character of God.

Then the scene changes: But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’” Matthew 25: 6-9. So, the cry at midnight is a whole other study. But basically, there’s some darkness out there, and the only way to get to through this darkness, which is spiritual in nature, is through the aid of the Holy Spirit, in order to follow the path to get to Jesus. In John chapters 13, 15, 16 Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us about Jesus. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it cannot be done. Now some might ask “What about those who don’t know Jesus or the Holy Spirit, will they not make it?!” Remember the context. This story is about those who do know. But in John chapter 10 Jesus clearly explains that they’re other people belonging to Him, but not necessarily to a religious body, but they still belong to Him. And the Holy Spirit is always working on everyone, whether they know it or not. So according to Jesus and the Bible, people will be saved and in the kingdom of God, who never knew one iota about Jesus and His salvific sacrifice for them: And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” Zechariah 13:6.

How powerful is that! That the love of God is so strong He can and will save those who never knew a thing about Him. And they will be confused about the wounds in His hands, which we know that He got from the cross, He will tell them the story of how He got them, and why He went through it, and they will finally be able to put a face and a name to Who they knew in their heart the entire time, they will finally be able to look into the eyes and face of LOVE.

Okay, I digress. The story ends with the 5 foolish virgins missing their entrance to follow the groom into the festivities. When they try to get in, here are the sad words Jesus had to say to them, because they did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and so their character did not reflect His, which is other-centered love: But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’” Matthew 25:12. Ugh! How painful, to claim to be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, but when the King comes, He doesn’t recognize you? But I have good news! There’s no need to panic! Jesus gave this allegory as a warning, meaning we can ask help from Him to change us from the inside out. To ask the Holy Spirit to come live in us, by molding our character to love and care for others, so we don’t have to be left out in the cold.

Day 123

We are officially one third over 2020. But in reality, I’ve been over 2020 for weeks now. The entire world has been thrown into chaos, people have seen freedoms curtailed and suspended as a way to help stop the spread of a virus, that no one knows much about. But just like the days, weeks, and months following September 2001, additional restrictions will become our new norm. Children born in this time will not know life any differently, and we’ll continue as a society to face the next big thing. But what the little things? What about the troubles that are not caused by pandemics, natural disasters, or societies woes? What about the troubles that we bring upon our selves, not because we’ve been mischievous. But because we could not wait on the promises of God, or for God to do something on our behalf? What happens when our faith fails us. We’ve covered the choices that Adam and Eve made on numerous posts (Day 2, Day 3 are the earliest ones) and how it sent our entire world into a tailspin. But there comes a point where we can’t blame our grandparents or our parents for our mistakes and circumstances that we find ourselves. Sure, the choices had an effect on our lives, especially in our DNA, but there comes a time when we have to take responsibility for our own choices. But what if we’ve dug ourselves in a pit and can’t find a way out?

There’s a story in the Bible that causes me pain as a woman when I read it. It’s about the desperate desire of a wife who was motherless, and perhaps she had come to terms that she would never have children, and then God appears to Abram [name changes later] and tells him that he will indeed have a family. And now what was once dead, hope has sprung eternal. But what happens when God’s timeline doesn’t line with ours? How long are we supposed to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises? The word of God tells us that: The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. But God’s timing was not in accordance with Sarah’s patience.

In Genesis chapter 16 Sarah begs her husband to sleep with another woman, so she can adopt the child. Now the whole thing sounds insane, but that was a normal custom in their day: And Sarai said unto Abram Behold now, the LORD hat restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” Genesis 16:2. I know that my husband and I would remain childless if that was our only option. I’m not sharing my husband with anyone else. But even now in the 21st century, there are places where the concept of “sister-wives” is a reality. The fact that sisters marry the same man, or share the same husband. They do know that legally, at least in America, only ONE can actually be the wife, right? I’m not here to judge. But I am here to tell you that the troubles that occurred in the Bible are not isolated incidents.

Well after Abram [becomes Abraham in the next chapter] sleeps with Hagar (Sahra’s maid), I’m sure multiple times because they had to make sure she got pregnant, the Bible says that she conceived. And listen to what happens next: and when she realized that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [regarding Sarai as insignificant because of her infertility].” Genesis 16:4. Oops. Now the maid is looking down on her mistress, thinking she is better than her. Sarah’s life just got 100 times more difficult. Truth be told, beyond the natural disasters and tragedies that occur, we need God to come and save us from ourselves. From our own terrible choices. In the garden of Eden, He had to step in and place restrictions on the Tree of Life. Can you imagine living forever in a world that is filled with terrible disasters and heartaches and pain? That would be a living nightmare. God stepped into our mess and turned it into a message of hope. And seeing that He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), He is willing today to step into our situations and help us through them, but we have to want Him to, we have to ask Him. Let’s continue with Sarah’s story:

You won’t believe what happens next: Then Sarai said to Abram, “May [the responsibility for] the wrong done to me [by the arrogant behavior of Hagar] be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, and when she realized that she had conceived, I was despised and looked on with disrespect. May the Lord judge [who has done right] between you and me.” Genesis 16:5. That’s right, Sarah blames her husband for her shame, reget and newfound pain. I’m dumbfounded but at the same time, I understand that Sarah was trying to fulfill a promise made by God, by her own means. And that just leads to disaster. Regardless of the amount of time that God takes, we cannot do for ourselves what He has promised to do for us. For example, our righteousness compares to His righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot see what today will bring, less then what tomorrow or 20 years down the line! But He can. And He asks that we trust Him.

God told Abraham in chapter 12 when He called him out from his home, that God would make a great nation from him (Genesis 12:2). In Genesis chapter 15 God reiterates the promise. God said that He would do it. In chapter 15 of Genesis Abraham believed God and God counted it to him as righteousness. Meaning God covered Abraham with His grace, because Abraham believed. The same thing happened to Noah: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:8. But it had been 10 years since God made that promise to Abraham, and it did not matter how many passionate nights Sarah and her husband had, their labor proved to be unfruitful. In 1 Corinthians 3:7 Pauls gives a powerful statement in the reality of our efforts versus God’s: So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”

And God eventually did give the increase that Sarah had desired but in His own time. But her choices and her husband’s decision to follow her, and step outside of God’s will, caused heartaches that were unimaginable (Read Genesis 21). But too worked this out for good. And so I leave you with this verse from Romans chapter 8, that even when we are the ones who are causing the trouble in our own lives, that: And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.“