Thievery….Do We Steal?

“Thou Shalt Not Steal.”  Genesis 20:15…….  That’s it??

 God didn’t elaborate on just what He meant.  No wonder the rabbis spend a lifetime contemplating this command.  Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?   Why, we know what it means…… don’t take something that doesn’t belong to us!!

I certainly haven’t spent my lifetime trying to figure this out.  But I do know this……there is more to this command than we read in those four words.

Thievery does involve our usual concept of stealing something from others.  But what else?

Think about this: Stealing is not limited to taking a tangible object.  It could be the theft of time, energy or attention that rightfully belongs to someone else……perhaps our family or husbands.

 It’s easy to steal from God when it comes to times invested in His work or activities.  We rarely give time to God or even think about Him during our busy day.  This is a type of stealing…..taking away from Him what rightfully belongs to Him. This is our time and devotion.  Don’t count your church attendance in this.  That’s easy because it is a matter of habit.

Giving sacrificially, doesn’t always mean money either.  What about taking time from something we would rather do and simply spending more time with God….perhaps giving up your favorite TV show. Or like me…..shopping on the internet!

Of course we must care for our family, our friends, and even ourselves. This is all part of our work as Christians.  We show our love to God by how we care for others.

          Now it’s up to us.  We can be reformed thieves!!

                                      The Bone Box.

The ossuary or bone box was a type of burial box used during the 1^st centuries in Israel and other societies of that era.  About seven years ago a particular ossuary turn up in an antiquities shop in downtown Jerusalem.  What made this box special were the names carved on the front of the box……James, son of Joseph brother of Jesus.  Not sure of its authenticity,  the dealer called in several authorities on early Hebrew script as well as other various experts in carbon dating and those who could date the  patina or dust from the grooves of the box.

In antiquity, after death, the body was laid out  in the family burial tomb.  After several months of decomposition, the bones were removed and placed in this burial box and returned to the tomb.  So this particular James was so well loved and honored that some thought he needed his own bone box.  Only the wealthier could afford this type of box although it could also be used to honor special people.  Perhaps this was the case for this ossuary.

Most experts agreed……..this was an original 1^st century bone box and the carving on the box was original as well.   The names were not carved into the box at a later date…..in other words this was not a forgery.  Many well done forgeries have been bought and sold passing them off as originals.  Herein lays the controversy.

This ossuary was declared to be a forgery by the Israel Antiquities Committee.  Three men who studied the box declared that the writing on the box was not from the 1^st century but was carved during a later date.

Why is all this important?  Why are we concerned about this particular ossuary?  Well, for one thing it might be a link to James, the brother of Jesus. It could be ossuary of James himself. He certainly lived in Jerusalem during the days after the crucifixion.   We read that he headed up the council of Jewish elders who discussed admitting Gentiles into the community of believers.  Read Acts 15 for clarification.

This gives us fuel to fan the flames of our faith.  We can believe that the words of Acts are verified in having this become  “our” James.  Of course this can never be proved.  Undoubtedly there were many men named James, men named Joseph, and men named Jesus or Jeshua.  But the ratio of the three being related becomes narrow when the statisticians do their work on the actual size of the city during the 1^st century.

Now after seven years of discussions, heated arguments and testimony by experts, the box has been declared to be the real thing.  It is not a forgery. The box and its carving were done in the 1^st century. (for more information check the internet)

This doesn’t affect our faith but simply affirms what we have known all along.  The words of Scripture are true.  They are God inspired.  They are words that can guide our life.

          The bone box helps…..

The Power of Purpose.

Life should be about Purpose (notice I use a capital P).  We all have goals in life…..  whether it is acquisition of money in the bank, acquiring a new skill, or perhaps even getting ourselves “right” with God.

When we purpose……with sincerity and honesty…. we seek to find God’s will for our lives.  He opens some doors and closes others.   We should be open to finding a purpose based on what we know the Lord requires of His disciples.

He doesn’t wake me up at night with a message about my purpose.  Wish He did.   Things might be easier that way.  He lets me muddle through at times and finally, with a little push I find my purpose.

Some of my purposes or goals are long term……such being better equipped to “rightly divide” God’s word.  My Jewish friends feel that study and worship go hand in hand.  When I study I worship.  I have a purpose. Study provides me with an opportunity to acquaint myself more fully with my Creator and to become more pleasing to him.

Other times my purposes are more short term.  Now that I am on the short side of life I need to purpose what I must do to prepare for leaving this world and entering the next one.  Seems like a long term purpose……..but believe me, at my age……..its’ short term!

So what’s my purpose……and yours…. for today and tomorrow?  I can’t answer for you but I am going to purpose to be more attuned to God’s working.  How each day will present something unique just for me to do. Perhaps I will be reminded to make encouraging phone call; giving a smile to the little overworked waitress; helping the young mother unload a few groceries.  Who knows?  Nothing spectacular but it will be meaningful.

Having a sense of purpose will put me to work.  My good deeds will benefit both me as the giver and hopefully give encouragement to the receiver.

So a purpose of the heart gives me a direction that I need for my Christian walk.

                                My purpose will give me power.

                      The Main Attraction

I must confess that the title of this blog came from a recent church bulletin.  I am hoping that perhaps the writer would feel flattered that I chose it for my heading.

How has Christianity come to a place where we attract people into our services by offering amusements as a lure?  Since when do we compete with the entertainment industry?  The Romans had their Circuses but the early believers left those pleasures for a new divine leader, whose kingdom was not of this world.  His message was not entertainment for the senses….but the active moving of the God’s Holy Spirit within the lives of the believers.

So today are we still offering “Circuses”…or Is Jesus the main attraction in our worship?

I’m afraid many Christian churches are now offering gimmicks, games, and give- a-ways.   Instead of calling for a change of life style…… we offer musicales and rock bands.  We offer high dollar dramas at Christmas and Easter, and coffee houses, in an attempt to get young people more motivated in Christianity.  Is it working?  A gathering place for the biblical minded isn’t a bad idea,  however this does not take the place of solid Bible teaching.

The lovely dramas are inspiring and beautiful but they are not the gospel.  They may present the gospel but the focus is more on the entertainment itself rather than on the “Person” of the Gospel.   Am I wrong?

Many pulpits contribute to the I’m Ok you’re OK philosophy.  These preachers appeal to the masses by teaching a Gospel based on “feeling good about me”.  “Entertain me and stimulate me and then see I how I feel!” How does “worship” make me FEEL?

Wait a minute. Let’s rethink what we are doing.

 What is worship?  It’s putting ourselves aside and making a special time for God.  It’s realizing that I am really not special at all.

 In fact, you know what?  I am nothing and yet I am everything.

I am nothing because of sin, but everything to God.  He gave himself up for me because I am not capable of saving myself.

Do you know the greatest commandment?  Read Matthew 22:37-40                                      Carefully!!!

Do you love God with all your heart, soul and mind?  Do you love your neighbor as yourself?         Really???

It’s not about you after all.

It’s all about God!

                                    Under His Wings

We sing a beautiful song in our worship service.  It’s called”Under His Wings, I am safely abiding.”The meaning of those words are precious to believers.

I am reminded of Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and defender.”

Our Lord uses the same type of analogy, when he looks over the city of Jerusalem and the coming destruction……

Matthew 23:37  “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

The idea of being “covered with God’s wings” means protection.  We are under God’s constant love and care.  He never leaves or forsakes us.  We pray knowing that we are under the “wings” of our Father.

The Orthodox Jewish men wear the tallit.  You have seen them in pictures.  This is the shawl which has fringes at the bottom and blue strips.  There is deep meaning spiritual meaning to the shawl itself as well as the fringes and the color blue.

When the man wears his tallit he is under the “wings” of God. The tallit when opened resembles “wings”.  Wrapping himself in his tallit, he symbolically places himself under God’s sheltering love.

 The man enters his “prayer closet” when he puts on the tallit.  Didn’t the Lord tell us to go into our closet to pray?  He was speaking of this shawl, which was worn by every faithful Jewish man.  Of course the Lord wore one himself.  Remember the woman who touched the hem of his garment? She received healing when touching the fringes of his tallit.

Even without the physical tallit we too come under God’s protective love through Jesus Christ.  We are under His wings and with love and mercy he surrounds us.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.          Psalm 57:1

                                                Vision Problems?

How is your “good eye”?

In Matthew 6:22 the Lord said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light”.  Without understanding the Hebraic context in which Jesus is speaking…… we are missing His teaching.

In case you are wondering whether or not you have a “good eye” then read on and see for yourself.

Proverbs 22:9 “He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.”The actual Hebrew text says. “He who has a good eye is blessed because he gives bread to the poor.”

What about the evil eye?

Proverbs 28:22 “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know what will come upon him.”

 Jesus, who always upholds the Hebrew Scriptures, is reaffirming the necessity for generosity in life. We are not to be greedy or avaricious. We work, we receive, and we are blessed. We give to others.

We assume this is our money or material wealth.  Not always. Money might be the easiest of God’s gifts to give.  But perhaps it isn’t always the best for the person we are helping.

A Jewish medieval treatise (Orchot Tzaddikim) says, “There are three kinds of generosity; generosity of money; generosity of one’s body; and generosity of one’s wisdom.”

This fits into the Christian mindset as well.  Generosity need not always be demonstrated with money. Sharing one’s ideas, talents, and knowledge; assembling with others in worship and work; taking time to be with a sick one; being a sympathetic listener….. is showing our “good eye”.  These are things money can’t buy.

So ……“How’s your eyesight?”

If you aren’t sure, visit the Divine Ophthalmologist for a check-up.

May all God’s people have 20/20 vision!!

                                                Something Fishy

Channel flipping last night, I decided to catch the latest “discovery” on National Geographic Channel.  I should have known……evolutionary humbug.

This “discovery” is really an old theory but with a few added elements of the evolution of man from a fish. First, a fish with feathers!  Next step……..one million years later………more feathers on a bigger fish…..then moving on a million years, a small land animal with feathers.  Millions of years, one or two flying animals. (we call them birds!)  And on it goes.  Unfortunately, evolutionists have so few of these fossils that to make absurd statements about “early types” is simply outrageous.  They depend more on suppositions than scientific data. Other scientists debate whether these were feathers at all but merely decayed skin fibers.

They have yet to produce life in a test tube under the best of scientific conditions.

Most evolutionary scientists, date the fossils by the rock strata in which they are found.  The geologists then date the rocks by the fossils.  This is circular reasoning at its best.

Our mighty Creator didn’t need eons of time to bring life to this universe.  He is the great designer of all things.  He gave within each species the propensity for change and diversity……but only within the species itself.  A horse can be large, small, brown, black etc. A horse was never a dog!

Man share similarities with chimps.  Remember Tarzan’s Chetta?  That little chimp was so cute and smart.  He could do most things Tarzan asked of him……but he was still a chimp.  He’s not my cousin or yours.

God’s word starts with ‘in the beginning”. This basic understanding of origins is the truth of creation.  Without that, we are product of slime and debris.  We have no moral compass for our lives. It is the truth about our beginnings that we can fully understand God and his plan for us and the redemption we have through His Son.

Life isn’t “fishy” after all!!

                                      Trivial  Pursuits.

Remember the game Trivial Pursuits?   It is a board game in which progress is determined by a player’s ability to answer general knowledge and popular culture questions. I never could answer the ones on pop culture.

We too play “trivial pursuit”….but not the board game.  It’s a game of life and we play the trivial pursuit angle.  We focus on the here and now, rather than the hereafter! 

Of course we live in this present world.  But oft times the present world becomes an end in itself.  Our agnostic friends say…….”when you’re dead your dead”.  The Greek Epicureans felt the same.  Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow….guess what…you’re dead!!

It’s well and good to talk about heaven but in reality we try to stay around as long as possible. Nothing wrong in that.

As Christians we know that life is a gift……but we must use that gift wisely.  We don’t waste our precious days on “trivial pursuits”.

I like to think that every moment is special.   But  when I get caught up with the nitty gritty things in life……washing machine overflows; the icemaker quits before the arrival of company; I am over drawn at the bank…. these are my “trivial pursuits”!

In reality, every agony of our life is within His knowledge.   But, if, I remain close to Him, seek Him, even when life seems good, then when the rough times come, I know my faith in Him will sustain me.

Luke 6:46-49…….”Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

That’s how it is with life. We all have our “trivial pursuits”.  However, when we build our faith on God and His word then our “house” will withstand the storms of life.

Trivial Pursuits …………sure, we have them.

 But we also have Someone greater.

                                      Jewish Roots of  Our Faith

My husband will be returning from his first trip to Israel.  I was not able to go.  He and the family did the usual tourist things. I am sure that Jesus and His teachings will be more meaningful when one can actually see the places the Lord would have seen and the famous archeological sites mentioned in the Bible.

Somewhere along the way, however, we Christians have separated ourselves from the Jewish roots of our faith.  How did this happen?

I don’t pretend to have answers for the theological debates between Biblical scholars…….but this I do know.

Our Lord was a Jew and was speaking to his Jewish brothers.   His teachings must be read in regard to the historical context of His day as well as the issues that He was addressing.

When the first group of Jewish believers was convinced that He indeed was the Messiah of Israel, five thousand and then three thousand came to faith in Him.  He fulfilled the prophecies spoken in the Hebrew Scriptures.  They continued worshipping in the temple and meeting for study in the synagogues.  But gradually, these early Jewish believers were so oppressed for their faith that many of them had to meet as a group on their own.

After the Gentiles became believers both groups began meeting together.  Paul addresses the many problems that arose during the early apostolic or church age.  Gentiles didn’t know the Jewish Torah nor did they really understand the prophecies of the Messiah.  How could they?  They had come from a pagan background.

But then something severe happened.  According to many church historians (I am quoting Dr. Daniel Juster as one), it was the second Council of Nicaea, (A.D. 787) that church authorities essentially replaced the Jewish teachings and inserted Gentile/pagan philosophies into the church.   In fact many of our cherished Christian holidays are really based on old pagan customs. Did you know that our communion service is actually based on the Passover?

So now what?

 Just remember, we have our traditions and our customs.  Very few of us really know about the faith of which the Lord spoke.   We are Gentiles and have been raised with that tradition but at the same time, should we not study the Hebrew Scriptures…..should we not be made aware of what God has told His people?  Our Lord merely repeated and amplified those teachings.

As Paul told Timothy…”Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Timothy was to study the Torah, separating traditions of men from the truth of God.

Should not we do as much?

                                                            Jesus the Politician

We as Christians often complain about the moral values of our country.  We also realize that much of our moral decline can be traced to the policies that are enacted and come directly from our elected officials. However, many well meaning Christians are not involved with politics…… often citing what Jesus told his early disciples…….”my kingdom is not of this world.”  (John 18:36) Therefore they feel that God’s hand is in everything that happens….both in this world and the next.  Why worry??

I recently purchase a book entitled, ”Jesus Was Involved in Politics” by Neil Mammon a preacher, teacher and a computer engineer.

I was anxious to how Dr. Mammon was going to treat this subject.  I always believed that the Lord shied away from the politics of 1^st century Israel, where Romans had successfully invaded and maintained a strong military hold on the country. I understood that the Lord was speaking spiritually and not politically.  However, after reading Dr. Mammon’s book I am changing my mind. His arguments for Christians invading the political scene were convincing and persuasive.

1^st Argument……Jesus and the Coin.  “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars’ and unto God the things that our God’s.” (Luke 20:25). Jesus isn’t saying to stay out of politics. The coin belongs to Caesar (the coin with his image) and as a believer, you are stamped with God’s image so you belong to God. We are living under the Constitution, written and authorized by our founding fathers.  We submit to that authority…..not to the immoral laws which do not uphold the truths in that written authority.  We also must view all laws as they relate to the moral laws God has authorized in his Word.  We are duty bound to fight against injustice and immorality.

2^nd Argument……..The Lord spoke out against the tyranny of the political leaders of his day. The official court of Israel was the Sanhedrin.  It was composed of both the Pharisees and Sadducees, lawyers, scribes.  The Sadducees actually controlled both the temple and the Sanhedrin. Jesus was constantly condemning the chosen officials for ignoring the poor, the needy, the outcasts of society.  He was getting involved with politics. 

3^rd Argument…….God judges a nation.  Why will God spare our nation any more than his chosen people, Israel, when they departed from Him? Their King and his cohorts led the people into idolatry. So look around you. Do we not deserve to be judged and punished for allowing our country to become morally corrupt?

Dr. Mammon closes an argument with these words. “When God judges our nation, you and I, the followers of Christ and our children will also be judged and will suffer the physical consequences of what we have allowed.”

Yes, Jesus was involved in politics…….why aren’t we??