Musing – If You have a Dispute…

 Hebraic Musing – If You have a Dispute…

Or, how to discuss differences and avoid church splits.

Did you know that if you have two Rabbis, you will have three opinions?

Here is a quote that came out of a teaching from Acts 14 & 15  “Christian disputes should lead to discussion, but discussion avails nothing if hearts are not first humbled before God."

Who of us has not heard of an ugly church split, or experienced one ourselves? Or have you encountered someone disagreeing with their Pastor, Priest or Rabbi and storming out the door…?

Did they handle it in a biblical way?  Sometimes they even claim they did. They may even say they went to the person, then brought a friend, then took to before the church, etc.  That's all good, BUT... their hearts must truly be humble for that to work! 

The passage in Acts 14* refers to Pauls' first work in Antioch. The Jerusalem church seemed to be focused on the issue of circumcision, so Paul and Barnabas went back and "discussed" it with them (this being the first Jerusalem Council). The Jerusalem council, led by Yaakov (a.k.a. James), Yeshua’s half-brother, consisted of Jews/Israelites who were rather passionate about their point of view, customs, background and experience. But eventually they were persuaded by the Ruach HaChodesh, a.k.a. Holy Spirit, to agree that the Gentiles could indeed be saved, and that the Gentile converts needn't follow some of the symbolic portions of the Mosaic law representing crucifixion of the flesh. 

Today churches and individuals squabble and split over silly things... yet the original church had a pretty big issue, based on a 1,900 year old ritual (Gen.17:10**) and yet they were able to come to an agreement.  Why?  Their hearts were humbled.

BTW – You really don’t know if you are submitted to your Rabbi or Pastor until he says ‘No’.

Point to ponder

Why should I need a humbled heart if I know I am right?

How well is America handling all the different opinions?
(Or, how am I handling differing opinions?)

♫  Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord
            And He shall lift you up (higher and higher)   And He shall lift you up    ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd            June 28, 2022   (Originally published Nov.28,2011)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

*   The Conflict over Circumcision arose in Acts 15:1 “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”  NKJV

**   Genesis 17:10-11 “This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.”

Musing – How to be a Witness to Muslims

 Hebraic Musing – How to be a Witness to Muslims

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A speaker on a Christian radio program urged Christians to evangelize Muslims, indicating that their method of conquering a country is to patiently infiltrate, seeming to blend in with the culture, until they are the majority and take over the country.  He estimated that the US is only 30 years away from becoming a Muslim nation. 

Just for clarification, both Christians and Muslims believe in and put their faith in a god.  However, the Muslims have a much different understanding of their god on rather significantly critical issues: *

·      Jesus is not the Son of God.

·      Jesus was not crucified, therefore there is no atonement of sin!

·      If one does not believe in the Crucifixion, there is no need to believe in the Resurrection.

·      Sin does not grieve Allah.

·      Man is created by Allah and is sinless, not created in God’s image and sinful by nature

·      Reliance on the Qur’an, a later revelation they believe supersedes and corrects errors in the Bible.

·      Muhammad (570-632 AD) is their authority - last in their line of prophets and final authority.

·      Last Days - All Muslims go to heaven, after purging of their sins. All infidels are destined for hell.

·      To be clear, Allah is NOT the triune God of the Christians; we do not worship the same god. 

Some Christians are content in their little bubble of likeminded friends, they typically have limited contact with non-Christians.  While this might be comfortable, it is not Biblical.  We are to be a light in the darkness, not hiding our light (faith) under a basket as it says in the Bible.  We are to love people, but we are to hate evil.  We are to take authority over evil.  This does not mean that we should pray to God to take away the evil.  Jesus instructs us to take authority and deal with evil ourselves:

·      When the 72 returned from their ministry trip, they said “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Luke 10:17 NKJV   Yes, we are instructed to address Satan directly, in Jesus’ name.  

·      “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”  Luke 9:1-2. 

·      “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” Matthew 10:1.

Jesus has given us authority and He expects us to use it and not tolerate evil.  So how can one discuss this with a Muslim?   While there are obviously many ways, here is a simple approach: **

You – Are you at peace with Allah?  Response – I am at peace with Allah.   Y – Is Allah holy?   R – Yes, Allah is holy.    Y – Is Allah just?   R – Of course, Allah is just.    Y – What was the holy and just payment Allah made to allow you, an unholy and unjust person, to enter into his presence?    R - ???     Y – What was it you could possibly do to satisfy his holiness?  And to bring you into peace with God himself.   R - ???     You – That is probably the biggest differences between our faiths.  I believe that God sent His perfectly holy and just Son in person to be crucified to pay for my sins.  I have experienced God’s love since my unrighteousness has been paid for by God Himself.   R – (Holy Spirit will guide further dialog.)

This logic escapes some Muslim adherents to Islam.  Men who are honest with themselves will look into their own hearts and see that evil exists.  The Law exposes our unrighteousness, our complete absence of holiness.

If you want/need a more complete guide, I have a “Do’s & Don’ts” draft available on request.

Points to ponder

Open our eyes to the evil in our midst, then take authority over it.
Meanwhile remember to love the people and bring them to Jesus. 

We have the truth so why not open a dialog? 
After all, what does it really mean to love our neighbor?

“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me...”  Isaiah 46:8

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   June 21, 2022
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage - Yosef”    Weekly email “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com
*   From www.namb.net  Comparison Chart — Islam and Christianity
** Inspired by Johanna Shager Hocker   “Authority over Evil”  February 27, 2018

Musing – How to have the “Abundant Life”!

 Hebraic Musing – How to have the “Abundant Life”!

Edited reprint of an August 2011 musing.  Enjoy!

There has been controversy and concern regarding the “Prosperity” message being preached in many growing churches.  If preached as “entitlement”, then concern is appropriate.  BUT prosperity that is the result of ‘faithfulness’ is scripturally supported.

How do we know God wants us to have a prosperous and abundant life?  Well, He says so specifically in his Word and here are only a few of the examples:  (NKJV)

·      Gen. 39:2-3  “The LORD was with Joseph, and …made all he did to prosper in his hand.”

·      Dt. 29:9  “Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper ….”

·      Ps. 122:6  “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.’” 

·      3 John 1  “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 

·      Ps 86:5  “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”

·      Isa.55:1-2 An Invitation to Abundant Life  “…And let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

However, to keep the prosperity message in perspective, maybe we need to put it in context.  We need to listen to David’s charge to Solomon.   “And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…”  1 Kings 2:3   BTW – the “Law of Moses” is the Torah (Pentateuch or first five books of the Bible).

But let us also confirm this by exploring it logically.  God is a loving Father who gave us a book of instruction in the Torah which includes 613 Mitzvot (lit. “Good Deeds”, translated as Commandments, Ordinances, Laws).  Thus, Our Father provides us with advice for our good AND for the good of His chosen people; like us!  After all, everything a good parent tells their children to do is for the child’s own good.  So it makes sense for us to listen to the Word of God, the Father.  We need to know it and faithfully obey it.

In the original Hebrew, Moses gave us “Ten Words” (commandments) from God in Deuteronomy 5.  The word “Words” has been translated into “Commandments” in most translations.  And then Moses passed them on to Joshua saying - “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.”  Deut. 5:32-33   (That’s worth reading again!)

Point to Ponder

In 1962 Prayer was removed from school classrooms….
and in 1980 Ten Commandments were removed ...
What has that done to our “abundant life”?

Everything a good parent tells their child to do is for the child’s own good!

Does Father God want us to also study the Torah (first five books of the Bible)?

Are we commanded to actively listen to and obey His Words?  All of them?

♫  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
       And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd           June 14, 2022     (1st published in 2011, over 10 years ago)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of Christian faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

Musing – What’s Happened to Judeo/Christian Values in the Family?

 Hebraic Musing – What’s Happened to Judeo/Christian Values in the Family?  (& in classrooms)

Did God establish the concept of family?  Why does “Family/Families” appear about 300 time in the NIV?  When the LORD had to preserve righteousness, He preserved the family.  “The LORD then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.’” Gen. 7:1 NIV  BTW – This is first mention of “Family” so clearly the family is important to the LORD

Noah knew the importance of family.  “…in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”   Heb. 11:7 

Jesus wants us ministering to our families.  “…the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.  Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”   Mark 5:18-19 

Paul had a requirement for leaders in God’s church. “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” 1 Tim 3:4    

No-fault divorce was first recognized in 1969 by California and then in other states.  The importance of Marriage was diminished with approvals of “No-fault divorce.”  “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel,” and why did the LORD say that?  “Has not [the LORD] made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.”  Malachi 2:16&15    

What’s the Father’s role?  “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Eph.6:4   Yet currently, less than 10% (or 5%) of children go home to both of their original parents.  (If this surprises you, ask a teacher.)  Another consequence!  How many homes have “Family Dinners” around the table?  I was told that the fork is the least used utensil!!!  BTW – Where are the fathers?

School prayers were declared unconstitutional in the landmark case Engel v. Vitale in 1962 by the Supreme Court.  But if Family Dinners are a thing of the past, where do children learn to pray?  When did Jesus pray? “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,…”  Luke 24:30   Would more people recognize Jesus if prayer was more common?  Do you pray before meals in restaurants?  (With the server?  Why not?)

Ten Commandments was removed from the classroom walls.  In 1980 the Supreme Court ruled that a Kentucky law that required the posting of the Ten Commandments on the wall of every public-school classroom in the state violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment because the purpose of the display was essentially religious.  In my Catholic grammar school, we had them memorized and told jokes by commandment number; when I moved to public school in 6^th grade, I missed that plaque on the wall!  Sadly, the younger generations do not get to stare at, ponder and think about those “Words” while in classrooms. 

Years ago, I searched five Christian bookstores for a 10 Commandments plaque for home.  Finally, the sixth store had one!  So for some Christians, “Footprints, etc.” are more important than the 10 Commandments.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag had been a part of American life since 1892, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  The phrase “under God” was added to the pledge in 1954, during the Cold War, when Congress wanted to emphasize differences between the US and the atheistic Soviet Union.  Since 1943 it was decided students could not be compelled to participate in the pledge!!!

Points to Ponder

When do children receive parental guidance, both to nurture as-well-as to discipline?

Have we forgotten Jesus’ words in Matt.15:4?  “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother and…'”

Why does the Bible always mention the Father before the Mother, as in “Father and Mother”?

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land
            the LORD your God is giving you.”  Exod.20:12

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   June 7, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of Christian faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com