Proven to the Lord

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” 2 Cor. 6:4

In our verse today Paul is talking about trouble and how they are opportunities to prove ourselves to the Lord. It is a fact we are born into a world of trouble, and we must face them. There are many types of troubles. Some are from the Lord when he corrects us, and those who can recognize these type of trouble for what they are, change their ways and are happy for the correction. (Job 5:6-11, 17) There are other types of troubles also. Being born into this world does not exempt us from any of them.

If you are loved by the Lord you will receive trouble from the Lord. When the Lord was giving the message, to the church at Laodicea, he said “as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” (Rev. 3:19) These ills are not just something the Lord gives out to have some fun. When we look at the words in this statement we find a rebuke is like a reprimand, and to be chastened is to be punished for the purpose of rehabilitating us. The rebukes and chastenings come upon us because of our own failures. When you are punished by G-d, if you will turn to the Lord at times like these he is merciful and will not forget you. (Deut. 4:30, 31)

You cannot read this and make an assumption all our troubles come from the Lord, to get us on a righteous path. In our verse the last two words are “in distresses.” This translation of the Greek, “en stenochoria,” to “in distresses” does not give a good understanding of the implications of the Greek. In the Bible the Greek has been translated to English as ‘in distress’ and ‘in anguish.’ Both of these are good translations, but they fall a little short of the meaning of the Greek. The direct meaning of the Greek is a narrow place, and it is used metaphorically for a dire calamity, and extreme affliction. When we see what the Greek was it is not hard to understand Paul was talking about being trapped in trouble where only the Lord can rescue you.

Paul also used the word “necessities.” Understanding what Paul is talking about using this word, requires us to look at how this word is used in the context. The list in our verse is a list of troubles. Being a list of trouble causes us to redefine necessities in this verse. Using this context we see Paul when speaking of necessities is referring to the hardships placed on us by our need (when you are hungry and have no food it is a great hardship). Understanding it in this manner makes this a stronger term than afflictions.

The word “patience” is another word in our verse which causes us to ask what has this got to do with trouble? Again we must go to the Greek to find the answer to our question. The word ‘patience‘ is translated from the Greek word “hupomone.’ The Greek gives us a stronger sense than the word patience. The Greek is more of an endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness. This points to troubles which are not a thing of the moment, but rather troubles of a continual nature.

Today, more than ever before, it seems the earth has gained a new name, trouble. In our verse today Paul is feeling blessed and thankful for the troubles he has had to face. They have given him an opportunity to prove himself worthy to G-d. I have seen many examples of what I call cumulative oppression. This is where individuals have troubles from multiple source: for example family, government, and job troubles all at the same time causing a state of massive oppression in the individual. People like this have done many horrible things, and afterward are unable to tell you why they did it. To take an action of this sort is rolling over into the hands of Satan and serving him in their actions.

Paul saw just this type of troubles and wrote this verse for us to understand what we are to do in times of troubles. We are not to give up, but rather to face them in a Christian manner. Troubles are one of the Devil’s greatest tools. A tool to cause us to do something very sinful. But Paul shows us we are to endure these troubles, and not allow them to overtake us. In the trouble our physical body may be destroyed, but day-by-day our spirit is renewed by our overcoming. We know the little we face here will be offset by the overwhelming eternal glory, and we will be overjoyed with the knowledge we have proven ourselves to G-d.

PRAYER:

Dear heavenly Father I am afraid. The troubles of this world are terrible and assail me every day. I thank you for getting me this far. Please stay with me, giving me the strength, courage, and wisdom to overcome my troubles. Lord my earnest desire is to prove myself to you. Please help me for I ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Memory verse:

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2 Cor. 4:8-11

2013
01/31
CATEGORY
devotionals
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New Year & Christmas at the end of 2012

Rose and I went to dinner at Bill & Ritas for Christmas. We went to see Rose’s brother Al Smith in Springfield, MO; and to Bolivar, MO to see Rose’s sister Joanne. I took several pictures during this time. I digitally edited a couple of pictures of Christmas lights. See if you can find them.

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2013
01/04
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Our Thanksgiving 2012

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Over the Thanksgiving holidays Mama Rose and I went to KS to visit the kids. Going up and back I took some pictures which I consider to be some of the face of America. I also took some pictures while at the kids. There is one picture I did some digital editing on just for fun. See if you can figure out which one it is.

2012
12/15
CATEGORY
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11/15/2012 Afternoon

Saturday I was reading a 11/9/2012 FBI press release, In Alaska, a Domestic Terrorist with a Deadly Plan. On the news I have seen nothing about it. After I had read it there was something about it which kept drawing me back to the release. I did not know what it was until just the last couple of days.

The article is about Paul Rockwood Jr., who had met the American-born radical cleric Anwar al-Awiaki in 2001, and was a devout follower. He compiled a list of targets in the U. S. military, to assassinate in the name of jihad. He felt it was his religious duty to kill those who desecrated Islam. By 2010 he had narrowed down his list to 15 specific targets, and gave the list to his wife. It was decided by the FBI, without any acts of overt terrorism to charge him with, to keep him from leaving Alaska. In may 2010 Paul Rockwood Jr. and his wife were questioned about the hit list, and they both denied it. They were found guilty of making false statements to the FBI in a domestic terrorism investigation. Paul Rockwood Jr. received the maximum sentence of eight years in the pen, and his wife was sentenced to five years of probation.

Before I go any further I want you to know I strongly disagree with Paul Rockwood Jr.’s belief and what he did. I am looking at the actions of the authority involved, and how it affects us.

Special agent Klein after the conviction said, “We can never be sure he would have acted.” This shows the reason why Paul Rockwood Jr. and his wife were convicted. Actions were taken against them because of what they might have done. If we make regulations limiting those we are opposed to in this country, we will have to give up some of our liberties. If we make laws to punish those who might do something in our country, we would also be required to live under the restriction. If this trend continues does it mean if in a state of anger you say, “I am going to kill you,” you will go to the pen because you might commit murder? Or, if you are driving and someones cuts you off and you say, “I would like to run over people like that,” does this mean you could be prosecuted because you might commit vehicular homicide.

G-d’s dealings with people has always been one of responsibility. The Lord has been responsible for his actions, and in all the Biblical events in the Bible of G-d’s association with people has been one of us taking responsibility for what we do. For as long as I can remember this has not been the principle by which we have lived.

We talk about being the land of the free and the home of the brave. When our country started I believe it had meaning because of the attitude and actions of the people. I look today and say I am having a hard time believing those words. As long as I can remember we out of fear have given up our responsibilities. Anytime there has been a problem the solution has been to make more legislation to handle it. Our byword is, “it is not my responsibility.” Why should we be responsible for our morals, when we can delegate the authority to the government? Why should we take the responsibility of raising our children, when we can delegate it to the government? Why should we work for a living when we can delegate to the government the task of supporting us.

With each of these relinquishment of responsibilities to the government there comes more regulation. With each new government regulation we lose some of our liberties!

I cannot change the attitudes of the people. Maybe it is time to go to the Bible and learn the instructions given concerning responsibility.

I will say a prayer for you, say one for me and may the Lord bless us.

2012
11/16
CATEGORY
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I Have Overcome the World

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When I read this verse I always seem to place this in a group of verses, vv. 25-33. It naturally feels like these verses are a separate dialogue. I do not mean this in the sense these verses are out-of-place in the Bible; I mean these verses appear to be on a different level from what he said immediately before and after.

In v. 27 Jesus states what the disciples heart condition is, “ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” His disciples give a wonderful statement of their belief. (v. 30) But, Jesus apparently sees a problem with their faith, because he asks, “Do ye now believe?” (v.31) The question should shout to each of us, because it shows there is an inconstancy in their faith. Jesus does not answer this question; there is no recording of the disciples answering it, so the answer was not recorded or they did not answer. What Jesus does is tell them what to expect in their walk on this world.

The cause for the question of Jesus becomes obvious when you put together the disciples heart condition, their belief, and the answer of Jesus. It is apparent when we look at Jesus reply in our verse today, which shows they had a problem Christians have had since the start of Christendom. What Jesus said in v. 27 shows they believed, but his answer, in our verse today, shows they had apprehensions of stepping out when faced with the tribulations of this world.

Like many of us, the disciples needed something to help them get over this barrier. In the last part, of today’s verse, he gives that something when he says. “be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” He has given the disciples a synopsis of the problems they are to expect here. Then he tells them not to worry but be happy, because he has overcome the world and it is no problem.

It is wonderful Christ has overcome the world, but what does this mean to a Christian who has fears of pursuing their faith? Let us recognize first who Christ has overcome. The prince of the world has been defeated and trod under the foot of Christ and ours. (Rom. 16:20) There is nothing Satan can do to change the direction of our walk by faith to the heavenly abode. Next, let us consider the people of the world, those servants of Satan who do not walk by faith. It is true they are a tribulation we wish we did not have to face, but they are here. There is no need to give up because of them. By faith we have overcome them. (1 John 4:4) They might be a hinderance, but there is no way they can stop us from coming to that home prepared for us. Next, when Christ overcame the world it made the world unable to separate us from the love of the Lord. (Rom. 8:35-37) As you can see there is nothing the world can do to overcome our faith because the world is defeated.

Like the disciples we are a little timid to step out for Christ. Take to heart what the Lord has said and do it. You might be ridiculed, tortured, or even murdered. But, no matter what in the end we shall prevail.

PRAYER:

Dear Father, I thank you for the overcoming of this world you have provided me. There have been times when I was afraid to step out because of what Satan’s pawns might do to me. Help me to remember when Jesus was crucified the world was defeated. and I will step out for you with no fear, because you love me and in the end we shall prevail. Hear this prayer for I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Memory verse:

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” 2 Cor. 6:4

2012
11/07
CATEGORY
devotionals
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10/21/2012 Evening

A few days ago I was involved in a discussion concerning one of the stories about Jesus, in the Bible. The others were coming to an understanding of what it meant based upon our culture today. The understanding they were coming to sounded good, but it was an understanding which would have been impossible to apply to the story in the culture at the time of Jesus. I tried to put forward some about the culture at the time of Jesus, but their minds were set.

In the days after this happened I thought a lot about it. I began asking myself questions. How many interpretations, we use today, are in error because they were based upon the culture of the interpreter and not the culture of where the story originated? Do we have a faith which is a creation of our own interpretations and not the teachings Jesus gave? How many interpretations popular today are interpretations done to fit church doctrine? How many interpretations came about because the interpreter wanted it to say a particular thing? These were just a few of the questions there were many more.

I have looked at many religions today, including many which are considered sects, and have come to the conclusion Jesus would call none of them his including my own church. As much as possible I made every effort to remove all bias. We condemn smoking but at the same time we said it is OK for ladies to dress and look sexually appealing, we tell them they need to look good and compliment them for having that seductive look. The Bible says nothing about smoking. I questioned some old timers and it seems to be a consensus smoke irritated some people, and they grabbed at every straw which might condemn smoking. I do not believe smoking is a habit anyone should start, but I am not going to tell anyone the Bible tells you not to smoke. The Bible however does give very specific instructions on women’s attire. The church’s response is the dress today is not the same as back then, which is true. They continue the clothing really does not matter, it is faith. Tell that to the homeless 16-year-old girl who is pregnant. On this same level does this make a mass murderer who has a strong faith a hero in heaven? I do not think so.

What I do believe is we need to sit down with experts who have Biblical knowledge such as archaeologists, linguistic specialists, theologians, and etc. and come to a standard of understanding based upon the Bible times, and eliminating the anomalies of today. That is what Jesus did. He is the expert on our heavenly relationship. He threw away all the junk which had been added through the years, and laid down what a true faith is.

I will say a prayer for you, say one for me and may the Lord bless us.

2012
10/21
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Concerns Arise for Syrian Christians

A UMNS Report
By Linda Bloom*

3:00 P.M. ET October 16, 2012

United Methodists who have had longtime relationships with Christians in the Middle East through ecumenical organizations are concerned about their plight in Syria and other countries.

The Rev. Motoe Yamada, a United Methodist pastor, and Metropolitan Mor Eustathius Matta Roham of Syria, in 2006, at a World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting,

The Rev. Motoe Yamada, a United Methodist pastor, and Metropolitan Mor Eustathius Matta Roham of Syria, in 2006, at a World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting. Photo Courtesy of Motoe Yamada.

The Rev. Motoe Yamada, senior pastor of the Japanese United Methodist Church in Sacramento, Calif., first become acquainted with Mor Eustathius Matta Roham, the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan (archbishop) of Jazirah and Euphrates, in 2006.

Both are members of the World Council of Churches Central Committee. “He’s really a down-to-earth person,” she said. “He’s always willing to explain his traditions of the Syrian Orthodox Church.”

However, Yamada is worried that Syria’s civil war is threatening Matta and his church, just as Frances Alguire, former president of the World Methodist Council, has concerns for a longtime friend, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, the Syrian Orthodox archbishop of Aleppo.

Jan Love, who represented The United Methodist Church for many years in various roles with the World Council of Churches, agreed Christians in the region, particularly Syria, are “very threatened,” despite the “faithful, long-standing presence dating back to the early centuries of the church.”

Love, dean of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, acknowledged the “profound” dedication of Syrian Christians to ecumenism. “It’s deeply sad to think that they all are suffering so much fear now in the midst of the civil war.”

Keeping in touch

Yamada said she has made a special effort to “check in” with Matta since the events of the Arab Spring. When she saw him at the council’s Commission on World Mission and Evangelism meeting in March, he mentioned a sniper had killed a bishop, she recalled.

In September, two days after the Central Committee meeting started in Greece, Yamada said she asked Matta how he was doing. He told her the restaurant where he had eaten lunch just before flying to Greece had been bombed. “He was in tears,” she reported.

Evelyn Parker, U.S., and the Rev Kondothra M. George, Syria, lead a Bible study at the recent World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting in Crete

Evelyn Parker, U.S., and the Rev Kondothra M. George, Syria, lead a Bible study at the recent World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting in Crete. A web-only photo courtesy of World Council of Churches/Mark Beach.

As a local church pastor, “when I hear about Syria, I often just think of what I see on TV,” she reflected. But, as Yamada told her congregation after her conversations with Matta, “it’s not just happening on the news. When one suffers, we all suffer together. As a body of Christ, we need to remember other parts of the world.”

That message was sent worldwide by the council’s Central Committee, which issued aSept. 4 statement on Syria calling for an end to all violence and for dialogue by all parties, including Christians, as “the only solution…to safeguard the unity and pluralistic nature of historic Syria.”

Alguire, a United Methodist from Chapel Hill, N.C., has warm memories of her friendship with Gregorios through annual dialogues on peace at Saint Egidio Communita, a Catholic group headquartered in Rome, so she worries about the news from Aleppo.

“My heart aches for these dear people and Christian friends,” Alguire wrote to United Methodist News Service. “In his last email he was mourning the death of his dear friend, a physician, who was killed while treating the injured.”

On Oct. 12, the British Orthodox Church posted a letter to the British foreign secretary on its website, calling for attention to the plight of Christians in Syria.

The letter cited reports of “fierce fighting” in an Armenian Orthodox Church compound in Aleppo in September and noted that Gregorios had told Reuters news service that hundreds of Christian families had fled the city in recent weeks.

Contribution of Orthodox Christians

Love, who was part of a World Council of Churches commission on Orthodox participation, has witnessed the important contributions of Orthodox Christian leaders to the ecumenical landscape.

“We think of the Methodist tradition as an old tradition, but in terms of the long history of Christianity, Methodists are relative newcomers,” she said. “It’s really powerful to interact with and become friends with people whose churches go to the very origins of our entire faith traditions and who have lived in the places where the gospel was first preached.”

During her time with the council, Love was received in Damascus by Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Ignacios IV Hazim, a former council president. “He’s an extraordinarily gracious man and a very welcoming spirit for churches and traditions coming together to seek unity,” she said.

Love also met there with Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, supreme Pontiff of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. “They have an extraordinary church compound just outside of Damascus,” she recalled. “I stayed there for a week one time.”

How to help

Both the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Church World Service have supported several partners aiding Syrians, including the International Orthodox Christian Charities, which is providing humanitarian relief inside Syria through the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East and outside Syria in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.

Donations can be made to International Disaster Relief UMCOR Advance # 982450 to support UMCOR’s humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees

As a minority, Christians risk being targeted and manipulated during civil war, she pointed out. “I’m sure it’s deeply dangerous for them and probably an extraordinary challenge to try to reach out and address the humanitarian needs of all the people,” Love said.

Concern about the Middle East Christian populations was echoed in a statement issued by the General Assembly of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe during its September meeting in Florence, Italy. Roseangela Jarjour, a Syrian Christian and a top executive of the Federation of Middle East Evangelical Churches, addressed the gathering and called on western churches to “raise their prophetic voice and not simply follow their governments’ lead.”

While Christians and Muslims initially took to the streets together in Syria, Christians felt they had to retreat as the violence escalated, Jarjour said, noting that her own family was forced to flee Homs. Both Christians and churches in Syria have fallen victim to looting, arson and general destruction.

Christians in the Middle East “don’t want to become refugees, but to live in peace and with full citizens’ rights and duties in our own land,” Jarjour said.

“Christians in Syria are especially deeply worried about the threat to basic human rights and security in the present civil war,” the assembly’s statement said. “As well as this they fear an impending loss of religious and cultural plurality in Syria and the loss of the principle of the participation of all groups in their society.

“As the CPCE we are deeply concerned because it is often difficult to recognize in the politics of our governments a concern for the life of our Christian sisters and brothers in Syria, for their religious freedom, and for the preserving of religious and cultural diversity in Syria.”

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service multimedia reporter based in New York. Follow her at http://twitter.com/umcscribe.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

2012
10/16
CATEGORY
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