Consider Today

Thoughts on Deuteronomy 11 (part 1)

“And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it), consider the discipline of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm,

For your eyes have seen all the great work of the Lord that he did.”

Deuteronomy‬ ‭11:2, 7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What foresight it was to, first to put in writing, and then to setup reminders and events, of the supernatural events that happened during Moses’ time. I do not think it was to convince outsiders that the events happened, but it was more for the Israelites to remember themselves as well as to pass these (true) stories down to the next generation.

Verses 3 to 6 summarizes the events and, let’s be honest, if we think about them these are really quite unbelievable.

  • The 10 plagues in Egypt (while the area were the Israelites lived was unharmed)
  • The parting and closing of the Red Sea
  • The guidance by pillars of smoke and fire, daily provisions of Manna and Quail, water flowing from a rock (in the desert, feeding a whole nation)
  • The earthquake in Mt. Sinai (and the precision of the earth to break exactly where the camp of Dathan and Abiram was)

But what is even more unbelievable, is that the Israelites who have experienced these amazing things, were so quick to forget. You would think that supernatural experiences like these would leave a lasting impression, at least for one’s lifetime. But this generation of Israelites have failed over and over, eventually forfeiting their ticket to the promised land.

Well.. they are not alone. The Old Testament has some other examples as well. But most notable for me are the Apostles of Jesus. They literally walked with God, saw first-hand his miracles, heard directly his commands, and yet, even they had their doubts, even they had their lapses.

I guess that’s why God put His word into writing. That’s why He commands us to meditate on it day and night. That’s why He institued the Sabbath, and encouraged us to meet regularly to remind and encourage one another. Because we forget.

I don’t have similar experiences as the Israelites nor the Apostles, not in the same caliber for sure. But – as a family especially – we do have many, many, experiences in the past that surely was because of God’s grace and power.

Maybe we should have the same practice, of putting these experiences in writing, of considering them daily.

Verses 8-17 explains the Why. Simply – it’s for our own good.

Considering Daily strengthens us, helps us persevere in obedience. Because obedience leads to wonderful things, and disobedience leads to woeful things. This we already know from our own experiences as well as the experiences of others. We need to consider daily so we will not forget.

Fight Temptation through Discipline & Thanksgiving

Thoughts on Proverbs 5

“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/pro.5.3-4.esv

Temptation – by its very nature – is alluring, inviting, it looks good, tells you that it will make you feel good. Just a little closer, just a little compromise, it says.

Don’t. Just don’t. And when it calls, run the opposite direction. Run.

It never ends well. Since Adam, and all throughout the Bible, evident in your own experience as well as the experiences of others, we know that giving in will only mess up your life.

Falling (failing) is too easy, getting back up, not so much. And by the time you do, damage has been done. You have given precious time, honor, and strength, away.

What can you do? Aside of course from running away when it appears, because many times we don’t even notice that we are being tempted. Practice Discipline and Thanksgiving.

“and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/pro.5.12-13.esv

Discipline is daily, minute by minute. Listen to the voice of the Teacher.

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/pro.5.18.esv

Look around you and count your blessings. Adam and Eve had the whole Garden, all around them, when they were tempted.

Control your Self

Thoughts on Titus 2

Great follow-up to the last post. While the world is doing its thing (deceiving and hating), what are Christians called to do? What does it mean to show love?

For the leader, it means to teach sound doctrine. It means to be proactive in teaching, shining a light to deceit and hatred. 

But you cannot teach what you do not know. So it also means to be proactive in knowing sound doctrine – devoting yourself in God’s Word, letting the Holy Spirit work in you and through the Church. This is love in action.

Paul then lists some more examples for Older men, Older women, Younger men and Younger women. But the common characteristic for all four? Self-control. 

To love is to get yourself in check. We must guard our mind, our heart, our tongue, our hands and feet. Many times we already know what we should and should not do, but the self says, “No, I want it my way.” Other times, there’s not even a struggle, the self just goes and does what it wants. Control your self, even though it’s difficult. This is also love in action.

But Why? Why go through the trouble? Good thing Paul reminds us:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is also the How. Grace through the sacrifice of Jesus has brought salvation to me and you. And it is also by grace that we are able to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

Justice and Healing

Thoughts on Hosea 7

It’s been 25 weeks since my last post. Although I tried to restart a few times, none of them got out of Draft. I hope this sticks.

And God’s Word is timely, as it often is. Politics has been crazy in the Philippines, consuming the everyday lives of Christian and Non-christian alike. I do believe the Church will survive this, because God’s love will prevail, but the dividing issues and differing opinions have caused hurt and will leave many scars.

There is evil. There has been and will be evil people doing evil things. For the life of me I could never understand why. But there it is.

One side cries out for Justice. Another side calls for Healing. Both are valid, why can’t we have both?

“When I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the evil deeds of Samaria; for they deal falsely; the thief breaks in, and the bandits raid outside. But they do not consider that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭7:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

True Justice and Healing can only come from God.

What then, do I think we should do? We should trust in God’s Justice and we should love as Jesus loves. God sees all things and, as the rest of the chapter goes, will deal with evil people accordingly. We should remember this.

Should we then just ignore oppression? No. We should call it out. But keeping our eyes on Jesus as we do.

There’s still more to be done for God and for His Kingdom and we may be distracted by things that are way beyond our spheres of control and influence. I think we should focus on people, especially those who God has brought to us to lead and to love.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13:35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s start and persevere with this. Justice and Healing – from God – will follow.

Story of my (Christian) life

“And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

He said, “Come.” 

So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:28-31‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/mat.14.28-31.esv