Love Will Hold Us Together

1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-24

(August 25)

There is a song I love, and it goes a little something like this:

It don't have a job, don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills
Won't fix your life in five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land or the government

But it's all you need

And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world will know that we're not alone

It's waiting for you knocking at your door
In the moment of truth when your heart hits the floor

And you're on your knees

And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So, the whole world will know that we're not alone

This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright

This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright

Love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world will know that we're not alone

(Songwriters: Steve Wilson, Matthew G Maher)

It's a song about the most important thing we need...love. Will it solve all our physical or tangible problems? Nope! But it is what we need to get us through the trials and worries of life. We need love and we depend on others to give it to us.

In the closing portion of 1 Corinthians, Paul is talking about love. He doesn't use the word "love" often in this letter (8:1-3, 13) but in this final statement it is evident that he regarded love as the essential element to all his previous instructions.

When he says, "Let all that you do," that includes the quarrels they were having, their attitude toward him and other teachers, the discipline of the church, the lawsuits, marriages, abusing the weak with power or the poor with neglect, and not edifying the church in worship. ALL OF THAT falls under the category of "all that you do."

If the Corinthians had done all in love to begin with, they wouldn't have experienced so many problems. They had all the spiritual gifts they needed, but love was what they needed the most.

Paul asked them to express their love by contributing to the needs of the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Remember, Jerusalem had experienced a severe famine years before, and many of the residents were still feeling the financial strain from that time of hardship.

Paul didn't order them to give a specific percentage of their income. He simply asked them to set aside what they could, based on their own heart of generosity.

These contributions not only helped those in Jerusalem who were so needy at the time, but they also brought unity between the Gentil and Jewish Christians.

My favorite part of the song above ...

And I'll be my brother's keeper So the whole world will know that we're not alone.

Paul was asking them to be their brother's keeper, and to do it out of love. God is asking us to be our brother's keeper. He wishes for us to love one another and to help one another through the struggles that life throws our way.

Maybe you do this by giving to an organization that helps the needy, or by buying food for someone on the streets. Perhaps it is through adopting a child with no home or giving clothing to a struggling single mom. You could pay someone's rent or buy them groceries. You can help someone with their education, babysit so a mama can work, or offer to teach someone to read so they can get their diploma.

There are so many ways we can be our brother's keeper, and so many opportunities to show the love of Jesus in this way. But perhaps the most important of all is to pray for others, offer them words of hope and encouragement when it seems like all is lost in their lives, and point them to the Savior.

After all, he is the definition of love.

Les Misery: How Long?

One Year Bible (Aug. 25)

Job 16:1-19:29

HOW LONG

How long…will I suffer?

How long… must I wait for answers?

How long---will this situation go on without answers?

We have all asked these questions at one time or another. In our study today we see “Bullseye Bildad” ask Job, “How long before you stop talking? Speak sense if you want us to answer!”

“Bullseye Bildad” could now be renamed, “Brutal Bildad”! In fact, “The Three Amigos” have turned into “The Three Avengers”. They are avenging “The Law” and attacking Job.

How long will “Brutal Bildad” have to wait? Probably not very long as Job is now near death… his strength has left him and he is waiting in the ashes. In Round Two of the “Why Does Job Suffer Debates”, death is now the imminent topic.

Job also asks the same question in return to Brutal Bildad, “HOW LONG…will you torture me?”

In Round One “The Three Amigos” debated Job on the issue that God ALWAYS Prospers the Upright and Punishes the Sinner. Job refutes them on this theology.

We are now in the midst of Round Two and the debate is growing fierce. There is no Compassion being used towards Job, only Confrontation and Condemnation.

Elderly Eliphaz stands on EXPERIENCE. He considers himself wise and the judge.

Bulls-Eye Bildad is BRUTALLY standing on “TRADITION”. He is the LAW without liberty or love. (He is pretty good at calling names too!)

Zealous Zophar is… well, VERY ZEALOUS! He is way past experience, tradition, or facts! His entire theory is based on ASSUMPTION. Job is way past innocent and already proven guilty in his mind. He is a lawyer specializing in Circumstantial Evidence.

We must ask ourselves this same question, “HOW LONG”?

It is interesting that Jesus, himself, asked this very same question in the New Testament and the answer is related to FAITH being BUILT or ACCOMPLISHED.

Listen to Jesus’ words, “You faithless and corrupt people! HOW LONG must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (Mt. 17:17)

Jesus was actually dealing with a sick boy. (So, the theme was also suffering and sickness in this passage.) The people, including Jesus’ own disciples, were struggling to put their faith in him. He was dealing with their lack of faith.

We see the second example in Jesus’ teaching, where we see that the real issue was “Faith” not “Sin” or “Punishment”. John 9:2 tells us that the disciples were questioning Jesus. Like Job’s “Three Amigos”, they too grew up under the law. They believed that all sickness was related to sin. This left them in a rather judgmental state. So, they ask Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered them, ``Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God may be displayed in him.”

Job’s Three Amigo’s have a faith problem. They are brashly “Schooling Job” in his time of suffering, but hang on a little while longer because God is going “To School”l them very soon!

All three of “The Miserable Comforters” have expanded their scope and sequence in Round Two of the debates. Their new expanded theme is that “The wicked always suffer and only the wicked.” Job’s response is that the righteous suffer also, but they can’t get past BLAME.

I wish that I could tell you that “The Three Amigo School of Theology” is now defunct and inactive, but sadly it is not!

You can find self-righteous religious teachers today that still teach that if you are struggling and sick you have a “lack of faith”. You need a good “faith healing”! God made you to be healthy, wealthy, and blessed. He has created you to be “your best self”.

That is not the teaching in the book of Job, the Old Testament, the New Testament, or the words of Jesus! Wrong theology leads us to wrong teachings and wrong actions!

HOW LONG… until help is on the way in this “LES MISERY DRAMA”?

Check out Job 19:25-27. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Very shortly, it will be intermission time in our Job play, “Les Misery”, keep reading because it is about to have a big uplift!

The Body Switch

1 CORINTHIANS 15: 29-58

(August 24)

I watched a movie many years ago where the two leading men (I believe they were John Travolta and Nicolas Cage) changed faces. It was really weird. They looked like one person but acted like the other. One of them was not so nice, by the way. A complete switch of identity.

Have you ever wanted to switch identity with someone? Trade your body for theirs? (Haven't we all wanted that supermodel body at least once in our wishful thinking?) How often we can find fault in these earthly bodies of ours, and how often we can abuse them in so many ways.

I have not been very good to my earthly body. It has been sunburned more times than I can count. (Can you say 3rd degree burns to the upper torso?) My body hasn't always been exercised the way it should. I have consumed too many sodas and sweets, too many carbs, and not enough protein.

This earthly body of mine has expanded and decreased over the years. (Right now, we are in decrease mode.) My right shoulder is constantly stiff, and my feet often ache. The eyes in this body could use some help, and the hair is thinning. The knees could use a replacement, and the ears have a constant hum. There are so many things I can find to criticize or complain about.

But there is good in this body as well. My hands are quite often held in the hands of a tiny four-year-old, or softly cradling a newborn. There is a smile on this wrinkled face when my children tell me they love me. These achy arms wrap around my husband in a warm hug. These eyes, while not the best, still see the beauty and glory of God all around me, and this mouth still speaks words of encouragement to others.

Actually, despite the numerous flaws, I am quite comfortable in this casing of mine. I am familiar with it. It's kind of like my car ... I know just how fast I can go, and when I need to slow down a bit.

As comfortable as I am with this "skin God has put me in", I am so curious about the new body I will receive in Heaven. Will I be a better version of me as I am now? Or will I be totally different? The mystery is there, and the answer awaits me. I can rest in the assurance that it will be great beyond my expectations.

I know people who are really struggling in the bodies they have now and can't wait for a new one. These people cannot run, some can barely walk, pain flows through them daily. Some struggle to see or hear, others have so much metal pinned inside them it is hard to bend.

Paul tells us that our body will be different. He compares the resurrection of our bodies with the way a garden grows. You plant a seed, but what grows out of the ground looks different than the seed. The seed has to "die" in the ground to become something different when it rises from the earth.

Our present bodies are not everlasting. They are perishable and they begin to decay. But the new body, our resurrected body, will be so much more capable and will be everlasting.

These new bodies we receive will never be sick, they will never grow weary, they will always be able to run, and they will last forever. And while I still don't know exactly what that looks like (probably not the supermodel body), I am certain, from the truth of the Word of God, that it will be perfect, and I will be quite pleased with the body switch.

Les Misery: Worthless Quacks

One Year Bible (Aug. 24)

Job 12:1-15:35

LES MISERY: Worthless Quacks

“As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.” (13:5)

Job’s Three Amigos are definitely “practicing medicine” and it is not going too well at all!

Verse six actually tells us Job’s response to his “Quacking Friends”. He tells them, “If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do!”

Have you ever spoken those words? Unfortunately, I have had to do just that and it wasn’t pleasant. I actually fled the situation…

My mother was in hospice care and I had been sitting in the same chair for way too long. I had a “pain in my neck” that wouldn’t go away. So, for my break, I decided to walk a block away to a massage place that required payment first. As soon as I got in the little room the woman there started talking about “strokes’ and on and on she went…She was on my “very last nerve”, and that was not the nerve that I went in to get treated…

I asked her if she could “please just work on my neck and not talk”. After I heard the word “STROKE” a few more times, I arose from my sheet and SPED right on out of there. I took my clothes and she kept all my money!

I truly feel for Job! He couldn’t exactly get up and leave the DUMP. Where does a man who is overflowing with boils and overwhelmed with condemnation go? And so, he tells them that “the wisest thing they can do is to be silent”... But they don’t! There are three rounds of their exhortations followed by Job’s responses. These discussions are getting heated and intensifying with each round!

Job refutes the theory of “The Three Amigo’s” in the first round that God always prospers the upright and punishes the sinner. Job is upright, yet he is afflicted. (Job 6:22-28; 12:3, 13:2-5,15,16) Do you see the CATCH 22 that Job is caught in? God himself pronounced Job as a “righteous man” in the prologue… (before the play began).

His Three Amigos live, breathe, and are bound by THE LAW. That is ALL they know! They are heaping the LAW on Job. His boils are bursting with Brimstone and Fire…

They know that God CAN NOT BE TWISTED and that sinners receive God’s punishment. They have seen NO SIN in Job’s life! NONE! What they have witnessed is a day of “SHOCK and AWE” like no other. In one day, Job lost EVERYONE and EVERYTHING… (Except for his Precious wife who wants him to “Curse God and Die!) The Three Amigos are living their life based on the LAW and that leaves them with only one conclusion, “Job must be a wretched sinner” to be punished in this way! Their goal...REPENTANCE.

The more that Job declares that he is an upright man and yet is afflicted, the more the battle rages. In the midst of our passage today, Job asks two things of God, “O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.” (13:20)

Job knows that suffering has come his way through the hand of God but he has no idea why this has happened to him. He asks that God shows him something he has done wrong and or any rebellion in him. He truly doesn’t get it. He can not begin to understand ‘Why' this is happening to him…

Let’s look back at some of Job’s highlights in his response to “Bullseye Bildad” in Round One.

While Job knows that he has been a devout follower of God, he says, “How can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight? If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? (9:1)

In Job’s own words, he recognizes the CATCH 22 that he has landed. Romans 3:10 tells us, “No one is righteous, no not one.” Job is firmly stuck between the Law of sin and the upcoming Liberty of Grace. Even his righteousness is not enough to pay the price for sin or to stop the enemy of God from attacking.

This book of Job is written to show us the heartbreak of this broken condition that man is in…

The law only condemns! While these men may have the best intentions, their execution is brutal because the law is brutal!

At the very same time that Job realizes his dependence upon God, he also realizes that God’s Ways are greater than he can comprehend, “He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs COUNTLESS MIRACLES. Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.” (9:10-11)

Job believes in God’s COUNTLESS MIRACLES but NO MIRACLES are coming his way…

In the second round of debates, Job points out to his Three Amigos that they are being pretty arrogant in their APPROACH and are not better than him in the APPLICATION of their faith. “You people really know everything don’t you?...Well, I know a few things myself-- and you’re no better than I am.” (12:2-3)

In round two, all three insist that the wicked ALWAYS suffer and ONLY the wicked. Job’s response to them is that the righteous suffer also (Job 19:25-26, 21:7)

What Job has are three Worthless Quacks… What Job needs is a GREAT PHYSICIAN!

“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21.

Resurrection Explained

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-28

(August 23)

Have you ever had something explained to you, but you just couldn't quite understand? No matter how many times it was discussed, you couldn't get the concept. I am that way with most things involving scientific information. Trust me, if you try explaining the cosmos to me, the lights are on, but nobody is home!

Is it some short circuit in my brain that causes this lack of understanding? Or perhaps it stems from how I was raised, the culture I grew up in. I'm not really sure, but I know that science, trigonometry, and any other advanced math falls into that category.

For the Corinthians, the concept of resurrection was one they could not grasp. Most Greeks thought of the afterlife as something that only happened to a person's soul, not their physical body.

Greek philosophers believed the soul was the real PERSON, which was IMPRISONED by our physical body, and RELEASED upon our death. The soul then entered into an eternal state, which was not available to the body. The Corinthian church was in the heart of Greek culture, so many believers couldn't comprehend the idea of bodies being resurrected. Paul wrote today's reading in an effort to clear up the confusion.

Keep in mind, in that day and time, the label of CHRISTIAN often brought persecution onto the believer. Many new believers were cast out of their families and suffered from poverty. Calling yourself a Christian did not help you climb the social ladder or gain popularity.

But because Christ paid the price for the sins of all man, Christians were able to live a life flowing with forgiveness and look forward to the eternal home they would share in Heaven.

And with the resurrection of Jesus, they could know that they, too, would have a day when their bodies would be resurrected to new life in eternity.

"Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back." (Verse 22-23)

New life ... resurrection ... eternity with Christ ... now THOSE are concepts I CAN wrap my mind around! How about you? Aren't you so glad Jesus died for our sins so that we get the opportunity to experience a new body and a new life in glory?

Les Misery: Twisted

2 CORINTHIANS 3: 1-18

(August 29)

I have been writing several letters of recommendation lately. My daughter has been job hunting, and the places she applies would like to know more about her skills and experience. She is looking for a new job, a new way of life.

This is a much-used process to that establishes a person's identity and capabilities. It was also a popular way the New Testament churches validated the people who were sent on a mission, so that those in the places they were sent would find them credible.

In today's scripture, Paul is telling the Corinthians that he doesn't need a letter of recommendation, because THEY are his letter. Their conversion alone was proof that Paul was a minister of Christ. When they turned away from the sinfulness of their culture and chose a new way with Christ, they became his validation.

He talks about the old covenant, which was transcribed on stone tablets and brought down the mountain by Moses. But the new covenant is different. There are no stone tablets. This new way of receiving the covenant is having it written on the hearts of believers.

Because believers possessed this covenant, Paul believed that Christ equipped them with the resources to share Christ with the world, making each of them ministers in their own right. They would need no letter of recommendation either. Their life would be their validation, helping others find a new way to live their lives.

Verse 17 is one that is known by many: "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." What did Paul mean by this?

When Jesus rose from the dead, he became a life-giving Spirit. He still has his earthly body, made better in heaven, but he also entered into a new spiritual existence when he was glorified. Because of this, he can live in heaven AND in our hearts ... all at the same time.

While this may sound like an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries", we who believe know it to be truth, and we know the mystery will be revealed to us one day.

By being able to live in our hearts, the Spirit we receive is even more glory-filled than what Moses experienced on the mountain that day. Yes, his face shone with bright glory. But even as he traipsed down the mountain, that shine had begun to fade. The Spirit within us is even more amplified as we begin to understand the truth about Christ and how absolutely wonderful God is. And we shine even brighter.

How much we shine for Christ when we discover this new way!

Keeping Silent

1 CORINTHIANS 14: 18-40

(August 22)

How do you feel when you are told to keep silent? Do you feel annoyed, hindered, unappreciated, or resentful? Or do you feel relieved that you don't have to speak? Maybe you take it as if people think you don't know what you are talking about, so why waste their time, or that what you know isn't useful?

Personally, I typically have something to say. And I like to say it. Having said that, I also recognize the importance of the times when silence is more appropriate for a situation.

Reading verse 34 of Chapter 14 might tend to make some women frustrated. Women should be silent during the church meetings It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. Hmmmm.

I was recently reading in one of the 5 different bibles I have open on my desk right now that many believe Paul disliked women. A lot of that belief comes from the Scripture in today's reading. But that is really not the truth at all. 1 Corinthians 11:5 shows us that women prayed and prophesied in public often. Chapters 12-14 also tell us that women are given spiritual gifts, right along with the me. And they are encouraged to use them for the betterment of the body of Christ.

In the culture of that place and time, women did not confront men in public, but some of these new believers thought that they were now free to question the men during times of public worship. This was causing a real problem in the church, as were the tendencies of ALL to use their spiritual gifts, given to them by God, for their own benefit and notoriety.

Paul is making a request that these women in Corinth not flaunt their Christian freedom during worship. His purpose was not to humiliate or anger the women. He wanted to promote unity amongst the congregation.

In no way was this to indicate a prejudice against women. It is clear that God gives women the gifts of intellect, leadership, and many other spiritual gifts.

So, I guess the moral of the story is ... we should all know we are valued as women of God. We should understand that we possess many unique qualities and gifts that will do much to further the Kingdom of God, and He intends for us to be mighty and strong witnesses for him ... in our homes, with family and friends, in our workplace, community, and churches.

However, even if we are the "chatterbox" type, there really is a time for keeping silent. The trick is to have the wisdom to know when.

Les Misery (Sneers and Smiles)

One Year Bible (Aug. 22)

Job 4:1-7:21

“LES MISERY” (Sneers & Smiles)

Who doesn’t love a great Broadway play? You get all dressed up, enjoy fine dining, and join with family and friends to be “moved” by the characters, plot, conflict, action, and finally their resolution. The curtain raises, the orchestra plays, and the angst in the music carries us away… A great musical production is truly breathtaking!

Then comes the moment that LITERALLY takes your breath away!

There comes that surreal moment where time just seems to stand still. You have just been given an unsolicited, undesired LEADING ROLE in a play called “LES MISERY”...

What is at stake? Your entire life and destiny.

What did you learn about Job in your reading yesterday?

What has he done wrong that all TEN of his children were all killed in ONE DAY at the VERY SAME TIME? NOTHING! NOTHING!

Two different groups of enemies came and slaughtered them, and “NATURAL (UNNATURAL) DISASTERS came and wiped everything out! (Except for his lovely wife, he still has her!) Am I using IRONY or SARCASM? I will let you reread to figure that out.

Have you ever asked God, “Why is this happening?”

“What have I done wrong?” “Why me?”

“If God were not my friend, Satan would not be so much my enemy.” (Thomas Brooks)

This quote was 100% true of Job. He was righteous and blameless, before God. In fact, God said, “Have you seen my servant Job?”

What have you learned about Satan?

The Bible tells us that he is the adversary of God and the people of God. He is filled with hate, and so he makes “ACCUSATIONS”.

Look at Job. He only serves you, God, because he is a “Pampered Poodle”. Give him a good grooming and he will curse your name.

In Scene One, we see that Satan is ALLOWED by God to test Job!

He leaves God’s presence and immediately takes away everything that Job holds dear (Except his wife, Hmmmm…Dramatic Pause.).

Job’s life is destroyed and completely decimated! Nothing will EVER be the same again! He has LOST IT ALL…Or has he?

How does Job land after the air is knocked out of him and the ground below him shakes?

Remember Satan’s accusation to God against Job? Even after all of this, there is only ONE BEING Cursing God and that is Satan.

What does Job do? He arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head. This means that he GRIEVED in every way. To shave his head meant that “his glory had departed.”

Then, what does he say, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Through all this Job did not sin nor did he BLAME God.” (1:20-22)

Scene Two begins with Satan returning to speak to God in the heavens. Yes, Satan is definitely the one cursing as he goes back into God’s presence again.

Now, he wants to personally bring harm to Job's body but needs God’s permission to do this.

God is confident in his servant, Job. The question is not, “What did Job do wrong?” It is, “What did Job do right?” Satan accuses this man again and immediately leaves God’s presence and brings sickness (Skin for Skin), and boils to Job from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.

I have heard this story many times but missed the magnitude of it… Perhaps, you did as well.

Did you know that he stayed in this condition for months and that this condition caused Job to be rejected, isolated, and relocated to the city dump where he sat in rubbish, garbage, and human excrement?

When things couldn’t “go any lower” his wife approached him…

What was his response when his lovely wife asked him to “just curse God and die”?

Basically, this time he sang the ENTIRE SONG of “Blessed Be Your Name” with all verses and the chorus. The orchestra is playing and the praise is rising, but spirits are not… He is now surrounded by three of his dear friends… but they aren’t really being “that dear"!

What have you learned about Job and each of his three friends as you are reading their conversation about his “Les Misery”?

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments below.

Although Job has lost his family, possessions, wealth, his wife’s support, and now his own health, he persists that God has the right to give and to take away.

He reminds us that we need to realize that life is merely “ON LOAN” … Once again, only Satan (and perhaps Job’s wife) is CURSING.

As for Job, he is singing… “You give and take away, Blessed be the name of the Lord”… The sound of praise is irritating Satan's ears.

The Father is proud of this righteous son that even the “Prince of this World” can not bend or break.

Instead, Job Blesses…The curtain goes down on another day of excruciating suffering in Job’s “Les Misery”.

Satan SNEERS and God SMILES…

“Through ALL OF THIS Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” (Job 2: 21-22)

Prophecy Defined

1 CORINTHIANS 14: 1-17

(August 21)

Did you know that the word "prophecy" is found more than 25 times in the New Testament? Of those 25 times, 11 were used by Paul in 1 Corinthians. A word used that often must be pretty important, don't you think?

What exactly IS prophecy? According to my bible definition it is speaking a divine message as directed by the Spirit of God. It might be an ethical message, designed to comfort exhort, or teach. Or it could be a message that reveals supernatural knowledge about a particular situation.

We find an example of this in Matthew 26:68 when Jesus is taken captive and led away to Caiaphas the high priest. The chief priests, elders, and the council had all been looking for something to use as a reason for killing Jesus, but they found nothing. Caiaphas kept asking Jesus questions, trying to entice him to say something that would be enough. He accused Jesus of blasphemy and those around him spat on Jesus and beat him. While they did so, they taunted him, saying, "Prophesy to us. Who is the one who struck You?" They were trying to get Jesus to reveal his supernatural power, but we all know that Jesus did not comply.

Prophecy is also used to point to the future. It is Spirit-inspired speech, not the mumbo jumbo we find at palm readings, or with tarot card readers.

The Corinthians didn't see prophesy as something more important than speaking in tongues. To them, speaking in tongues was the most important gift. So, Paul had to set them straight on a few things.

What good is it to speak in tongues if there is no one who can decipher your message? That gift was limited to the surroundings. Prophecy, on the other hand, was something that all could understand. It was the greater gift because it served ALL the people. Paul reminded them that if they wanted to be GREAT in the kingdom, they had to be of service. So why not seek out those who could serve the whole body of Christ rather than those who benefitted themselves more than others?

Paul reminded them that there were many languages in the world, but what good were they to you if you didn't understand them? They were cautioned to spend less time being excited about the spiritual gift, and more time being aware of how that gift edified the church. That was where their excellence should come from.

What about us? Do we put the focus on what WE can accomplish with our spiritual gifts? Or are we more concerned with what GOD can do through us when we use those gifts for edification?

When I think of people like Billy Graham, who served God wholeheartedly and used his gifts for God to be glorified, I wonder ... what would our world be like if we ALL acted that way? Wouldn't it be beautiful? Wouldn't God be pleased?

Maybe we should be mindful to take Paul's advice to the Corinthians. And put the focus on giving God the glory for the gifts he gives us.

And if by chance, your gift is the gift of prophecy, what an amazing opportunity you have to let the Holy Spirit speak through you to someone who desperately needs to hear the message of God.

Les Misery (Waiting in the Dark)

One Year Bible (Aug. 21)

Job 1:1-3:26

“Les Misery” (Waiting in the Dark)

“Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.”

(Romans 15:4 MSG)

Perhaps you have heard the saying, “She has the patience of Job.” As we study this book together, I think we will find that Job doesn’t really have much patience at all. This book isn’t about patience. It is about ENDURANCE in spite of incredible suffering and unspeakable grief!

Who wants to study or teach this book? Not me, I assure you! This man went through a living hell…Thus, our title, “Les Misery”.

Although, none of us would rush to study this book as one of our top 10 books of the Bible, people who are in pain turn to the Psalms, and those with questions about suffering that completely overwhelm their soul turn to the book of Job.

C.S. Lewis was a man who struggled to understand “The Problem of Pain” with the tragedy of losing his wife, Joy, to cancer. Her death tested the faith of the famous Chronicles of Narnia author and apologist. While struggling with the “Silence” of God in “Suffering”, he also realized its deeper purpose.

Listen to his profound words, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

This is indeed an oxymoron (a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms work together.) How can a God who is often “Silent” during our pain, use this suffering to “Shout” to a doubting world? This, my friends, is the premise behind this entire book. It is filled with mystery, misery, and majesty.

Romans 15:4 reminds us that it is written for us TODAY! We need it now as much as ever! If you are not presently suffering or dealing with someone who is, just wait a bit…Will we receive the true message of God that our life’s calling is to praise and bless God in All situations? This includes the intolerable, unsurmountable, and unexplainable journeys through the valley of the shadow of death.

The book of Job is one of the POETRY BOOKS of the Bible. To understand this book we need to understand what this means. Note that chapters 3-42:6 are mostly based on Hebrew poetry (which means they use three different devices).

The FIRST LITERARY DEVICE is PARALLELISM. This is when the second half of the very repeats the thought of the first half of the verse in different words. This is helpful to know because the second wording helps us to better understand the meaning of the first.

The SECOND LITERARY DEVICE is the METAPHOR or picture language.

The THIRD LITERARY DEVICE is IRONY--saying the opposite.

In case you are wondering about the difference between IRONY and SARCASM, there is a relationship. Both use the opposite to communicate a message but SARCASM is directed at a person with the intent to criticize.

The book of Job does not use the regular meter or rhyme like the poetry in the Psalms. In understanding this book it is helpful to think of it in terms of a “DRAMA” or play on stage.

This book is interesting because the curtain does not actually rise until the fifth verse. In other words, we as the audience are made aware of the verbal transaction that happens in the heavens in the presence of the angels, but Job is totally unaware of ANY of this background. Instead, Job is kept “Waiting In the Dark”.

Before the curtain rises and we are ushered into this great human drama, I want to shed light on one more critical aspect for you. We need to be very careful to not take verses “out of context”. This is like a play and everything that Job’s friends express is not always true or accurate. Job’s thoughts and feelings vacillate as well.

We will need to wait for God to speak to know the TRUTH…

I will be using the Inductive Bible Study strategy as I share with you about this book, and I encourage you to join me in implementing this method of learning. As you read, list the things you learn about Satan, God, Job, and each of his friends.

Then from Job 4-42 observe what the text says about: Man, Satan, and God. What does God expect and or not expect with nature, sin, righteousness, physical death, and pain?

Behind the scenes in verses 1-5, what did you learn about Satan and his involvement in man’s suffering? What thoughts and questions do you have?

Secondly, what have you learned about Job? What did God say about him and see in Job?

I would love to read your comments on these questions…

I told you before that I was never excited to study or teach the book of Job. However, my life has been “Refined through the Crucible of Suffering” in the last few years, and my priorities for “playing it safe” have been rearranged due to this upheaval. I am now hungry to read and dive deep into this book because when all is said and done for me I want to be able to say…

“Blessed Be your name on the land marked with suffering. Though there’s pain in the offering. Blessed be Your name.” (Blessed Be Your Name, Matt Redmon).

Tomorrow, the curtains will rise, and we will face our “Les Misery” up front and personal on center stage… Are you ready to Bless His Name even when you are “Waiting in the Dark”?

Defining Love

1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 - 13:13

(August 20)

Do you consider yourself a "gifted" person? Perhaps you are really crafty, or a good cook. Maybe you like to sew or crochet. You might be one of those strange beings who have all of those magnificent Pinterest boards of things you have done in your home. Or you are excellent when it comes to flower beds or gardening.

Each of us have our "thing" that we excel at. Hopefully it is something positive that inspires you and brings you joy. I have known people whose "thing" was gossip, manipulation, or control. Those things are not so pleasant when on the receiving end.

Along with those gifts, we also receive spiritual gifts. The spiritual gifts we receive are the things God has purposely given us for the advancement of his kingdom. Have you recognized your spiritual gift yet? If you have ... GREAT! If not, I am including a link where you can go and take an assessment.

https://www.spiritualgiftsassessment.org/quiz....

In today's portion of 1 Corinthians, Paul is describing some of those spiritual gifts to the believers of the church in Corinth. He notes such gifts as being apostles, being prophets, teaching, doing miracles, having the gift of healing, helping others, being a good leader, and the gift of tongues.

What is the gift of tongues? In this chapter, Paul is speaking about the ecstatic utterances of those who have the gift. But there are some very specific requirements for the gift of tongues. We will get into that in more detail in the very near future.

Paul urges the believers to pray on and recognize their gifts. But he also warns them that the gift alone is not enough to mean anything in the Kingdom of God.

No matter which gift you have, if you don't have love ... the essential element for everything ... then your gift is useless. The type of biblical love Paul is speaking about IS NOT envious, nor proud, nor self-centered, nor rude or provoking. This typed of love IS patient and kind, persevering, and hopeful.

All the other gifts may become useless, but love is the one thing that will last forever. What we see now, we see as children.

I remember as a child, there was a ditch that ran around the house I lived in when I was about five. This ditch was deep and scary. A couple of times my brother pushed me, and I fell down the ditch bank. I remember holding on to the weeds along the side of the hill and pulling myself up.

A few years ago, I was giving my sister-in-law the "tour" of my hometown. I took her to that house, which now sat empty and forlorn. I told her, "Come check out this ditch. I was so scared of this as a little girl."

We walked over to the far edge of the yard, and I peered down the side. I immediately busted out in laughter. That "ditch" was all of two feet deep, and about as scary as a sweet old grandmother. You see, my perception as a child was very different from my perception as an adult.

Paul is telling us that the way we see things now (on earth) is childlike. But it will all make sense when we get to Heaven. And while most things will disappear, faith, hope, and LOVE will remain forever.

For Such a Time as This: The People’s Princess

One Year Bible (Aug. 20)

Esther 8:1-10:3 (Part Three)

“The People’s Princess"

“Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can”…” Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” ….I’d like to be a queen in people’s hearts.”

(Famous Quotes of Princess Diana)

Princess Diana brought a new admiration to the monarchy. Her short-lived life ended in utter tragedy. She was surrounded by wealth and ease but her soul was empty and filled with tumult. Yet, she will forever be remembered for her beauty, smile, and grace.

Today we look at another woman born to royalty who was truly “The People’s Princess”.

Perhaps, you may be thinking, “Isn’t she a Queen and not a Princess”?

She was the daughter of the MOST HIGH KING and through HIS PROVIDENCE she “Was Born for Such a Time As This”.

Providence means Pro-” Before”-Video--” I see”. We see a “snapshot”, but God sees the entire video from beginning to end. God saw in advance what the people “would do” and “not do” and as a covenant-keeping God. We see that Esther was “The People’s Princess” because her rise to the throne was for the very purpose of saving the Jewish nation from genocide.

So, now let’s go back in the story and look at the providential hand of God at work as what was “HIDDEN” is now being “REVEALED”.

First, remember how Mordecai warned his cousin, Queen Esther, of the assassination threat to the King’s life? The attempt was stopped and the King knew that he could put his trust in Esther. However, nothing was done to recognize or even thank Mordecai. That fact remained hidden…

Next, Mordecai warns Esther because God had placed him in a position to have “inside information” and contact with where Esther was kept. She had found favor in the king’s eyes but she had not been called in to see the king for the last thirty days. (4:11) Because of Mordecai’s words, she now knows of the threat to her people and responds to the call to take a stand “For Such A Time As This”.

How does she take this stand? She fasts and prays along with Mordecai and all of the Jewish believers of Susa for THREE DAYS… When we fast it is an invitation for the INVISIBLE to be made VISIBLE!

Why did Queen Esther say these famous words? “If I perish. I perish”. (4:16)

Although she was “The Queen” she had no right to approach this earthly king except for what he gave her.

Secondly, the king did not know she was Jewish.

Thirdly, Haman had made an irreversible edict to annihilate the Jews with the King’s official seal. It was irrevocable.

This sure looks like Checkmate through human eyes, but they are now FASTING and PRAYING to the God who seems INVISIBLE and HIDDEN.

After Fasting and praying, Esther appears in the courtyard without a summons from the king, because she has a higher summons from the KING OF KINGS.

The king receives her and accepts her invitation to come to a banquet with Haman as her guest.

Indeed it seems strange to us that while Haman is actually building a gallows to hang Mordecai on, Esther says and does NOTHING but invite them to a second banquet. It is apparent that she is NOT doing ANYTHING of her own strength.

Haman is “Feelin’ Fine! Mighty Fine”... And it is time for

"MORE WINE… Mighty Fine WINE!”

In that very moment, everything begins to unravel… the HIDDEN is REVEALED...

You see, the king had insomnia the night before the second banquet and could not sleep. He read the books with the report about Mordecai saving his life. He then asks Haman how to honor a man that is a hero, and of course, Haman has himself in mind.

Before you know it, Mordecai is being dressed in royal clothes and led through the city square on a horse. If that wasn’t bad enough, his walk of SHAME now turns into a walk of PAIN!

The King finds out that Esther and Mordecai are Jewish and that Haman has plotted to kill all of their people. Mordecai's intended gallows become Haman’s hanging and Mordecai becomes second in power in the entire land.

I guess you could say that Esther’s FEAST “Turned the TABLES” because the INVISIBLE guest had been invited through PRAYER and FASTING.

The DEATH VERDICT became their DELIVERANCE and that is why the Jewish still celebrate the holy day of “PURIM” even today.

“PUR” (9:26) is the word for the “Rolling of Dice” that Haman used to determine their day of extinction. Haman may have “CAST the DICE” but Sovereign God always “CASTS the FUTURE.

“The People’s Princess” put her life, faith, and trust in God's PROVIDENTIAL HAND!!

We All Hold a Piece of the Puzzle

1 CORINTHIANS 12: 1-26

(August 19)

My family loves to put puzzles together as a family activity. We will sit for hours together, trying to beat each other in how many pieces we can assemble. Of course, the outside edge goes a lot quicker, but when you get to the inner parts, it can get tough. Especially those 1500-piece puzzles. Oh, they make me crazy!

A few years back, we were working on a puzzle that size. It was intricate and really hard to piece together. Days turned into weeks, turned into months that we worked on that thing.

We finally got close to the finish line. There were just a few empty spots in the picture. You can imagine how we felt when we realized there was a piece missing. We looked everywhere, but never could find that piece.

The puzzle was as finished as we could get it, but it just didn't work. A picture is not good with a gaping hole in it. It doesn't serve its purpose well.

That is how we are as believers. Each of us who have been baptized in the name of Jesus have received the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit gives us all spiritual gifts. Our gifts are not all the same. They are different according to the purpose God has placed on our lives.

While they are all different, when they come together in unity, they make a beautiful picture. But when a gift is missing, the picture is ruined.

Paul likens it to a body. Our gifts are the "body parts". Don't we notice if a part of our body is missing? Or what if our foot wanted to be a hand, and our hand wanted to be an ear? It would all be mass confusion. That is why our gifts come from the Holy Spirit, decided before we are born, to be used for his purpose, and to be used in unity as one body.

In verse 13, Paul says, "Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit."

What he is trying to say is that the church is made up of many different types of people from different backgrounds, with many various gifts.

In Corinth, the believers were letting these differences divide them, which is the opposite of God's plan. Despite our differences, we all have one thing in common ... we all have the Holy Spirit living within us, which is the supplier of our gifts. This is where unity in the church is found.

When someone in the church has a special gift, there may be someone else who doesn't recognize or care for their own gift but wants the one that person has. They resent the person for having what they want, and strife and dissention begin. Instead of focusing on what God has given them, their focus goes toward that which they do not have. Discontent rears its ugly head and unity is broken.

It is important to remember that we are all individuals with different origins and unique gifts. But because of our baptism and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are on in Christ. When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence and we are born into the family of God.

We all know there is nothing worse than a family full of dissension and strife. So, our goal should be to know and utilize the gifts we have received, working together as one to accomplish what God has planned.

Knowing we all hold a piece of the puzzle is the first step to completing that puzzle, with no missing pieces.

For Such a Time as This: The Sovereign’s Sovereign

One Year Bible (Aug. 19)

Esther 4:1-7:10

The Sovereign’s Sovereign

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will DIE. Who knows if perhaps you were MADE QUEEN, For Such a Time as This…” (Esther 4:14)

“Sovereign” means “supreme ruler with ultimate power”. Today’s message is filled with different people vying for superiority or power. There is an underlying tension of plots, plans, pretense, and providence at play…

We cannot begin to see what is “REVEALED” until we first look at what is “HIDDEN”.

First, we see a HIDDEN SOVEREIGNTY. Throughout the entire book of Esther, the name of God is NEVER mentioned even once, making the book of Esther unique as it is the ONLY biblical book to not mention God. Why do you think this is so?

Secondly, there is a HIDDEN NATIONALITY. Queen Esther’s heritage, history, true identity, and Jewish name is hidden at the advice of her guardian and cousin, Mordecai.

“Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so. Every day Mordecai would take a walk near the harem's courtyard to find out about Esther and what was happening to her.” (2:10-11)

“Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home.” (2:20)

Her name was changed to the Persian name Esther. She was kept in solitude and confinement in a Harem. No one was to know she was Jewish which means that this would affect her kosher diet, worship, and more than that, her purity. She was given over to an ungodly Gentile. We can be certain this would give ALL Jewish people pause.

Thirdly, there is a HIDDEN AGENDA. Haman, the man behind the plot to destroy the Jewish people in the book of Esther was a direct descendant of King Agag an Amalekite. How is this significant to the safety of the Jewish people? Listen to the warning given about them…

“Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. DO NOT FORGET!” (Deuteronomy 25: 17-19)

Did the Israelites remember God’s warning to them? We see that Saul, son of Kish, is the “second hidden” king in this story. In I Samuel 15 we read where Saul ignored the strict instructions of God from Samuel and allowed King Agag’s lineage to continue.

Here is our next hidden fact… Mordecai, a Jew, was a descendant of Kish and he is not about to bow in worship to the enemy of God, an Amalekite. You see, even before Haman made his threat to exterminate all the Jewish people, the seed of hatred was there smoldering hidden below the surface.

The anti-Semitic spirit had been embraced, it seems, through Queen Vashti, and now would rear its ugly head through Haman.

As you can now see, this is a multi-layered story of secrets and surprises where names are not mentioned, but the underlying real hidden enemy was Satan. This was another attempt to wipe out Israel and prevent the Messiah from being brought through the promised lineage of Israel.

Lastly, there is a HIDDEN REQUEST. Does it seem a little strange that Queen Esther would invite Haman, the enemy of her people to a banquet after THREE DAYS of PRAYER and FASTING, and then she does NOTHING? She just invites him to come back for another banquet. This certainly seems odd. Yet, there is a plan that is HIDDEN from HUMAN EYES.

How in the world is a little Jewish girl, named Hadassah chosen as the Queen of Persia?

She is obscure with a hidden identity, nationality, and name. We see that she gained the goodwill of the chief eunuch, “Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments.” (2:9)

(I wonder if he ordered her Jewish menu for her… Hmmm) “Her sweet and amiable appearance made her a favorite with all who looked upon her.” (2:15)

“And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.” (2:17)

In summary, a HIDDEN GOD uses a HIDDEN IDENTITY to stop a HIDDEN AGENDA and honors a HIDDEN REQUEST!

God’s name may be HIDDEN in this book, but his fingerprints are all over this story!

How does Esther go from “Harem to Heroine”?

In the midst of all the “HIDDEN EVIL”, God REVEALED his plan through a young Jewish girl whom HE indeed “MADE QUEEN”.….

She was “The Sovereign’s Sovereign”!

“Who knows if perhaps you were MADE QUEEN, For Such a Time as This…” (Esther 4:14)

Take a Good Look at Yourself

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34

(August 18)

Self-examination is not always a pleasant thing. Often, we are faced with shortcomings that we would much prefer to pretend did not exist. Many will do anything to not have to admit their faults, or what they have done against someone else. Excuses are made, justifications are spoken, and nothing gets resolved in the eyes of God.

My motto for life is simple ... "If you have to JUSTIFY an action or words spoken, then you probably shouldn't be doing or saying it." This keeps me out of trouble. (At least a little bit.)

Paul speaks to the believers of the church in Corinth today about the way they are gathering to partake of the Lord's Supper. He is not pleased with their actions and refuses to praise them.

The Lord's Supper was first held when Jesus called his disciples together on the night of the Passover meal. (Luke 22: 13-20) Previously the Passover had celebrated the Israelites' freedom from Egyptian slavery. The Lord's Supper celebrates deliverance from sin because of the death of Jesus. This celebration is an important part of Christian worship, and we can gain much spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit during this time.

If you recall, God was only approachable in the old covenant if you went through a priest and the process of sacrifice. But when Jesus took on our sins and died on the cross, this brought about a new covenant. Now individuals can approach God on their own and have their own intimate communication with him.

This new covenant completes the old one, fulfilling everything the old covenant looked forward to. Eating the bread and drinking the cup is a symbol of the remembrance of Christ's death for us and our sins, and a renewed commitment to serve him.

Paul had noticed that the Corinthians had taken this serious and important event in the Christian faith and turned it into a "party" of sorts. They showed little interest in the acts associated with the Lord's Supper. Instead, their focus was on dividing up into little cliques, ignoring those in need, and partying like it was 1999.

These social divisions, rich separated from poor, popular from unpopular, were offenses against the body of Christ. They contradicted the purpose of Jesus' sacrifice as well as the spirit in which it was made.

We are supposed to approach Jesus with clean hearts, devoid of any offenses, resentments, or sins. It is a serious time of repentance and forgiveness.

But when all you can think of is the good time, and you don't invite everyone to the party, you stand in offense to Jesus. Paul urged the believers to examine themselves, to take a good look at their own shortcomings and repent before partaking of such a serious process as the Lord's Supper. To not do so would bring judgement upon yourself.

Basically, it is spelled out this way ... either YOU judge YOURSELF and turn away from the wickedness that you find, or God will judge you HIMSELF. I don't know about you, friends, but I would rather take a good look at myself and get rid of the yuck than have God make that judgement against me.

That sounds like a real party pooper!

For Such a Time as This: A Star is Born

One Year Bible (Aug. 18)

Esther 1:1-3:15

For Such a Time as This… A “Star” is Born

“Who knows if perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

“A dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep. In dreams, you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep.” (A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella)

Oh, the dreams of an innocent little girl… most of them are surrounded by being safe with their own family. It is there that they grow wings to fly… But, that would not be the case for Queen Esther. We know her by this title, but do you know her real name?

Her name is Hadassah, and she is a young Jewish girl being raised by her cousin, Mordecai. Hadassah is an ordinary girl called to an extraordinary life…The only problem is that she doesn’t know this yet! In fact, her name will be changed to Esther which means "STAR".

She will have to face losing her familiar home for the second time. She and her family were part of the Jewish people remaining in Babylon during the Rebuilding of Jerusalem. Only part of the exiled people went back to be part of this endeavor. Her parents have died and that left her with her cousin Mordecai who adopted and raised her. Listing her parents was strike one!

Next, comes strike two! She is now being taken out of her safe little home and is thrown into a “Harem”. Soon, she will be “groomed” for twelve months for “One Night With The King”.

Just in case, you have the Cinderella view of “One Night with the Prince” floating through your head and visions of pumpkins that turn into carriages, it is NOT that! It is far from that!

I have come to view the story of Hadassah through new eyes as a mama and nana. I have written the story of Queen Esther including fun plays for children, lessons, and other things, but I had never stopped to see this story through the eyes of Hadassah. That was her name, her lineage, her innocence…All of this was taken from her, and she had to keep it a “secret”, a heavy load to bear.

“In your dreams, you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep.”

Yet, these lyrics from the movie Cinderella don’t begin to describe the reality of Hadassah’s life.

Let me tell you the very brief story of Hadassah’s life in one phrase, “From Harem to Heroine”.

“As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the King’s harem and placed in Hegai’s care. Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly…” (2:8)

By the way, the definition of “harem” is a separate headquarters for concubines or multiple wives. They were kept behind a big wall.

What is a nice Jewish girl doing in a place like this?

King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes, (rhymes with Jerk-u-see) held a celebration for 180 days! Yes, it was a doozy with a lot of Boozy! Part of the entire process involved him making political allies and “raising his portfolio” in the world’s eyes.

When the king was “feelin’ fine and full of wine”, he summoned his Queen but “she got kind of mean”! Well, that is his view as “she refused to come, and he was furious and burned with anger.” (1:12)

The king consulted his “Brewery Buddies” who were also Infuriated and Inebriated and together they decided that “all men should rule in their household”. They signed it into law and Vashti was “forever banished” from the presence of King Xerxes.

What does this mean exactly? Did he mourn her loss or death some years later when they set out for a command “beauty pageant” to fill her Queenly shoes?

I decided to check out some Jewish history articles to see what their “take” was on this situation as I was feeling pretty bad for Queen VI and here is what I found…

Shabbat was the last day of their last seven-day feast in the King’s palace. King Vi was also having a feast. While Jews everywhere ceased their working and spent the day in prayer and study of the Torah, the wild vulgarity, debauchery, and revels filled the palace.

Queen Vashti’s grandfather was Nebuchadnezzar (as in fiery furnace) and her heart burned with vicious hate for the Jews. They say that she delighted in tormenting Jewish children. The Jewish teachings say that her response was like this, “Am I to be sent for like a common slave, a mere servant girl?”.

Jewish teachers say that she was executed for her rebelliousness and believe it was the penalty that she paid for the suffering that she inflicted upon the Jewish children on the holy day of Shabbat. It is very interesting to read about her from a Jewish perspective. However, the scripture passage in Esther does not tell us what happened to her except that she is banished.

How interesting that the first Queen hated the Jewish people, and that God has allowed a young Jewish woman to be taken to the Harem. It sure doesn’t seem that she belongs with a man like this, but God is bigger than the vilest person and his people need help.

Well, for Haddesah, it is now Strike Three as Queen Vi is OUT and King A is on the prowl for a new OWL... Who? Who? Who? would want to be with THIS GUY?

It certainly must seem like Strike three for her, but it is really time for the Almighty to take the plate...Yes, for Hadassah this time of degradation may have seemed like the darkest of times...

Yet, we will see how God takes a young Jewish girl who is renamed Esther, meaning "STAR" from "HAREM TO HEROINE".

For Such a Time as This… A “STAR” IS BORN!

To Wear or Not To Wear

1 CORINTHIANS 11:1-16

(August 17)

I love hats. I have several cute ball caps. Some even have a special place in the back for my ponytail. I have wide-rimmed sun hats in various colors. I especially love the Fall colors. Just recently, I bought a beautiful striped straw hat. Not sure what I will wear it with, but it was too cute to pass up.

I once wore one of my wide-rimmed black hats to a Fall festival at First Christian Church. Pastor Ed told me my hat looked like an outlaw. Hmmm... that wasn't the look I was going for.

As much as I love these hats, I also have trouble wearing them as often as I could. I have outfits they would look really cute with, but some days I lack the self-confidence to just put in on and go. I second guess myself. "Maybe everyone will think I look ridiculous." "Maybe I will stick out like a sore thumb." (Who came up with that anyways? I never look at people's thumbs!)

Paul had a few things to say about head coverings. (No, they did not have my lovely wide-brimmed hats in those days.). There was much discussion over the length of hair that was acceptable and whether or not a woman should wear a head covering when praying.

There are many cultures where long hair on a man is appropriate. (Like my toddler grandson's man bun.) But Paul is speaking specifically about Corinth and the culture that existed there.

Long hair on a man was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples. On the flip side of that, if you were a woman and you had SHORT hair, you were considered a prostitute.

In the Corinthian culture, the Christian women kept their hair long and wore a covering over their head while praying in respect to their place beneath the man and God. Any Christian woman with short hair would have a really hard time being a believable witness for Christ in that culture.

To wear or not to wear ... that is what the women of Corinth had to decide. To go with the flow and do the expected would help them be an example to others. To live on the wild side and cut those locks, and to pray without a head covering, would bring shame to them and most likely a bad reputation.

To wear or not to wear ... that is for me to decide. Should I include one of my stylish hats in my next outfit? Or will I stick out like that unseen sore thumb? It all depends on what I am wearing and where I am going. What is the climate and culture? What is the norm?

Oh well, I've never been normal anyways!! At least my hair is on the longer side! WHEW!! THAT'S a relief!!

Chain Break

One Year Bible (Aug. 17)

Nehemiah: 12:27-13:31

CHAIN BREAK

Can you imagine driving down the road and gazing out your window to see men wearing striped uniforms who were all chained together? They were called “Chain Gangs” which is another word for slavery. They were incarcerated and forced to do hard labor. Another name for them was “Convict Labor”. This was a common sight along southern roadways in the early 1900s. A Georgia folk saying went, “Bad boys make good roads”.

The chains of slavery leave harsh stains on society, on families, and on the human heart.

Our society seems to think that erasing it from our monuments and history will erase this dark blot or stain on our nation’s history, but it won’t. We actually need to REMEMBER.

Slavery always leads to more slavery when we forget what got us there in the first place!

As we conclude the book of Nehemiah today, we need to remember the uniting message of the books we have been studying, “God’s people are called to ‘LIVE A LIFE OF FREEDOM’.”

Sin leads to SLAVERY and obeying God’s covenant leads to FREEDOM.

The EXILED Judeans in Babylon were in essence “A CHAIN GANG”. They were all CHAINED or LINKED together as one group because of their NATION’S SIN.

God RESCUED them by sending people such as Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Their Temple, Walls, and Spiritual heritage as God’s people were RESTORED.

“My chains are gone. I’ve been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me and like a flood His mercy reigns. Unending love. Amazing grace.” --Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

This Exiled people could have sung this song with more fervor than we can begin to imagine! They had experienced Amazing Grace. They knew the pain of chains, bondage, and incarceration. Yet, God had rolled their debt away to be paid by another…

Would they choose to CELEBRATE THEIR FREEDOM” or once again “CHERISH THEIR SIN?

FREE FROM SLAVERY.

Even after all the rebuilding and reteaching, there were some who were drawn to the MISTAKE that got them in the MESS, to begin with. Solomon built the lovely opulent temple, but then he filled the palace with pagan wives that drew him away from God. He was good at “building”

but he began “building pagan idols” for his wives. This practice of inter-marrying had been passed down and it would lead them again into the very same sin and resulting captivity.

Free men are “Set-Apart” from sin. They can’t live in bondage to sin and be FREE to WORSHIP God. They were to be HOLY like God or “PURE”.

Have you noticed how many times in our readings it asked the people to be “PURIFIED” before they could present their burnt offerings and sacrifices to God? What does this mean and entail?

FREE FROM SIN. The Hebrew Bible requires “immersion of the body in water as a means of purification”. Scripture follows this theme repeatedly as we see a bride “Purified” for her husband. The bride was to do washing, cleansing, and immersion of her body for purification. We then see the baptism of John and the followers of Jesus being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit. The person that was “Purified” would “Shine” or “GLOW”.

Look at how God had preordained to provide for HIS people in every way. This is why HE now asked them to reinstitute the celebrations such as The Feast of Tabernacle (a Memorial of the redemption of Israel). The people would celebrate to remember how their RESCUER had set them free from their captivity. They were now to REJOICE in their FREEDOM.

FREE TO SERVE. In our final passage, we see a catastrophic compromise in the Temple.

Ezra returns back to Jerusalem and finds out that Eliashib had done evil by providing Tobiah, his relative, a room in the courtyards of the Temple. Nehemiah wouldn’t even let Tobiah help build the wall, but now he is inside the Temple and has thwarted the work of giving and storing tithes and grains. This room was now empty! Malachi 1: 6-14 warns us as believers of what happens when we are disrespecting God and using the house of God for unholy purposes!

Perhaps we may think that Ezra’s response to this man was rather harsh, but I think this book ends with a very important warning for God’s people. The warning is this, “Remember where you came from… Slavery. Remember who you are now, Free People!”

In one generation we can quickly slip from FREEDOM into CHAINS. We are all linked together and God does not bless a people, a nation, or a church that is CHAINED together in SIN.

May we remember the message learned from the people of EXILE. Who would ever want to experience the JOY of FREEDOM and walk back into the CHAINS of DESPAIR?

Today is the day of freedom for each of us. We are FREE FROM SIN, FREE FROM SLAVERY, and FREE TO SERVE.

Are you ready for a “CHAIN BREAK”?

“So, come and be chainless. Come and be fearless. Come to the foot of Calvary. There is redemption. For every affliction. Here at the foot of Calvary.” (Rescuer by Rend Collective)

Who Do You Idolize?

1 CORINTHIANS 10: 14-33

(August 16)

I love watching shows like The Voice and American Idol. I love the competition, the back stories of the contestants, and the song choices.

The whole premise of either show is for fans to fall in love with a certain contestant, vote for them throughout the competition, and hope that they end up the winner.

In other words, we are to fixate on our favorite contestant (or coach, in my case...TEAM BLAKE!) for the duration of the season, putting them on a "pedestal" as our favorite. Another word for favorite ... IDOL. (Hence the name American Idol... wink!)

Maybe you don't watch those shows. Maybe you fixate your time and thoughts on a particular family member or friend. Or maybe you are like my mom...she is still sure she will run into Elvis at a local fast-food joint someday.

This was going on to a much more serious degree during the time of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He was truly concerned about it. He warned them time and time again and gave them the freedom to choose to believe him. Paul considered them to be reasonable people, and he also considered them to be "one body" with him as fellow believers.

The Jews and Christians also believed they would find unity and fellowship with God through the eating of a sacrifice. In Old Testament days, eating some of the sacrifice you were offering for your sins was a way to restore your unity with God.

In Paul's day, Christians participated in Christ's one-for-all sacrifice when they ate of the bread and drank from the cup, symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus.

The message Paul is giving them is that you have to choose ... God or idols. You can't drink from the cup of both or eat at the Lord's table and with demons. Even though you may think you are "allowed" to do things, that doesn't mean you actually should or that it will benefit you.

Paul's suggestion is that the believers are not concerned about themselves, but about others. They should have no fear of eating with an unbeliever, as to not hurt their feelings. There are no limitations on what we can eat, as long as that, and all we do are done to the glory of God. And as long as our actions don't cause another to stumble.

When we choose to do what is best for others instead of ourselves, we open the door for others to see our kindness and to be saved.

Saved...just like our favorite contestant might get saved and go on to the next round of competition. That's exciting stuff! But not as exciting as a life with Jesus!

Grow and Glow

“This night could use a little brightnin’. Light up you little ol’ bug of lightnin’. When you gotta glow, you gotta glow. Glow little glow-worm, GLOW.” (The Glow Worm, Johnny Mercer)

Have you been hearing this little song in your head since yesterday? Sorry, not sorry!

Do you remember the words for GLOW? … God. Listen. Obedience. Wisdom.

I hope that it not only plays over in our HEADS, but it gets into our HEARTS.

By the way, did you know that INCHWORMS grow into a MOTH?

What good is a MOTH you might also wonder?

They are “important pollinators that are active after DARK; they help with seed production”.

Seed Production? Well, that is interesting. What does the Bible say about that, I wonder...

“Now the parable is this, the seed is the WORD of GOD.” -Luke 8:11

Like the exiled people, even In our day and age with all of the technology available, there are many in the world who have never heard or had the GOOD NEWS explained to them.

So, how can they rejoice?

Also, how can we REJOICE in the midst of our trials, opposition, and hindrances?

How will people respond if the SEED is not PLANTED and WATERED?

The overriding theme of the Exiled People is found in Lamentation 3: 31-32, “For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though HE brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.” They are under discipline, but not deserted!

Out of God’s great love, he does not allow their discipline to remain in desolation. He has come to start a “NEW GROWTH” and he calls servants to plant, feed, and water HIS people again.

We are nearing the completion of the book of Nehemiah in tomorrow’s reading, and so we will be reflecting on this overall far-reaching theme found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

The book of Ezra shows us the Return of the exiles with Zerubbabel in chapters 1-6. The focus is on the REBUILDING of the TEMPLE. In Ezra 7-10 we see the second group of exiles returned with the leadership of Ezra. The focus is on the separation of the people to be “Set-Apart” as a holy nation. They were not to marry or “be one” with those who had detestable practices with idols. In Nehemiah, we saw the RECONSTRUCTION of the Wall (Chaps. 1-6) and the REINSTRUCTING of the PEOPLE in Chapters 7-13.

Zerubbabel means “descended of Babylon” which indicates that he was born in Babylon. He was called and undertook all the obstacles, hindrances, and trials involved with the building of the Temple. It is very notable that his name is mentioned in Matthew 1:12-17, Joseph, the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus came out of the lineage of Zerubbabel.

Have you ever wondered why in the world they would build the Temple before building The Wall to protect it? After all the Grand Temple built by Solomon had been ransacked, raided, and desecrated, why would they build again without a wall?

The Temple was the center of the entire nation and of their worship. Notice that even when Ezra set out to lead the people home he did not ask men to protect them. He instead turned to God to protect them. So, first, they started with Zerubbabel and the building of the Temple, but what good is the outside of the Temple without the changed hearts who will fill the temple?

This is why we see Ezra, who was an excellent scholar and scribe, coming in to teach the people the ways of God so that they could learn how to worship God in the temple.

Next, we see Nehemiah, who was apparently of the tribe of Judah. He was raised in exile and became prominent in the Persian Court as a cupbearer which was a position of great trust, honor, and influence. His brother had told him of the condition of Jerusalem and Judea and that it all lay in ruin, and he was convicted to undertake the task. The king saw the grief and burden that had changed his appearance and stepped in to help. God gave Nehemiah everything that he needed to rebuild the wall.

The final step was to reinstruct the people of God to BE the PEOPLE of God.

Until now, the walls were right, but the people were wrong. God never honors things until the people that are related to those things are made right in HIS sight.

God’s repeated process looks like this...READ. RECEIVE. REJOICE in the WORD.

The inchworm turns into the Moth, the moth plants the seed, the seed brings a harvest… In order to see a GREAT HARVEST, it’s time to GROW & GLOW!!

This night could use a little brightnin’. Light up you little ol’ bug of lightnin’. When you gotta glow, you gotta glow. Glow little glow-worm, GLOW.” (The Glow Worm, Johnny Mercer)