Musing – What’s the Most Important thing Christians can do for the Kingdom?

Hebraic Musing – What’s the Most Important thing Christians can do for the Kingdom?

The most popular quick answer, even from ministers, would be “Evangelize and save souls”.  But what did Jesus say?    "The most important one… is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.    Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'   The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31  NIV

Was Jesus stating a new command?  No; He’s just reiterating the OT command – "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:18

Types of love mentioned in the Bible (from the original Greek):
Eros        - “Sensual” or romantic – for Self-gratification
Phileo      - “Brotherly” which unites believers and most relationships. (including many marriages!)
                   It is a relationship that benefits one’s self; and might last only as long one enjoys benefits.
Storge     - “Familial”, the special love and care within family or members of a herd; from self-protection,
Agape     - “God’s love”, unconditional love based solely on character and volition and choice of the lover,
                    rather than the one being loved.   Remember that “… he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Did you notice that the first three types of “Love” are mostly for self-benefit?  And Agape, God’s love, can only be accomplished with help from God’s Holy Spirit.  Even then, we can never get it perfected; but, that is not an excuse for not trying!

And then Jesus raises the bar with a real test in Matt 5:43-44   "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”   And Jesus goes on to point out that even the pagans and gentiles experience the imperfect forms of self-serving love. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:46-48  

And then Jesus tells us how to pursue the perfect Agape love –"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also….”   Luke 6:27-29

Do break relationships over insults?  What does it mean to “Turn the other cheek” in Matt 5:39  “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”    To strike someone on the right cheek using your dominant right hand, you need to be using the back of your hand.  That back of the hand blow is an insulting dismissal, not at deliberate debilitating punch. 

If you prayed “for those who mistreat you” might you someday learn to love them?  It could happen!  If you have difficulty doing that, might the Holy Spirit be willing to help?  Maybe we can start by identifying the good in each person we meet!?!?   There is no trivial talk on the deathbed!  What would happen if we eulogized people while they were still alive, instead of waiting for the funeral?

Points to ponder

How many people love Jesus because of what He does for them?

Does love just happen?  Or do you need to deliberately pursue love?  And practice at it!

Who should we add to our prayer list?

If the world sees more Agape Love, might there be more souls saved?

♫  What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of... ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          May 28, 2019  

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

Note - Inspired by Tony Crisp message May 22, 2019

Musing – Why and How Should We Bless Our Persecutors?

Hebraic Musing – Why and How Should We Bless Our Persecutors?

In a recent musing about our “Inevitable Persecution” I signed off with…Let’s “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  Admittedly, that is  a rather difficult admonition to accept and to apply.  A dear friend confessed candidly that he has difficulty feeling that way.  He recited OT examples of retaliation; and he didn’t go so far as to mention the examples of retaliation we witness in the world as-well-as in our own thoughts and reactions.

Why should we bless those who persecute us?  Simple answer – the Bible told us to.  “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Rom 12:14 NIV     I just love the way the Bible explains the reasoning for statements typically right after the statement itself; so let’s continue reading in Romans 12:16-19 “Live in harmony with one another…  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.

Persecution levels range from -
 - mild versions, like those from people who might snub us for our beliefs and “unfriend us on FB”   
 - to extreme versions; those who want to utterly destroy us or kill us because our beliefs conflict with their beliefs

How might we bless those who persecute us?  The Bible tells us how; let’s continue reading in Romans 12:20-21 “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.   In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Have you ever heard testimonies of guards in prisons or death camps accepting Christ based on the witness of their prisoners?

Can we accept that awesome level of the love Jesus has for us?  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8  And He also loves and died  for those who are persecuting us!  So…WWJD – in like way we should also show love for others whether they are friends (thus easy to love) or enemies (who claim you are wrong and want to harm you).  After all, we are both God’s children, made in the image of God.  “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;…” Gen 1:27  

David understood the challenge and his responsibility when he penned “Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.”  Ps 119:157    And I understood that challenge.  Shortly after accepting Christ I went to our priest grousing about the problems I was experiencing ministering to someone.  I still remember his response – “Who ever said ministry was going to be easy?!?!”

However, if you feel you have never been persecuted, consider Paul’s warning “… everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,…” 2 Tim 3:12

Musing - Should we be Reading, or Meditating, or Chewing on God’s Word?

Hebraic Musing - Should we be Reading, or Meditating, or Chewing on God’s Word?

Let’s chew on this verse describing a “Blessed man” – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”  Psalm 1:2

This is about what a “Blessed man” does.  His delight is in the “law of the LORD”, and in today’s world we think that means the entire Bible.  However, the Hebrew word is “Torah”, the first five books of our Bible.  Practically speaking, both are applicable.  On the other hand, the Torah is the foundation, and the rest of the Bible simply explains the Torah.

Why is the “Blessed man” delighted with the word of God?  What delights you?  What makes you happy?  What gets you excited?  This is a good way to see what is important to us.

·      If personal pleasure is what makes you happy, then you are a selfish, self-centered person.

·      If being with your family or friends delights you, that’s better, but it still falls short.

·      The righteous or truly blessed man finds his delight … in the law of the LORD.

If a person delights in something, you don't have to beg them to do it or to like it. They will do it all by themselves. You can measure your delight for the word of God by how much you hunger for it.

How often should we “meditate” on God’s word?  The good news – only twice a day!  The full answer – meditating both “day and night”!  That about covers it all!

We Christians are often told to read our Bible.  Why doesn’t the verse say “read” instead of “meditate”?  Might many Christians be lacking in understanding because they only read and do not meditate.  Insights from commentators:

·         The righteous man ponders the word of God. He does not just hear it and forget it, he thinks about it. Christians should meditate on God's word!

·         In eastern meditation, the goal is to empty the mind. This is dangerous, because an empty mind may present an open invitation to deception or a demonic spirit.  But in Christian meditation, the goal is to fill your mind with the word of God. This can be done by carefully thinking about each word and phrase, and applying it one's self and praying it back to the Lord.

·         Meditation chews the cud, and gets the sweetness and nutritive virtue of the Word into the heart and life: this is the way the godly bring forth much fruit. (Ashwood, cited by Spurgeon)

·         It is not only reading that does us good; but the soul inwardly feeding on it, and digesting it.  A preacher once told me that he had read the Bible through twenty times on his knees and had never found the doctrine of election there.  Very likely not.  It is a most uncomfortable position in which to read.  If he had sat in an easy chair he would have been better able to understand it. (Spurgeon)

Some Christians brag about how often they read the Bible, and they can quote verses galore.  But have they studied, meditated and chewed on God’s Word?

Points to ponder

Can you remember the last time you meditated on a verse?
(Did you notice how it stuck in your brain for quite a while?)

God wants to speak to us; are we giving God’s own Words the attention they deserve?

And the reward is in the next verse!
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
     and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.  Psalm 1:3

Have a blessed day

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          May 14, 2019  

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

Note - Inspired by and excerpted from Blue Letter Bible commentary by David Guzik

Musing - Will We or Won’t We Take Part in Redeeming Our Culture?

Hebraic Musing - Will We or Won’t We Take Part in Redeeming Our Culture?

The answer is “we won’t” until we trade-in our low view of God’s Word, whereby we only obey it when it is convenient to our lifestyle.  We will when we begin to take a high view of it as the very word of the very God we profess to believe in.  AND until we humbly submit to His will in ALL aspects of our lifestyle.  BTW – The definition of “all” is “ALL.” (>:

The issue is not whether Christians throughout the world will win the culture war.  We have God’s guarantee that it will happen – eventually.   The real question is whether American Christians will take part in that victory?  Or will we join other civilizations that have deserted God?  Or will our thinking erode into the thought process of the contentious extremes in our political and religious communities.

Many church-goers who are concerned about Christian culture eroding and becoming worldly will latch on to a blame game.  For example, I’ve heard church leadership and pastors blamed in statements like these:

·      Where’s the leadership? When are pastors going to man-up and once again be known as a community’s intellectual leaders, instead of “nice” people who marry and bury people and deliver heart-warming “talks” on Sunday that contain three points and a joke?

·      When are they going to fear God, more than they fear their congregations?  When are they going to stop trusting more in themselves than in God and stop attempting to manipulate visitors into professing to be a Christian?  Instead, when are they going to rely exclusively upon preaching the unadulterated Word of God, faithfully depending upon it not to return void?  Or, will we continue to entertain ourselves with shallow fellowship until God moves His light from America to some other country to take the lead in bringing about “His will on earth as it is in heaven?” Matt. 6.10

Let’s not blame the pastors.  What are you and I doing to redeem the culture?  Are we giving God’s word (His Holy Scriptures, His “speakings” to us) the attention it deserves?  Are we giving God the attention He deserves?  

I’ve heard that only about one in three Christians spend as much as 15 minutes a week in Bible study. (Is reading the same as studying?)  If today’s Christians can’t clearly define and explain their “faith,” how can they be expected to contend for it?  What happened to the great Protestant maxim: “The Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and conduct?”  I’m afraid that many fellow Christians have “turned to a different gospel”, the media, as their source of inspiration and study.

Here’s what Paul advised his disciple Timothy to do – “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.  Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.  Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Tim 4:13-16  NIV

Back to the original question – “Will we or won’t we take part in redeeming our culture?”  The answer is “we won’t” until …. 

Points to ponder

Are we encouraging our Pastors to preach the Whole Word of God?

Are Christians “turning to a different gospel?  The one they learn from the media?

Are we giving God the attention He deserves?
Is that possible?!?!

When will “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”? Matt 6:10

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          May 7, 2019  

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

Musing – Why is the “Great Commission” not being taught?

Hebraic Musing – Why is the “Great Commission” not being taught?

Did you know that according to a recent survey more than half of U.S. churchgoers have not heard of the Great Commission?*  And many don’t recognize which well-known passage typically goes by that name!  What does that say about (a) sermon content, (b) engagement of “Christians”, (c) biblical literacy, or (d) their acceptance of Jesus as their LORD?

However, part of the problem could be that the words “Great Commission” are not specifically stated in the Bible?  There are a number of verses which could be called a “Great Commission”.  Examples:

·      Matt 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” NIV

·      Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

·      Luke 24:47-49  “and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you…” 

·      Matt 9:38  “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

·      John 20:21  "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

·      John 4:38  “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. …”

·      Acts 1:8  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

·      Luke 10:1-3  “…the Lord … sent them … "The harvest is plentiful,… Go! I am sending you out…”

And there are similar messages in the Epistles and an example from the calling of a Prophet:

·      Rom 10:15  And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 

·      Acts 28:28  “…God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" 

·      Acts 2:16-21  Peter speaking – “… this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people … And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

·      Isa 6:8  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

How fast would the church grow if we simply obeyed Jesus?  How can a Christian not feel a calling to spread the Good News considering all the ‘red letter” instructions from Jesus quoted in the bible? 

And what is the Good News we are commissioned to deliver?  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 

Points to ponder

Why are Christians reluctant to tell to the world what John 3:16 is about?

If a church feeds the poor as their service to God;
                          the people they feed might still be going to hell!

If a “Christian” does not feel like sharing, what is his/her problem?

How many “worship” songs are about Outreach or Evangelism?

Do we “love our neighbor as ourselves” if we do not share Jesus?

♫  Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; … That Jesus Christ is born. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          April 30, 2019  

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

*  Source - Inspired by and excerpted from a recent Barna Group study (available on request).

Musing – Does America know what War is really about?

Hebraic Musing – Does America know what War is really about?

I started in grammar school during WWII, and as I walked the eight blocks home I saw little flags in the front windows of homes with 1, 2, 3 or even 4 stars representing the sons serving in the Armed Forces.  And I vividly recall seeing some of those stars turn from Blue to Gold (a son who would not be coming home!).  Even then, I knew what that meant.

In 1987 I visited Fort Bonifacio, a U.S. WWII Military Cemetery in the Philippines (center of the Pacific theater”).  It was a literal sea of neatly arranged grave markers with crosses, or a star of David, on each.  And there were walls upon walls of names of those lost in the Pacific theater and mosaics of the sea battles with tonnages and lives lost.  I was surprised at how many of the battles I remembered hearing about from my childhood!  One section of the wall had a listing of those lost from the State of Illinois, my home state.  As I realized those names all represented the Gold Stars I observed as a kid, and I wept, and wept, and wept!  The price we paid to preserve our Nation and our God-given beliefs!!!

Jews had to deal with the Babylonian exile; and the war to take back Jerusalem in 1967; and then the Holocaust war.  They held to their freedom of beliefs and it cost them their lives.  “War(s)” is mentioned 146 times in the Bible;  And “rebellion” is referenced 42 times.  And “Battle” appears 207 times!  Here’s an example in red letters  “The time is near.' Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened.  These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."  Luke 21:8-9  NIV

My concern is that today we have e-games and e-sports replacing the reality of a life and death war.  This generation is Warring and Fighting for personal pride of “winning”; with no risk to our lives!

Is “Stealth Jihad” a war?  Who are the combatants?  How are they invading?  Are we at risk of losing our freedom of worship?  Do people care?  Do we care?  BTW – Those who are not familiar with “Stealth Jihad” are like the Jews in Europe in the ‘40’s!  Did “normalcy” (It won’t happen to me) allow the Jews to become complacent, then lose freedoms, then suffer persecution which resulted ultimately in the Holocaust?

If Jesus is only known as loving and peaceful, why did He say “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  in Matt 10:34?   And why did Paul have to explain this to us?   “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,…”  Corinth. 10:4 NKJV   Why do we have so many Christian worship songs about battles and wars?
  ♫ Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord (Battle Hymn of the Republic)
  ♫ The Battle belongs to the Lord…
  ♫ Victory in Jesus
  ♫ Onward Christian soldiers!  Marching as to war,  With the cross of Jesus, Going on before.

Let’s take back our God-fearing nation that Satan is stealing from us.  And this came to mind – ♫  I went to the enemy's camp and I took back what he stole from me… ♫

Why do I need to say all this?  “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.  Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:6-7   NIV

Points to ponder

Is “Stealth Jihad” a war?  Who are the combatants?  Do we personally care?

Do people have to lose their lives in a war? 
What if we just lose our freedoms?   And then our lives!

Are we ready, willing and able to fight for what we believe?

 “if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?”   1 Corinthians 14:8-9 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      April 23, 2019  

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

Musing – What made Jesus a Successful Leader?

Hebraic Musing – What made Jesus a Successful Leader?

Our men’s group was asked “What is the difference between a ‘boss’ and a ‘leader’?  The answers boiled down to “A boss is someone you have to work for; but a leader is someone you want to work for.”   The next question - “Who are men you recognize as great leaders?”  Answers started flowing – “Churchill, Roosevelt, Lincoln,… etc.”  All these great leaders had a purpose and an acknowledged mission we all easily recognized. 

Then I mentioned Jesus and they all agreed!  But what made Jesus an example of the ultimate leader?   Why is Jesus the one we want to follow and work for?  Quick answer – He knew where He was going; He had a Life’s Mission to accomplish. 

What was Jesus’s mission?  He revealed it in his first recorded synagogue message.  “The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.  Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:…”  And he proceeded to quote familiar verses from Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:17-19  NIV

And we have many pictures in our heads of Jesus going through grain fields with his disciples walking along and observing the challenges Jesus faced i.e. “The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?’" Mark 2:24 The disciples observed Jesus’ answers, and they always fit His mission!

How many times did Jesus challenge His disciples?  And He did not always provide the answers; and yet, years later they were faithful to death.

·      "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17   
Did they know what that meant, but they dropped their nets and …

·      “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me."

Did the people recognize all the truths immediately? 

·      "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." John 13:8 

·      And note the new-found boldness of a “secret follower” – “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews.” John 19:38

Our men’s group then processed a double question – Have you ever worked for a boss you could not respect or like?  And what did you do about it?   Jesus was working in a similar environment.  The people had a boss – the crooked, oppressive, wayward Sanhedrin priesthood.  Jesus consistently pointed out the truth and solutions; and people wanted to learn more.  How do you learn more?  A – By following (as a disciple).  And the disciples eventually came to recognize and adopt Jesus’ mission.  We know that ultimately the disciples devoted their lives to Jesus, the Messiah, even to death after they caught His vision!

Satan wants us to look back, but Jesus wants us looking forward.  When the Angels helped Lot and his family flee Sodom they were told "Flee for your lives! Don't look back…”.  
What are we to do?  “but we are looking for the city that is to come.” according to Heb. 13:14

Points to ponder

Who are some great leaders you have chosen to follow in life? 
Mentors?  Disciplers?  Champions?    What drew you to them?  

When you accepted Jesus as your Lord, did you leave your old boss?

What vison would you like to cast?  Do you know your mission, your purpose in life?

What do you want the epitaph on your gravestone to say?

♫  I have decided to follow Jesus; …  Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,…  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          April 16, 2019  

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