Babel

Genesis 11:4 - And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." 

The story of the Tower of Babel is interesting. The name Babylon comes from the name Babel and Babylon biblically is a type of the world, a type of worldly things, ideas. Babel means confusion. We must remember that it is God's desire we be in unity...and He is not the author of confusion. So, we either are of the world and all its confusion, it's varied cultures, lifestyles and beliefs, or we are in God's world of order and truth. I might lose some readers at this point!

The Bible is God's Word to us. It reveals His heart for mankind and specifically for His people, whom we are if we follow Him. Just before the story of the Tower of Babel is Noah and the Ark. God could see how evil was spreading throughout the world and was determined to stop it and start over with one very godly man and his family; a man whose intent was to obey God. Obedience to God is not a negative thing since He knows all things, knows what is good and knows what each of us needs. There is no confusion in obedience to God.

But time after time man chooses to do his own thing. They stray from God's perfect plan and we throw ourselves into confusion...throw ourselves into the world....Babylon. There was one language and unity among them before they chose to go out on their own. But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11:5-7) Let Us...go down. He and the Word. The Word made flesh. The Word who is Jesus. The Word who we are to seek.

The prophet Malachi talks about the coming day of the LORD. He talks about those who do not fear God, who choose not to heed His warnings: “Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the LORD, “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners before the LORD of hosts? (‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭13-14‬)  Are our words harsh against Him? If we do not truly follow Him, it is a form of rejection... Do we use His name in vain...that's a harsh word against Him. There's no reverence for Him. We might say we know there is a God...but how well is that? So, what profit is it to seek God? When we come to our last day will we truly know. 

We all will stand before God some day and He will pass judgment on all we've done in our lives. Anything apart from Him will be like hay, stubble...it will be burned up, meaningless. Even our good works done apart from God, as a friend reminded me yesterday, will be as filthy rags and will also be burned in the fire of God's judgment. 

In that day of the LORD followers will be spared but the unrighteous, those who choose to "do, build and make a name for ourselves," will experience ...the day [that] is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble, and the day which is coming shall burn them up...that will leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1) And our works will also be revealed. ...the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (1Corinthians 3:13) Wicked in this instance in God's eyes is not believing, not seeking, living in the world's opinion of what one seems important...anything that excludes Him. 

We need first to seek God. Know Him, know His heart, know what He requires, move from the world and into His kingdom. Show an interest in Him. Opt to do His will...and this only comes from seeking Him, asking of Him what His will is for our own lives. Will we make mistakes? Yes. Will we always know if this is His will or ours? No. But He can lead us in the right direction even after we've made a mistake. 

This all seems harsh, but it is so outlined in His Word. Some churches today don't want to ruffle feathers for fear of offending so they won't preach this. Sometimes we don't want to know the truth. Or we fear the truth. Or we recognize we are not worthy and try to hide from God. He knows that and He still loves us. 

He loves us more than we can imagine. We have all built our own tower, wanted to make a name for ourselves. It can be our job, our hobby, our sport, our family. I used to pride myself in my bicycling from point A to point B under my own power. Yes, it was an accomplishment. I'm glad I could have done those things. But now I know He had to have given me the strength to do it. Do we glorify self or God in our endeavors?

I mentioned He likes unity. There is no unity without Him. Whenever people in the Bible strayed from Him there was distress. It may not have cropped up right away but it always did. Sometimes the people turned back to Him. Others chose not to. Somehow the one people and one language of the people in Babel is what He would like to see again. The people and language of our God. True believers. And in the end, when He returns for His people, that is what it will be like again.

1Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭11-15 - For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is l said, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with 
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he 
will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 

The World Has Not Known You

John 17:24-26 

Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.


Jesus finished His prayer to His Father for His disciples and for the world. He desires...that we see His glory.

I say it over and over. It's all about Jesus. It's all about God, the Father. Jesus shows it's all about His Father: they, whom You gave Me; My glory which You gave Me; the love You have for Me...the love which I have shown them...it is Your love.

An email discussion I had with a woman recently showed me something. She wanted my opinion on an email she wanted to send out. She asked if she should drop it or send it. Clearly she was angry about a situation. I know that anger...I've had it myself. It comes from being hurt by someone. Thankfully that doesn't happen often, rarely, these days. But how we want to cling to unforgiveness sometimes. (I suggested she drop it! She did.)

Our pride can get hurt. Pride is the root, I believe, of all sin. If we know the Lord, it is our responsibility to love as Jesus loved. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5)  We are to love our neighbor and our enemy. We do it without expecting anything in return. Jesus loved His Father no matter what...even knowing what death He would face. He loved His disciples, followers and the sinners. We can only love unconditionally through Christ. Yeah, it's still a struggle sometimes because we have this tarnished, blackened heart.

Why is there so much hatred in this world? Why is there even so much disunity politically? Because the love of Christ is not there. It's all about Jesus! If we all agreed with the Word of God, believed what it says, lived it out, this would be a better world. But it starts with knowing Jesus. A better world is a utopian idea. Utopia will only come to those in Christ after He returns to reign on earth with believers, His people...and then in heaven where all injustice will be gone: He will swallow up death forever. And the LORD GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 21:4) A promise from both Old and New Testaments.

Jesus' mission was to reveal Himself to us. He started with twelve average men and some countless others along the way. Eleven of those men and a few more revealed to others, who revealed to others, who revealed to others...who eventually revealed to me...and I hope I to you.

Are we made perfect on this earth? No. We still struggle with sin. But we are covered by the blood of Jesus and His love sustains us, if we submit to Him. As He does, so we are to do. A lesson to be learned!

But the world in general does not know Him. They do not know His peace. They do not know His love, nor His wisdom and power, nor they way He works. They will live in discord until they do. They will have burdens they cannot release without Him. There will be disunity. Jesus says: Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am... I pray that anyone who needs to be counted as a part of they whom You gave Me would submit to God. Submit to receive His love, see His glory in their lives and then turn around and do the same for others. 

John 14:27 - peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to You. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Not Forsaking the Assembly

Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

For weeks I have had this go through my head. I have been part of a new church for six months now. While I am accepted and I'm very glad to be where no nonsense preaching is done...love amidst the hard words of Christ...no glossing over the hards words of truth...I am struggling a bit with fitting in. I know this is where I am to be. God directed me there. He laid the foundation two years, maybe more, before I even realized I would leave one church for another.

But there are established friendships which I seem to be having a difficult time entering into. Maybe six months isn't enough time. Maybe, on the other hand, this is God's will for me...to not be so wrapped up in friends and growing closer to Him. He did, after all, remind me after I worried about leaving all my friends, that it's not about the friends I would be leaving, but about following where He was leading me.  Matthew 12:48-50 - But He answered... “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

So, okay, I am seeing two thing here. It's about following Him...and His friends are His followers. I know these people in this church are His followers too, and they are friends. So where's the problem? I can only believe that God will be continuing to direct my path and help me to see what all is going on. I'm sure it has to do with me and a change that needs to take place in me. I'm seeing this outside of church too. Directions I need to take. Words I need to speak. Fears I have to get over. Oh, praise God for the excitement in that!

It's so all about Him. Though I'm not certain where He is leading, I can do nothing but trust Him. There may be a major breakthrough for me along the way, one I cannot possibly fathom! Hah, I have been waiting for a major breakthrough for years...perhaps it won't be major but little by little, without my even recognizing it! Just like Him to do that.

I just know that while I question this feeling of aloneness in the midst of a congregation, I am also reminded that we are not to forsake the assembling together...God has appointed us to do so and it is where He is glorified in the midst of it. It is where we are instructed/instruct, encouraged/encourage...and perfected in Him (certainly what I need...don't we all). We are all needed with whatever we have to offer.

The part of that scripture that caused me to dig deeper was as is the manner of some. I found this explanation. It mainly deals with the Christians in Jesus' day, those who were turning radically from one religion to follow a man who turned religion upside down. It ends with a thought on today's thinking:
(1) some may have been deterred by the fear of persecution, as those who were thus assembled would be more exposed to danger than others. (Jews turning to Christianity...which even happens today.)
(2) some may have neglected the duty because they felt no interest in it - as professing Christians now sometimes do. (Today some have no interest in Christianity or any religion or blatant rejection of it.)
(3) it is possible that some may have had doubts about the necessity and propriety of this duty, and on that account may have neglected it. ("Christians" like I was who believed in Christ but didn't feel a need for a church.)
(4) or it may perhaps have been, though we can hardly suppose that this reason existed (back then), that some may have neglected it from a cause which now sometimes operates - from dissatisfaction with a preacher, or with some member or members of the church, or with some measure in the church.  (Needs no explanation.)  (Barnes Commentary)

I'm seeing that in the days ahead we cannot go on on our own without the assembly, rooted and grounded in at least the same beliefs. We need to know there are those around we can turn to in a time of need...or be there in the time of someone else's need. Who am I to say I can do this on my own? I know I cannot. I know I need the assembly. I learn from Christ but am strengthened by others here on earth as well...if I open my mouth to speak of the weaknesses I have, the doubts, the sin areas in my life. It's called corporate worship.

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Remnant

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

There is an account (I don't like to use the word story) about a man named Gideon. He was a godly man and he heard God speak. He and his army were being sent out to fight the Midianites. God told him there were too many in his army to capture this enemy. He did not want all of Israel to proclaim that by their own hand they had defeated Midianites so he had Gideon make the statement that anyone fearful of the upcoming battle could be excused. Twenty-two thousand men left leaving ten thousand.

But God said this was still too large and He narrowed the army down to 300. His instructions were to take these 300 men to defeat the enemy.

God always uses the fewest, the least probable, the mundane, the most humble, the weakest, the persons of least regard to accomplish His goals. There are good reasons for this. One is He receives the glory. Two is to show that He CAN use the lesser people or circumstances to do the impossible...that these people, like the disciples and apostles, will not be able to take credit for what was done...to prove the power of God, to prove His existence. This is not arrogance.

I believe He's doing the same thing in the Church today too. I believe He can take the grandiose mega churches and whittle them down to a God-size that He is able to manage. I'm not saying a large church cannot be effective if they are truly allowing God to do the work; if the pastors are willing to see what He is doing I think they will survive. But there is coming a time when all churches will be called to account for what they do in the name of Jesus. God knows the hearts of the churches and the leaders and people within each church.

This scripture in Ephesians is what the Church should be. One body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father...in each of us. Total unity. When that happens it becomes a church usable by God...and may become part of the last day's remnant church.

This Church will be a church without spot or wrinkle. All the churches that comprise this remnant church will be few in number compared to the rest of the churches. Wide is the road to destruction and narrow the way to life. God tells us this is the way it will be.

There are many in churches today who believe they will see heaven. It's what they've been taught. But is what they have been taught God's truth? Now that's the question.

There is a saying or a song that says God is good, all the time. And the truth is, He is. Even in His judgment He is good. It may seem like He's unfair but He isn't. He has every right to exact judgment to produce right or righteousness. Judgment comes and weeds out the wheat from the tares, which is a good thing for the wheat. Through His judgment we can learn better what is right. That's a good thing also.

I'm sure Gideon was sure wondering how paring down of his army was going to be good. But in the end He saw God's absolute power prevail through 300 men willing to do what they were asked. It's a bit like Joshua when he fought and defeated Jericho by marching and shouting and then watching as the walls fell and they were given access to their enemy. I'm sure that surprised the daylights out of the residents as well as the soldiers. They had to have been wondering what in the world was up. I'd like to see that happen today!

God may seem strange to some, too judgmental to others and even arrogant or self absorbed for the glory He commands of Himself. But you know what? He is worthy of every bit of it. He has every right and anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong. That's what is going to make the remnant a remnant some day. The few who are willing to follow Him under any circumstance. And that includes churches which soften the messages God brings. The truth of His Word which should not be added to or taken away from. The truth that can sometimes be hard and not what we want to hear. The truth that, yes, Jesus is good, but like He overturned the money changers tables in anger, He can have a righteous indignation against people too.

The road narrows that takes us to life. Let's be sure we are on it. Let's be sure we are hearing the honest truth of His Word. Let us be willing to be poked, prodded, molded and shaped into the person He knows we can be. Let us be vigilant, discerning, humble and flexible enough to change. When we do we will become part of that remnant, those people many will despise, reject and mock. But those who will be at the right place at the right time with the right attitude when He comes for His remnant. Those few, least, humble, mundane and weak whom God has an eye for.

1Peter 4:17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

One God

Deuteronomy 4:39 - Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord  Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

As I was in prayer this morning, the words came to me: Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I stopped and thought about the grand meaning of those words. There is no end to the depth do them. It is a concept of oneness. It all started with one God, one will.

Our God created. He spoke and it just was. All things are controlled by God. God is even allowing man to choose his own direction turning it into something more acceptable to other men because of the belief that they, like Adam and Eve in the garden, can possess on their own all the knowledge they need. He is allowing man to dig a huge hole for himself which we are seeing they/we are falling into. His will on earth is not for destruction. His will is that of heaven: peace, life, joy, as initially intended. Only those in Christ can truly say nothing could be better, despite what we see happening in the world.

I got to thinking about things of "oneness" in the Word. God desires unity, people being of one heart and mind, worshipping one true God. If it sounds one-sided it's because God knows best. The Father knows best. Adam and Eve knew what was best until they fell into the lie that there were better things for them if they just made their own choice. All it took was one quick bite of an apple. Man's ideas stem from believing that same lie. And sadly we are all tempted to believe it.

There is only one God, which will surprise many some day when every knee will be bowed to our LORD, when many eyes will be opened before His judgment is cast upon all people and the decision is made, the left hand or the right. Yes, God will choose, He will decide who will enter into His Kingdom. Those who have chosen not to believe the lie but believe in the Truth which is His Word, and His Word which became flesh, which is Jesus, shall be in His will, the will of heaven, the will of the Father for earth. One Truth, one God.

My mind wandered some more. Unity, being of one mind. Having the mind of Christ. Being unified as a body of believers. This is all He wants from us. Unity. Single-mindedness. And this also involves one Church. Like man decided they could make their own decisions, have their own choices, he has decided one doctrine isn't enough. One denomination isn't enough. There is only one Church. It is ruled by God alone, powered by His Spirit, with only one Word of truth, Jesus Christ, the Word which became flesh. A triune God, three in one: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

God knew when He first created, as John 1:1 states, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, the whole concept of unity. One God, one Word, one Spirit. Is that so hard to understand? When there is unity among people, unity in an idea, unity in spirit, don't things run more smoothly? Why would we want it any differently world wide?

Maybe this idea of one God, one unity is too hard to comprehend. But God is God. He has all the knowledge and we do not! We are called to believe. It is those who cannot take Him at His word (or choose to receive the Word, Jesus) who fall into the ranks with the men in the world. Also...this unity, this one God, is for all mankind. Every people, tongue and nation: And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy ... for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation (Revelation 5:9)... Remember, one God...Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Here is what God called the prophet Isaiah to speak to His people, Israel: One God, no other. No other to save. Those who believe (of any people, tongue or nation) are one with Him, who have experienced the Savior's touch, have Him and His Spirit living within them. One in Christ, our Savior.

Isaiah 43:10-11 - “You [the people of Israel] are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior."

Cord of Three Strands

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Short and sweet today!

I was thinking back on a day many years ago when my husband and I went to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando. Not quite like the real thing, but a delight just the same.

There was a woman flitting here and there. I remember her name...Jeannie. She was of an Asian/Jewish background, converted to Christianity, a receiver of Christ's miraculous mercy and grace and full of the exuberant love for and of Jesus. She went up to people in the streets and before performances asking if people knew that Jesus is returning soon.

After one performance I had to approach her because I felt I'd met her before. Well, close but no cigar when she said her family (who had shunned her for her conversion) lived in a nearby Wisconsin city but one I rarely travel to.

We chatted a few minutes, animated. There was what seemed an instant connection and understanding. Why? We were one in the Spirit of Christ. There was a bond that only Jesus can place within us...that bond is evident when we meet another who has been touched by the love of Christ and drawn to Him. There is a cord that binds us, knits us together. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Jeannie and I were standing unified with that first cord that is Jesus. 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, by the blood of the Lamb, that thread binds us together if we have received Jesus as our Savior. Just like the moment we receive Him there is an instant connection unlike you've never felt before. Connection that was broken with our heavenly Father is instantly restored...like the father who received back his prodigal son and threw a huge party! Even the angels in heaven rejoice when we do this.

This same type of connection can be made  and an animated discussion will occur with absolute strangers because He is the Center of it all. A most incredibly wonderful thing to have happen. Imagine if more people would know this.

Perhaps what made her look so familiar was the face of Jesus. Just thinking....

Psalm 133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 

In Our Hearts

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

I'm thankful that despite this nation's desire to not offend at Christmastime, we need not be without Christ. He is in our hearts and, thankfully, He cannot be removed. Although physical reminders might be condemned and stripped from public view, He still exists. Nothing will take Jesus from me or from those who join in relationship with Him. 

1 Corinthians 6:17 - But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. We who are in relationship with Christ can claim this. When we have accepted Him as Lord and Savior of our lives we are joined to the Lord spiritually. There is unity in the Spirit. When we know Jesus, we know God the Father. We come into a knowledge of the truth. We come into fellowship with other believers, whether we've met them or not. We are called children of God and partake in the righteousness that only Jesus can provide when we accept Him, believe on him and trust Him in faith. Our lives become fulfilled through Christ.

If our faith is strong and we do not waiver from these truths, we can be a witness to others that they might be curious enough to want to know what we have that makes us different, that allows us to be strong and joyful in difficult times, that gives us peace. All He would desire is for all to understand this. John 17:21 - that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. Not just certain people, but all. Not one religion or denomination over another, but all. It's about individuals giving their hearts to the Lord...no matter where they are, who they are. It's coming into an understanding of who Jesus is that is important, knowing Him with every fiber of their being. When this is done, nothing can take Jesus away. He lives forever in us.

Jesus has been proclaimed for over 2,000 years. The idea of this Man has not died, nor will anything man tries to cause put an end to this Jesus. Praise God for that. There is a power and strength through and in Him that cannot be extinguished...ever. In the end ...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). Man may try to eliminate Him, but man will fail. No one can match the power of God and that will be seen when every knee bows.

Generation after generation has received Christ. His name has been proclaimed through the ages. There will always be a remnant who will be determined to keep the knowledge of Jesus alive in a world so offended by this solitary, yet omnipresent, Man. This Man loves all people, so unlike us who find it difficult sometimes to love everyone unconditionally. Just as parents (ought) to love their children, He loves us. It's His nature and cannot be undone. He wants nothing more than for us to receive this love. 

It's offensive to me to see others offended about something that has been commonplace in this country since its founding. It doesn't make any sense at all that the name of Jesus cannot be proclaimed yet the name of any other "god" is allowed. If it's okay for one, why not the other? I take no offense to any other holiday. We all have a right to celebrate; but what's this offense to Christianity? What's all this about embracing diversity but not allowing Christianity to be embraced? Ugh.

This Christmas season know this: I will proclaim to you what I have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with me...my fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). I know that goes for many others who know Jesus. We can never dispose of Christ. He lives forever and He's alive right now. If you know Jesus and He lives and reigns in your heart, this Christmas and all those to come can never be expunged. Share Him. Share His love. Share the incredible, vast mysteries that can be found through the knowledge of Christ. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 - ...[let] Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Which Side of the Fence Are You On?

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

I noticed in Ephesians 4 the use of the words unity and one. They were underlined. I'm going to emphasize "one." My mind is reeling...again. This is hard to write. 

We've been given an "assignment" for our Sunday school class: to define truth. Part of this assignment was NOT to go to a dictionary. Well, I did anyway. I'm a bit rebellious! I did not use the definitions for my assignment, however. I checked three online dictionaries where truth is defined as:

Dictonary.com - conformity with fact or reality; honesty, truthfulness, integrity; agreement with a standard or original. 

Webster - sincerity in action, character, and utterance; the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality; fidelity to an original or to a standard

Free Dictionary.com - Conformity to fact or actuality; a statement proven to be or accepted as true; sincerity; integrity; fidelity to an original or standard

Well, they all seem to be in agreement. Maybe one dictionary used the meaning from another!? The Free Dictionary, however, had this further statement: That which is considered to be the supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence. Supreme reality? Ultimate meaning and value? What struck me in each of the meanings was the agreement with a standard or original. Original? Original what or what's original? To me original, thinking as I do, is God. He is the Supreme, Ultimate Originator. What He says is Truth. His Word is Truth. His Word is also known as Jesus. So....you know where I'm going, I'll betcha. Just hang in here.

Truth can either be a very simple or very complex idea. It depends on which side of the fence you are on. Just look at mainstream media.... Who's telling the truth? Depends on which side of the fence you are on!

As a Christian, truth should be the simple concept. Truth is Jesus Christ. Period and amen! [A side note: I just HAD to look up the meaning of the word "amen." The Hebrew meaning from the Old Testament is verily, truly, amen, so be it. The Greek definition from the New Testament is the same. And what really caused my heart to race was that I noticed it comes from the root word for truth which I studied yesterday for our Sunday school assignment! Are you getting this?] 

God does not complicate things. He is not the author of confusion. Listen to this: 1Corinthians 1:27 - God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. 1Corinthians 14:33 - For God is not the author of confusion. He makes it easy enough for anyone to understand. The Word of God (which/Who is also known as Jesus) says that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one gets to the Father except by Him (John 14:6). A hard statement? Depends on which side of the fence you're on! 

The scriptures above correlate to the Truth. There can only be one truth. The Truth of Jesus Christ. When we know this Truth, when we know Jesus, a oneness comes about. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (of all). There is a common ground. One day we will all come into agreement with this one Truth: a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord (Isaiah 45:23-24 and Philippians 2:9-11). Part of Isaiah's word about this tells those who are incensed with having to do this will be put to shame. This is not me saying this. This is the Truth of Jesus Christ.

Where there is oneness and unity, there is peace. Could that be just a part of the reason why this world constantly is in conflict over everything? We are all born filled with sin...without God, apart from Him...and we struggle with pride and the longing for control/power, even over our misguided thoughts. Could there be conflict because of the idea (the lie) that there are many roads to heaven and that many gods can get us there? There is only one God, the Father. Ahhhh, so there's the catch. Having to believe that there IS only one God, having to believe that God is the only one who knows what's best for us, that we are not able, on our own, to do that. That's hard for some to do....depends on which side of the fence we're on. That's why it's a narrow road. That's why there are disagreements and conflicts. Oh, we are a stubborn lot, us humans, wanting to believe what we want to believe (and sitting on our side of the fence) and forsaking the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25). 

This world was created by one God, that Supreme Reality, that Ultimate Meaning. This is the God of Truth. This Truth came to earth to share Himself with all mankind that we might know the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8:32), to free us from our enemy who only wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He does not look out for our best interests...this also is the truth.

True believers know the truth and because God is not prevalent in all lives, the truth becomes a lie to them. How Satan likes to penetrate lives and minds. A hard word? It's the truth! God is on one side of the fence, the devil on the other! 

There is only one Hope. That Hope is in Jesus Christ. He's that narrow road we must take. We become peculiar people (1Peter 2:9) when we look to Jesus and stand firm in our beliefs of Who He is (not was). That's the one faith we also have. One belief, oneness in Christ, one God, one Creator. 

The truth, by some, wants to be covered up (mainstream media). Just like there are some who want God out of the picture of the United States. Folks, we're in for some serious trouble if more people don't start to realize what truth is, Who Truth is. Decide which side of the fence you want to be on. Remember, the truth will set you free. 

All I can say is I find comfort in the part of the scripture above that tells us that there is one Father, one God, who is above all. Like we sometimes want to do...defend ourselves...defend our beliefs...defend our actions (whether we've done good or bad), Christians want to defend themselves and their beliefs. We'd like others to see the truth/Truth. We will be mocked...but not God (Galatians 6:7)...and some day whether it be next week or hundreds of years from now, God will prove Himself to those who have believed the lie, who opted for the other side of the fence.

Oh, this is a very hard word. But I am confident that as long as I stand by what God says, I am in a safe place on my side of the fence. I have that hope, that faith, that belief in one God, that Truth. So be it...or Amen.

...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints... (1Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 1:18)

United We Stand!

Genesis 12:2-3 - "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Pastor Rory Grooters began his Sunday sermon with a short video clip showing a soccer team at practice. Under his breath the coach was urging one of the players to pass the ball. He did not. He kept it to himself. The coach stopped the game and called the young man over to speak to him. A long story short, he told him they needed to work as a team. That the name on the back of his jersey (his own) was not as important as the one on the front (the team's).

There are two thoughts going through my head about this sermon...one is the unity we are to have with fellow believers; the other is how we are to expand the number of fellow believers to enlarge the body of Christ.

As Christians we are united in Christ. Our name, on its own, is of no importance. It is the name on the front, and Pastor Rory pointed to his heart, that is the most important. We are part of "Team Jesus." As a group united in Christ we should be acting as a team, not as an individual who believes they are standing out from the team and more important than the rest. I am reminded of the scripture in John that states He must increase, but I must decrease. If we do not bond together and work together as a unit, obviously we bring disunity. 

One of the things Pastor brought up was how we, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, have fulfilled the promise God made to Abram (Abraham) way back in Genesis. If we are believers we are part of the great nation and we are blessed as the scripture above points out. It is up to us to bring others in so they can also be blessed.

From Jesus forward in His genealogy (as those who come into relationship with Him and become part of His spiritual family) came the beginning of the Church (in general). Ephesians 1:22-23 shows us God's plan: And (God) put all things under (Jesus') feet, and gave (Jesus) to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. "Team Jesus." He is the head of the Church...For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). 

If you notice, the word body is mentioned in both scriptures. As believers in Christ, being in Christ, being part of His body spiritually, we ARE the body of Christ. The Church is the body of Christ. As believers and followers, becoming one in Christ and therefore part of the Church (of Jesus Christ) it is our responsibility to continue the fulfillment of the very first scripture...to continue to bring about a great nation and to have others be blessed by being one in Christ, His body, His Church...unified in one belief. He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).

God developed a plan through His Son that all people of all races, all religions, all denominations would have access to God the Father of all. And when we receive Him we become coheirs in Christ. United with Christ. Part of the team. Willing to go into all the world....

Maybe the reason for this blog is what Pastor Rory mentioned to us: when you believe in something you want to tell others about it. I find it much easier to write than to speak for some reason. This is my outlet for telling you what I believe!

Pastor brought up that our strength comes first in our individual unity with Christ, then being with like-minded people. Because I have believed first, have realized the forgiveness of a Savior, it is my desire to bring others into this same unity, this body of believers, becoming one in the Spirit of God with Christ. It is part of my responsibility to spread the Gospel! I have joined the cloud of witnesses who can testify of God's love, His power, His promises. If you become an heir to the Throne and the Kingdom of God, you too become united in the Body of Christ. You become a disciple and a part of Team Jesus.

Philippians 2:1-3 - If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Omothumadon?!

Ephesians 4:1-3 - I, therefore ... beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Holy socks, what in the world is omothumadon? Pastor Paul Hanson enjoys so much digging deep into meanings of words to round out and bring depth to our understanding of something a word, thought or circumstance. I for one will miss this.

I wrote about truth again yesterday. Anyone who reads this blog will hear me say time and time again that Jesus Christ is the Truth. You may get tired of hearing this and tired of hearing we must know what truth is, but I'm not going to stop because it is true! Without this Truth we have nothing. Without Jesus there is no hope, no peace. Somehow I knew there was a connection between my truth dissertations (!) and omothumadon. I really like saying this word out loud...now that I know how to say it.

In order to have peace, we must be like minded, being in one accord. That is the meaning of the Greek word omothumadon - with one mind, with one accord, with one passion. Anyone who reads this blog will also realize my passion...the truth of who Jesus Christ is. It is so wonderful to be in the presence of those who have this one mind and passion. There is a cameraderie. There is a bond. There is strength and encouragement. And iron sharpens iron!!

Pastor Paul suggests that unanimity, being like minded, gives us hope, focus and the grace to accept. There's hope again. That comes with peace. That comes with knowing the truth, which comes from a relationship with Christ and which is essential in today's world. Why do you suppose the world is so troubled? Is there any unanimity? Is there peace? 

We are in the process of looking for a new pastor and our search committee believes it has found the man. We will hear him for the first time next Sunday. That evening we will vote whether to accept him or not. As Pastor Paul was teaching, he said some will not agree with the others. Chances of there being a unanimous vote are slim. Some will not want him. And how will that affect us as a church? It is our duty, Pastor Paul told us, to realize that "there is a cause bigger than any individual." We must get over ourselves and our preconceived ideas in order to see God's hand at work in our church. We must first be of one accord. We must allow God's will to be done and that means stepping out of the way. When we do this, no matter how we feel, we are glorifying God and accepting that He is the bigger cause.

Pastor Paul told us a story, that I wrote about in my blog on Community. Community is just another word for one accord. It was a great story. I don't think we know how we might be blessed if we let go of our way of doing something for the sake of  "a cause bigger than yourself." 

In the Book of Acts this is precisely what happened to the believers of that day. In Acts 2:1 it states "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."  This could only happen because they were "omothumadon,"  the meaning in this scripture for one accord. It was at that moment the birth of the Christian church began through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And, oh, how the Church needs this "omothumadon." Stop grumbling about the little things. Why would God want to let His Spirit rest in a place of unrest? Don't we trust that He can handle every situation, perfect it, if we just allow Him? Another thought is when we are grumbling or fussing or obsessing about something we cannot control, we are like Israel when they grumbled in the wilderness...never happy, always wanting more...or the old days. Aren't we ultimately grumbling to God Himself? 

In talking with a friend yesterday she said what was in the back of my mind: if people don't like something, perhaps it's then they need to move on to a church where they can have what they're looking for. It only brings division if they stay...and the Holy Spirit cannot do His work. Not everyone leaves with animosity; it's just their time to move on. I have learned over the years not to judge or criticize someone's leaving. God may have a greater plan for them elsewhere. That could happen to me, too. I say: Hallelujah! Oh, I certainly believe the Holy Spirit can come into a church and change people's hearts if they are not exactly in one accord with the rest. But imagine the possibilities if that didn't have to happen, if we were all unified to begin with.

This country could use a dose of omothumadon. More and more as I see what's happening in the world, see how things have taken a change that is unsettling, I see how history is repeating itself. The Word of God is filled with examples of how we are to live and the consequences if we do not. We [as individuals and a country] have exchanged the truth of God's word for a lie... (Romans 1:25). The Word of God is the beginning place of learning about being of one mind, in one accord.

Romans 15:4-7 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Oneness

1Corinthians 1:10 - Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

There’s a theme that has been crowding my mind. It seems like something so difficult to attain at so many levels. It’s oneness, unity. It seems to be the “one” thing Jesus and His disciples all asked followers to work toward. 

It starts with only one God. He is indivisible. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one. Oneness is being one in Christ. That means knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior, not just knowing who He is. We cannot be one with Christ unless that step is taken...relationship, not religion. 

Whether we are Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, Assembly of God, Episcopalian...if we have that relationship with Christ we are one, despite the denomination thing that's going on. Religion means nothing. Religion is rules and regulations made by man, a form of self-motivated works, trying to get to God through those works but never achieving perfection (which we can never attain). We will always fail in our own selves. Works just frustrate us (especially if we are perfectionists!) and we lose sight of that heavenly reward because we feel like constant failures, always striving. That's where relationship over religion comes in, where we can be one with Christ and have a sense of peace.

In other words, it's not about me!

Relationship is merely trusting, in faith, in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. His work on the Cross is what saved us, not what we believe to be work to become saved...if we receive that and accept that. When we confess our sins, repent of them and give our lives to Christ, we have come into relationship with Him. We are automatically one in Christ with others who have done the same. Hallelujah! We no longer need to strive to receive because the power of the Holy Spirit works in and through us beginning at the time of accepting Christ. The Holy Spirit then gives us the power to do the good works as He directs rather than we directing ourselves. Who knows better than our Heavenly Father?

So...it's all about God!

Oneness. When we come into relationship with Christ, we are one with all others who have done the same. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are of one spiritual family.  Oh how God so desires to see all churches become unified in their beliefs. No distinction between religions. Will we ever see that happen? Probably not until Jesus returns. I believe it is at that time that we will see where we have all failed to fully understand and comprehend where we failed in our man made churches. And thankfully, those who have believed on Him and in His saving grace will finally live in that perfect oneness, and in oneness with Christ.

Oneness is love, contentment, admiration for others' gifts and abilities and a myriad of other things. The Bible tells us that within a church each person is a part of the body. Each has a function that is vital within that church, no matter whether it is great or small. We cannot function fully without a thumb or an ear or an eye. We can function, but the rest of the body feels the discomfort of not having the use of another part. And that's happening in the churches. There is not one church that functions perfectly and some are even less functional than others. As long as there is even the smallest discontent within a church, there is an air of disunity.

In our own church there is a desire for all the congregation to become unified. It's like pulling teeth. There are murmurings about one thing or another. We fail at best to not judge or criticize one another. We fail to see through the eyes of Christ. We fail to speak with His words of love. We fail in our patience, as hard as we try. We are all guilty in some way. No one is perfect. Let's face it, we all have something to complain about! Rats!

There definitely needs to be a move of the Spirit within our church and the Church in general. Something that will bring all our hearts to that place of unity, to a place of contentment with what we are, even with our flaws. That's why Jesus came to this earth...the perfect Man, living a perfect life, dying a perfect death...for us, for our shortfalls. (And might I add, if we feel a need to work for our salvation, why did Jesus have to die such an awful death?) 

I thank my God that He loves us no matter what. I thank Him that when we turn away for a short time or for a longer time, when we turn back He is there like the father of the prodigal son, with open arms, preparing for a feast in our behalf. Imagine what it would be like for even one of the lost sheep in this world today to allow Jesus to find them! Such rejoicing in heaven. This is oneness with Christ, with God, with the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus prayed these words to His Father for His disciples:

John 17:20-21 - I am not praying for these alone, but also for them that shall believe on me through their [disciples] word, that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me.

His Prayer for Us

John 17:20-22 - "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You; that they also May be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one."

As followers of Christ it is our responsibility to do as the disciples...spread the word of what Jesus did for us. Continue to speak the words of He who gave the Word in the first place. (In the beginning was the Word... John 1:1)

Like Moses we need not be the most eloquent; like Jonah to whom God gave instructions and who disobeyed because he was not comfortable with them; like Abraham who went outside his marriage to conceive his first born son which was out of the will of God; like Peter who was so outspoken, so impetuous; like David even after his adulterous behavior...God will use us as we are if we have taken the first step toward accepting Jesus and want to be used by Him...which should be our goal...

Jesus prays for those who have and who will "believe on Me" through their word. What a promise. Those who will...those yet in the future. What word? "Their" word. The disciples' word of their testimony that Jesus is all He says He is because they saw Him, walked with Him, ate with Him, saw Him die and rise again! Our word, that He showed up at some time in our lives and changed us. That He is forever changing us that we might have the same glorified body one day as He. He changes us from glory to glory if we allow Him. That's His goal.

We are one when we have accepted Him. We become one in spirit. He continues to make changes in our lives so we become more and more like Him. Oh, all the changes. That we would be in one accord about who this Jesus is. Jesus told the disciples that if they had seen Him they had seen the Father (John 14:9) because They are one and the same. That can apply to us too if we carry the light of Christ within us and if we shine this light into a dark world. Matthew 5 tells us we are the light of the world...that we should not put that lamp under a basket but on a lampstand so it gives light to all who are in the house. Our light should so shine before all men. This light should point others to Jesus. All this is for God's glory.

If Jesus is the Light of the world and I have received Him then I am in the Light as well. I'm in Christ. As He is one with the Father so I am one in Him.  There's that oneness spoken of above...unity with all other believers who are also one in the Lord and unity with the Lord. Amazing.

Jesus was telling His Father that the glory He had received He would give to us to carry out this plan...being one in Christ, having the same beliefs. It's so wonderful to have Christ to share with people who think the same about Him. I'll tell you the atmosphere is electric with talk about our Savior. And I believe when we spend time discussing Him, He rejoices. When we are in Christ, we cannot possibly talk about God and speak ill of Him. It does not compute! Psalm 22:3 - God inhabits the praises of His people.

Why perpetuate this Truth that we have learned? So that the whole world will know Christ. So that He may be glorified through changed lives. So that through the constant changing of lives until He returns, the light will never go out. When we come to Christ His Word becomes a part of our life; His Word becomes light and life to us and we should desire to share that with others.

Lord, let my light shine bright. Let Your Spirit work through me. Change what needs to be changed within me; let me decrease that You may increase.

Romans 15:5-6 - Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Unity, Truth and the Church

Genesis 11:1 - Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.

That's what I call unity. God created the earth and all things in it and had no reason to not have one language back then. It was sort of like "one nation, under God, indivisible..." At that time there was no confusion.

But what happens when someone, some nation, some church chooses to allow their pride and their own wisdom to take control? What happens when God's truth is no longer part of the grand scheme of things and He is no longer the center? Noah the ark builder's family succumbed to this. We see this even today.

Noah's son's family was "divided on the earth after the flood" (Genesis 10:32) Upon entering one land they decided to build a city and within the city, the well known tower of Babel. Babel, babble, language, speech...hmmm. They chose to build it to become closer to God than others. They claimed it would be a tower whose top is in the heavens. They said, "Let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4).

God saw what they were up to, was disappointed and said, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language."  Us in this case would be Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Because of this confused language they could no longer work together because they could not be understood...so they were scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth. Babel means confused the language. We see it today...the confusion of languages, beliefs.

Unity. This is what God has always desired. I don't think it will be seen worldwide until Christ returns, however. It won't be seen except in a perfect body of Christ, a perfect, unified Church with the same beliefs. And that's not happening either with all the different denominations...which God did not create. They have been man made. Exactly what those beliefs are will only be fully realized at the time of Christ's return.

There's no telling if my church's beliefs are absolute truth any more than the next denomination. No one Church is absolutely perfect. The important thing comes through a relationship with Christ, where we find Truth. It is sitting at His feet and learning what He says. His words are Truth. If He calls Himself the Word and the Word is the Bible then we should be putting emphasis on what He is saying. The Word is Truth. That's where we find unity. Of course, the first thing is believing this is true!

I believe unity and truth go hand in hand. When we become one, unified, in Christ, we know the Truth. The Truth resides within us, the Truth teaches us and makes us unified with others who live in the Truth. Christ is our Truth.

Let me share a meeting I had with Jeannie, a sister in Christ, a few years ago. My husband and I were at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando. She was born of Asian/Jewish parents, turned believer in Christ. Consider the variety of religions. When I saw her mingling with the crowd that day I felt as though I knew her. Later I found an opportunity to stop and ask her where she was from. After realizing I'd never met her it became evident there was only one common thread...the red thread of the blood of Jesus Christ. With that one thing in common our short conversation was filled with the most important discussion...our belief in Jesus. There was instant unification, in and through Christ. That's why she seemed so familiar. That's what I experience with other believers. It's like a thread that binds our hearts together. That is the most amazing feeling.

Noah's family so long ago chose to confuse the reality of who their God was with their own views of who they thought they were and who they would bow down to. He chose to scatter and confuse them because of their arrogance. It's like that with denominations. Each one thinks it's THE answer. But it's not about a church or denomination; it's about Jesus Christ and only Him. Listening to what He has to say in the Word takes away the confusion. If we have chosen the Way we stand unified in Christ...one body, one life in Christ. We hear the statement that claims there is more than one way to God. This too is man's desire and to whom they choose to bow down. Jesus Himself said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

The tower of Babel may have been the turning point so long ago bringing confusion in the world but God brought about the certainty and truth of Jesus Christ and with that unity. Jesus prayed for this unity:

John 17:20-23 - "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their [believers] word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."