A Forced Isolation

A man in the Bible who endured forced isolation, and therefore, who can be an example to us in these trying times is the Apostle John. This disciple of Jesus lived an incredible life which included great blessings and horrific trials. The elder teacher writes about different ways to face diseases, isolation through exile and imprisonment. He offers wisdom learned through experience that can be very valuable as we endure the most recent hardships of life.

Most people are somewhat familiar with John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. John was a fisherman who worked for his father, Zebedee, and alongside his brother James and friends Peter and Andrew. These four men were the earliest disciples of Jesus. And John, who was characterized with great innate intuition was probably the closest of all the Savior’s disciples.

The Sea of Galilee at Capernaum

The Apostle John grew up in a very distinct social setting. He lived in a small community on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. He was a member of the Jewish community which is infused with rich traditions and set customs. Members of tight knit social groups are fine, as long as they abide within their groups. Jesus, and life helped John to move beyond this setting.

Beyond early discipleship, some of the first steps Jesus brought into John’s life were short trips, through Samaria to Jerusalem, and at times beyond the borders of Israel. John met the Samaritan Woman at the well, the Demoniac who lived among the toms in Gentile Decapolis, and also Centurions who respected and related to Jesus. John learned how to work with the multitude of Jesus’ followers, and he also learned how to incorporate spiritual teachings into his life during trying times, such as when Jesus was persecuted.

Following the death of Jesus, John learned how to lead a church. In the New Testament, we catch snapshots of John, as he is arrested and put in prison with Jesus, as he reaches out the the beggar at the beautiful gate of the Temple, and as he deals with racial and religious differences that existed between Hebraic and Hellenistic Jewish Christians. John rises to a level of distinction as a leader within the early Church. John heard and helped guide men such as the Apostle Paul, who came with new and different ideas, He learned how to guid an organization that grew from a local band of followers into a world wide church.

John began to learn about persecutions and self-isolation during the days of his brother’s death about 14 years after Jesus died on the cross. Acts 12 records, “King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” John and the disciples went into hiding, during the persecution.

The persecutions never really stopped after that. John had to practice social distancing for safety at all times, and especially when danger showed its face. When other disciples left Jerusalem to reach out to the world, John, Peter and James the brother of Jesus stayed, in order to lead the church.

Then came the first Jewish–Roman Wa (AD 66-70). John, along with others in Israel faced times which were far more trying than anything we are seeing today. The conflict began with anti-taxation protests in Galilee. John probably knew some of the instigators. It spread as Governor Gessius Florus looted the Temple, causing more rioting. The Roman army was called out to put down the rebellion. John must have left Jerusalem (because he remembered the teachings of Jesus) before the hard times and the destruction of Israel’s Priesthood and Temple. John was probably the only disciple of Jesus to experience these hardships.

Through the hardships, John was forced to leave his homeland and his sanctuary of normalcy, culture, language, and friends. He moved to the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor for safety. He was an old man of at least 55 years old, and maybe 65, an age where major changes are hard. But John withstood this, and through prayer, allowed God to strengthen him.

He became a bold witness, until he was finally arrested and exiled to a prison island called Patmos. John wrote, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” He told his followers that trials are likely to come upon us like a thief in the night. He said the secret to survival in hard times is to “stay awake and remain clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

John’s imprisonment was something like the enforced confinement at home during our modern plague of Coronavirus. It was something he had no control over. John told the people at Philadelphia to “endure patiently.” He knew the trial would pass. We are told Jesus cared for the woman in Revelation 12, by preparing a place where she could go into isolation. “The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. “

Those in the world who do not place their trust in God, react much differently than those of faith. John wrote that when people faced trials in Revelation 6, ”The kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us for the great day of wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” Later he writes, “They cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”

Fearing people needed a hero because they are without a God whom they can trust. John wrote, “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, ‘Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?’” Of course the Beast could not win the war … only God can win against the worst of enemies.

In times of trials, our faith in God makes all of the difference. And our faith can be seen. “one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?’” Jesus answered, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white …

they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night … and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. … For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”



Where is your faith in these times of trial? Is it with God or with man. The book, “Spring: Connecting With God” can explain more about survival in trying times.

Spring: Connecting with God

     Praise the Lord, my soul.
     Lord my God, you are very great;
          you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

     In North Carolina, Spring is finally here. We have enjoyed, and will have enough days in the 60’s or above, along with frost free nights, that I have planted kale in the garden, and will trust the Lord for its growth (and the wire fence to keep the rabbits out, which I know observe hopping around!)
     This is the season God puts on a full display of beauty. The forsythia and daffodils are in full display with yellow coloring, early annuals are blooming and I have a camellia still showing its colors. Cherry trees are budded out and my redbuds have begun to pop, and there are other flowers which will soon show their colors.
      The weather outside goes from cloudy to sunny. Last night was a display of thunder … God’s power. Today is cloudy, yesterday overcast, tomorrow will probably be sunny. Every day is new and fresh, and the temperature is about perfect.

     He makes the clouds his chariot
          and rides on the wings of the wind.

     In the spring (and any time of the year) it is appropriate to give praise and thanks.

Spring: Connecting With God

     In the past week, I attempted an experiment. I brought flowers and left them at desks of people I see on a regular basis. One person put their flowers in a vase and displayed it. Two others totally ignored the flowers, one brushing them aside (because I put one flower on the keyboard), and was busy typing. It always amazes me when people brush aside the things of God and ignore, without so much as a look. Are we really like that with the things of God?
     We want God to answer our prayers, but we totally ignore the part of the relationship called Praise. We also often ignore Thanksgiving. Both are important aspects of our prayer life.

     He makes the clouds his chariot
          and rides on the wings of the wind.

     God wants us to notice! Especially this time of year, when everything goes on display.
     And then there are the festivals.
PURIM - a season of thanksgiving for God’s rescue of His people
PASSOVER - again a time of thanksgiving for God’s rescue
GOOD FRIDAY - ditto … Let us give thanks to God for what has been done!
     Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:24-26)
EASTER - more than Easter lilies, God conquered death, and gave life
     “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) God takes care of us like a shepherd, and leads us to green pastures (Psalm 23).

     How many are your works, Lord!
          In wisdom you made them all;

     This season, let us take time to give thanks … and let us take time to bring thanksgiving to the heart of others. 

     May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
          may the Lord rejoice in his works—

      The book - Spring: Connecting with God is about our relationship with God, noticing. I would commend it to you at this time of year. It is available in paperback, on kindle, and it can be read for free through Amazon Prime.

Five Goals for the New Year

Pray More

God desires that we offer several types of prayer, including prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication (prayers for others and ourselves). A balanced prayer plan for the new year should include each area (A.C.T.S.) of prayer.

1. Adoration: Read a Psalm a day and give praise to God from the prompts found in the Psalm.

2. Thanksgiving: Make a list of ten things you are thankful for each day. These can be for answered prayer, kind acts of people toward you, or kind acts from God (sunsets, “coincidences,” discoveries, and much more). Keep these in a small journal which will be reviewed the day before Thanksgiving.

3. Confession: Each day I need to check my behavior several times. A good way to do this is each time I get in the car I can ask if I have spoken unkindly, taken advantage of things I should have shared with other people, promoted myself more than I should have, or forgotten to praise the Lord for something in front of others.

4. Supplication: I need to make lists which I will check regularly. These include a prayer list of ongoing needs, relatives, leaders (including national leaders, those who guide me at work, or those who guide the people I care for), and friends (besides actual friends who you spend time with in person or talking to on the phone, you can pray through your friends on Facebook and other social media lists), and neighbors (those who live in your neighborhood and your community). Set a day when you will pray for each group and keep lists as necessary.

Read the Bible every day

Set one or two times and places where you will read your Bible.

1. The first could be in the morning before you get out of bed as you read a Psalm in order to prompt prayers of adoration and praise.
2. The second time of scripture reading will be determined by your daily schedule. You can also jot down a reading plan which will promote balanced Bible reading. Rather than Bible snippets or tweets I will read an entire chapter or section of the Bible daily.
3. You can read other passages as they are shared with you or as they come to mind every day.

Advance your work

Many people have jobs. A job can be paid or life callings (such as parenting) which are performed without pay. A new year offers a great time to review goals and accomplishments in each job. Make a list of jobs in which you are involved. Place on this list things which need to be accomplished in 2017. What were your accomplishments and failures in 2016? Place on your list how you will build on these or fix these in 2017. Set some timetables and check-up points through the year.

Exercise

The Bible says our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We need to take care of ourselves. I need to enforce several areas of personal care including eating correctly and a daily exercise plan. Sometimes this means doing things I hate (like calisthenics first thing in the morning, drinking more water).

Do Good for Others

Speak kind words daily and spread good deeds weekly. At least once a week during the new year, plan how you can share good beyond words in our world. This can include visiting the elderly (especially shut-ins or nursing homes), baking and taking cookies to neighbors, serving in your church, writing notes of encouragement (and sending by old fashioned postal mail), mentoring someone (perhaps younger than you), joining a co-worker to help them in a difficult project, raking leaves for a neighbor, paying it forward for a random person, or a multitude of other “good deeds.”

Holy Week

     During this week, the week before Easter we look forward to the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).  The Resurrection is the central theme of the Christian faith.  In this week, before our Resurrection celebration, we visit the events leading up to the Resurrection.
     First, we see Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  My daughter Sarah posted a great article on Palm Sunday here: http://www.examiner.com/article/palm-sunday-traditions.  Please take a look at it.
     During the week, Jesus visited the Temple.  He overturned the moneychangers tables.  They went to the Temple to make money (not to worship).  The wrong motives of these men upset Jesus.  What are your reasons for attending Church.
     Jesus told his disciples and others in the Temple, "these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples, The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” (Isaiah 56:7-8)
     During the week, Jesus prepared for Passover (setting up a place in the upper room, and assigning the Disciples things to bring to the supper)
     As we celebrate this week, let's spend time in prayer so we can fully appreciate what God has done.

Discerning the things that Matter

     Yesterday we looked at how our lives can waver, running from hot to cold spiritually. This can happen because distractions consume life and siphon our focus from where it belongs.
     One of the distractions cast before us at Passover and other times is legalism. We are told “you must” and forced into a performance mode in order, as we are told to please God.
     Jewish people spend a great deal of time cleaning their homes for the Passover in order to obey the command, “For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses.” (Ex 12:15) They have two sets of plates, and really take to heart a reading from the Mishnah which says, “the hametz must be searched for by the light of a lamp.”
     In chapter five of Spring: Connecting with God (Kindle), we look at how cleaning the house takes precedence over spiritual preparation. The real reason God tells us to clean the leavening is because God desires for us to clean our own lives. This is captured in Proverbs: “As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith; remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.” (Pr 25:3-7)
     People love to “do something” rather than “look inside ourselves;” for this reason we can become consumed by effort. In the New Testament Jesus chides Mary for becoming consumed by work, rather than allowing herself to look inward spiritually. (Luke 10:38-42)
     The reason God tells us not to eat leavening is so we will identify with the slaves who left Egypt and did not have time to let the bread rise. But what we often do not tell clearly is how Moses prepared the people spiritually, telling them through the process to see the hand of God in the events of the Exodus. The Jewish people are told to take a lamb in their home for 3 days, to put the blood on the doorpost, and to see how God protects those spiritually prepared.
     Removal of leavening is symbolic of clearing the evil out of our lives. God wants us to focus on Him, not the cleaning of a house. Two weeks ago we looked at Spiritual Preparation for Passover in this blog. We need to clean our homes and remove the leavening with prayers and preparation, immersing ourselves into the real reasons why God wants us to do things rather than just going through actions.

Spring – Hot and Cold

Spring is a season with many variables.  Temperatures run from cold to hot, precipitation goes from dry to wet (from snow to sleet to rain), and wind velocity can make March end as a lion or a lamb.  We love the warm days, and complain when the weather turns too cold.  But that is the nature of the season.

    For the gardener, Spring is a great time.  I always enjoy the time I can till the garden and plant seeds. With great care I look at the weather; not just what it is today, but I watch what will happen tomorrow.  I don’t get to select the day I will prepare the ground, conditions must be dry for several days. If the ground is too wet I get clay lumps rather than fine soil when I till the ground.

    I carefully select what to plant in my garden and its location.  I select seed which will produce what we will eat or share.  There is no room for much else.  Some plants need to be in the shade, while others need full sun. I carefully plan for space so vines will not overrun smaller plants.

     After planting comes the waiting time.  I watch daily to see what seedlings have poked their heads out of the ground.  There is great joy when I see the rows of plants springing up; the new seedlings represent new life and the hope of a harvest.

    But Spring can be unpredictable.  There are times when the weather is warm, and in hope I plant my garden, But then the late Spring freeze comes.  If I plant too early, I will lose my crop, and have to plant ahead.  Generally I get it right, but there are times I see the plants sprout and leaf only to wake up one morning only and mourn my loss.

    Our spiritual life can be like this, running from hot to cold.  You know the routine.  For a period of time you go to your Bible daily to read the Word, and have regular prayer time.  Then something comes up, and you miss one morning, then two; and your daily reading stops.  You must start again.

    There are times in my life when I can focus on my reading and daily routine; then comes the busy season, when my time is stolen.  In a time of crisis, the time I desire can be frozen out, unless I purposely force a time to spend with God.

    Over time, a cold spell can change a nation, such was the case at points in Israel’s history.  You can read more about this in chapter four of Spring: Connecting with God.

The Real Topic "Connecting with God" (A Great Study!)

     Many years ago, while I was still in Seminary, I was asked to help put together a Passover Hagaddah for the Messianic Jewish Community in Louisville, KY. Across the years I have enjoyed sharing the Passover, and recently I have put this Seder into print: A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition. And in the process of producing this Hagaddah, God did something wonderful.
     As I tried to put the Hagaddah into presentable form, God spoke to me. This occurred while I was on a trip to see my father. As I drove, the Lord brought ideas and chapters to my mind which I had studied in the past. These realizations came from the time I assembled the first Passover Hagaddah for our group in Louisville.
     In my book Spring: Connecting with God I follow the development of the Seder, from the Garden of Eden (when Adam used to walk with God in the cool of the day); to the Communion of Abram and Melchezedek (Genesis 14:18); to the instructions of the first Passover in Exodus 12 (and its observance in Exodus 13); all the way to it’s history during time of the Kings of Judea. I teach on how the Passover has ties to the Peace offering of Leviticus 3-4 (and 7). I also examine four Passover Seders observed by Jesus in the New Testament (at 12 years of age, and each year of his ministry). I show how the agape feast of the early church is tied to the Passover, and how we will enjoy fellowship meals in heaven.
     I thought I wrote a good book, until God showed me something else. I was asked to share an outline of Spring: Connecting with God in a local Senior Adult group, and put the outline into presentation format. As I shared, I realized the book is more about our relationship with God than it is about the Passover.
     Spring: Connecting with God shows how our love for God goes from passionate to cool; and from churchy to forgotten. The book is a call for us to fan to flame the love which is in our hearts for God, and shows us how to avoid the things which cool us off. I would encourage people to take the book, and use it as a 10 week study (but then as the author I am biased). But I know study groups could be enriched through this study.

Whispers

A Whisper
Coming softly to my ears
Murmuring something
That I cannot understand
Unless I listen
With my whole being

What is it saying?
I wonder
Is it telling me
Something important
That will change
My entire life ...

(Poem © Chelsea Simon) ...
It’s completion & more poems can be found in the book.

The First Day of Spring!

     Spring is the time of year when new growth abounds. I was inspired to write in my book Spring: Connecting with God: I am constantly amazed whenever I drive through town or walk down the street and see new life, witnessing first-hand the beautiful creation God has given us to enjoy.”
     Spring is my favorite time of year, so it’s not surprising that I have a garden. I turned my garden, but still need to turn over the soil at my mother-in-law’s home. I already have kale and spinach planted. I will also plant lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, beets, cucumbers, okra, watermelons, pumpkin, and squash.
     I plant flowers in my yard. Some of my favorites such as daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, apricot and forsythia are already out. Redbuds are appearing; tulips, Daisies, roses, crape myrtles and black-eyed susans will come later. I enjoy the brilliant yellow early in the spring. Later spring brings shades of blue, purple and lavender. Late spring produces white daises and several colors of roses. I love the variety of colors I observe in this season.
     As I drive down the roads I have always enjoyed the fresh green leaves of spring as they appear on the trees. Recently I have observed and enjoy the different colors in the buds which make trees look like they are flowering, or showing off autumn leaf colors.
     I could allow the distractions of life to deflect the beauty of creation (many do, as they are obsessed with their busyness); I could take all this for granted (yep, every year the same … it is programmed in like clockwork); I could attribute it to a simple function of biology (or botany); or I could, as they say, take time to smell the roses. It is the last that I choose to do.
     And as I take time to smell the roses, and see the colors, and stand in amazement of life springing forth before me, I also take time to thank The Creator: for all this did not happen by evolution or by accident, but by intention.
     Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. (Psalm 85:11-13)
     He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-- bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees. (Psalm 104:13-17)
     I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. (Psalm 89:1-2)

Passover Preparation - Day 1 - Our Cry to God

And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried; and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God took heed of them. (Exodus 2:23-25)

     Passover begins with prayer. The seventy members of the family of Jacob went down to Egypt during a time of famine. While the Hebrew people lived in exile (400 years), a change occurred in the Egyptian government. The new regime was not accepting of this privileged class of foreign people, and actually feared the Hebrew people, who had grown in population. So they put them into slavery.
     For a period of time the Hebrew people went along with their enslavement. At first they were in shock at how fast their status had changed under the new regime whom they feared. Then as generations passed their status became “normal” and they saw no way out but to accept their “lot in life.” With the passage of time, and a new generation who observed how the rest of the world lived, expected tasks wore on the people. They saw the freedom others were experiencing, and they began to cry out to God in their pain.
     Nowhere in the story does the Bible tell us that God forgot His people. To the contrary, the Bible teaches us God loved His people then, and God loves his people today. The topic of this devotion is relationship and prayer. God’s people accepted life as it came, dwelling in the normality of daily life, and in the routine of this schedule they forgot to pray. Perhaps they were busy (because their taskmasters demanded it); but the point is they were not praying daily and gaining the strength from the relationship with God as His people.
     When we forget to pray; when we lose the most important part of our relationship with God, and all of life becomes a crisis. Within the routine, the crisis was allowed to become severe. And God’s people (after talking and complaining to each other … just like we do today!) began to complain to God. They cried out in their pain, and God heard their cry.
     The question is, how is your relationship with God? Do you pray daily? Do you read the Bible daily? The concept of faith begins with the continual presence of God. God desires us to seek, desire and acknowledge that relationship, and in the relationship to seek Him in His word (the Bible) and prayer. Group meetings are then an enrichment and not the context of our faith.

Connecting With God

God invites us to dine with Him. This is where people often talk. When we sit and eat, we have time to talk. Often we dine with others. And while we eat we talk. God knows this, so He purposely created times we can include Him at our table.

I imagine it was this way in the Garden of Eden. The Lord and Adam walked in the cool of the day. As they walked the Lord showed Adam the wonders of His creation: Strawberries, Blueberries, Oranges, Apples, Lemons, Kiwi, Peanuts, Almonds, and a bushel of other tastes designed to bring joy to the palate.

God’s desire for relationship with us did not end when Adam and Eve were forced from the Garden. God continues to desire for us to come to Him. God desires to be part of our daily walk and show us things as we travel along life’s journey. But in our busy lives we often fail to notice.

The Bible tells us that Abel brought acceptable sacrifices to God. In the days of Enosh men began to call upon the name of the Lord. Enoch walked with God. God told Noah to build a boat – it was going to rain. And Noah heard God’s instructions. God called Abram from the land of the Chaldeans to worship Him, the Most High God.

Abraham followed God. He sought God daily, in every place he lived, and often throughout the day. And God came to Abraham. We see (in places like Genesis 18) that they ate together. God wants us to dine with Him. God wants us to recognize that He is the giver of all good things. He plans for our sustenance (Psalm 37:25). And the Lord desires that we recognize His presence even as we eat.

There are various meals laid out for us in the Scripture. Like the Passover Feast, the Thank Offering, the Lord’s Supper and the Agape Feast. Eventually we will join God in the great banquet in Heaven. I invite you to explore these in my book – Spring: Connecting with God.

Spring: Connecting with God

My father is getting older. Because he can not come and see me, I am trying to visit him on a more regular basis. The drive to Knoxville where he lives is four hours long. There is a lot of time to think as I travel in the car. During the spring, a couple years ago, I was thinking about how to publish "A Passover Hagaddah in the Christian Tradition". As I drove and thought, another outline came into my mind, or, was given to me, which is how "Spring: Connecting with God" came to be written.

The Lord impressed on me how important our relationship is with Him. Often we live our busy lives without realizing how present and approachable God is to us. It is God's desire that we recognize His presence and include Him in our conversations and our lives. God desires that we give thanks for the good things of life (like the new leaves coming out in the spring), and that we ask for His wisdom in every decision. God desires that we live close to Him.

All too often people live their lives without recognition of God’s presence. Throughout the day God lays out things for us to notice. It could be a beautiful sunrise or sunset (they are different every day). It could be a rainbow (which is a promise from God for which to give thanks). It could be a formation of geese, leaves on the trees, flowers or some small animal that is sitting by the side of the road. It could be the view as we cross the mountains or plains. But God places things in our path to notice.

Our daily plan can be so full that we miss the things God sets out for us. Daily we set our agenda, often without including the Lord in our plans or in our lives. We go about our business furiously in order to get everything accomplish. We pass by the things that God has placed in our path. When the Lord orchestrates a chance meeting, or makes an activity easier we fail to see His hand in it, and we do not take time to give thanks or to pray.

Sometimes even our Bible Study and Prayer time become routine. God does not want this. He wants our communion with Him to be vibrant and alive. In Genesis 3:8 we learn that God walked with Adam in the cool of the day. This was not a one time event meant to bring fear in Adam’s life. These were daily walks with the Creator where God could show His love for man, and where man could share His love for God, talking about anything and everything. God desires a two way relationship with each of us. ...more about this next blog ...

Amidah 19 – Grant us peace

There is a desire within each of us for peace. This yearning for peace can be for different things, such as world peace; peace within our families or between friends; a desire for people to just leave me alone; or for the torments which bother my soul to cease. We live in a world which lacks peace. Jeremiah wrote, “We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror.” (8:15; 14:19)

The final prayer of the Amidah is a prayer for peace:
Grant peace everywhere goodness and blessing,
Grace, lovingkindness and mercy to us and unto all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one with the light of Your face;
For by the light of Your face You have given us, Adonai our God,
The Torah of life, and love of kindness, and righteousness and blessing and mercy and life and peace;
And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace.
Praised are You, Adonai, who blesses Your people Israel with peace.

It is appropriate that the final benediction of this prayer is for peace, for the whole prayer lays out the source, the process and the desire for peace.

The source of peace is God: The Amidah begins by looking at God as the source of the answer of prayer. The first benediction looks at the God of our fathers. So many have turned away from this, even though the testimony of the fathers points to God as the source of Peace. The second benediction explains God is the One who can answer prayer. God is the One who is all-powerful. The third benediction looks at the God who is Holy. Perhaps this is why we fear. We are sinful men. Sinful men find no peace.

We want God to grant peace, goodness and blessing. We want Him to show us lovingkindness and mercy. We want the light of His face to shine upon us. But, God is Holy, and we are sinful people, and as long as there is sin, there is no peace.

This prayer guides us as we seek peace with God who forgives our sin. The next steps in this prayer have shown us how to receive forgiveness for sin: We pray for wisdom (4) and understanding of how we sinned and how we can grow closer to God. Understanding leads to repentance (5), which leads to forgiveness (6), which leads to redemption (7) from affliction and healing (8).

During the Amidah we pray for deliverance from want (9). The real yearning in this request is for peace. Jeremiah gave us the hope of peace in this way, “I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it." (30:6-9)

Jeremiah says, “The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.” (30:14-16)

Paul wrote it this way in Ephesians, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

“Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” (Jer 30:11 and 1 Chron 16:34, 41; 2 Chron 20:21; Psalm 7:17; 106:1; 107; 118:1; 136:1; Isa 12:4)

True peace can only come from God. If we find peace from any other source, it is of cheap quality. We are to seek God and His peace. The “peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Jesus speaks of this peace at the end of His life: "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“ (John 14:25-27)

And so we end the Amidah asking God to grant peace. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:7-8)

Amidah 18 – Thanksgiving for God’s Unfailing Mercies

As the Amidah Prayer begins, so it ends. In the beginning of the Prayer we looked at the Greatness of God. The first three Benedictions are: Avot = Ancestors; Gevurot = Powers; Kedushat Ha-shem = The Name. We will compete this prayer with Thanksgiving looking to God.

The eighteenth benediction begins (Avot) “We give thanks to You for You are the Lord our God and God of our fathers forever and ever.” In so praying we recognize we are not the first to pray this prayer, and will not be the last. There is a heritage of men and women who precede us who were prayer warriors. The author of Hebrews writes, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (11:1-2)

The prayer continues (Gevurot) “You are the Rock of our lives, the Shield of our salvation through every generation.” We pray to God because of His greatness. His name is above every name. He is omnipotent. The Psalmist writes: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

We praise God because He is our salvation. We thank Him for his benefits, His miracles, and His wonders. His mercies fail not.

God is (Kedushat Ha-shem) the merciful Being whose lovingkindness never ceases. To Him all praise belongs.

Paul concluded His prayer, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.+ (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Amidah 17 – Prayer for the Restoration of Temple Service

People today know very little about Temple worship. In the days of the Temple’s existence the Hebrew people would come singing psalms as they made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem and offering animal sacrifices in dedication to God, in thanksgiving, or for the absolution of sins.

In its simplest form, the Tabernacle had three areas: The courtyard where sacrifices were made; the Holy Place where Priests serviced the Menorah, Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense; and the Holy of Holies which the High Priest entered once a year to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. We can learn a great deal about approaching God and worshipping Him through a study of the Tabernacle.

During the time of Solomon the Temple and its ritual was expanded. The families of the Levites were organized serving at various times and for various services at the Temple. King David, Levites and others wrote Psalms to be sung. The High Priest and Teachers wrote prayers. And people came with offerings to worship God in the Temple. There is something in us that desires the richness and meaning of this worship.

Today’s worship is often centered around our likes and dislikes. We come and listen (if the time is convenient), and our worship costs us nothing. Sometimes worship means singing three songs and give an offering of our finances, then hear special music and a sermon. Sometimes there is an occasion for response at the end of the sermon. In some churches there is a contemporary form of worship with a praise team who guides the music. Messages of the Pastor along with drama and video challenge us on how to go out and life as a believer in today’s world.

In the days of the Temple people came with a gift for God and left with a sense of awe. All too often in today’s world our arrival is so rushed we do not have time to prepare our hearts for proper worship, and we go critiquing the musicians, the pastor and the quality of our experience.

Jesus said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)

Jesus criticized the people of his day saying, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: `These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” (Matthew 7:6-8)

Through our prayers we must remember the times when we were closest to God. We must seek the awe that for ages has brought people to worship God. We must have more love for God than for our preferences. We must help others to have an experience with God as they come to worship. And we must leave the house of prayer closer to God than when we came.

Paul wrote: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)

Amidah 15 – Prayer for the Messianic King

Speedily cause the offspring of your servant David to flourish, and let him be exalted by your saving power, for we wait all day long for your salvation. Blessed are you, O Lord, who causes salvation to flourish.

In Fiddler on the Roof Motel says to the Rabbi: “we've been waiting all our lives for the Messiah. Wouldn't now be a good time for Him to come?”

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Maimonides says: “Whoever does not believe in him (Messiah), or does not await his coming, denies not only the other prophets but also the Torah and Moses, our teacher, for the Torah attests to his coming.”

The Scripture is filled with verses which tell us who to look for as we long for the Messiah. They speak of His lineage (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:19; 28:13-14; 49:10; Isaiah 11:1; 2 Samuel 17:11-16) The Messiah will be from the house and lineage of King David.

He will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); at a specific time (Daniel 9:24-27). His birth will attract shepherds and kings (Nu 24:17; Ps 72:10-13; Isaiah 60:1-7). Herod would try to kill him (Jer 31:5) and his family would go to Egypt (Hos 11:1).

He will be preceded by Elijah the Prophet (Isa 40:3-5; Mal 4:5). He will be anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isa 61:1-2). He will be a man of peace (Isa 42:1-6) and righteousness (Isa 11:4). He will come as a prophet (Deut 18:18). He will bring a New Covenant (Isa 42:6-7; Jer 31:31).

He will begin his ministry in Galilee (Isa 9:1-2). He will cure the sick (Is 35:1-6), still the storms (Ps 107:29-30); teach in parables (Ps 78:1-2). When he comes to Jerusalem, he will ride a donkey (Zech 9:9) and cleanse the Temple (Hag 2:6-9; Mal 3:1-4).

He will be betrayed by a friend (Ps 41:9; 55:11-14) for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12-13). He will be taken to the rulers who will falsely accuse him and die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Zech 12:10; Ps 34:19-20). He is the offering that will save our lives (Ex 12:6; Ge 22; Lev 16). He will be buried with the rich (Isa 53:9), but will not stay in the grave (Ps 16:9-10; 49:14; 71:19-20). He will ascend to heaven (Ps 68:18), and come again.

At Christmas we sing, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” Paul wrote: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph 3:7-12)

Amidah 6 – Forgiveness

Forgiveness follows Repentance. The scripture says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:19)

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

God desires that we stay in right relationship with Him. From the very beginning God has sought to forgive our sins. God provided a sacrifice in the Garden of Eden (Ge 3:21); and then taught us how to repent and give sacrifices including the sin offering (Leviticus 4) pointing to the forgiveness which is offered through Jesus Christ (Titus 2:14).

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. This is the purpose for which God sent Him. God in His unfailing love provided the perfect method for redemption. (Psalm 119:153-160) The Lord Himself provides redemption. (Psalm 130:7-8)

The ways of the Lord are love and faithfulness. When we understand the seriousness of our Sin and desire to turn to God’s ways, God desires to forgive us. When God forgives us, it is as if our sin never existed. It is wiped out and as if it is no more. God’s forgiveness makes us appear not just ok, but as righteous (Romans 4:5).

From the Amidah in Ephesians we read, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,” (Eph 1:7) Paul tells us, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:13-14) God removes our sin so well that it is as far as the east is from the west, (Psalm 103:12)

With our sin taken away, our relationship with God can be pure.

Amidah 5 - Repentance

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

" There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

"When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, `We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause." (1 Kings 8:46-49)

Because we all sin, we need to understand the prayer of repentance. God desires for us to recognize our sins. The Lord wants us to desire His righteous, to despise or sin, to forsake our sin, to bring to an end the things that are causing the sin, to chart a course away from our sin, to set boundaries so we do not repeat the sin, to restore losses to those who have been harmed by our sin, and to step out in faith to a new life beyond our sin.

Repentance means "the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings." (Webster) In other words, repentance is not just a prayer to say to God we are sorry. Repentance is a process of understanding what we have done wrong and turning so we do not repeat the wrong. As we seek God, we seek understanding (Amidah 4), forgiveness (Amidah 6), Deliverance (Amidah 7) and healing (Amidah 8). If successful we will return to the years of prosperity (Amidah 9).

During our prayer of repentance we allow our heart to break before God (Psalm 51) so He can help us understand the wrong and point us to the action needed by us in order to turn from the sin and to return to God and His people.

According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, the prayer for repentance begins by humbling ourselves (the brokenness), seeking God's wisdom, and turning from our wickedness. Repentance is a process and an action.

It is through proper repentance that we set the stage for God to forgive. That is the next benediction in the Amidah. "To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ." (Ephesians 1:6-9)

Amidah Prayer

I am always looking for ways to encourage people in prayer or to enrich our prayer life as I lead prayer meeting at our church on Wednesday nights. Our current session is looking at the morning and evening prayers of the Jewish people known as the Amidah or the “Standing Prayer.”

The first reference to the Amidah is found in the Mishnah and dates back to near the time of Jesus. “Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions]’ every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen.” The origin of the Amidah could go back to the time of Ezra.

The idea behind this series is that often we are very limited in our prayer life, offering supplication only for immediate needs that come to mind. This prayer, the Eighteen Benedictions (Shmoneh Esreh) will help to expand our prayer life reminding us of other areas to include as we pray.

To me it seems that an early version of the Amidah is found in the book of Ephesians. Following is the order of these Benedictions:

1. Avot ("Ancestors") - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

2. Gevurot ("powers") - who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

3. Kedushat ha-Shem ("the sanctification of the Name") - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

4. Binah ("understanding") - In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

5. Teshuvah ("return", "repentance") - In him we have redemption through his blood,

6. Selichah (“forgiveness”) - the forgiveness of sins,

7.Geulah ("redemption") - in accordance with the riches of God's grace

8. Refuah ("healing")

9. Birkat HaShanim ("blessing for years [of good]") - that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

10. Galuyot ("diasporas") Prayer for reunion of Israel - And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

11. Birkat HaDin ("Justice") - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment

13. Tzadikim ("righteous") Prayer for the righteous and proselytes - --to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

14. Bo'ne Yerushalayim ("Builder of Jerusalem") - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

15. Birkat David ("Blessing of David") Prayer for the Messianic King - in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

16. Tefillah ("prayer") Prayer for the hearing of prayer. - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

17. Avodah ("service") Prayer for the restoration of Temple service. - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

18. Hoda'ah ("thanksgiving") Thanksgiving for G-d's unfailing mercies. - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

19. Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace") Grant Peace - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

I will write more on this as I develop our Prayer times on Wednesday Nights.