Musing - Are You Prepared for Inevitable Suffering?

Hebraic Musing - Are You Prepared for Inevitable Suffering?

Peter warned us in 1^st Peter 4:12-15 of two types of suffering we can expect. 
(1) Be “joyful” when it is for Christ.  “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ,…”
And (2) he reminds us of the sufferings brought on by our own sinful behavior!  “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.”   NIV  
AND we also know (3) we can expect suffering coming by chance from the sinful world we live in. 

Therefore, recognize suffering as inevitable.  Although our daily lives are filled with blessings, both large and small, that allow us to recognize God’s love for us, sometimes bad things happen to us — whether it’s loss of some item, an illness, job loss or death of a loved one, etc.   And the list goes on… 

Sometimes the suffering may be a result of obeying a word from Our Lord!  We have a classic example of a “suffering servant” in the prophet Ezekiel when the Spirit of God spoke to him.  “He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.’  As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.” — Ezekiel 2:1–2  NIV

Suffering, in all its various forms, is a universal human experience.  While there often is no answer to the question of why suffering exists, there is much advice given as to how we can respond to sufferings being experienced by others.  Our devotions explore how God comforts us, and how we can comfort others in times of suffering.  The question then becomes how to deal with our own sorrow(s)?

This is where Ezekiel comes in.  Before Ezekiel became a prophet, he was just another young man – from a family of Jewish priests – trying to find his way in a complicated world.  In those days, serving as a prophet for the Jewish people would not have been easy.  They were about to enter into one of the most difficult periods in their history as they witnessed the destruction of the Temple and experienced exile into a foreign land.

In fact, when God came to Ezekiel and appointed him a prophet to the Jewish people, God warned Ezekiel that dealing with his fellow citizens would be difficult – nearly impossible: “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words.  Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions.  Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them… ” Ezekiel 2:6.  So Ezekiel knew and was warned about that before he even uttered one word of God’s message to his fellow Israelites.  His role would change his life, and not necessarily for the better. 

Just as God gave Ezekiel such a difficult task, God also taught him the proper way to deal with suffering:  “Son of man, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you”  Ezekiel 2:1.  No matter what happens, God told Ezekiel, a person can always keep his or her pride and dignity.  As difficult as life may sometimes get, we can meet any challenge standing on our feet and doing our best to cope with the situation.

As we do this, just as God promised Ezekiel, He will watch over us and help us.  And Isaiah also knew this. “He will be the sure foundation for your times, rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”  Isaiah 33:6

Points to ponder

Since suffering is part of life, how important is it to learn how to deal with it?

Why did the Lord tell Joshua eight times “Be Strong and Courageous”?

Are you dealing with an “impossibly difficult” situation?
And we have to say “This too shall pass”.

Are you standing on a “Sure Foundation”?

♫ Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          September 3, 2019

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

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Holy Land Moments (IFCJ email) “On Your Feet” July 26, 2019

Musing- Are We Really to Hate Our Father and Mother?

Hebraic Musing- Are We Really to Hate Our Father and Mother?

Jesus is quoted as saying "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'”  Matt. 5:43 NIV    And even more surprisingly, Jesus actually said (through biblical translation) "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26   

Didn’t it bother you when you read that Jesus actually told us to “Hate” someone?  And especially since to hate our parents would be direct violation of a key commandment – “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Ex 20:12 

As usual, the answer is in a misunderstanding due to translation problems AND a big difference between Hebrew-think vs. the Greek-think in our Western culture and of Bible translators.  See a more complete explanation below.**

The word “Hate(d)” is from the Greek NT:3404 to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:  I have found that if I substitute “to love less”, many verses make a lot more sense.  For example, “Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’" in Romans 9:13 where Paul referenced Malachi 1:3.  Considering Esau’s many blessings it is clear that God loved Esau and bestowed on him many blessings, but Jacob received the blessing of lineage.

Matthew has a better way of conveying those messages.  "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;…”  Matt 10:37   Matthew clearly recognized Jesus’ intention, the need to love Him more! 

Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg* described it this way – “Did Jesus call upon people to stop honoring their parents?  Most definitely not!  The Messiah did, however, call His followers to a life of radical discipleship and overwhelming love for Him, such that even their very great love for their own parents would seem pale and weak by comparison.”

Seems to me that Jesus is stressing the first commandment - "You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex 20:3 (which He also wrote!)

Points to ponder

The Bible says “love your neighbor as yourself” 10 time in the NIV Bible.
How much do you love yourself?

How can we possibly love Jesus even more than ourselves!?!?!?
Start with “Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Deut. 6:5   Matt. 22:37   Mark 12:30    Luke 10:27

 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,…”  Matt 6:33

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          August 27, 2019

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

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from “Jewish Insights Into Scripture” by Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, p.14

** Greek-think deals with contrasts – Yes or No; Good or Evil; Holy or Satanic; Religious or Secular; either Law or Grace; Light or Dark; Blessed or Cursed; Hot or Cold, Either/Or…   
Whereas Hebrew-think does not deal with contrasts, but rather with “is or isn’t”; Holy or Unholy; Have or have not; Light or no light; Hot or not hot; Blessed or not blessed; Good or not good;…  

Musing - Why did Jesus say “The Kingdom of God is near”?

Hebraic Musing - Why did Jesus say “The Kingdom of God is near”?

Right after Jesus experienced his 40 days in the desert with Satan and “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:14-15  NIV    After announcing that God’s time had finally come; what did Jesus mean when He said "The kingdom of God is near.”?  Is this good news for us today?

When we hear the word “kingdom,” we tend to think of a place or area over which a king, or ruler, rules.  But, in Hebrew as-well-as Aramaic, the primary language of Jesus, the word we translate as “kingdom” refers not so much to the “place” of royal rule as it does to the “ruling” or “Realm” of rule.  So, when we read “kingdom” in Mark, we might substitute “rule” or “reign” or “sovereign authority.”  To rephrase Jesus statement, it could read “The rule or reign of God is near”.  Jesus is pointing out that He represents the coming of God’s authority and power which is to reign over us!

Effectively, Jesus was saying that He was fulfilling the role of the messenger of Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’"

I used to think that Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom being near meant something like, “Someday soon I may die and then go to God’s kingdom in heaven.”  I thought His good news related to what happens after death.  Instead, maybe more importantly, it has everything to do with this life and this world.  Was I missing what Jesus was trying to say? 

In other words, through His Son, Jesus, God was beginning to reign on earth in a new way, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.  Therefore under God’s sovereign authority, righteousness could and should now triumph over injustice for me/us while we live here on earth.  Through Christ, you and I can and should live each day under the reign of God.

Mark Roberts*  concluded his blog with these words – “When we seek God’s agenda for our lives, when we work for his purposes and glory, when we bow before him in worship and offer our daily work to him as worship, we are experiencing the kingdom of God.  God is reigning over us and making his kingdom present on earth through us.”

Points to ponder

In what ways do you experience God’s reign in your life?

If you realized you were living under God’s reign all day, might that make a difference?

We serve an Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God!   

A Prayer*

Thank you Jesus, that the kingdom of God is near; and that you are not only announcing the presence of God’s reign, but also proclaiming that reign through your ministry.  Thank you most of all for providing us with the opportunity to live in God’s Realm because of your life, death, and resurrection.  Help me, Lord, to live each moment ruled by the King of kings.  Guide me, empower me and use me for your purposes.  May the reality of your kingdom be real in my life each and every day.  Amen.

♫ Our God Reigns, Our God Reigns… ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          August 20, 2019

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

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from “The Kingdom of God has come near” By Mark Roberts. Aug.5, 2019

Musing – Does Christian Maturity Require Theological Triage?

Hebraic Musing – Does Christian Maturity Require Theological Triage?

We Christians face a daunting task of strategizing which Christian doctrines and theological issues are to be given highest priority, critically important.  Christianity is under attack on many fronts by a sinful, rebellious, secular world as-well-as from squabbles within and between Churches and between denominations.  All that squabbling is viewed as a lack of unity to the un-churched world!  How to defend God’s truth in this contentious world?

Christianity needs to go to the Emergency Room!  There we see an environment in which Medical personnel are not afraid to ask critical questions in order to give top priority in terms of treatment to patients with the most critical needs.  “Triage” is needed to recognize that the scraped knee does not require the same urgency required of a gunshot wound to the chest.  Should we apply “triage” to doctrinal issues we face in Christianity?

First and highest level of critical theological issues would be the doctrines central and essential to Christian faith.  The crucial doctrines are (a) the Trinity, (b) the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, (c) justification by faith and (d) the authority of Scripture.  The earliest Church Councils dealt with these doctrines of unquestionable first-order importance.  Christianity stands or falls on these doctrines; and denial of any of these doctrines represents denial of Christianity itself.

Second order would be those doctrines which create disagreements deemed significant between believers which create boundaries.  Christians organize themselves into congregations and denominational differences which prevent or hinder fellowship with other Christians over doctrinal differences like (a) mode of baptism, (b) women as pastors, (c) role of tongues, and (d) use of musical instruments, etc. 

Third-order issues are doctrines over which Christians may disagree but remain in close fellowship, even within the local church!  For example, do all your close Christian friends share your view on eschatology, role of communion, textual interpretations, respect for Israel, tithing, etc.?  But you still enjoy fellowshipping together and studying God’s Word together trying to harmonize even when these third-order issues are questioned.

Liberalism generally originates from the error of disrespect for Biblical authority and the Church's historical treasury of truth.  Albert Mohler* said it this way - “The mark of true liberalism is the refusal to admit that first-order theological issues even exist.  Liberals treat first-order doctrines as if they were merely third-order in importance, and doctrinal ambiguity is the inevitable result.”

Fundamentalism has to avoid the opposite error.  Extreme fundamentalism might view all disagreements as first-order doctrines.  When third-order issues are raised to first-order importance, Christian unity becomes harmfully divided.  And the non-churched world sees dis-unity!  For shame!

In a Sunday service to a group of shut-ins I asked each to share their denominational background; and as each shared, I pointed out the strength of that denomination’s views.  Later, my son pointed out that I was merely pointing out the many and various characteristics and attributes of Our Almighty God.

We must sort these issues with a trained mind and a humble heart, in order to protect what the Apostle Paul called the "treasure" that has been entrusted to us

Points to ponder

Have you noticed that existence of second-order disagreements
preventing the closeness of fellowship and unity we should otherwise be enjoying?

What is the parallel between the local Church and the Emergency Room?

Your thoughts?   RSVP

“…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      August 13, 2019  

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

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from  “A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity”  by Albert Mohler

Musing – Is Your Salvation Testimony Ready? On the tip of your tongue?

Hebraic Musing – Is Your Salvation Testimony Ready?  On the tip of your tongue?

Have you written out your Salvation Testimony?  Could you spontaneously deliver it?  Can you tell it in a 30 minute speech; in a two minute opportunity; or to someone in an elevator in 20 seconds?  Why might that important?  Let me propose a simple three part outline –
(1) What was the sinfulness I had to give up in my past life?   
(2) What did I experience when I made Jesus my Lord? 
(3) What’s my life with Jesus been like ever since that day?   

Paul had a three part testimony when he witnessed to King Agrippa in Acts 26.
(1) What was Paul’s past life?  "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus … I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them … I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. … I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” Acts 26:9-11  NIV
(2) What did Paul experience when he encountered Jesus?  "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus … as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, … I heard a voice saying …  'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?....'    Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'   'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting … Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you …  as a witness ….   the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes …, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” Acts 26:12-18
(3) What has Paul been doing since then?  "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”  Acts 26:19-20

The impact!?!?  Festus interrupted Paul's defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane.” Acts 26:24  And in  Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’"  We will learn the final result when we get to Heaven!   Interesting! “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” 1 Cor.1:18

Can you tell your testimony in a similar three part outline?  Why is it important to write it out?  A - So you are ready to deliver it whenever the Holy Spirit asks you to.  “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

When Jesus commanded us, he also empowered us.  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, ...”  Matthew 28:18-20

Other examples of the importance of our Testimony:  Acts 22 – Apostle Paul’s defense before the Jerusalem Mob.   Acts 7 – Stephen‘s address before his execution.   And in Mark 5:19 Jesus 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."

Points to ponder

Have you ever shared your salvation testimony?   What happened?

Who do you know who needs to hear your testimony?  Who would relate to your past life?

In order to fulfill the “Great Commission” how might our personal salvation testimony help?

People disagree with my preaching; they even argue with my teaching;
BUT they cannot argue with my testimony.  It is real and it is the truth!

BTW - You can also “testify” about how God blessed you in a special way recently!

RSVP

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matt.10:32

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      August 6, 2019  

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

Hebraic Musing - Have You Ever Felt like Just Giving Up?

Hebraic Musing - Have You Ever Felt like Just Giving Up?

I think we have all felt ‘burn-out’ at times, and more so when working for the Kingdom of God.  Ever feel frustration at seeming lack of progress?  Pastors (and church leaders) from time to time say they are ready to give up, tired, frustrated, questioning whether they’ve failed God, failed their congregation and/or failed their family.  Rick Warren claims “It’s not a sin to get discouraged—it happens to all of us. Discouragement is a byproduct of spiritual warfare. It also happens when our expectations need to be readjusted.”

Maybe discouragement is just a form of the “suffering servanthood” we were promised in 1 Peter 4:12 when Peter consoled us  with “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;…”  NKJV

So when (not if) those feelings of discouragement come over you, consider these six remedies:

1.   Remember how much God loves you.  When you feel discouraged, why not “preach God’s love” to yourself for a change, like you preach it to others?  You can’t feel the love of God and feel discouraged at the same time.   Remind yourself “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16  NIV

2.   Refuse to “fake it.”  This is tough for those of us in leadership roles.  We feel our lives are on display.  If people really know me can I still be effective in church ministry?  Actually, the opposite is true.  Others are attracted to transparency, and that helps their openness to the Gospel.  Of course, you need to be wise about what you share.  When sharing one’s three part salvation testimony, the first part exposes who you were; and that helps others to know you and relate to you.  Even God wants you to know who you really are.  “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’" Gen 3:9

3.   Focus on “others”, not on yourself.  Christian ministry is all about “others”.  Preaching that message years ago I explained that there are 7 billion “others” in the world.  My pastor corrected me in front of the whole church and said “No Joe, there are 7 billion minus one!”  He’s right; there’s more to life than just you. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!   Nine times our Bible says to “love your neighbor as yourself”.  Discouragement will vanish as we broaden our perspectives to include “others”.

4.   Be realistic about your limitations. Ministry leaders are not going to solve all the problems in the world.  We are regular people “blooming where we are planted”.  We can’t bloom everywhere.  So let’s recognize:
 - We can’t keep everyone happy
 - We aren’t going to hit a home run with every message, sermon or outreach
 - We won’t successfully handle every conflict
Paul knew this.  “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinth 12:10 

5.   Take time for renewal.  We all need diversions and ways to recharge daily, weekly and annually.  Take a Daily walk; Honor or “Keep the Sabbath” (pick your 7th day if necessary); take your annual Vacation trip.

6.   Stay focused on eternity.  We’re all caught in the struggle between the urgent and the important.  Remember the Goal – “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4

Points to ponder

How many lives have you already touched?  Why stop now?!?!

How did you feel when first hearing God calling you to a leadership role?

♫ Make a joyful noise, sing unto the Lord, Tell Him of His love, and dance before Him. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          July 31, 2019

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

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Pastor Rick Warren’s “What to Do When You Want to Give Up” July 23, 2019

Musing – What Keeps People from Talking Openly to Each Other?

Hebraic Musing – What Keeps People from Talking Openly to Each Other?

While we often say “Silence is golden” there is also a dark side to silence.  Silence is a good time for meditation, but do we really want to meditate on who we are?  Better to turn on the radio, headphones, music, TV, MP3, etc., anything to distract from listening to ourselves.  Social Media has a way of “chat”ting with others while not saying too much.  When did people stop talking openly?  The answer is in the Bible!

Adam and Eve had an ideal relationship with each other AND with Almighty God with whom they walked and talked in the Garden, conversing freely.  There was nothing between them and their nakedness was comfortable!  There was an ideal continual relationship between God and man!

We know the events leading up to Adam and Eve’s disobedience and how they tried to hide from God.  One cannot play “Hide and Seek” with an omniscient God!  But they tried!  Then came the famous line from God calling out "Where are you?" in Gen 3:9.  What was God’s tone of voice?   Was it…
 - Quizzical?    Like He did not know.                          
 - Angry?         Like they were hiding from Him.
 - Indifferent? Like God did not care that He didn’t find them. 
 - Idle curiosity?   No way!   I think God spoke “sobbingly”, crying because open conversational communication ceased with His creation.  God was heartbroken when asking Adam where he was and what he had done.  Man could no longer talk openly to God!  Brandon Cox* pointed out “But we were made by our Creator to connect with others, and intimacy is a deep and abiding need of every human heart.  We need to know and be known.”

How does sin keep us from talking openly to God and to others?  Why do we wear masks to church?  Where else do we wear masks?  Facebook and other social media!  Is it really “Social” if we only talk of things mentionable.  Are we hiding our true selves?  Why is it difficult to get accountability amongst our peers, even in small groups designed for fellowship?

What keeps us from getting close enough and honest enough with others to fully know them or to be fully known by them?  Answer – SIN.  When sin is present, communication is closed which leads to hatred, racism, prejudice and inequality in the world.  Sin is the obstacle preventing open communication with God as-well-as with fellow man.  Even among the “Saved” sin becomes an obstacle to openness. 

I wonder if Adam and Eve continued to have open communication with each other?  Husbands and wives struggle with silence resulting from sin and this leads to dissolution of over half the marriages and damaged relationships.  We were warned against silence - “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” Eph. 4:26   Sin and the resulting silence leads to all kinds of relationship breakdowns, including wars.  How do you feel as a parent when your child gets caught misbehaving and avoids talking to you about it?  And we carry the sins committed against us; they result in shame which seals our lips, causing us to go silent, further limiting our openness.

Do our sins and awareness of our sinful nature hamper us from the sharing of the Gospel as we know we ought?  In the olden days (from 6,000 years ago until my childhood) we only had face-to-face conversation as our Social Media.  But now we have powerful tools available – Facebook, Twitter, etc. etc. all vying for our thumbs.  What an opportunity to share the Gospel!

Points to ponder

Why are we afraid to “get real”?    RSVP
What happens to a relationship when you share the real you – the good, bad & ugly?

What are the advantages of face-to-face conversations?
Would there be so much “Hate Speech” online if people had to talk face-to-face?

How effectively do we use the available Social Media options to openly share the Gospel?
Would we be obeying Jesus if we “Go into all the world” with Social Media?

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

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

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

* Inspired and excerpted from “Rewired” by Brandon Cox, Chapter 2 “The Day the Conversation Died”