Day 307

This kid grew up on the streets with his father in and out of prison his whole life. When he was a teenager he got initiated into a gang. And not to speculate, but gang initiation typically has to do with crime and punishment. Meaning they do the crime and dish out the punishment. The gang was supposed to be the family unit he never really had. One of his “brothers” got out and had a new opportunity to live a better life. He wanted that for himself as well. He found someone willing to take a chance on him and he couldn’t believe his luck. He now had a job, paying minimum wage as a busboy, but it was honest work, and he received positive affirmations. Something he never experienced from his home life, or his gang life.

One day as he was working on something at his job, he felt threatened by a poorly placed joke. And his instincts kicked in, and he stabbed the man who had been helping him, the one who gave him a job and a new lease on life. He stabbed him in the liver, dropped the knife, and then ran out. The man was in critical condition and almost died. After several surgeries and a painful recovery process, he was able to return to his normal life, but life would never be the same again.

During the sentencing hearing, the man who was stabbed stood up for the young man that had almost ended his life. The young man could not understand why. As tears rolled down his face, he said that he was nothing and that he didn’t deserve the mercy being given to him. When he asked the man “Why?” The man turned and looked at him and said, that he did it because they both needed it.

I was crying, I mean near sobs as I watched the emotional development, angst, and then relief between the two characters. And I thought that this was just a TV show. But the story is as old as time. I’ve always heard this text in the scriptures: I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25. Where God explains that He wipes away our sins, our wrongs against His very character, and for His own sake forgets that we ever wronged Him. And I think I understood it in a theological sense. But in a relational sense, how can you have a flourishing relationship if I remember all the terrible things you did to me or against me? We couldn’t be together if I recalled every wrong. And unless the one who has been wronged can forgive and let go, all you hold onto is pain. Because the damage has already been done.

In the story I mentioned earlier, the man was pent up with anger and hostility because he almost lost his life. But when he let go of the anger, that was the moment he truly and fully recovered. Sure, he had been out of the hospital for some time, but part of him was still too injured to live life to the fullest. And I think that is one of the reasons why God forgives us of our sins, of our wrongs against Him. Not because He is full of anger and hostility. It’s because He wants to be free to love us completely: Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” Isaiah 55:7.

And just in case we get confused about where He is on the whole matter the Bible tells us that: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12. It’s His way of saying good luck trying to locate your wrong against Me. Just like that kid who stabbed the man trying to help him, we did the same to God. He came into a garden to try and help the first couple and they ran from Him. He came as a man 4000 years later, and in a garden they arrested Him. Had a mock trial, and instead of shoving a knife in His side, they shoved a spear in His side. They did this only after they drove rusty coarse nails into His hands. And while He hung there dying, here were His last few words: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.

My concern is that not enough people are sorry. And I think it’s because they don’t understand what has been done for them. The kid in the TV show, he was facing over 20 years in prison. His sentence got brought down to 18 months in jail, with parole, community service, and anger counseling. When he heard his new sentencing he couldn’t believe his ears, because he knew what he deserved. Too many of us don’t realize that according to our actions, we deserve far worse than a few years in jail. The Bible says we deserve death for breaking the eternal covenantal law of God. But God had other plans: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

I pray that you will ask God to forgive whatever wrongs burden your soul. Because He’s already paid the price for it, you shouldn’t have to carry the guilt, which only blocks you from living a full life. He let it go, now it’s time that you do too.

Day 224

Life is all about finding balance. I believe God attempted to show this to us during the week of creation. Where: Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4, still took His time to make the world in 7 days instead of in one fellow swoop. Within creation, He made the circadian rhythm for not just the world, but for mankind and every living creature on this planet. And then on the seventh day, He rested. We just saw that God neither takes a nap or falls asleep, what was the point of Him resting? It was an example provided for us to really live life to the fullest.

But since sin entered the world, no longer are we living the life which God designed us to live. Yesterday I shared with you how I did not put the fuel that my car was designed to perform at its optimal level. And this led to my car prematurely dying. There is death all around us, and yet there is also joy. While one may give birth and taking its first breath, another struggles as it takes its’ last. Today I received news which forced me to take a look at life through the lenses of perspective.

A woman who was kind and just had a lovely spirit died yesterday. Mrs. Johnson was in charge of our Usher Board at church for as long as I could remember. She always had a smile on her face, and always wore her blue suit in a pristine fashion. Memories of her bring me to a more peaceful and celebratory time. When I was young and vibrant in my faith, and practically lived at church because I wanted to give my all to Jesus and work for His body. We would participate in Women’s Ministries together and attend prayer breakfasts and every eve of the new year, our church would gather at sunset to welcome whatever promises God had for us, and to honor His name for the protections from the year that had just passed. And now, Mrs. Johnson has passed on. Awaiting in the grave, sleeping until she hears her Master say “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23. There’s a verse that discusses how God feels when someone He loves dies: The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.” Psalm 116:15.

And it is okay to cry, we know Jesus did it: Jesus wept [cried].” John 11:35. His tears were for His friend Lazerus, who He was going to resurrect soon, but that did not negate His emotions towards His loved one. And so it is divinely permissible to shed tears. Because we were created in His image. I know I will see her again, and what a glorious day that will be! But until then, rest my dear sister in Christ.

If this were the end of the blog, I think I would be satisfied, but I received more news today. My friend was admitted to the hospital last week due to COVID-19. It caught me off guard because we are the same age. She works out regularly and by all accounts is considered to be relatively healthy. When had been on my mind for days. I prayed for her in my heart and kept it moving. But her name would not stop appearing in my head, so I reached out to her. Then she sent me the text which read: Hey hun not good I just got admitted to the hospital.”

I immediately called her to find out what was going on. She went to the doctor because she was feeling terrible, and got tested, and came out positive for COVID-19. A few days later, she was worse, and when they took an x-ray she found out that she also had developed pneumonia! My poor friend. Her doctor called the hospital which he had physician privilege to and directly admitted her. Next thing she knew, she was on oxygen and had several IV pumps filling her with medications, designed to save her life.

Today she got discharged! Blessings from the FATHER! I gave Him praise and lifted her up in prayer. One moment I got terrible news about how death had succumbed one, and in the next breath I received the amazing news that my friend was well enough to go home. And my emotions were raw and confused. God, how do I mourn and celebrate at the same time? And that is when He told me that I had to find balance. Not dealing with our emotions is an unhealthy habit that many of us participate in.

The scripture is filled with examples of how we are to find balance. In every good example, the key denominator was God. When Jesus had died, the disciples were beside themselves. But when the found out about His resurrection, their grief turned into joy. But then Christ was leaving them, again. But not without direction, not without the Good News to spread to the whole world. The Holy Spirit would keep them, and they had to but trust God, in their good times and in their bad, knowing He is working all things out for their good, in the heart of God. And this is the only place where we can mourn and laugh, cry in joy, and threw pain. In the heart of God, surrounded by His mercies. I invite you to find the balance that only He can supply from one Life to another, join me in a prayer to the Lord to: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Day 177

What is all of this life leading to? Seriously. You are born, live, and then die. What is our calling or purpose in this life, and is it only to gain a little happiness before the sun sets on my life and I shall never see the day again? To live a life with such little purpose is disheartening. Yet this is what we teach our children in school. The evolutionary model posses a direct threat to the wellbeing of our psyche. That you were born by chance? That you just happened to be here? The mere scientific reality of the miracle of conception is almost too grant to fathom. Did you know that with every ejaculation from the male sexual organ into the woman is that 1 in about 600 million sperms will actually live past the acidic walls of the vaginal canal to swim against the current and penetrate the egg in order to complete fertilization? That is not random my friends, that is design. And because there is only one of you in the entire universe, and there could not be another, God sees you as “a peculiar treasure unto Me…” Exodus 19:5.

As a peculiar treasure to God or how another version puts it His treasured possession, God has and is invested in us. Because we cost Him EVERYTHING: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. And if we cost the God of the universe His ONE and ONLY, how much do you think He cares for you? You are not the product of an evolutionary theory that tells you that unless you can be the strongest and survive at the cost of everything else, you are worthless. You are the product of careful design and love. And even though there are pain and death in this world, God will not allow life to remain like this forever. Just like the day has an end when the sun sets, the proverbial sun will set on this life of sin and distress soon enough. But what to do in the meantime as we can clearly see that we are living in the prophetic time of the setting of the sun. Well, I’m glad you asked.

Paul, in a letter he writes entitled Titus, gives clear instructions: For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.” Titus 2:11-14. It’s a pretty big passage. Let’s break it down.

It is clear that the grace of God is remarkable and we do not deserve it. But what we see what the grace of God accomplishes, it states that through this grace salvation as appeared to all of us. What or better yet Who is this salvation? It is none other than Jesus. And as we continue to read the passage, we see that Paul reveals to us that it is none other than He who died for us. So in John 3:16, where we saw that God gave His Son, that was an unprecedented venture. Because we are all sinners and did not deserve the Son of God to come and die for us, hence grace. Grace is receiving what you DO NOT deserve. Grace is different from mercy. Mercy shields you from what you do deserve. And so in the first part of the verse, we see that the grace of God brought us salvation, now we know it is through Jesus Christ. When someone gives you something, what should be your reaction? Yes, it should be “thank you” or showing your gratitude. Which takes us to the next section of the verse, how do we show our gratitude?

By allowing the salvation of God to teach us how to live within His grace and mercy. The text states that along with God bringing us salvation: it teaches us to reject ungodliness and immoral desires, to live sensibly. Let us stop there for a moment. How do you live sensibly in a society that tells you to indulge in instant self-gratification, daily? How do you live an upright and godly life in this “present age”? One of the things that many sexologists, along with tv and movie entertainments will tell you is that masturbation or the act of sexual self-pleasing is healthy. But science has shown that the more you increase in sexual self-pleasure you actually diminish your sex drive (Google it). So how could something that others say is good for you, actually hurt you? This is why the verse says that the salvation of God teaches us to reject ungodliness.

As we grow in this process of living a full and sensible life, rejecting things that are actually harmful to us, the next section of the passage tells us that we are to be “awaiting and confidently expecting” that blessed hope of the fulfillment of the age, which is the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You see we have a hope that cannot be dimmed because we are the treasure of the Light of the world (John 8:12)! And He gave Himself willingly for us so that we would be free from not only the burdens of this world, but the burdens of sin, and of all its trappings. You may ask yourself, why? Why did He do it? Because: for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.” Titus 2:14. He chooses you for Himself, now go ahead and live a full and good life, for you have a purpose and are not here by chance. The next verse says: Tell them these things. Encourage and rebuke with full authority. Let no one disregard or despise you.” Titus 2:15. So go ahead and encourage everyone you know that they too are a peculiar treasure to God. And those who say that their lives don’t matter, rebuke that lie in the name of Jesus. Because their life cost God His Son. So encourage and tell them these things.

Day 162

Have you ever heard the axiom “Do as I say not as I do?” The entire notion is hypocritical. That someone would give you instruction as an authority, but not live up to the same standards, is ridiculous. But the reality is unpleasant. It’s like having a doctor tell you that you need to lose weight, yet they are clearly morbidly obese. What place do they have to tell you something that they do not hold to themselves? And this was one of the problems Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day: The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law]; so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.” Matthew 23:2-3.

The ones who looked the part were not living it. And it pained Jesus that these were the individuals who the masses were following for spiritual guidance. These men, who attended every religious service, and participated in every religious debate were sucking the people dry, while they lived life in excess. They stood in the temple during the day discussing the God of their forefathers, and at night planned to murder the Messiah. Believe it not, this scene plays repeatedly throughout history, and even today. Religious persons who live off of the generosity of their church members. Those same members who live off of food stamps, provide the funding for the lifestyle for these so-called leaders of God to have private planes and mansions.

This devotion is not to cast judgment on them but to cast awareness at the hypocrisies that Jesus cried out against: Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others. You [spiritually] blind guides, who strain out a gnat [consuming yourselves with miniscule matters] and swallow a camel [ignoring and violating God’s precepts]!” Matthew 23:23-24. Here it is clear that Jesus warns these leaders that they act as if they keep the law and commands of God by tithing even their herb garden (why do that?). But when it comes to what God has called them to actually do: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8. They were not doing any of what He had actually asked of them.

Jesus cried out on behalf of the sufferers, those whose dreams had been cast to the ground and shattered, those who looking towards the religious leaders to explain “Where is God when it hurts?” And instead of getting the correct answer “He’s right there next to you, never leaving your side. He’s working things out for your good, you have to trust on Him. Wait on the Lord and He will renew your strength” (Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 40:31). These people were supposed to be hearing the amazing promises in the Word of God about the God of the Word. Instead, they were exposed to hypocritical empty-shells of men, who worshipped themselves and their belongings, rather than God. And so in the 23rd chapter of Matthew Jesus cries out “8 woes” to the religious leaders. Cries of desperate warning of their actual realities. Not as how they thought they looked, but what was really going on inside of them: Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28.

I often wonder, if I was there during that time, and was a religious leader, how would I take someOne telling me that I was really filled with dead men’s bones and everything unclean? I guess it all depended on if I even wanted to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with my God. Because if I was not willing to walk humbly with my God, and listen to when He chastised me; I would not love kindness nor do justice. But instead of giving up on them and warning them once, or give one woe, Jesus gives 8. This shows us that God desperately works on our behalf for our salvation. Peter tells us that this is why at times He seems to be taking forever: to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. I mean He had Noah preach for 120 years before the flood came. But only 8 accepted the call towards salvation.

Jesus asks this pensive question after explaining a story that outlined the need for us to entreat God. Jesus asks us to do as He says and do as He did. Not for His benefit, but for ours. We should seek to be near to God, to communicate with Him, to tell Him all the desires of our hearts. Knowing and believing that God hears us and will answer our cries for justice: And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf? I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-9. The question still rings true 2000 years later. Will He find us faithful to the end? God is always willing to answer our prayers, but are we willing to answer His?

Day 154

The human condition that is steeped in anguish, trials, frustration, and pain, when it is faced with hope, with the opportunity to evoke change in their lives, for the better, cries out. We see this all over the world, not just in America. In the last decade, there were cries for justice from the Middle East called the “Arab Spring.” Within the same decade came the cries from the financial oppressed, and their movement was entitled “Occupy Wall Street.” Today we see the insurgency for the cries for justice, for equality for all mankind. Today I want to talk about some people in the Bible, who perceived their opportunity for real change and took it. We’ll take a look at how the majority attempted to silence them, but their cries for mercy increased even more and see Jesus’ interaction with them.

Of course a brief background: Jesus had just finished speaking to His disciples about a situation in which once again proved that they did not understand Christ’s mission, or what the Kingdom of Heaven was really all about. The mother of James and John, two young fishermen by trade who were Jesus’ disciples, came to Christ asking for special political favors from Him for her sons. She came before Jesus and He asked her: “What do wish?” She answered Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit [in positions of honor and authority] one on Your right and one on Your left.” Matthew 20:21.

This woman was bold in her request, and Jesus took the time to hear her out, even though she did not understand the responsibilities that come with being a leader within the kingdom of God. Yes, leaders have responsibilities within the government of God. These responsibilities are absolutely nothing like we would think of today. Jesus asked her if her sons were able to drink the cup of suffering that He would drink, and she vowed that they were able. Just moments before Jesus had expressed that He soon would be handed: over to the Gentiles (Roman authorities) to be mocked and scourged and crucified” Matthew 20:19. Who wants to be a leader in that type of kingdom where the King will be handed over, abused, and killed? They clearly were missing the point. But isn’t that it? So many of us hear what is being said but we are not listening to the desperation and cries of what is being uttered.

When the other 10 disciples heard the audacity of James and John’s mom, they flipped out! In fact, the word states: they were resentful and angry with the two brothers.” Matthew 20:24. Jesus was about to give His life as a ransom for many, and the ones in which He was going to leave the most important mission ever instituted, they were now suffering from infighting and resentment, anger and disunity. Jesus needed to clear the air and help them course-correct before they were too entrenched in their ideology that they missed their purpose (unfortunately, Judas who betrayed Jesus, never fully grasped the concept that Jesus was about to reveal to them). Jesus called all them into a private conversation and told them: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].” Matthew 20:25-28.

Here Jesus was showing a clear division between the way that the world governs, and the way that God governs. In Revelation chapter 3 Jesus tells us all that whoever overcomes, He will give them access to sit in His throne with Him, being a ruler with Him. That blows my mind! What kind of all-powerful Being decides to share His kingdom with limited, human beings? In Matthew Jesus tells those who were listening: A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.” Matthew 10:24. So if Jesus came to be a servant, what capacity should those who claim to follow Him be as well? While all this is going on, there is a large crowd that is following Jesus. He was leaving His last destination which was Jericho and then something happens.

The Bible simply states: And two blind men were sitting by the road, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David (Messiah)!” Matthew 20:30. Although they were blind, they could still perceive that Hope was passing by and if they did not do their best, but forth some type of action, they might miss their opportunity to A) be heard, B) be seen. And it is not until people can both hear and see you, will progress ever happen. Something happens when another’s human plight is placed on display, something happens in the hearts and minds of those who witness it. There will always be, until the second coming of Jesus, those who ignore and sear their conscience, but there are those who will be moved to compassion to help those who desperately need to be freed from oppression.

As the men cried out, the Bible says that the crowd tried to silence them, but they would not be silenced: The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David (Messiah) have mercy on us!” Matthew 20:31. All over the world, there are people who are crying out all the more because they will no longer be silenced by the majority which feels inconvenienced by their troubles and plights. People are demanding to be heard and seen. And I want you to know that Jesus hears and sees you: Jesus stopped and called them, and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Matthew 20:32. And He is stopping by and wants to know “What do you want Me to do for you?” I pray that all of us will be able to answer Him what those blind men answered: They answered Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Matthew 20:33. This was God’s response: Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight” Matthew 20:34. Jesus is moved with compassion to our cries as well, always remember that. I love what these two men who were healed by the love of Christ did when their eyes were fully opened, and I hope we too will do the same when He gives us sight, “and followed Him [as His disciples].” Matthew 20:34.

Day 152

Today I had to compose a letter to my students, letting them know that we will abide by the mandated curfew imposed by our local governments. But I also had to tell them that they are not mandated to remain silent. Instead, I urged them to use their voice to cry for the oppressed in a manner that uplifts and not destroys. Chaos is chaos no matter what the underlying issue has set it off. And I can’t help but wonder, was it this type of chaotic mess with clearly murderous intent that God saw in Genesis chapter 6 which led Him to step in before the human race destroyed themselves?

I witnessed police officers dragging college students out of their cars after they had used stun guns and terrorized them while shattering their car windows. I saw several armed police officers shove people and kick them while they were down. A child no more than 10 years old was pepper-sprayed by another police officer, and a young protestor who had his hands up in the air and a mask on was violated by a police officer, unevoked. Those who have been trained to protect are now terrorizing and destroying their fellow neighbor’s lives.

In Luke chapter 10 Jesus, who in all accounts could be considered a radical protestor in His day, was being asked by one of the religious lawyers who specialized in the Mosaic law, this question: Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25. Of course, the lawyer was using this question as a baseline to see what Jesus’ understanding of the law was (although Jesus was the ONE who gave the law). Jesus responded in a way that no one would have thought, He turned the question back to the lawyer (Brilliant!): Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he replied, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:26,27. Jesus tells the man: You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live” with the implication being to obtain eternal life (Luke 10:28).

The context of the passage was “Eternal Life.” And Jesus said the way you get to live eternally is to keep the Law which is eternal. Psalm 119:11 states: Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” This verse is the key. If the word of God is eternal as it is a reflection of God: so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” Isaiah 55:11. This is the same mouth that spoke the Universe into being (Genesis 1, John 1, Hebrews 1). The author in Psalm 119 is crying out that they have hidden the word of God in their heart, so they might not sin against God. Sin is the transgression or the breaking of the law (1 John 3:4). So if we do not love the Lord God with all that we have and are, and our neighbor as yourself, the Bible says that we are sinning. And sinning against the character of God, which is Love, means death (Romans 6:23).

The book of James tells us if we break one commandment then we are guilty of breaking all of them (James 2:10). Meaning you can’t keep half of the law. You cannot “love God” with your everything if you hate your neighbor, and the reverse is true. So the question remains, “Who is my neighbor?” Believe it or not, that was the same question that the lawyer asked Jesus. And to answer that question, Jesus tells a parable in the hearing of all those who gathered to hear Him. The story is called the “Good Samaritan.” A very popular story that has been told now for centuries. But at the end of the story, in order to answer the question of “who is my neighbor,” Jesus asked the lawyer, which one was considered to be and behave as a neighbor. This is what the man answered: The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Luke 10:37.

He could not bring himself to admit that the one who did the best thing was also a part of the ethnicity of people that he believed he was far superior to. And there was no way he was going to give the man the due praise, even in an allegorical story. Jesus did not shame him or “set him straight” only told him to “Go and constantly do the same.” Luke 10:37. What is so amazing yet frustrating with Jesus, is how He tells the man, who clearly had no desire to show mercy on those he did not socialize with to constantly show mercy and compassion towards them.

And if God is the same and does not change (Malachi 3:6), I wonder if He expects us to also “Go and constantly do the same,” even when our hearts can barely stop crying, and our minds are reeling from the damaged done towards us from those who have sworn to protect and serve us. Jesus is saying, Yes, Go, and constantly do the same. My worry is what if I can’t? He tells me: Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.

Day 113

When I was 15 years old and was learning to drive, I remember that I hit a car when it was parked. No damage was done, but I had decided that I was done, with driving. My family was in the car, and I got out crying. My parents tried to calm me down, my brothers just looked like “Oh, she’s going to get it now.” I gave the car keys to my parents and could not stop shaking. My mother said she understood, but my father told me to get back in the driver’s seat. Excuse me? I just hit another car, while it was parked, I am clearly not fit to drive. Especially with the entire family in the car! But my father got into the back of the car and slid his seatbelt on, and sat there, firm in his conviction. To this day, I cannot believe that he trusted me after I had done such a terrible faux pas! But for some reason (love+ forgiving grace) he gave me another chance. And he was going to put his money where his mouth was per se because he trusted me with his most precious gift, the life of his family. Well, this got me thinking of someone in the Bible and a little bit of his story.

His name is Aaron. The eldest child of Amran and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20), the brother of Moses and Miriam from the tribe of Levi. Aaron officially enters into the story in Exodus chapter 4 when Moses tries to reject God’s call on his life, with excuses. God knows what He has called Moses to do, and does not accept any of his excuses. Moses begs God to chose another. For he had left Egypt 40 years prior in disgrace and shame (Exodus 2:11-15) due to his murder of an Egyptian, how could God call him to do this mighty work? But God did call him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, and God was going to give him a right-hand man, his brother, Aaron: …He said, “Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently…Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you].” Exodus 4:14-16.

When you read Exodus 5 – 12 it discusses how God used a mighty hand and did magnificent wonders on behalf of Israel to set them free, and Aaron had a front seat of it all. God spoke to Aaron and not only to Moses (Exodus 4:27), so Aaron was no stranger to who God was and what He could do. And just in case he needed one more reason to see the magnitude of the power of God, you can read about the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14:13-31) where Moses told the people: Do not be afraid! Take your stand…and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today… The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.” Exodus 14:13,14.

What an amazing display of power! Next is the scene at Mt. Sinai, where God speaks, in the hearing of the entire nation, which was over a million strong. And then something CRAZY and AMAZING happens, God invites a few of the people over for dinner. You read that right: Then God said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu (Aaron’s older sons), and seventy of Israel’s elders, and you shall worship at a [safe] distance…and they saw [a manifestation of] the God of Israel…Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the Israelites; and they saw…God, and ate and drank.” Exodus 24:1,9-11. Okay, so let’s just talk about what we just read:
God invites them to come and eat and drink in His presence, and they saw the throne of God, THEY SAW GOD. And He preserved their lives because sinful flesh cannot dwell in the presence of God in and of themselves. This is why Paul states: in a moment in a twinkling of an eye we will all be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52).

What a breathtaking experience that is a once in a lifetime event! To see God, live to tell about it, and have dinner with Him?! You think that experience alone would carry anybody on for the rest of their lives! Nothing can deter me now, because I have spoken, seen, and even eaten with the God of the universe! In Aaron’s case, however, that is not what happened. So here’s a little backdrop: after dinner, Moses is called up by God to have a conversation, which lasts about 40 days. I’ve had conversations that have lasted for hours, but I guess when you’re having a conversation with the Creator of time, well it doesn’t really matter. During these 40 days, Moses leaves his brother in charge. I mean it was the two of them that spoke to the people and Pharaoh on behalf of God, so it makes sense. And Aaron would be a great leader, because he knew what God expected from the people, with the whole speaking to the event, and Aaron eating and drinking with God. Aaron seemed like the right choice, right?

While Moses was gone, the people got restless (Exodus 32) and told Aaron to make them gods that they can relate to, like the ones they saw their Egyptian masters had worshipped. So Aaron made them a golden calf. How did he make an entire giant golden statute for over a million people to worship in the desert?! Well, let’s just say that Aaron had a set of particular skills. Skills that almost got the entire population wiped out. Satan had enticed the people who had just said they would obey God, to break every single promise that was within the covenant. They had a wild drunken orgy and Aaron had the nerve to say that they can build an altar and worship God in the morning and party with demons at night.

When Moses returns he flips out (rightly so) and demands to know what happened? Aaron gives the sorriest excuse ever heard. He told Moses, that he threw some gold in the fire, and a golden calf jumped out! As if it was some type of miracle! Aaron got pressured from the people to not just bend the covenant rules and principles but to break them off entirely, after all, he had witnessed God do! He could not stand firm for God. And did you know what God was telling Moses while Aaron was acting like such a disgrace? Here: Now bring your brother Aaron near, and his sons with him from among the sons of Israel, so that he may serve as priest to Me.” Exodus 28:1. God was planning on having Aaron as the High Priest. Do you know who the High Priest represented? Take a guess… Jesus: …we…have a great High Priest…Jesus the Son of God” Hebrews 4:14.

After that shameful representation before the entire nation, God could have called the whole thing off. But He doesn’t. We know this because in Numbers chapter 6, listen to what God tells Moses to tell Aaron: Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the Israelites...So Aaron and his sons shall put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6: 22,27. When Aaron had been the complete opposite of what God called him to be, God continued to keep calling him, working with him to become what he was called to do, reflect the image of God. It was God’s love and forgiving grace that covered Aaron, and believe it or not, when you mess up, His love and grace are powerful enough to cover you too. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Day 94

My mother is a fantastic cook. God has really blessed her the gift to turn any ingredient into a culinary delight. I, however, was not endowed with that gift. Can I make food to survive? Yes. Growing up my mother sought me out to come and help her in the kitchen or to see what she was doing, I never had much interest. I would rather take a look at what my father was doing, what he was tinkering with in his shed. One day when I was in my own apartment away from home I wanted to cook for someone, so naturally, I called my mother. She was over the moon when I contacted her. She gave me step by step instructions, and I followed them to the letter. My dish came out savory and delicious, I was so excited. Another time when I came home to visit my parents, my mother taught me how to make a few staple dishes that every Island woman should know. She even shared secret recipes with me that her mother had only shared with her. Once again the food came out as if, maybe, perhaps, I did have a gift after all! By now I was feeling really good and I thought that I could take on cooking on my own. Not that I didn’t need my mother, but that I could handle this next dish. So I decided to make these specialized savory pastries on my own. I purchased all the ingredients that I had seen my mother buy and went on my merry way. How do you think my specialized pastries went? I’ll be honest with you, they came out like little pieces of asphalt. I knew exactly what went wrong, I didn’t call my mom, who was the expert, to help me, and I ended up with a mess. Of course, this got me thinking about an event in the Bible.

A brief background. Moses had died, and now Joshua was leading the million-plus people through the promised land. Their first major battle against the stronghold of Caannan was Jericho, and they crushed it. And the reason why their battle was so complete and succinct was that God had fought their battle: The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14. It was important that they knew how they won. It had nothing to do with their ability, but everting to do with the Lord: So he said to me, “…Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.” Zechariah 4:6. So the next battle had to do with facing one of the largest territories that blocked the children of Isreal for inhabiting the land which God promised them.

A question can be raised: Why is God having them chase out these people who already lived there? Is that even fair? I think it’s an excellent question. So for some insight, let’s go to the beginning. In Genesis chapter 12 God calls Abraham out of the comfort of his home to go to a place where God would show him. In Genesis chapter 15 God makes a covenant with Abraham and lets him know that if this covenant were to be broken, that God Himself would cover the cost (Genesis 15:17-18). This covenant that God makes with Abraham actually is a miniature example of the one that God made with the entire human race in Genesis 3:15. Basically, God explains that through His love by His Sacrifice, He will fulfill the requirements of the covenant, because we cannot on our own. That requires us to trust Him. And Abraham did, and it greatly pleased God (Genesis 15:6). So let’s answer the question raised at the beginning of this paragraph with the premise that we 1) know that He would rather die than to lose us, and 2) believe what He says. So during God making the promise to Abraham about his seed receiving the land, God tells Abraham an interesting and almost passe fact: As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Genesis 15:15,16.

Did you see that? God was extending His grace and mercies to the Amorites or Canaanite nations for another 400 plus years. These were the nations who were burning their children alive and doing the vilest abominations before God and destroying themselves before the Creator. In His loving mercies, He was holding back His judgment and giving them 400 years to turn from their wickedness and repent of their ways, hoping that they would use their free-will and leave their life of destruction. But as we get back to our story in Judges, we see that they did not heed the warnings of God. So the story continues with the destruction of Ai, and their demonic worships were now demolished (As a SIDE NOTE, when the children of Isreal began following these nations and behaving like them, God also gave them an opportunity to repent and return. But they too spurned the mercies and grace of God, so they were scattered and destroyed like the nations before them. God is impartial when it comes to delivering justice. He is however extremely patient and so merciful, that many think that He’s not watching or that He doesn’t care. That could not be further from the truth. Now back to where we left off). The children of Isreal were feeling great. One win after the other. They felt like they were unstoppable, so much so, that they felt like they could handle everything on their own. God was a great help and motivator, but they got it from here. Enter the Gibeonites: But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning...” Joshua 9:3,4.

The entire story is filled with misdirection and intrigue (Joshua 9). These men dressed up in rags and placed busted sandals on their feet, got some moldy bread and made their way to the edge of the camp of the children of Isreal. When they got to where the Israelites were, they pretended that they came from far away lands, to meet the Israelites, for one specific reason: “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” Joshua 9:6. What is so ingenious about this entire charade, is that these individuals were a town over. And God had warned the Israelites not to make any pact or covenant with the people of the land because of their abominable practices: And you shall consume all the peoples that the LORD your God will give over to you. Your eye shall not pity them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.” Deuteronomy 7:16. But they did not listen to God’s warning, and they became a nation that: They have built pagan shrines to Baal, and there they burn their sons as sacrifices to Baal. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!” Jeremiah 19:5.

Joshua and the elders of the nation entered into a covenant with the Gibeonites: but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.” Joshua 9:14,15. When I did not reach out to my mother for help in something that she was the expert in, I ruined perfectly good food and my pride. When the children of God don’t think they need Him and enter into relationships without His guidance or counsel, we end up ruining our lives. It happened to Eve when she entered into a covenant with a serpent, it happens with us every day that we do not seek the Lord. BUT…”if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. God is always willing to give us another chance. But we have to reach out to Him to tell Him that we not only want it, but we need Him.

Day 88

Let’s talk about our final portion in the third section of worldly desires, Let’s address the pride of life: For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” 1 John 2:16,17.

The Greek word for pride used here in this text is alazoneia, which means boastfulness and arrogance. The reason why alazoneia is so dangerous is that it lulls individuals into a false sense of security, where they do not need the grace or mercy of God applied on their behalf. The grace and mercy of God can be seen throughout the Bible. From the moment Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus stepped in and provided an opportunity for them to be redeemed: the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” Revelation 13:8. When the world was going to completely annihilate itself according to Genesis chapter 6, God stepped in before Satan could orchestrate an end game that would stop the Lamb from actually being slain and provide a way out of this mess. It was by the grace of God that Noah and his family were saved (Genesis 6:8). And let us not forget it was because of the mercy of God through the grace of Jesus that we had a Savior who died on the cross providing salvation for all would accept it. Alazoneia or the pride of life insults God by saying, my righteousness is okay, I don’t need Your help. It’s worse than that, alazoneia actually boasts in the fact that my will is more sovereign than God’s.

And it’s not a power trip on God’s behalf as to why this is a sin that He abhors, it’s because we end up blind to the reality that we need a savior, that we are good enough, and God will have to accept it because we say so. In the book of Proverbs chapter 6 it mentions several things in which God hates, would you believe it that first one of them is pride (Hebrew word ramowt) in boastfulness in yourself, in your own works. Once again, when the enemy deceived our first parents, he sold them the lie that God was untruthful and that God really wouldn’t hold them accountable for stepping outside of His law, that their will to eat the fruit was equal to His will saying not to. Clearly, it was a lie. But that lie seeped into their DNA and they passed it unto their children, and children’s children, and unto us.

But let’s take a look at the first time since they had left the Garden of Eden that ramowt / alazoneia / boastful pride entered the scene. God called Cain and Abel to come before Him as a rite of passage. They were no longer able to rely on their parent’s relationship with God to cover them, they had to develop one with Him themselves. And so the scripture states: In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7

Let’s break this passage down. After their parents had sinned, that same day something did die. A lamb died in their place. This is implied with the scripture above and with the reading of Genesis 3:21. We’ve discussed context before, and it applies very heavily here. Have you ever asked yourself, why the patriarchs always sacrificed a lamb for an offering to God, even before the Sanctuary service started in the book of Leviticus? When Moses was writing to the Jewish audience they knew that when Adam and Eve had sinned, their death penalty was postponed because something died on their behalf, an innocent lamb. And that lamb was to represent The: Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. So every male who would be responsible for his household had to present a lamb and offer it before God, showing acceptance for God ultimately becoming the sacrifice and justifying them through His sacrifice, not ours. But Cain had a prideful heart. So he brought God what he wanted to show his righteousness or right doing was “good enough” for salvific reasons. God was not having it.

So the scripture states that God honored Abel’s offering of self-reliance on God, not Cain’s self-defiance of God. But once again in His mercy, God spoke to the rebellious Cain and told him that it was not too late. If he would humble himself and do what was asked of him, relying on the mercy and merits of God, he too could be a part of the covenant of life. God told him that sin desired (the original meaning was longing) to obliterate him. Cain ignored God’s advice and direction and stuck to his pride of life, and was angry that God did not accept his sacrifice. So the end result was murder. Cain killed his brother because of his pride.

In the book of John chapter 8, Jesus is speaking to a group of Jews who are showing uneasy signs of the pride of life. Jesus explains that this is a characteristic of the devil who was “a murder from the beginning” John 8:44. In the book of Isaiah, we get a sneak peek look at the pride that brewed in the heart of Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-16), and it was that pride that sparked in him the desire to see all whom God loves to suffer and die, even if it meant killing God Himself. But God gave Himself for us. In Philippians 2:7,8 it explains that although Jesus was equal to God as He was Elohim, He still humbled Himself to become a servant to the ones who eventually murdered Him, all because of His love. And it was that love that drove Him to do things the right way and never take the perceived “easy” way out offered by the devil, even when he pretended to be an angel of light:
And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:9-13.

The devil tempted Jesus with the pride of life in this last temptation mentioned in Luke. He quoted scripture (yes, the devil knows scripture) to tempt Jesus to use His connections with His Father for His own will. So, God, the Father would have to accept His decision regardless if God the Father wanted to or not. This is often called the sin of presumption or the pride of life. But Jesus wasn’t having it. He had a mission to complete. He quoted once again from Deuteronomy, the principles of life which is the law of God. Do you see the last sentence? It says that the devil left Jesus until he could find another opportune time to try and tempt Him into submission, so the plan of redemption could be destroyed.

BUT! Oh for the love of God, who would not let anything separate us from Him. Paul says it best: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No[!] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35,37-39.

Amen.