Musing – Everybody loves a “Comeback” story!

Hebraic Musing – Everybody loves a “Comeback” story!

When I watch a sporting event, unless it’s my home team, I find myself rooting for the underdog team.  I want to see a Comeback, defying the odds.  Did you know that the Bible is full of victorious Comeback stories?

·      Abraham – laughed at God.  “Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"  You know what happened!

·      Joseph – was rejected by 10 brothers, falsely accused, jailed, etc.; but became COO of greatest nation!

·      Moses – started life as “alligator meat” in the Nile, exiled, became a lowly shepherd in the wilderness; but led Israelites out of bondage to the Promised Land and gets credit for authoring the Torah!

·      Gideon – was a boy threshing wheat in hiding, doing a woman’s job and heard "The lord is with you, mighty warrior."  So he assembled and led an army victorious over the Midianites. 

·      David – was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd boy, hunted by King Saul, incurred self-inflicted losses; but he’s recognized as a man after God’s own heart, became king with an everlasting covenantal relationship.

·      Esther – a Jewess in Persia, risked death, “for just such a time as this”; and her obedience saved the Jews.

Many more in the New Testament:

·      Lazarus – is an example of Comeback victory!  Dead and stinky for four days and walks out of the tomb!

·      Woman at the well – was living amongst the Samaritans and did not have a Godly life-style.  Jesus confronted her quite directly, she recognized Him; as a result, she brought all the townspeople to Jesus!

·      Peter – couldn’t get his foot out of his mouth, denied Christ three times; but became key leader of the Faith!

·      Saul – was going the wrong way, persecuting and killing Christians; but in the end he brought Christianity to the Roman Empire and ultimately to the Western world.

·      Jesus – had and will have two “Comebacks”.  First His resurrection from the grave; and then 3X in the book of Revelation Jesus promises "Behold, I am coming soon!”    Now if that isn’t a Comeback promise!?!

Life Application: What do we have to Comeback from?  We are born into this world and we easily become part of the worldly team as we find/found ourselves slavishly playing with and for that team.  We are reminded of our daily fleshly battle. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-16  NKJV

Thus, we find ourselves:

·         Lusting for materialistic things to satisfy our cravings of the moment.

·         Looking and then lusting for that which does not belong to us. (Commandment #10)

·         Prideful boasting about our own accomplishments while seeking man’s approval and worship; forgetting that our every breath comes from our Creator, to whom we will return.

Our own salvation testimonies are Comeback stories.  How many of us came to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as a result of observing the ultimate Comeback story of a believer victorious over the odds in their life situation?  We were on our way to hell but had a Comeback to our senses as we recognized Jesus as our Lord.

Alternatively, those who do not seek a Comeback are described in Proverbs 26:11   “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” 

What can be more exciting than to see a friend, family member, neighbor or anybody experience a Comeback victory?  And it is even more exciting if we played a part in their Comeback!

Points to ponder

Did God provide you with a Comeback victory? 
Do you deserve your “Victory in Jesus”?

Whom do you know who needs a Comeback victory?

“…I will come back and take you to be with me…” John 14:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 25, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by message from Pastor Tom Hatley, Immanuel Baptist Church, June 23, 2019

Musing – Why do we Need to Forget the Past & Press On?

Hebraic Musing – Why do we Need to Forget the Past & Press On?

Paul recounts his accomplishments and credentials in Philippians 3:4-6 “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”  Wow! 

But then he puts all those credentials and accolades behind him and continues by saying – “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…” Philippians 3:13  NIV

Paul advises us to “Forget the Past”.  We have often heard that said before, typically when we’re told to get over grief and mistakes of our past.  But Paul tells us it is critical to also let go of the past accomplishments and successes because they too can hinder our growth.  It is common to be told to forget the problems and bad stuff in the past; how often are we smugly looking at “all the things we have done for Our Lord” and thus we are prideful and satisfied with ourselves and our progress and service to Him?  Does pride sneak into our self-assessment?

God does not want us to be reactionary to our past lives – good or bad stuff; God wants us to “get over it” and get on with His plan for our lives.  Paul concludes with his own response – “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14

We should not be satisfied to live in the past, dwelling on the failures.  Coaching youth sports I have had to encourage youngsters with “Get up, dust off, get back in the game.”

Who in the OT gives us an example of the value of forgetting the past?  Answer -  Joseph.  Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." Gen 41:51-52    And we know how Joseph was grossly mistreated many times and from many fronts; yet he had to “forget all” those troubles as he “pressed on” in his service to God.

Ask yourself:  What have I done well to build His church? 
Challenge:       Now, can you put that behind you and press on by focusing on the future?

Points to ponder

BTW – Paul wrote “forget the past and press on” while he was in a Roman jail.
Are our situations anywhere near that dire?

How many times have you heard “Don’t rest on your laurels”?

We relish the “Good old days”
while God is asking “What have you done for me lately?”

If the best is yet to come…get busy.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord   Jer. 29:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 18, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – Why Should God Forgive Us If…?

Hebraic Musing – Why Should God Forgive Us If…?

Have you ever been hurt, insulted, mistreated, belittled…?  Of course you have.  That’s life and we’ve all been there.  Maybe that’s why Paul thought it important to tell us “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32   NIV   But aren’t we allowed to keep a little bit of bitterness, or is God telling us to get rid of “ALL” bitterness?  Does verse 32 remind us of the familiar “Red Letter” phrase stuck in the middle of our most famous Lord’s Prayer?  “Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who sin against us.” Luke 11:4 NLT

Where does bitterness begin?  “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:25-27   NIV

What does the bitterness of unforgiveness do to you?   It deprives you of Cheerfulness according to Proverbs: 
  - 15:13  “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
  - 15:15  “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
  - 15:30  “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”
  - 17:22  “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” 

So unforgiveness leads to a bitterness that causes health problems, but even more important it probably hinders ones witness, or ones willingness to witness.  Unforgiveness often grows into a grudge.  Have you ever heard that holding a grudge against someone is like drinking poison in order to hurt the other person?

How important is forgiveness?  Peter made the mistake of asking that question and he got an earful from Jesus – "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Matt 18:21 And Jesus responded with “Seventy-seven times”, or every-time!  And then Jesus went into a long parable about the servant being forgiven a big debt but in turn would not forgive a small debt owed him.  Reminds me of…  ♫  He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay…♫    What has God done for you?

Jesus gave us another important reason to forgive.  “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt 6:15

Those we love most can hurt us the most.  God’s love for us is perfect agape love, so how much hurt does He feel when one of His children misbehaves or rejects Him?  As parents we understand this parallel!

My personal challenge is to be “continuously forgiving”.  When hurt I confess to pouting, withdrawing, etc. (You know the reactions.)  How can I forgive continuously, even before being offended?  How can I avoid any feelings of anger or bitterness?  How to be “Continuously Forgiving”?  Should I wait until bedtime to pray forgiveness for those who offended us that day?  Or should we be in a state of “continual forgiveness”? 

If we forgive someone do we have to also trust them?  Simple answer – No.  Trust has to be earned; but forgiveness is a gift, like grace.  However, if we declare (even to ourselves) “I will never trust him”, are we effectively still holding a grudge?  Remember how God trusted us and forgave us, even after we resisted Him! 

Points to ponder

Forgiveness is a gracious and undeserved gift.  Yet, by grace we are saved.

How can we achieve “Continuous Forgiveness?

If two parties need to reconcile, the one closest to the Lord needs to take the first step.
(Are you willing to admit the other party is closer to the Lord than you?)

If I offended you with this musing, it is up to you to forgive me.  (>:

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 11, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   “insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com”

Musing – What is happening to our "Christian Nation"?

Hebraic Musing – What is happening to our "Christian Nation"?

In so many ways we no longer operate as a "Christian nation".  What is the significance of this?

In Genesis we find Almighty God as creator of the world initially as well as creator of the creative powers and He continues to operate creatively in our world.  He is part and parcel of all we do.  “For in Him we live and have our being” Acts 17:28 NIV.    As a result we should not entertain a difference or distinction between the “sacred and secular.” The word “Secular” is not in nor even implied in the Bible.  Greek philosophers have taught that man's reasoning preempts the ongoing role of a creator God.  God may have created us initially but Plato's and Aristotle's Greek-think and Scientific thinking has ruled ever since; and has usurped God’s creation role by making Nature and Science the new Gods, thus changing the classroom curriculums for the last few generations.  Has Greek-think crept into the Christian way of thinking?  And you ever heard “May the “Force be with you”?

America has entered an era in which Judeo-Christian based laws of the land are no longer being honored; and being replaced by “feel-good reasoning.” Today, 90% of the children are educated in public schools where God's role and Biblical truths cannot be taught anymore. In the 1830s Alex de Tocqueville came from France to examine America (p.124*) and he observed amongst other things, "Almost all education is entrusted to clergy". That is just one clue as to how important Christianity was to the thinking and morality of America in our foundational days. In that same era, Noah Webster, born 1758, noted "The education of youth should be watched with the most scrupulous attention.  Education in a great measure forms the moral characters of men, and morals are the basis of government" (p.132*) then he said "it is much easier to introduce and establish an effectual system for preserving morals, than to correct, by penal statutes, the ill effects of a bad system." 

And today we see a classic example of crippled thinking in a Facebook post of a mother saying "Mothers should not have to be worried about their son being shot and killed when robbing a store."  Is this another piece of evidence that Judean-Christian morality is not been taught to our populous? We have a nation no longer capable of self-rule by relying on internalized and pervasive Biblical morality.  

Our founding fathers felt that a government "by the people" might just work with a "moral and religious" population. (p.126*)  They felt individuals with moral self-government under God would bring peace, order and political prosperity to a new kind of governmental system based on this Judeo-Christian oriented, revolutionary idea.  Free-speech could be entrusted to such a populace, as could the freedom of the press and even the right to bear arms.

Robert Winthrop echoed Ben Franklin’s sentiments (p.127*) when he said “Men… must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man, either by the Bible, or by the bayonet.”

Points to ponder

Have we reached a point in which bayonets are needed to enforce morality?

Have we outlived the “government by the people” experiment?

Since a Theocracy is out of the question,
is it time to campaign for the most efficient government – a “Benevolent Dictatorship?
(Whoops, has there ever been a “Benevolent Dictator” in history?)

♫  God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her,
          Through the night with the light from above…  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 4, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Page references are from “Assumptions that affect our lives – A clash and contrast between Greek philosophy and Hebrew wisdom and their role in shaping Western Christianity” Christian Overman

Note – Does this HM sounds familiar?  Revision of “Does America need to become a dictatorship”  9/8/15
            (And getting even more relevant today!)