IF… THEN…

If-then statements are common. Parents use these statements frequently with their children. Employers utilize them with their employees. Teachers speak them to their students.

If-then statements are a conditional contract. One party lays out a challenge: If you [a person or party of people] do such and such to my satisfaction, then I will reward you in the following specific way.

The Bible is full of If-then statements!

I just ran across one in the opening verses of Deuteronomy 28.

If you [Israel is poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land] listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all His commandments that I command you today, [then – implied] GOD, your God will place you on high, above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God:

GOD”s blessing inside the city,

GOD’s blessing in the country;

GOD’s blessing on your children,

          the crops of your land,

          the young of your livestock

          the calves of your herds,

the lambs of your flocks.

GOD’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;

GOD’s blessing in your coming in,

GOD’s blessing in your going out.

 

GOD will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.

GOD will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; He’ll bless you in the land that GOD, your God, is giving you.

GOD will form you as a people holy to Him, just as He promised you, if you keep the commandments of GOD, your God, and live the way He has shown you.  [Deuteronomy 28:1-9  TM]

Do you need to read that again?

Notice that the If… part is very short and the Then… part is very long!

God is making a VERY GENEROUS offer to His chosen people!  All they have to do is:

1.   …listen obediently to the Voice of GOD, your God, and

2.   heartily obey all His commandments.

In case you haven’t read through the Old Testament and don’t know the end of the story, let me fill you in. 🙂

The Israelites falter on their commitment very quickly as they enter the Promised Land around 1405 BC. God is VERY PATIENT and long-suffering with them, giving them chance-after-chance to come in line with His desires for them. 

BUT, finally, God’s remarkable patience is exhausted. In 586 BC, the Temple is destroyed and the people are carried off into captivity for seventy years by the Babylonians!

Sorry! It’s not a happy ending! God gave them 819 years to get it together, but they never did for any sustainable period of time!

 

Even though many who read this blog are Gentiles, we have inherited the same offer from God!

Let’s look at just a few of the ‘If-then’ statements in our New Testaments:

If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, [then] I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, [then] you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

If the Son sets you free, [then] you will be free indeed.

– John 8:36

If we confess our sins, [then] He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

If anyone would come after Me, [then] he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. – Luke 9:23

If anyone is in Christ, [then] he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you do not forgive others their sins, [then] your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:15

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and [then] you will have treasure in heaven. – Matthew 19:21

 If I go and prepare a place for you, [then] I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. – John 14:3

If you’re anything like me, then you probably realize – after reading these verses – that you’re just about as rebellious as the Israelites were!

Now, gaining Heaven [our Promised Land] should be all the incentive we need, but if you need more, let’s review our initial verses.

If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all His commandments that I command you today, [then – implied] GOD, your God will place you on high, above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God:

 

This implies that if we heartily pursue a life that is pleasing to God, then those around us or who are connected to us will also be blessed!

 

 

Don’t you want this for your spouse, children, relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers and perhaps even the people you encounter throughout the course of any given day???

 

A CLOSING STORY

I was leading my first ‘full-time’ church in Harrison City, PA. I had just studied theology for three years at a noted seminary in Kentucky. Our first-born, Travis, was less than a year old. I was 23, and the average attendance on Sundays was around 40 people – mostly older in age.

I was trying hard to do everything that I had been taught: planning, preaching, visiting, praying, and so much more.

One day, I visited a man who had been connected to the church previously but had not attended recently. I had been informed that he was in the hospital and might appreciate a visit.

Although I don’t remember his name or other details, I learned something of significance by my repeated visits to talk with him.

I did not find him to be a friendly man; he seemed to have a permanent scowl on his face. But, I persisted in visiting him. We talked. I shared some scripture. He allowed me to pray with him.  I repeatedly asked God to heal him and renew him spiritually. He whispered that his roommate was a really spiritual man.  He overheard him praying at times and knew that he was often reading his Bible.  He didn’t seem offended at this; rather, he seemed curious about this man’s faith.

Then, one day, I walked in and found him smiling. He greeted me warmly – as though he was glad to see me. He invited me to sit down and then unraveled the following story for my benefit:

“Pastor, last night my roommate had a bunch of visitors that seemed to include his family and some church friends. They seemed to have a prayer meeting of sorts. Several of them prayed, and then – at one point – they all started praying at the same time!

[He continued] I couldn’t really zero in on any of their prayers, but I felt an unusual Presence as they prayed! I felt joyful for the first time in years!

Shortly after they all left, I rolled over to go to sleep. I woke up this morning feeling amazing! I don’t have any of the symptoms this morning that have been such a problem for the last three years! [With tears streaming down his face…] I think the Lord healed me while they were praying last night!

I immediately moved closer to his bed and took his hands in mine. We laughed and praised God together over what had happened! As a young pastor – I was so encouraged that God had honored my desire to see this man come to faith in Christ and - on-top-of-that - be healed!

When he was released, he began attending the church and was a fixture during my time there! 

___________________________________________

Do you get it?

Although my new friend had no meaningful communication with his roommate, he was healed as a result of being in the same room with a godly man!

Don’t you want to be this kind of person?

Don’t you want to be a joy-spreader?

Don’t you want people to get God’s blessing – simply by being in proximity to you?

Maybe you should take some time and reflect on this blog article.

Recommit yourself to being God’s man or woman! Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Reconnect with His Word! Revisit a church where you can make friends and find meaningful fellowship!

We live in a broken and infected world! People need the Lord! Our culture needs spiritual renewal!

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be

 

With God as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony

 

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow

 

To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

[Written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955]

ALL THIS FROM WATCHING A MOVIE?

Okay, I’m about to divulge a few of my secrets. Deb and I enjoy watching TV together almost every evening. We seek out clean, wholesome programming that doesn’t offend us and then tend to binge-watch until we’re caught up to current programming.

We also watch old movies that have proven the test of time.

We watch newer movies also, but select them very carefully. We’re not drawn to the improbable, unrealistic action movies that tend to mark this period.

One technique for finding good movies is to follow the career of an actor or actress that we have enjoyed in a movie. The hope is that if they made one good movie, perhaps they’ve made others.

I used this approach after watching a Christmas movie that we really enjoyed the other night [by the way, it’s early for us to be watching Christmas movies]. The movie that we watched and enjoyed was “A Kindhearted Christmas” [2021] starring Jennie Garth and Cameron Mathison. The plot was very low-key and believable. We were entranced as we watched. Both actors were admirable. It was a genuinely realistic ‘feel-good’ plot.

So – I looked to see other movies that Jennie had made. Lo and behold, there was an earlier movie [2013] that featured both Garth and Mathison: “Holidaze”. With high expectations, we started watching the movie full of hope. Within minutes she was in bed with a man and we faced our disappointment by quickly switching to something else!

But last night, I decided to try again and found another movie featuring Garth that was not a Christmas movie: “A Time To Dance” [2016]. What a powerful movie! I won’t divulge details – in case you want to view it – but it was an effective portrayal of a dynamic love story that had lost its glitter after twenty years. A couple that had made a lifelong commitment to each other finds themselves totally distracted and on the verge of a divorce that will shock everyone who knows them – including their two young adult kids!

Their pathway is painfully detailed as they try to protect their family from the awful reality of their failure in love! An extended period of pretending and the faithfulness of her father and a couple of trusted friends gives them the incentive to explore just what has happened to bring them to this point.

The answers are not easily found or faced! Pain is experienced – gut-wrenching pain! Disappointment and embarrassment are dealt with. Depression and disillusionment are experienced! Memories are explored. Confessions are made.  

This movie is believable! Untold couples have faced what is portrayed in this cinematic story! It is hope-restoring and offers excellent counsel while mapping a pathway to healing. I give this movie five Hal-‘stars’.

I made some personal determinations as a result of watching it that I will apply to my own marriage. Debbie and I have passed through a challenging four or five months due to her hip problems [and surgery]. Caring for her since mid-July has challenged each of us in different ways.

For example: every day I have to get down on my knees in front of her to put her socks on! A simple task that she cannot currently fulfill on her own! God is showing me that after a lifetime of serving me, it’s long overdue for me to serve her!

I’m also learning that I need to weigh my words before speaking them. I have resigned to an inactive period of my life, but she is deeply invested in the life of the church we attend. She is respected and appreciated there for her leadership and courage in a challenging season for the church. I could do more to facilitate her investment there.

All this – from watching a movie? Yep! If you keep your eyes and ears open, God will find a way to speak to you. He’s done it with me; He’ll do it with you, too! 

ONE SURPRISED PRIEST!

A remarkable incident occurs in Luke 17:11-19.

Most who are reading this blog will be somewhat familiar with the vignette; it is the most common text for Thanksgiving!  

Essentially, ten lepers encounter Jesus.  One is a Samaritan while the others are Jews.  Jews look down on Samaritans and consider them less than acceptable.  Samaritans were not even allowed to worship in the temple at Jerusalem!  These men call out to Jesus:  "Jesus, Master, show mercy to us!"  

It's important for us to recognize that these men were completely ostracized from society.  Most lived in leper camps.  Some wandered the country in hope of finding a cure or being healed.  They were not allowed to approach urban areas.  When they encountered others, they had to cup their hands to their mouth and cry out the warning: "Unclean!"  They lived miserable, lonely and humiliated lives!  

However, these men had heard about this Jesus!  Perhaps they had heard that He could heal lepers?  Maybe their lucky day had arrived?  

Upon asking Him for help, He gives them an odd instruction: "Go now and present yourselves to the priests for inspection of your disease." [v.14]

Nine of them left immediately and were cleansed as they went to find the priests.  The tenth stayed in Jesus’ presence continuing to seek his healing before going to find the priest.  This man was never healed from his leprosy because of his lack of obedience.

You're smiling, right?  You know this isn't the way the story went!  Instead, remarkably, the very next words in this story are:  "They went".  Does this surprise you?  What would you have done?  [That's actually a very good question!]

Reading on we find that as they were going, they were suddenly healed of their leprosy!  Imagine the joy as they looked at the clear faces of one another!  Their hands were whole!  Their skin was no longer chaffed and drying.  They must have surely celebrated and clapped their hands - even dancing for joy!  

But that's the last time we see this team of ten together!  Immediately after being healed, one broke away from the band of brothers.  He felt compelled to go back to Jesus and express his gratitude for this miraculous healing!  He fell down at Jesus' feet repeating his thankfulness.  By the way, this one man happened to be the one Samaritan; the least likely to return to Jesus!  

Jesus asked him: "Didn't all ten receive the same healing? Where are the other nine?"  Jesus observes that the one who was truly grateful was a Samaritan.  He tells the man to get up and go his way.  Jesus assures him: "Your faith has saved you."  

It's a wonderful story!  They were all healed, but the Samaritan received something significantly greater!  

__________________________

But I'd like to speculate about the nine who ran off to see the priests.  

The priests were apparently authorized to pronounce a person clean from leprosy!  Apparently some occasionally recovered from this dreadful disease and were able to be pronounced clean and return to their families!  How wonderful!  

But surely this priest must have been mystified by the arrival of nine Jewish men who had simultaneously been healed of their leprosy!  Isn't it likely that they stumbled over one another as they tried to report the story of the encounter with Jesus and the odd timing of the healing.  

Had this priest ever had multiple people come to him before claiming to be healed of leprosy?  

My childlike curiosity gets the best of me:

Did he seek out this Jesus to investigate this odd occurrence?

Did he marvel at what had happened?  Or was he too entrenched in the Pharisaic ways to make room for a divine miracle at the hands of a man from Galilee?  

Do you wonder about things like this when you read the scriptures?  

Wouldn't it be nice to have a biblical Paul Harvey to tell us 'the rest of the story' for a lot of these biblical encounters?  

It reminds us of John 21:25 (NIV),

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

This would be even more true if we knew the ripple effect of all of Jesus' teachings, healings and encounters!  

WE WANT TO SEE!!!!!!

Two men who live in a world of darkness.  Perhaps they sit together each day to beg.  They have bonded in their common need - blindness.  Do they comfort one another?  Do they share stories to pass the time?  Are they friends?  Do they pool their meager resources to end their day with a meal?  

They're fortunate to live in a warm climate where they have found a place that is reasonably safe to sleep and bathe occasionally.  No one looks at them.  They are invisible.  Passersby occasionally drop a few pennies into their cups.  No one is really generous with them.  Their presence along the heavily travelled road is a dirge.  People grow aggravated at their persistent calls for money.  

They produce feelings of guilt that plague the people.  Why can't they sit somewhere else?  Why don't the rulers do something about this pair?  

No one knows their stories.  Did they once see?  Why has their family abandoned them?  Their situation is hopeless!  No one really cares about them.  No one assigns any dignity to them.  Those who drop coins in their cup usually do so with disdain and not compassion.  Their constant crying out is annoying.  

But when you sit in a busy thoroughfare, you hear things.  These two blind men pick up tidbits of news and gossip throughout their day.  They are blind, but not deaf!  

What does one think about when you sit by the roadside day after day?  Ah, they think about miracles.  Perhaps today will be the day that someone will be gracious to them.  Perhaps today someone will be overtly generous with them.  Maybe this will be the day that they will be taken in and cared for.  Perhaps - but not likely.  It is the dream of hopelessness...

However, they have heard a name.  They've heard it repeatedly.  People speak of this name with excitement, amazement and wonder.  The name?  Jesus.  At first - when they heard His name - they were hopeful.  But then, they heard that He was from Nazareth.  The age-old saying lept to their minds:  "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  At first, they were disheartened.  But the stories about Him persisted.  Every day they heard of things He had done and people He had healed.  

When you live in a hopeless world, a dream is all you have.  Perhaps some day He will pass by on this busy way?  They've envisioned it a thousand times.  A kind man who stops to talk with them.  A compassionate man who cares.  An exception to the crowds who pass them by over and over.  

But their dreams are always interrupted by the rudeness of those who mock them.   Rough and rude men spit on them and toy with them by dropping stones into their cups or kicking dust in their faces.  How does one continue to live when despair rules the day - every day?  Something as simple as a cup of cold water would be such a blessing!  But not today.  Not ever.

Then, one day the traffic seems heavier.  There's excitement in the air.  People jostle and talk expectantly.  Children are part of the crowd today!  The men hear tidbits as the crowd grows thick and loud.  The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is far busier today than any other day.  Perhaps their cups will be filled today?  

That's when it happened.  The two homeless companions heard the name 'Jesus'.  Hope arose!  They struggled to get to their feet, only to be pushed down by the jostling crowd.  The crowd noise was becoming very loud.  

Realizing that this Jesus was nearby they began to cry out His name!  "Jesus!  Lord, have mercy on us!  Son of David!"  Though treated badly and hushed by the crowd, they persisted with as much volume as they could muster.  "Jesus!  Lord, have mercy on us!  Son of David!  Help us!" 

They would NOT be hushed!  All the good things they had overheard for months unleashed an urgency that would not be contained!

HE HEARD THEM!  He immediately came to where they sat!  He took them aside - probably protected by His disciples who kept the crowd at bay.  He spoke!  "What is it that you want, brothers?"  

Without hesitation and in perfect unison they responded: "LORD, WE WANT TO SEE."  

Though they didn't see it - He smiled!  He put His arms around these two men in an embrace of genuine caring.  Then, He touched their eyes - AND IMMEDIATELY THEY COULD SEE!  

Can you imagine their joy?  Did they dance?  Did they hug Him?  Did they look at each other in wonder?  Did these two long-time friends embrace for the first time as they saw the face that had only existed in their imaginations?  Did the apostles get in on the joy?  

After a brief interlude of joy with Jesus and expressions of gratitude, the callings of the crowd necessitated Jesus moving on.  

The two men stood, realizing that their lives had been instantly changed!  They SAW Jesus and His disciples merging into the crowd and on toward Jerusalem.  With nothing holding them in Jericho - THEY FOLLOWED HIM!  

___________________________________________

Jesus,

The One who hears the cry of the desperate!  The One who can make a difference in any life that cries out of pain, loss or confusion.  

Thank You for hearing our cries of desperation!  Thank You for being attentive to our needs!  Thank You for responding with just what we need!

Your love and compassion makes us want to follow You!  

Amen.

ESAU'S UNKNOWN HEALING

Esau and Jacob were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah.  

Rebekah was unable to have children for twenty years.  Finally, Isaac prayed for her and she conceived.  [Genesis 25:22-27  -  All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted.]

But the children she carried struggled and fought with each other until, in great pain, she exclaimed, “What is going on? Why is this happening to me?” In frustration she inquired of the Eternal One why this civil war was occurring inside of her.

Eternal One (to Rebekah): Two nations are growing inside of your womb,
and the two peoples will be divided in the future.
One will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.

When it was time for Rebekah to give birth, she saw that she was carrying twins. The first came out red—his entire body like a hairy blanket—so they named him Esau. His brother followed with his hand clutching Esau’s heel, so they named him Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to the twins.

When the boys grew up, they could not have been more different.

As the boys grew and developed, Isaac developed a special love for Esau, while Rebekah grew especially close to Jacob.  

Eventually, Jacob baited Esau and got him to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew.  Later, when Isaac was growing old and wanted to pass his blessing on to his firstborn son, Esau, Jacob and Rebekah conspired for him to steal Esau's blessing through deceit.  [See Genesis 27]

Esau hated Jacob with a fury, because his brother now carried the blessing his father meant for him.

Esau (to himself): The days of mourning for my father are approaching. When he has died, I will kill my brother, Jacob.  [v.41]

Rebekah learned of Esau's plans and persuaded Isaac to send Jacob to her homeland to find a wife.

Jacob spent many years in Paddan-aram where he worked for his uncle Laban and married Leah and Rachel.  Through his two wives and their servants - Bilhah and Zilpah - Jacob gained twelve sons [who eventually became the twelve tribes of Israel].  

After many years, God instructed Jacob to return to his homeland.  After an encounter with his uncle Laban, he began the long journey with his family, servants, and large flocks and herds.  As he got close to Canaan he was told that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.  Jacob was terrified!  He separated his family in groups along with his flocks and herds.  He sent an abundance of flocks and herds ahead of him as gifts for Esau to appease his anger.

Then, after laying his plans and securing his family as best he could, Jacob wrestled with a messenger from God all night.  The end result of this encounter was that his name was changed to Israel!

Finally, when he encountered his brother, 

 "Esau ran to meet him.  He embraced Jacob, kissed his neck, and they both cried."  [33:4]

___________________________________

Well, that's a surprise ending!  What happened to the anger that Esau had felt toward his conniving brother?  What happened to his plan to kill Jacob?  

___________________________________

We don't have an answer to that question!  The Bible gives no explanation for the change that Esau apparently experienced!  Somehow, he had forgiven his brother, Jacob, and was able to genuinely welcome him back to their homeland.  After much persuading from Jacob, Esau did finally accept the VERY GENEROUS gifts that Jacob presented to him:

• 200 female goats
• 20 male goats
• 200 female sheep
• 20 rams
• 30 milk camels and their colts
• 40 cows and 10 bulls
• 20 female donkeys and 10 male donkeys

Although the presentation of these gifts may have impacted Esau, the narrative leaves us with the impression that somehow God had brought peace to Esau's heart long before this moment.

___________________________________

Does time heal?

There's little doubt that time does allow us to adapt to unwelcome circumstances.  With the passing of time, we gain perspective and realize that we can move forward in spite of our anger, hurt, loss, pain!  

Esau wanted desperately to please his parents!  But when he married two Hittite women, he brought a lot of pain to Isaac and Rebekah [27:46].  This was part of Rebekah's reasoning for sending Jacob away to find a wife!  

Now Esau saw that his father, Isaac, had again blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to find a wife there, instructing him not to marry any of the Canaanite women. He learned, too, that Jacob had gone there just as his father and mother both wanted. So, realizing his father did not like his Canaanite wives, Esau went to see Ishmael and took Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael (Abraham’s other son) and the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife in addition to the two others.  [28:6-9]

Esau wanted to please his parents, but everything he did seemed to disappoint them.  He surely must have felt like a failure!  Yet somehow, through the many years that Jacob spent in Paddan-aram, Esau came to peace with the situation.  

Instead of holding on to hatred and bitterness, he seems to have found a way to be satisfied with the life that God had given him.  He welcomed his brother back with a hug, a kiss and tears of joy.  

The only other time that Esau shows up in the biblical story is when he and Jacob meet to bury Isaac together [Genesis 35:28-29].  

_______________________________

Lord of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Esau,

Esau's sub-story reveals that even when we're not the main character in the plot, You still keep Your eye on us and help us to resolve the conflicts and dilemmas of our lives!  You are so awesome, kind and generous!  Thank You for this sub-plot of Esau's.  Thank You that his life didn't end in bitterness and hatred!  Thank You that You found a way to bring peace to his heart and life!

There are many in our world today who are like Esau!  They feel like they're the sub-plot in their family!  They feel neglected.  They realize that they didn't get their parent's blessing.  They're angry and distracted by plans to get even.  They're jealous.  They need You, Gracious God!  They need to hear Esau's story!  They need to realize that Your resources are unlimited and Your grace is readily available!  

Find them, Lord, and heal them.  Remove the bitterness and replace it with satisfaction and peace and joy!  You can do this!  You've done it for many - including Esau!  Praise Your Holy Name.

Amen

A TIMID WOMAN

There was often a crowd of people around Jesus.  They wanted to be near Him, to hear Him, to see Him, to be right there if something significant happened.  That was not her reason. 

She was timid.  She didn’t want to be the center of attention.  She’d had a chronic problem with hemorrhaging for many years; it was embarrassing.  “She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her.”  Somewhere, she had learned that if she could just touch the hem of the Messiah’s garment, she would be healed.  That’s all she wanted to do - just slip in, touch the edge of His robe, and then slip away;  hopefully unnoticed!    

In the 21^st century, we are not familiar with the significance of hems and tassels at the time of Christ.  We do know that in Matthew 23, Jesus condemns the Pharisees because “they do all their deeds to be noticed by men;  for they broaden their phylacteries [a small case containing scripture texts worn on the forehead for religious purposes] and lengthen the tassels of their garments.”  [v.5]  Extra-biblical references indicate that the hem of a man’s garment was somewhat equal to his signature.

We don’t have the video – but somehow, she got close enough and was able to touch the hem of His garment.  Did He pause long enough for her to kneel and do so?  We know the scene was full of people crowding around Jesus.  She was discreet.  No one noticed what she did – not even Jesus. 

But, He felt power being drawn from Him!  This is remarkable to us!  Somehow, Jesus knew that someone had drawn on His healing power!  How AMAZING!!!!!  His immediate response was to say, “Who touched me?”  His disciples were incredulous.  Finally, Peter spoke up, “Master, we’ve got crowds of people on our hands.  Dozens have touched You.”  [v.45]

The woman tried to be invisible until she realized that she couldn’t remain hidden.  Ultimately, she fell to her knees and confessed that she was the one who had touched Him.  She was terrified.  “In front of all the people, she blurted out her story – why she had touched Him and how at that same moment she was healed.”  [v.47]

Jesus – always full of compassion – spoke to her, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole.  Live well, live blessed!”  [v.48]

And in that instant, Jesus was pulled away from her to attend to another need.  She was left standing alone on the dusty road – HEALED AND WHOLE!  Her faith had been acknowledged and rewarded! 

_____________________________________________

In that moment, surrounded by people she didn't know, this woman felt the need to confess publicly her dilemma and need.  She admitted that she was the one who had touched Jesus and drawn healing power from Him!  She blurted out this embarrassing medical condition that had caused her so much discomfort and shame for so long!  

I wasn't there, but somehow, I know that her eyes were not on the crowd - they were on Jesus.  His compassion captivated her!  He cared!  He genuinely cared about her!  She could see it in His eyes.  He loved her - even though this was the first time He'd met her!  She felt His warmth and acceptance.  No shame, no guilt - only peace and joy!  And then - He was gone!

We don't hear much public confession these days - not even in the church.  Perhaps we're too proud;  or too fearful.  

It's interesting how we elevate certain scriptures and seem to ignore others.  

James 5:13-20 is one of those passages that seems to be largely ignored in many churches today.  

At Monacrest this past Sunday, Pastor Raeanne singled out a person with a physical need for prayer.  She invited anyone who cared to come and 'lay hands on her'.  It was a beautiful response as people from all around the congregation moved immediately to her seat and physically participated in this focused prayer time!  I was moved by the caring!  

Her need was made public.  There was no judgment or shame.  Only caring and concern.  It was what one would expect to see in a church setting where we claim to love one another!  

This passage clearly exhorts us:

"Make this your common practice:  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed."  [v.16]

Not many study the history of the great revivals, but the record clearly indicates that they ALL began with public confession of sin!  

Hmmm...maybe we should take a second look at this passage?  

HOW'S THE ATMOSPHERE?

 Many are familiar with the episode from Jesus' life when He visits His hometown of Nazareth.  

Matthew 13:54-58     Mark 6:1-6      Luke 4:16-31

The thing about these passages that I would like to address is the fact that He was unable to do many miracles there because of their unbelief [Mt. 13:58;  Mk 6:5-6].

Matthew's wording is blunt and provocative:

And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.  [NASB]

Mark's wording is even more revealing:

And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them.  [NASB]

The implication is clear!  Jesus needed an appropriate environment to be able to do miracles.

I know!  This sounds slanderous!  Hal is a heretic!  :-)

But consider other passages like Mark 8.

After feeding five thousand people, Jesus got into a boat with His disciples and headed for Dalmanutha.  The Pharisees immediately came to Him and pressed Him for a sign.  

And sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, "Why does this generation seek for a sign?  [v.12 NASB]

Then Jesus got right back in the boat and headed for Bethsaida.  

What happened here?  Why did He land and leave so quickly?  The implication is that He immediately saw that He wouldn't be able to accomplish much because of the opposition of the Pharisees.  Environment matters!

While sailing to Bethsaida they have some confusing misunderstandings about bread and yeast as Jesus tries to warn them about the contamination of the Pharisees and followers of Herod.  Interesting timing for this dialogue.  

When they arrive in Bethsaida, a blind man was brought to him for healing.  The very first thing that Jesus did was to lead the blind man outside of the village!  You may remember this two-step healing.  Jesus spit on his eyes and then asked him if he could see.  The man could see, but his vision was blurry.  Next, Jesus touched his eyes and his vision became perfect!  

Now, don't leave this story yet!  Before leaving the man and moving on, Jesus gave the man clear post-surgery instructions:  Do not even enter the village.  [v.26  NASB]

What's going on in this village?  Why didn't/couldn't Jesus heal the man while in this village?  Why did he warn this man not to even go into this particular village?  

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

I've tried hard to give you a fair picture of several passages that clearly indicate Jesus' need for an appropriate environment for healing/miracles to take place!  

That being true, what about our environments today?

As a nation we have indisputably moved away from our Judeo-Christian foundation!  We are on the front end of blatant persecution of Christians.  It's not harsh - yet!  We're not being hauled away and placed in prisons.  But COVID did close many of our doors for an extended period of time.  So much for freedom of religion!  We have little reason to believe that this persecution will subside.  It's likely to grow!

The church is shrinking!  We've been closing churches vigorously since the turn of the century.  COVID threw gasoline on that trend, with many churches closing due to financial distress as a result of low attendances.  Evangelism is a rare occurrence in a world where we are told to mind our own business and respect the rights of others.  

For decades we were a missionary-sending bastion of strength, wealth and evangelistic zeal.  Not so, today.  The church prospers in Asia and Africa while it shrinks in Europe, Britain and the United States.  We need pastors from Thailand and India to come and mentor our American pastors!  

As a family, how are we doing?  You'll each have to answer this on your own.  Are you from a Christian family?  Are their passions, practices and priorities consistent with biblical teaching?  The word compromise has weakened many Christian people.  We've been hearing for decades now that Christians are no different from lost people.  We seem to have lost our distinctives.  No wonder that the church is dying.  If you're a Christ follower, answer the following tax-season question:  If you multiplied 2021's tithes by ten, could you live on it?  That's just one area;  there are so many more!

As a church, are we a healing and miracle environment?  The following prayer is taken from my newest novel, OVERWHELMED:

Blessed Jesus,

You have created this place for friendship!

If we aren’t friendly with every person that walks through these doors – then we have failed!

You’re the door-keeper here – You bring them to us so that we can lead them to You!

There are NO exceptions!

Help us never to be so busy that we’re distracted from this vital mission!

It’s all about You, Jesus!

Amen.

If some lost-but-seeking person walked into your church service this Sunday, 

• would they be warmly welcomed?
• would someone invite them to sit with them?
• would they connect to any liturgy being used?
• would the music inspire them?
• would the message be understandable to them?
• would they leave feeling hopeful?  

Churches are intimidating places!  Even if people are distressed and searching for meaning, it's unlikely that they would turn to the church.  If they did, however, do we provide them with a healing environment?  If Jesus wanted to touch and heal them, would He have to take them out of the building to do so?

As a follower of Christ, are you salting your community with the flavor of Christ?  Do you live Christian values consistently?  Does your light shine?  Or is it under a bushel?  Do your co-workers know that you're a Christian?  

An environment reflects the nature of those in the group!  If we're not passionate about our service to Christ, it's unlikely that our church will be!  And if our church isn't energetic about serving Christ, it's unlikely that our community will be changed or influenced!  And if our communities aren't faith-filled, then what hope is there for our nation?    

It has to start with me [and YOU]!  

TWO STORIES OF TWO MEN

In Matthew 20, we have back-to-back stories that send a message simply by the order in which they are recorded.

First, in verses 17-19, Jesus - for the third time - predicts His death.  Notice the details that He includes:

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.  They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.  On the third day he will be raised to life!"

I wonder how this announcement hit Judas?  

I wonder why the disciples didn't seem to hear these words, even though He repeated them at least three times?  Was it just too far-fetched to be credible?  

The next words that Matthew includes tell of 

...the mother of Zebedee's sons who came with her sons and kneeling down, asked a favor of Jesus..."Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."   [vs.20-21]

Interestingly, Mark's gospel leaves the mother out and simply has the two coming to Jesus with this request. 

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.  [v.24]

 Jesus' response to this dissension was curt and to-the-point:   

"...whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave..."  [vs.26-27]

We're given no indication of how James and John reacted to Jesus' words.  Were they grieved?   Did they feel corrected?  How about the other ten?  Were they able to get past the grandiose appeal for favor?  

I find it most interesting to observe the report that immediately follows this - ending the chapter.  Here's a synopsis of the story.

As Jesus and His disciples left Jericho along with a large crowd, two blind men were sitting by the roadside and heard that Jesus was passing by.  They shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"  The crowd tried to shut them up, but they shouted all the louder!  [vs.29-31]

Jesus stopped and called them.  "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.  "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.  Immediately they received their sight and followed him.  [vs.32-34]

The contrast between these TWO STORIES OF TWO MEN is remarkable!  

In the first story we have two men who are on the inside, but want more.  James and John walked with Jesus everyday, ate with Him, witnessed His miracles and healings, and heard His teachings.  But this was not enough - they wanted to share His glory!

In the second story we have two men who are on the outside, and just want their sight. They hear the name JESUS, and their hope rises;  they won't be shut up!  Jesus turns His eye toward them and asks what they want.  He then restores their sight.  They follow Him!

________________________________________

Interesting.  The first two men - disciples of Jesus - didn't get what they asked for.  The second two men - despised and rejected - did get what they asked for.  

At the beginning of this blog, Jesus spoke, but His devoted followers didn't seem to hear Him.  But Jesus ALWAYS hears those who are among His followers AND those who are not among His followers!  

Oh Lord!

         As one of Your followers, help me not to feel entitled;  not to seek recognition that I don't deserve.

Help me to hear and believe You when You speak and to use wisdom and good judgment as I seek to fit into Your plans 

Most of all, help me to be a genuine follower, not one who is just in it for the perks!

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.

 

 

 

GETTING ALONG

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us teaching on how to get along.  It's clear, logical and beneficial.

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;  and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.  [vs.15-17]

Over the years, I have brought opposing parties together many times in an attempt to create an opportunity for reconciliation.  There were a few times that the process was successful.  But, by-and-large, we ignore this biblical process and let divisions agitate and continue.  Many churches include people who carefully avoid one another Sunday after Sunday.  Sad!  

We serve a God who wants His people to live in unity.  He sets procedures for confronting other believers about sin [see I Corinthians 5] and promised to be present in even the smallest gatherings of His followers:  For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.  [Matthew 18:20]

The Apostle Paul also bore this concern for unity:

...avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.  Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time.  After that, have nothing to do with him.  You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful;  he is self-condemned.  [Titus 3:9-11]

Here's an important thought:

When Jesus tells us to treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector, this does not mean to shun them or treat them badly.  Rather, "...if he refuses to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen, to whom you still owe earnest, tender, good will, but not familiarity."   [John Wesley, Renew My Heart, 10/15]   Meanness is not a part of our faith response!  If we alienate them, how can we win them?  

Remarkably, this passage in Matthew 18 is immediately followed by Peter's question:  Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Then, Peter stretches his faith and adds, Up to seven times?   [v.21] 

Then Jesus startles Peter and the others listening:  I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. [v.22]  And then Jesus unfolds the story of the ungrateful servant who was forgiven a great debt and then refused to forgive a small debt.  The story ends with the ungrateful servant being turned over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed.   Jesus ends this story with a warning:  This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.   [Matthew 18:23-35] 

We serve a God who mercifully forgives and requires us to do the same.  Peter's answer went beyond the rabbinic teaching of forgiving three times - but Jesus said (basically) not to keep track at all.  Then He told a story to show that whatever "debt" someone owes us is nothing compared to the "debt" we owe God.  In the story, the servant requested more time to pay the debt, but the king went beyond that request to give the gift of total forgiveness!  

Be careful not to think of debts purely in monetary form!  As the Facebook introduction to this blog reminds us, debts can take many relational forms.  

Loving and forgiving Lord,

Oh, we need lots of help to be more like You!   Being forgiven is the easy part.  Forgiving others is the hard part!  Yet You require it of us!  Help us to realize how small the debts of others are compared to our debt to You!  If You've forgiven us SO MUCH, we should surely be able to forgive others for much smaller violations.  

None of us wants to be thrown into the pit and tortured.  We want to gain heaven in all its glory!  Don't let us miss it because of a stubborn heart!  Soften our hearts by the power of Your Holy Spirit and help us to be forgiving people!  For Jesus' sake.  Amen.

 

 

How Do You Get Through This?

Three times today, Debbie burst into tears and sobbed.  Although I'm not weeping as much as she is, I feel a deep sorrow that feels overwhelming.  I feel like I have nothing to look forward to. 

Some of you have been there.  Some of you are there now, too.  Others of you may face this kind of pain at some time in the future.

We know we'll heal.  We also know that it will take time.  I once read that it takes one-hundred hours of talking about your loss to recover from deep grief.  Although the specific number sounds a little corny to me, I think the practice of talking (or writing) does help advance the process.

Meanwhile, every day is a challenge.  Anniversary dates are noticed (it was three weeks ago - tomorrow - that our tragic call came).  Holidays are marred.  Visiting certain places catapult you back into pain.

Even though I'm a pastor and a counselor, I don't have any solid answers or remedies. 

But just for the record, here's what I'm doing.  It's helping me - maybe it can help you, too.  I pray this verse from an old hymn:

While life's dark maze I tread, 
and griefs around me spread, 
be Thou my guide; 
bid darkness turn to day, 
wipe sorrow's tears away, 
nor let me ever stray 
from Thee aside.    

DOES GOD - AT TIMES - CAUSE SICKNESS?

In the last blog a scripture was referenced from Exodus 15:26 (NASB):

If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians;  for I, the LORD, am your healer.

Notice the underlined section!

Earlier in Exodus, when Moses is arguing with God over his call to go back to Egypt, he uses the excuse that he is not a good speaker:  (4:10)  "I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."  God responds:  (4:11)  "Who has made man's mouth?  Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind?  Is it not I, the Lord?"  (NASB)

In John 9, Jesus...

...saw a man blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?"  Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man had sinned, nor his parents;  but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him...When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam"...So he went away and washed and came back seeing.    (vs.1-2,6-7 - NASB)

God is sovereign!  In one case God causes sickness as a punishment on the Egyptians for their cruelty to God's children.  In other cases, God creates individuals with infirmities for reasons that may never be known to them.  In still other cases, God creates individuals with handicaps so that they can glorify Him either by being healed or by persevering in spite of their limitations! 

God can do what God wants to do.  His ways are higher than our ways! 

As followers of Christ, we need to learn to turn to Him in times of sickness for discernment. 

• Does this sickness have a purpose?
• Could God be pruning or punishing me?
• Does God want to receive glory from the way I handle this sickness?

Or,

• Is this sickness a result of living in a fallen world?
• Is it a result of an accident?  [In Luke 13, Jesus refers to a tower that fell and killed 18 people.  He makes it clear that they died as the result of an accident.]
• Is this a sickness brought on as a result of consequences?  [It's difficult to blame a torn ACL from skiing on God.]
• Is this a sickness caused by Satan?

These issues can only be clarified through discerning prayer.  Most of us rarely make the effort to ask these questions...

FOUNDATIONS

Foundations are vital!  Contractors spend large amounts of time positioning a building, digging and laying footers and building a solid foundation!  Start with a faulty foundation and you'll have less than a sound building!

Parents are laying the foundation for lives as they invest in their children.  The future for these children is largely based on how well the parents do this work!

What about people who are now adults and realize that their foundation is weak or faulty?  Excellent question!

Two recommendations:

FIRST
Seek God aggressively!  Jesus Christ is the sure foundation!  God will help you to reconstruct your life on the principles in His Word!  He CAN establish you and more than compensate for the shortcomings (or tragedies) in your early life!

SECOND
Seek out healthy friends and companions!  The scripture is full of exhortations reminding us that we become like the people we spend most of our time with.  Therefore, hang out with healthy people!  Immerse yourself in people who love God and His Word and who live according to godly principles!

Any other attempt to establish stability in your life will be far inferior to these two paths! 

ALTERNATIVE ENDING: "A Missed Opportunity!"

Jesus was in the middle of one of those crazy days when there just wasn't enough of Him to go around! 

Suddenly He was confronted by a man of some importance.  His name was Jairus and he was an official in the local synagogue.  With urgency Jairus implored Jesus, "My little daughter is at the point of death;  please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live." 

Jesus left immediately for Jairus' house;  the crowd followed, closely packed around Jesus - nearly impeding His way.

In the crowd was a woman who had been dealing with a hemorrhage for twelve years.  Doctors and treatments had persistently disappointed her.  She had come to Jesus with the hope of being healed. 

However, once again she'd been disappointed.  Jesus was now hurrying off to heal a sick, little girl.  Something inside her suggested that if she could just get close enough to touch His clothing, she would be healed. 

She thought about it - even seriously for a moment.  She was close enough - she could make that happen!  But she didn't want to intrude.  She didn't want to endanger the little girl.  She didn't want to anger the synagogue official. 

She would simply wait for another opportunity!

Jesus arrived at Jairus' house in time to heal his daughter!  And everyone rejoiced.  But a disheartened woman walked slowly home, with her head down.

COMMENTARY

Our minds are ingenious at producing reasons for not acting!  But if we don't act on the impulses that the Holy Spirit gives us, we WILL miss out on significant blessings!

Acts 10:34 (NASB)
...God is not one to show partiality.

God does not put one ahead of another!  He loves all His children and is capable of meeting all our needs without being stressed!