Entry #39 - A New Year for a New You

Welcome to another new year! One of the more popular scripture passages welcoming us to a new beginning is Ephesians 4:22-32.  This passage describes the difference between the old life we lived prior to accepting Christ as our Savior, in contrast with some of the changes we make as a result of following the example Christ set before us. Although the passage contains eleven verses, I have decided to include this text for you since it will be the foundation of today’s blog entry.

Ephesians 4:22-32 (NIV)  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

     Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Occasionally when I study a passage of scripture, I begin by jotting down some anecdotal notes on a slip of paper. Sometimes I look up the definition of words—even well-known words—just to see if there is a new angle or perspective to guide my understanding. This is the pattern I used for studying today’s passage and I was quite humbled by what I found. Let’s begin with a simple table of Old Self words in contrast with New Self words.

Words used to describe our OLD SELF	Words used to describe our NEW SELF
deceitful desires	new attitude
falsehoods	righteousness
anger (used twice)	holiness
stealing	truth
unwholesome talk	work
do not grieve the Holy Spirit	useful
bitterness	sharing
rage	helpful
brawling	building others up
slander	kind
every form of malice	compassionate
	forgiving

As a former teacher, I know the value of visual aids. Just looking through the above chart goes a long way to helping us get a clearer picture of how our lives change once we are committed to following the example of Christ. But this is a new year, and I want to take a new look—I want to dig a little deeper.

Taking a cursory glance at the negative words used to describe the Old Self might cause us to say something like: “I’m not deceitful – I don’t steal – and maybe I get angry once in a while, but I don’t rage or go around brawling.” I know you think these things, because I think them, too. Or, at least I did. After taking a closer look at some of these words I quickly see that I have room for improvement this year! Let me show you some of the things I found.

deceitful desires:  This isn’t just a matter of cheating, but it includes other forms of dishonesty such as simply misleading others. Telling “little white lies” are still lies, and still wrong.

falsehoods:  Yes, the focus might well be telling lies. But guess what, it also includes any lack of accuracy. This includes repeating interesting information about someone when you haven’t checked the facts or when you’re not sure if it’s true.

anger:  We probably most often associate this word with hatred or extreme dislike. But anger also includes any strong feelings of displeasure. Is it okay for Christians to be angry? Sure! We are called to always be angered by sin—but not the sinner. Christ is our example of how to love others, even when we are strongly displeased and angered with their wrongful actions.

stealing:  We teach our children that it is wrong to take something that does not belong to them. We teach them stealing is taking something dishonestly or in a secretive manner. We don’t steal. Do we? What about stealing someone else’s time or resources by getting them to do what we should have done?

unwholesome talk: This one is straight-forward. It includes anything harmful to either one’s body or mind. Essentially, it includes all forms of negativity in our speech. But here is some new information. It doesn’t just apply toward others; it also applies to yourself. Stop putting yourself down!

do not grieve the Holy Spirit: When we grieve, it is usually because of the deep sorrow we feel when we lose someone dear to us. But what does it mean to “not grieve” the Holy Spirit? If I’m the one causing grief, I burden someone or cause them sadness. Therefore, I must ask myself, “Do my actions burden or cause sadness?” I suppose to put it more bluntly, “Am I always making messes that the Holy Spirit will have to follow behind me and clean up?”

bitterness: Once we let anger get the best of us; from there, it is a short hop to feeling sharp and disagreeable with others. Bitterness is basically a failure to let go. It’s hanging on to old feelings.

rage: The most common definition of rage is having strong, uncontrolled anger. But it can also include blurting out in haste. The old adage to “think before you speak” can be a great deterrent to rage.

brawling: Honestly, I always figured I was safe with this one because it had to do with people who spend too much time in bars. Guess again. Brawling includes all forms of quarreling, arguing, or loud bickering.

slander: Yes, slander is spreading a falsehood that harms someone’s reputation. But for the Christian, it also includes not coming to the defense of others whom we know are being slandered. When you hear someone speak ill of another person (and you know the truth), what course of action do you take?

every form of malice: Perhaps this is the “catch all” because it includes any action of ill will or spiteful intent. This includes anything from hurting or frustrating others, carrying a grudge, being rude, or acting in an impolite or discourteous manner.

The great news is that these negative words now become the things which no longer have control of our lives. Now we have a new list of words upon which to focus our lives. And to be honest, when we focus on the next list—we will find much less time to be involved in the old list. To me, this is the most encouraging news to improve the new me in the new year! Let’s take a closer look together!

new attitude: I now have a new focus for my mental state and mood—I can focus on following the examples of Christ; studying new passages of scripture and applying them; and at any moment I can pray for guidance and help along the way.

righteousness: My focus is on the things that are upright and just. I once heard a camp counselor explain that righteousness is “being in right-standing with God.”

holiness: To me, only God is truly the Holy One. But my calling to holiness is being set apart from the worldly point of view and striving to be dedicated to following God’s will for my life.

truth: To be truthful is to be honest. However; there seems to be more. It is also taking the time to follow established or verified facts. There is no “fence-sitting” or “straddling-the-fence” with this one.

work: When I take a closer look at this word, it isn’t just a matter of doing something that requires bodily or mental effort. It’s doing something worthwhile that produces results. It’s not giving up. And it is closely tied to the next word.

useful: This is something purposeful and serviceable. The range of activities included are almost limitless and seemingly only hindered by lack of imagination. Baking a pie or taking a casserole to someone in need is a useful activity. Praying for others is a useful activity. Helping a child tie a shoe is a useful activity. Studying God’s word and putting it into practice is a useful activity!

sharing: I always thought I knew what this meant. I always thought sharing was dividing things into equal parts. Well, yes—but that is only part of what it means. Sharing is also joint participation. In other words, it isn’t just simply giving away free stuff—it includes working along beside someone to guide or help them. It includes sharing of intangible things like time, encouragement, and God’s love.

helpful: I am helpful any time that I make it easier for someone else to accomplish or achieve something.

building others up: Regarding my words; do my words in any way improve the lives of others?

kind: Some great synonyms for the word kind include sympathetic, friendly, gentle, benevolent, generous, and cordial. To me, it’s just plain and simply being NICE!

compassionate: Perhaps this word reaches a little deeper for most people. We show compassion when we are inwardly sorrowful for the sufferings or troubles of someone else. How we handle compassion may vary dependent upon our abilities. Some may show compassion by physically lending aid. Others may show compassion by spending quality or undisturbed time in prayer for that individual. Christ did both. It depended on what the situation required, and we are called to follow his example.

forgiving: To forgive is to overlook or cancel a grievance. To truly forgive someone is to give up the desire to punish in any way. In other words, forgetting is also a part of forgiveness. When you think about it, and when you follow the example of Christ—He didn’t just forgive our sins and then secretly promise to “get even” with us some day. The Bible says forgiveness is the “blotting out” of our sins and they are remembered no more. This is the way in which we are to forgive others.

Isaiah 44:25 (NIV)  I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Yes, another new year has arrived. My prayer for you is that 2020 will bring you peace and the blessings of a NEW LIFE in Christ Jesus. The old things are gone; let them go. Focus on your New Life.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian—looking forward to the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!

Entry #38 - Kaleidoscopes

One of my favorite childhood toys was the simple cardboard tube with bits and pieces of colorful plastic inside. I could turn the small outer ring slowly and watch the myriad of colorful shapes appear. Even trying as hard as I could, I never seemed able to create the same colorful pattern more than once. The variety of patterns seemed endless. The bits and pieces of plastic inside were not always distinguishable. I vaguely recall seeing a small red heart, and perhaps a yellow diamond shape; but other than that, the pieces seemed random and undefined. The tiny pieces were not always colorful by themselves; some pieces seemed bright, but others seemed dark. I also recall trying to count how many bits there were, but I could never hold the Kaleidoscope still long enough to count them before pieces would shift and a new pattern would appear.

It may seem a little corny, but to me, this is an excellent metaphor for our daily lives. Our lives are a collection of emotions and activities—always shifting, and always changing. Each day brings bright times or dark times, happiness or sadness, joy or sorrow. Some days we are too busy to notice the time fly by, other days the minutes drag by in slow motion.

For the Christian, our one point of consistency is God Almighty.  He fully understands all the negative bits and pieces of our lives:

Job 7:4 (NIV): When I lie down I think, “How long before I get up?” The night drags on, and I toss till dawn.

Psalm 38:8 (NIV): I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

Psalm 39:2 (NIV): …I was silent and still, not even saying anything good…

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV): When I said, “MY foot is slipping…” ; When anxiety was great within me…

Again, for the Christian, our one point of consistency is God Almighty. He never grows weary and he is always available to us when we call to him. Not only does he fully understand all the negative bits and pieces of our lives, he is the one who provides our source of joy and strength to keep going. God balances the negative bits and pieces in our lives with positive ones.

Psalm 4:8 (NIV): I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV): The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 40:3 (NIV): He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV): …your love, O LORD, supported me. ; …your consolation brought joy to my soul.

When we take time to study the scriptures, we can find so many contrasts such as the few I have provided. I think the point is simply that our Heavenly Father knows what a Kaleidoscope of emotions and activities our lives have become. Through it all, he is there, waiting for us to come to him and trust him as our true source of consistency.

Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV): Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

To this day I still do not completely understand the science and mathematics of the reflective parts placed at specific angles that it requires for Kaleidoscopes to create such beautiful displays. But I do know this, God is able to take all the random bits and pieces of our lives and reveal the inner beauty within each life.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian—looking forward to the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!

Entry #37 - Bruise or Hematoma?

It has always been my goal to work my way up to blogging at least once per week. Since it has been five months from my last blog, obviously I have not reached my goal—at least, not yet. (It’s okay to laugh.) My sincere and humble thanks and appreciation go to those who have periodically checked to see if there have been any new postings. But honestly, can you think of a more interesting title to cure the blogging drought?

For background information, my veins are notoriously difficult when it comes to having blood drawn. I can totally sympathize and empathize with those who need regular lab work sessions. Multiple “sticks” are not pleasant; many of you know exactly what I mean. Nevertheless, sometimes it is a medical necessity—and so, we persevere. This is the reason I sit here writing while sporting a good-sized hematoma on my right arm.

What is the difference between a bruise and a hematoma? As I understand it, a bruise is a slight injury to the skin that causes a discoloration. Bruises generally fade quickly. A hematoma is something more than a bruise. A hematoma generally involves some swelling to the area, often causes discomfort, and results in a larger area of discoloration. Hematomas generally do not fade quickly but require a little more time to completely disappear. The annoying thing about a hematoma is that it exists long enough to create a negative memory of the whole ordeal. And this, my friends, becomes the focus of today’s blog entry.

We’ve all experienced hurtful words or unkind comments at some time in our lives. And in this case, it really doesn’t matter if it was a verbal bruise quickly forgotten or hematoma lingering in our memory. Christians are called to “forgive” (overlook or cancel) AND “forget” (remember no more)!

Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)  Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.     [Notice it does not say the LORD will “get even” for you, but that the LORD will deliver you. In other words, he will rescue you from your desire to “get even” and provide peace about the situation.]

Proverbs 24:29 (NIV)  Do not say, “I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.”

Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)  Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.     [Even though this verse may be lifted from its original context, it still carries meaning in the sense of forgiveness.]

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

The point is clear. When we are bruised by the words of others; for the Christian, forgiveness is a responsibility and not an option.

Of course, you know my writing style well and you know I will usually provide a thoughtful twist for contemplation. Instead of focusing on what others do to us; let me ask you this: Are the words you use causing someone else to receive a verbal bruise? Worse, are you causing someone else to receive a verbal hematoma—something that will cause pain and linger in their memory for a long time? Are you overly critical of others? Are your comments generally negative? Are you stuck in a rut of finding the worst for most situations, and is that reflected in your speech? Good news, there is a solution!

Job 13:5 (NIV)  [Job reminds his friends as they were giving him a verbal bruising…] If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:14 (NIV)  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14 (NLT)  Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

Psalm 139:4 [combined with] Psalm 141:3 (NLT)  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. … Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.

Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)  He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

Proverbs 29:20 (NLT)  There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 and second half of v. 7 (NLT)  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. … A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

Romans 12:18 (NIV)  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Colossians 3:17 [and] 4:6 (NLT)  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. … Let your conversation be gracious…so that you will have the right response for everyone.

The swelling on my arm from yesterday’s hematoma has subsided. It is no longer uncomfortable. But the ugly bruise remains, and probably will for several days. For me this is an opportunity. As the discoloration fades, I have time to reflect on the words I use and the way I respond to others. I have time to pray for forgiveness. I have time to practice kindness.

Psalm 130:3-4 (NLT)  LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian—looking forward to the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!

Entry #36 - Horizontal Movement of Air

As I write this blog, I am listening to the howl of wind pounding against the house. Most of you know that I live in New Mexico, but you might be unaware of just how affected by wind our state is on a daily basis. According to statistics compiled by Albuquerque¹ and Las Cruces²  our windy months begin in February and end about June, with some exceptionally windy days interspersed throughout the year. During these months, daily wind velocities average between 27-35 mph (Albuquerque) and 32-49 mph (Las Cruces). Currently in my home city, the wind is blowing at 37 mph, with forecasts calling for “calmer” winds at 28 mph by 2 p.m., and 15 mph by 5 p.m. Oh joy!

The first generally accepted definition for wind is “horizontal movement of air,” hence the title for this blog. However, there are many other definitions and uses for the word. Another use for the word wind is to describe something that is a destructive force or influence. This definition, combined with the fact that wind typically travels from a high-pressure area to a lower pressure area, becomes the foundational thought for this blog.

In Paul’s letter to the Christians at Ephesus, his prayer is for them to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and that they might demonstrate Christ’s love to others. He urges them to be humble, gentle, and peaceful. He further encourages them to be diligent in using their gifts to minister, teach, and serve others in the unity as the body of Christ, who is head of the church of God’s people. This can be found detailed in Ephesians chapters 3 and 4. Contained within Paul’s message of encouragement to the Ephesians, he includes the reason for his exhortation—earnest advice.

Ephesians 4:12-14 (NIV)  …so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

The analogy of being “blown here and there by every wind” of teaching holds amazingly vivid pictures for me, especially as the New Mexico winds howl outside. But there is another thought developing in the back of my mind. Science tells us that wind naturally follows the path from greatest pressure to least pressure. To me, this indicates the need for developing faithful Bible study habits. If my basic biblical knowledge remains shallow or surface level; how much easier “the cunning and craftiness” and “deceitful scheming” of others can blow me away from the truth. Thankfully the converse is also true. If I faithfully study God’s Word, prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to guide my understanding, then my basic biblical knowledge becomes the higher pressure and less likely to be affected by “every wind of teaching” that comes down the path.

Ultimately the responsibility is on my own shoulders. How secure do I want to be? How anchored do I want my faith in Christ to be? As with most good things, it will require effort on my part. Listening to sermons, reading the writings of Christian authors—even this blog—all of that is great. But if I really want to be anchored in the truth of God’s Word, I will take the time to read the Bible for myself, and I will spend time in prayer asking the Spirit of God to guide me in my understanding. If I truly desire to stand firm in my faith, I will not simply take the word of others; rather, I will do my best to search the scriptures for verification. Only then will I be able to stand firm when the winds blow against the truth.

If you are uncertain where to begin, take some time to examine the following scriptures. These are only a few of many passages that will encourage you to begin building your foundation in God’s Word.

Psalm 119:11, 16, 17, 27, and 105 (NIV)
(v. 11) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  (v. 16) I will not neglect your word.
(v. 17) I will obey your word.
(v.27) Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.  (v. 105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
 Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
 Romans 15:4 (NIV)  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
 Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)  And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…
 Colossians 2:8 (NIV)  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NIV)  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations…
 Hebrews 13:8-9 (NIV)  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.
 James 1:5-6 (NIV)  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Not all winds are bad or produce a negative effect.  There is one day, the day of Blessed Hope, for which I am longing to see the most significant wind of all. With this promise, I close today’s blog:

Matthew 24:30-31 (NIV)  They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Mark 13:26-27 (NIV)  At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian—looking forward to the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!

¹ https://www.windfinder.com/windstatistics/Albuquerque_sunport

² http://www.lascruces-weather.com/wxwindsummary.php

Entry #35 - Brown Paper Packages

Christmas! Ah yes, the season of holiday cheer, festive decorations, strings of bright lights, fancy wrapped packages with glittering bows, cookies, parties, shopping, shopping, shopping…  It’s a wonderful time—a busy time. A time when, according to The Statistic Portal, Americans will spend an average of approximately $794 on Christmas gifts. Out of curiosity, I investigated another online site, CreditDonkey.com (yes, there really is such a site and it can be located at https://www.creditdonkey.com/gift-giving.html ). It seems Credit Donkey polled 1,076 Americans age 18 and over during October 7-11, 2013, just five years ago. At that time, the following percentages were discovered:

• ·         Gift cards: 82% want to receive gift cards; 69% plan to give gift cards
• ·         Electronics: 76% want to receive electronics; 63% plan to give electronics
• ·         Clothing: 68% want to receive clothing; 59% plan to give clothing
• ·         Books: 62% want to receive books; 58% plan to give books
• ·         Toys: 56% plan to give toys and 79% of parents plan to give toys
• ·         43% of those polled admitted they will get a gift for themselves
• ·         54% will return gifts given to them (unless it is a gift card)

For the Christian, our perspective on Christmas gifts takes a different focus. For us, the primary gift given on the very first “Christmas” day was the gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God. He came to begin the plan of salvation that will eventually culminate in his Second Advent—the blessed hope for which we wait. No other gift to us could ever compare with God’s gift of his Beloved Son.

However; if you have ever read any of my previous blogs, you know I love to look at some of the more obscure details in life. This blog entry will look at the various individuals who were present during the original “Christmas,” to consider some of the other gifts—the less obvious gifts—given during that first Christmas.

To set the background, perhaps you are familiar with the original Broadway production of the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music featuring Mary Martin as Maria, or perhaps the1965 film version with Julie Andrews as Maria. The title of today’s blog comes from the famous song “My Favorite Things.” Along with “whiskers on kittens” and “warm woolen mittens,” the character of Maria found comfort in the simple things, even “brown paper packages tied up with strings.” It occurs to me that the original story of Christmas (Matthew chapters 1-2, and Luke chapters 1-2) includes the receiving of many brown paper packages. These little “brown paper packages tied up with strings”—the less obvious gifts—are the ones we will try to discover as we explore the First Advent.

Joseph

Joseph was a righteous man, unwilling to publicly disgrace his pregnant teenage fiancée. What should he do? He was a man full of uncertainty regarding the future. His first brown paper package contained the gift of assurance.

Matthew 1:20-21  --an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph received a second brown paper package, the gift of guidance in the midst of danger.

Matthew 2:13  When they [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Mary

Most historical scholars believe Mary to be a young teenage girl, possibly as young as 13, and betrothed to Joseph according to Jewish customs of the day. One can only imagine the bewilderment gripping Mary as she realizes the enormity of the task facing her, the task of giving birth to and raising the Son of God.  Mary has found favor with God. She unwraps the gift of calming peace in the midst of perplexity.

Luke 1:30-31, 35  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. … The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Simeon and Anna

Simeon was a righteous and devout man. His age is not mentioned although most scholars agree he was in his advanced years. Anna was a prophetess and the Bible does reveal her age. She had only been married seven years when her husband died leaving her a widow until she was 84 years of age. We are told Anna worshiped and prayed night and day, never leaving the temple. Although they were two distinctive individuals, Simeon and Anna shared in the common bond of anticipation. They knew the scriptures foretelling the birth of The Messiah. Would they be able to live long enough to welcome the coming Messiah? Senior adults can identify well with the aches and pains of age that Simeon and Anna must have felt as they waited. Pulling the string off their brown paper packages, they unwrap the gift of endurance and the gift of promise.

Luke 2:26, 28, and 38  It had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. … Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” … Coming up to them [Mary and Joseph with the infant] at that very moment, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Magi from the East

In 1857, John H. Hopkins, Jr. penned the classic Christmas hymn “We Three Kings of Orient Are.”  It is most likely this hymn in combination with three specifically mentioned gifts in the Bible—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—that establishes the image of three wisemen in modern day nativity sets. In truth, many biblical scholars believe the caravan of Magi to be as great as 200 in keeping with historical and cultural traditions of travel at that time. Ironically, the Magi are considered the premiere gift-givers of the original Christmas event. Their gifts were extravagant and to call the gifts costly seems understated. What possible brown paper packages could they receive? To the Magi were given the gifts of wisdom and discernment in order to avoid King Herod’s brutal schemes.

Matthew 2:11-12  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Shepherds

In all honesty, I believe the shepherds are my favorite participants in the original “Christmas” event. Culture and tradition reveal that sheep-herding was about the lowest occupation of the time and generally delegated to the youngest son. Big brothers had the better chores and little brothers were scooted outside to tend the sheep. Perhaps this is why Samuel had to wait for Jesse to bring his youngest son David in from the field; how could Jesse imagine the scruffy young boy was to be anointed as a future king? (1 Samuel 16:1-13)  Being a shepherd was also dangerous, especially during the dark evening hours full of hungry wild animals and ruthless thieves. It is in this setting we find the little band of shepherds.

Luke 2:8  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

It was the little band of shepherds who opened at least three brown paper packages that night. Can you imagine how frightening it would be out in the darkest night when the first angel appeared and the brightness of the glory of God shone around them? No wonder they were terrified. Just as Mary did, the shepherds also unwrap their first package to discover the gift of calming peace as the angel brings good news full of joy. To the shepherds’ amazement, when the first angel finishes speaking, a great company of heavenly host appears and together they sing praises: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests (vs. 13-14).”

Now the shepherds unwrap their second package to discover the gift of boldness.

Luke 2:15-16  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Finally, a third brown paper package is unwrapped by the shepherds. This gift is simply amazing. This little group of scruffy boys, most likely filthy and smelling somewhat like the flocks they tended, is given a precious gift—the gift of credibility.

Luke 2:17-18, 20  When they [the shepherds] had seen him [Jesus], they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. … The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

It is my sincerest hope that this devotion finds you busily enjoying the wonderful holiday events and traditions of a joyous Christmas season. It is my challenge to you that you would take time during this Advent to read the entire account of the original “Christmas” found in Matthew (chapters 1 and 2) and Luke (chapters 1 and 2). It is my request that you join with me in prayer for our many friends and loved ones who struggle each year to manage what I call “the Holiday blues.” They need our love and support as well as our fervent prayers.  But most of all, no matter what brightly colored presents adorn your tree this year, my greatest desire is that you might receive one or more of the “brown paper packages tied up with string” found in the original “Christmas” event.

e        e        e

the gift of assurance                the gift of guidance                 the gift of endurance

e        e        e

the gift of promise                   the gift of wisdom                   the gift of discernment

e        e        e

the gift of  calming peace       the gift of boldness                 the gift of credibility

Merry Christmas to you all, and may God richly bless you!

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian (eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus Christ our Lord!)

Entry #34 - Give Me Understanding

It is a rare occasion that I respond in rebuttal format to the writings of another author. It is even rarer still that I post my opinion on such matters. First, let me state outright that I am thoroughly enjoying a study on the book of Job written by Lisa Harper. I would strongly recommend this book to my friends. Her writing gives a fresh perspective on a book most Christians find difficult to study. However; that being said, Harper does include a single comment regarding the work of John Calvin that I must address since Calvin’s view contradicts everything I know to be biblically  true about the nature and supremacy of God. I know this post will be quite lengthy with the inclusion of many scriptures—most of which you could easily find on your own—but I have chosen to include them within the post.

Response to John Calvin seminal thesis about Christianity, Institutes of the Christian Religion, as it pertains to the concept of how God [supposedly] has to condescend to communicate to us.

{as presented in JOB: A Story of Unlikely Joy, Lisa Harper, 2018, p.96}

According to McNeill, Calvin states,

“Thus such forms of speaking do not so much express clearly

what God is like as accommodate the knowledge of him to our

slight capacity. To do this he must descend far beneath his

loftiness.”   (McNeill, 1960)

Regarding Calvin's quote, Lisa Harper queries,

“What Calvin is asserting here is that our Creator and Redeemer

has to “dumb Himself down” in order for us to understand Him.

Does that make you feel special and cared for or embarrassed by

your deficiency? Explain your answer.”  (Harper, 2018)

RESPONSE:

I do not believe God ever would “dumb Himself down” to our level—it is our job and responsibility to search and seek for him up to his level. When we don’t understand, that is where faith and trust fill the gaps. When we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, at that moment we are filled with the Holy Spirit who becomes our guide for truth and understanding. But it takes effort on our part! We cannot hope to understand the scriptures if we do not make the effort to study. We cannot hope to understand or catch a glimpse of the greatness of our God unless we are willing to focus on him in our daily lives.

We live in a world seeking instant solutions—instant meals, fast food restaurants, fastest internet connections, instant information via Google (yes, I’m guilty, too), quick health solutions, etc. Even our educational systems succumb to lowering of standards to make learning easy and palatable for all students. Homework is too hard and requires too much effort. Grades are becoming generic to enable all students to “succeed,” whether or not they truly grasp the information. This is our world, our way. But it is not God’s way. I strongly believe that God wants us to put some effort into seeking him. When we do, he will always be found.

Beginning with Moses who admonished the people to seek God—and culminating with Jesus who acknowledged the lack of understanding of the disciples, and the disciples who acknowledged the lack of our understanding—the scriptures are full of passages instructing God’s people to be diligent in seeking him. Nearly the entire writings of Solomon (the wisest man known to us) is devoted to seeking wisdom as more precious than gold. Countless Psalms speak of the search for understanding. Not only this, but many of the prophets also admonished the people to seek God, with no mention of God’s standards being lowered to make it easy. Nowhere in all of these passages is there even a remote hint that God “dumb[s] himself down.” In fact, quite the opposite is always true.

All scriptures point to our inadequacy and God’s supremacy. No scriptures point to a God who lowers his standards to accommodate us. Here are just a few passages, representative of only a small sampling of scriptures (taken from NIV unless otherwise noted):

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)  But from there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.

Psalm 14:2 and 53:2  The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Psalm 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)  Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

Psalm 48:1-3  Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

Psalm 57:5, 11  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 61:2 and 62:2  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.   . . .  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 63:1  O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 70:4  But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”

Psalm 119:27  Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

Psalm 119:34  Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Psalm 145:3  Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Psalm 147:5  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Psalm 150:1-2, 6  Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.  . . .  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Proverbs 1:5  Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

Proverbs 2:1-6  My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…

Proverbs 3:13-15  Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she [wisdom] is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverb 14:7, 15 (NLT)  Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.  . . .  Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

Isaiah 55:6, 8-9  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  . . .  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Jeremiah 29:13  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Daniel 2:19-22  Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  . . .  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things…”

(Jesus teaching his disciples) 

Mark 9:32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 9:45  But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 18:34  The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he [Jesus] was talking about.

Luke 24:45  Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

John 16:12-13  “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

(writings of the disciples to early Christians, and to us)

I Corinthians 13:12  Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Philippians 1:9-10  And this is my prayer: that your love many abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:7  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Hebrews 5:11-12  We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.

1 John 5:20  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Once again, I want to emphasize my intent is not to diminish the written work of Lisa Harper in any way—merely to state my personal response to the writings of John Calvin, which Harper includes in her book. I recognize fully that I can be outranked by many teachers, preachers, and theologians. Nevertheless, I will remain fully opposed to the concept that God would ever “descend far beneath his loftiness” [Calvin], nor would he ever “dumb Himself down” [Harper]. It is we who must diligently and faithfully seek him, and only in doing so will we catch a glimpse of God’s truly divine nature. When we come to the inevitable life moments that cause us to cry out to God for answers, and when answers seem far removed, we have the comfort that all will be fully known to us at that moment when Christ shall come to reclaim his own.

Until then, dear friends, I will join Paul and Timothy in my prayer for you:

Colossians 1:9-10  For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

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Works Cited

Lisa Harper, JOB: A Story of Unlikely Joy (Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press, 2018), 96.

John T. McNeill (ed.), Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion (Louisville, KY: The    

Westminster John Knox Press,1960), 121.