God's Land, God's Earth, God's Universe

 When [Jacob] reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
-- Genesis 28:11-15

Commentary: When first reading, possibly the second or third, I see an historical account and also a spiritual connection between Jacob and GOD, as GOD makes two promises to Jacob. He gives him land and He promises to never forsake him and his descendants. Usually, I would be satisfied with the aforementioned revelations; but after meditating on this passage for a couple of weeks, I see three of the most important words in this passage: "I will give ...". (Read it again.) "I will give ...". GOD owns the land. The planet is GOD's planet. The universe is GOD's universe. And GOD, in all his sovereignty gives a portion of land to Jacob and his descendants.
 Whatever I think I may own, it was GOD's in the first place. He gives me what I need: land, a house, clothing, food, clean water, cars, jobs, ... and the list continues. May I thank Him everyday for giving me these things. And that's just the stuff.  More glorious are the spiritual gifts and the Kingdom-related blessings He gives!

Do Not Fret, Do Not Worry (About the Darkness of the World)

Do Not Fret, Do Not Worry (About the Darkness of the World)

In mainstream Christian circles there seems to be a preoccupation with how the world has strayed away from its Creator – the LORD God Almighty who is the Light for those who follow him. But the world continues to fall further into darkness. And those in darkness don’t even know they are in the wrong. Proverbs 4:19 says, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” (NIV, New International Version). Many of those in the light seem overly concerned about how the world is deceived into a path that is contrary to God’s plan. The wrongful ways of the world are seen on various news sources, in social media, universities and public schools. It is seen in the political arena and in the film and television industry, and even in many churches.

But as followers of the LORD God, of Jesus the Christ, we are not to fret or worry. The Psalmist wrote, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself of the one who prospers in his way, over the [one] who carries out evil devices.” (NLT, New Living Translation uses the word “worry.”) The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV)

There are those living a life in opposition of God who accuse the Christ-follower of being a hater just for disagreeing with their opinion or lifestyle. Jesus warned his followers this would happen. “If the world hate you, keep in my mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NIV)

Waiting on the LORD God and presenting our requests to him is good – it is how we abide with him and his love. But some Christians may believe that’s all we are to do – wait and pray. There are many injustices in the world. Jesus was a champion for those who suffered injustice. He healed those who were sick – both physically and spiritually (Matthew 8). He stood up for the woman who was accused of adultery (John 8) [Keep in mind, he did not condone adultery; he stood against those who were also in the wrong, the woman’s accusers.] There are ways in today’s world the Christ-follower can stand up against injustice. As Jesus demonstrated one-on-one, we too can interact with one person at a time or even as a group – a homeless person or persons, in the courts, with the pen, or with corporate prayer (to name a few). The latter was seen quite effective during the waning years of the Cold War in late 1980s when Pastor Christian Fuhrer led the Peace Prayers in Leipzig Germany¹. They prayed for a unified Germany, and for peace. After the prayer meetings, crowds filled the streets in peaceful demonstration – not one bottle or rock was thrown, the demonstrators did not instigate violence. How many times do people, including the Christian, feel the need to act against injustice by the use of violence? Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), those who were trapped in a dark place. And he did it in a manner of peace – for he is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

In the heart of the Christ-follower – in my own heart – may we not be preoccupied with the darkness of the world, especially to the point of feeling hopeless or violent. May we seek the LORD God, Jesus the Savior of the world, in prayer and patiently wait for his justice. May we seek out ways to be a light to a world of injustice in a manner of peace.

 ~

Footnote

1.       “A Time to Speak Out – The Leipzig Citizen Protest and the Fall of East Germany” Wayne C. Bartee, Praeger Publishers, 2000

His Kingdom Will Rule Forever - Prophecy Series

 [Daniel the Prophet] In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like the son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. Hid dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

- Daniel 7:13-14

... the angel said to [Mary] ... "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."

- Luke 1:31-33

~

"Ancient of Days" is a term used for the Lord God, the "Most High," or the Holy Spirit. 

The phrase "his father David" is a reference that Jesus is from the lineage of King David who lived 1,000 years prior.  

The Prophet Daniel lived from 620-538 BC.

(Click here to read more.)

His Mercy, His Kingdom

 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions [some translations use the word "mercy"] never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

- Lamentations 3:22-23

[Jesus said to his disciples] "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle his accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousands bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was unable to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 

At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.'

"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had the mercy on your fellow servant just as I had for you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

- Matthew 18:23-35

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

- Hebrews 12:15