Musing – An introduction to the Gift of Salvation

 

Hebraic Musing – An introduction to the Gift of Salvation

I heard a teaching in first grade in Catholic school that I never forgot.  Three Questions & Answers:
1.  Who made me?                              A. God made me.  
2.  Who is God?                                  A. God is the Supreme Being, creator of all things.
3.  Why did God make me?                A. God made me to worship and praise him FOREVER! 

Later I found - “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him” Gen.1:27 NIV   But sin, disobedience, entered the scene, so we had to be separated from our loving Creator God, contrary to the relationship He wants to have with us!  You know the story – Adam, Eve and the Serpent and the apple.  So we know… “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Rom.3:23   BTW, what’s the definition of “all”?

HAVE YOU RECOGNIZED THAT YOU ARE A SINNER BY NATURE?  Can you relate to Apostle Paul’s self-reflection?  “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Rom.7:15 NIV

We enjoy the Christmas festivities, “GIFTS”, songs, family gatherings, etc.  But we tend to forget that it is really all about the “Gift” from our Father God.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,”  (We’ve heard that before, but what’s the rest of the verse?)  “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  That’s the promise of an awesome “Gift”, eternal life (“eternal” means forever!)

When we receive a gift at Christmas, we have varying levels of appreciation for a Tie, Socks, Underwear… So How do we receive that awesome gift of eternal life?   To be with Jesus?  In Heaven?  Forever?  Eternally?

The Cross is displayed many ways and in many places; what does the CROSS represent or symbolize?
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8   Why did Jesus Christ do that?  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8   Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.  And where and how did Jesus die?  On a cross! 
Q. – And why did He sacrificially give His life?    
A. – For our sins, once for all”  (BTW, all means “All”)   Remember - He is righteous, we are the unrighteous.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED TO RESTORE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD?  We needed to be reconciled in our relationship with Father God, our creator; the relationship we lost in the Garden of Eden?    Definition of Re-Conciliation:  A conciliatory relationship that was, is now restored.

Points to ponder

Do we realize we owe our eternal life to Jesus for what He did on the Cross?

Are you ready to give your life to Him; to live His way, not your way, and to obey Him as your LORD?

Who do you know, youngster or adult, that might read this and receive His gift?

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                           January 28, 2025
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

If you understand this, let’s pray.  (repeat after me)

     Dear Father God…   I know that I am a sinner…   
     I know that I am separated from you by my sins…
     You gave us your one and only Son, Jesus
     And I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross…   
     and that He gave His life & shed His blood for my sins…
     And I receive your forgiveness for my sins… 
     I am willing to turn from my way…       And go your way Lord Jesus...
     I now invite you into my heart as my personal Savior… 
     I want to make you my LORD,   …my Master,     …my Owner,    (…my Jefe!)…
     I want to follow and obey you as the LORD of my life…       In Jesus’ name…        AMEN!
            Have you ever prayed that prayer before?                                                (Or was that the first time?)
            Have you said it before but it meant something special this time?          (Let’s talk more!)
            When was the first time you prayed this prayer?                                     (Share your testimony!)

Musing – Is there a positive way to view the 10 Commandments?

 Hebraic Musing – Is there a positive way to view the 10 Commandments?

Moses’ Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are viewed negatively, as “Shall nots” that constrain our nature!

1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in Vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

These were the Commandments posted in the classrooms when I grew up; and we had them memorized so well we told jokes using the commandment numbers. 

But as the one-armed Rabbi once said – “On the other hand – there is another view of the Ten Commandments”.  This might be his alternative positive view:

1. We honor God as Creator. We praise him and would never put anything else in His place in our lives.

2. We always show reverence and honor to God, so would never use his name in a disrespectful way.

3. We remember to worship God by participating at Sunday Church, and through that we give honor to ourselves, as well, by resting, praying, and doing good deeds for others.

4. We respect our parents and their authority. We also give that same respect to those who are given authority over us if they protect and care for our good.

5. We respect life as being sacred in all its forms because life is created with dignity and beauty.

6. We respect the family and our part in family life. We respect marriage as being the place for sexual relationship.  We respect our own bodies and those of others.

7. We respect the property of others.

8. We respect others by being honest and truthful.  And we respect the reputations of others.

9. We respect our relationships with all others and the relationships of other people with each other.

10. We are satisfied with and grateful for the gifts which we have already been given as if received from you.

Why were we kicking against the goads* before we were saved?  
And who are we serving after salvation?

Points to Ponder

Would you rather be doing things you have to do?  Or things you want to do?

How might we view the 10 commandments after we are Saved?  What changed?

What an opportunity!  To want to respect, honor and obey our creator?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                             January 21, 2025 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

*  The phrase "kicking against the goads" is a practice where farmers used long, sharpened sticks (goads) to prod oxen.  The oxen would sometimes kick against the goads, but they would eventually learn that it was better to accept the farmer's direction than to resist.
In a broader sense, the expression means that it is foolish and futile to resist God's will.

Musing –Why are Marriages and Our Society Both Crumbling?

 Hebraic Musing –Why are Marriages and Our Society Both Crumbling?

I have recently heard young people say, more than once – “Why get married?”  While I was shocked to hear it, why would we be surprised considering the influence of today’s media?  Our world’s anti-Judeo/Christian viewpoints prevail. There are broken homes, a lack of instruction in morality and confusion over the role of sex.

Covenantal Marriage was the basis for OT culture.  The patriarchs and those who followed them live by Godly principles based on marriages and families.  This was all part of God’s original plan in Genesis Chapter 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”   “Therefore” refers to what Adam said in verse 23 “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”  BTW, in the NT, Jesus’s first miracle was at a wedding!

Today’s society has moved to Contractual marriage, rather than the Convent marriage that God planned for us. What’s the difference?  Contracts are temporary, have a time limit and are based on terms to be met by each of the parties; and can be broken if either party defaults.  In contrast, a Covenant is permanent, “until death do us part”, with no conditions!   BTW, the word “Covenant” appears over 300 times in our Bible! 

The beginning of no-fault divorce has opened floodgates for divorce in our culture making marriage Contractual instead of Covenantal.  The State can get you out of a contract, but not out of a covenant!  Other cultures don’t require marriage licenses; family, community and honor keep the couple together.  After WWII there were a rash of divorces when men came home and marriages fell apart; remember “Dear John letters”?  I remember my uncle divorcing his wife after the war; our family was surprised he did not move to Los Angeles, the haven for divorcees back then (late 40”s/early’50’s).

What are the problems and/or results of today’s crumbling marriages?

·      God’s plan was for children to be raised by two loving parents (“go forth and multiply”) with one parent to nurture and the other providing support & leadership?  “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Eph.6:4 NKJV  Is that happening?  What happens to children after multiple generations of broken families, and missing fathers?

·      God scolded them/us in Malachi, last OT book - “You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.  You ask, ‘Why?’  It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” Malachi 2:13-14 NIV 

·      God considers marriage to be an agreement between a husband and a wife as well as a covenant between the couple and Him.  The wedding vows were also vows to the Lord, or should have been!

I have authored books but my favorite that I consider to be most important, is “Biblical Marriage – His plan for Courtship, Engagement, Wedding and Marriage” – Available at Amazon (search “Biblical Marriage Yosef”). 

BTW – Why do we renew Marriage vows?   They don’t expire.  (>:

In closing, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” Eph.5:25 “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives” 1 Peter 3:1    BTW, that is how I came to Christ!

Point(s) to Ponder

What impact do “broken homes” have on the next generation?
(Have you noticed that the bulk of dysfunctional people are from “broken homes”?)

Do children’s TV, media, Hollywood, etc. support Biblical Marriage?
(Too many examples to list of programs, etc. with ungodly content!) 

If you have had a divorce in your past, please remember that
 God is more concerned about your future than your past.

We are the “Bride of Christ” by covenant!    Hallelujah!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                January 14, 2025     (Originally published - April 12, 2022)

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

 

Following is a little more to say and ponder on this critical topic:

“Marriage in 2022” by Johanna Hocker & The Epoch Times - March 30, 2022

The marriage rate in the United States is 6.1 per 1,000 - the lowest ever. Marriage is one of the worst prospects imaginable for men. Society has moved from a convent marriage to a contractual marriage. It is the worst legal contractual liability a man can enter into.  A contractual marriage is based on mutual support and insurance and assurance that this support will continue even if the marriage itself dissolves.  This began with no-fault divorce, that opened the flood-gates for divorce in our culture.

Women are demanding more; they claim that 80% of men are unattractive.  A man must also be economically attractive.  Women want a 6 - 6 - 6, which means he is 6 feet tall, has a 6 figure income and sports a 6 pack.  

70% of divorces are initiated by women.  Educated women have a 90% divorce rate.  Women are now 60% of all college students.  These college women are even pickier with higher standards that one might say makes a slave of the sucker who might marry her.

Statistics show that people who are married tend to live longer, are healthier, have lower stress levels, and are less prone to suffer from depression, but there is little to no incentive to marry, which is seen as a no-win situation.

For those who are truly committed to each other, marriage still works and is the best and only way to raise healthy children.

 

More stats from Google search   (2021):

Also, 70 years ago a large majority of U.S. households, approximately 80 percent, were made up of married couples.  In 2020, the proportion of households consisting of married couples fell to 49 percent.

Some of the major factors behind the long-term decline in the marriage rate have been female education and labor force participation, women’s economic independence and gender equality. America is also experiencing growing numbers of women and men living alone as well as increasing unmarried cohabitation. In addition to the 15 percent of U.S. adults living alone, no less than one-quarter of those aged 25 to 34 years are living with an unmarried partner.

American attitudes about childbearing and marriage have also changed markedly.  For example, whereas in 2006 about half of U.S. adults said it was very important for couples having children together to legally marry, by 2020 that proportion had fallen to 29 percent.  Today, the proportion of U.S. births to unmarried mothers is about 40 percent, double the percentage in 1980.

“Biblical Marriage” cover (Published 2012; available @ Amazon - “Biblical Marriage Yosef”)

Musing – Do we always feel like God is Omnipresent?

 Hebraic Musing – Do we always feel like God is Omnipresent?

Have you ever asked, “Where is God when I need Him”; or ever heard that said?  Then we are reminded of a Sunday School teaching claiming that God is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent; but do we really feel like He is always present with us?  At all times?!?  Or do we shy away from its full implications because there are times we are not proud of what we are doing?  We are not worshipping other gods, just doing “our own thing”.

The Bible starts with Adam’s sin and the almost humorous account of Adam trying to hide from God.  And David must have thought of escaping from God’s presence when he wrote – “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” in Psalm 139:7 NIV  And then he goes on and on recounting God’s divine emmanence!  And God not only created us, but He’s constantly seeking us and keeping track of us.  “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.'” ♫ Acts 17:27-28 NIV

Jacob awoke and thought “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” Gen.28:16 NIV  Many have that problem, not recognizing that God is in this place!  What a difference it would make if we knew!

When we approach God with our soul, or when God approaches our soul, this is not in spatial terms at all.  It is not a matter of miles but of personal experience.  In normal human relationships, we may speak of being near or far from someone.  When we sing “Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,” we are not thinking of nearness of distance but in nearness of relationship.

It is interesting to study the Biblical Saints and key characters and realize they were ordinary people.  What was special was their spiritual receptivity.  Something in them was open to heaven!  They had an inward longing to be close to God; and they did something about it!  They were not disobedient to their Heavenly Vision!

How does modern evangelism handle the fast-paced generations of Christians with push-buttons and less direct methods of reaching goals, moving from one book or study to another.  Result – shallow lives and hollow religious philosophies; but having fun at the gospel meetings glorifying men while focused on things other than God.  Have we been too blind to see, or too timid to speak out, or too self-satisfied to desire anything better?  Are we satisfied with the average church diet?  Does it seem okay because it satisfies others?  Are we garnering from our fellowshipping instead of from our Omni-Potent, Omniscient, Omni-Present God?

God’s Universal Presence is a fact, God is here and the whole universe is alive with His life.  He’s the familiar Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has already demonstrated His love for each of us!  Can you count all the ways?  ♫ Count your many blessings, see what God has done. ♫

A truth – No one person is any further from or any nearer to God than any other person.

Concluding prayer –
O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation with visible things. 
The world has been too much with me.  Thou hast been there and I knew it not. 
I have been blind to Thy Presence.  Open my eyes that I may behold Thee in and around me.
For Christ’s sake, Amen.

Points to ponder

What might God do for the plain man/woman who seeks His omnipresent face?

The OT & NT Saints were not disobedient to the Heavenly Vision!

God is always trying to get our attention, to reveal Himself and to communicate with us.

If we break out of the world’s mold in which we find ourselves and
go to the Bible itself to get His WORD(s), what/who might we find there?  GOD?!?!

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                           January 7, 2025
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired & excerpted from Ch. 5 “The Universal Presence” in A.W.Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God”