Psalm 81

 

This is a very interesting psalm. It begins as if the psalmist is ready to praise God and celebrate His feast, but then it shifts. A new voice steps in. It is as if God were clearing His throat and interrupting the psalmist's praise with a warning. This has caused me to wonder if there are not times in our lives or in our churches where God would like to step in and say, "I'm waiting for you to repent." Praising God is good, but I think that, as with sacrifice, God would prefer obedience over praise (1 Samuel 15:22).  

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1 Samuel 13

 

Look a mistake!

If you read the first verse of 1 Samuel 13 in different translations, you do see differences. This is not a mistake in the Scriptures but in translations. One might argue that if God couldn't protect these numbers from being lost to history and translations, then we can't trust anything. This is a very cynical approach to the Bible. The truth that can be seen is that, first, Christians are willing to see and point out where there may have been issues, unlike other religions. Second, this is not critical to the purpose of God. Finally, just because there is disagreement among scholars doesn't discount that the facts can't be known. 

If we can only believe that something is true when there is perfect consensus, then we won't believe anything. The danger is when we pick our experts based on whether they agree with our agenda. In this disagreement, I can say, it doesn't matter. What mattered is that Saul didn't trust God and paid the price.  It is a reminder for us not to do the same. 

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Chasing Your Dream

 This is a post from February 2014, but it fits here today

Today I listened to a young man, Jacob Salem, from Olivet Nazarene University, preach. I enjoyed it. What caught my attention was not the running leap from the podium, but the scripture he used. 

Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab's two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. (1 CHRONICLES 11:22)

I do not know if he has read the book "Chase the Lion" by Mark Batterson (I haven't yet either), but whether he did or not, the question both ask is basically the same:

Do you trust God enough to chase your dream, even if it looks crazy?

WELL?

Are you?

The sermon prompted me to reflect on all that surrounded the publication of my first book, The Bee in the Blackberry Bush. 

When I began to chase this dream in July 2012, I set aside the facts:

• I was no expert in writing
• English was my worst subject growing up
• I had no talent in art (I can not draw a straight line with a ruler)
• I did not know any illustrators
• I had no money to pay an illustrator
• I had no money to pay an editor
• I did not have a good name for the story
• I did not have the money to pay a printer/vanity publisher
• I had no experience in book design 
• I did not know any translators (this comes into play later)
• I had no money to pay translators
• I had no platform

Despite what has happened. 

The Bee in the Blackberry Bush is published in print in 3 languages, 2 in Kindle format. The title was given to me by Garrett Lee, who also assisted in editing the book. Garrett's brother Don is an excellent illustrator, and both brothers donated their services(This was Don's first published work, WOW, he has a future, hire him). I learned how to self-publish for next to nothing. I learned how to design a book(this is harder than it looks). Two great people took up the challenge of translating the book into their own languages.

It was a lot, A LOT, of work, but it was worth it.

Update: At this time, I have self-published twelve more books (11 nonfiction, 1 fiction) and have also helped others get their work published. I know of at least 20 books that are in print because I helped encourage or actually format the books. I have 6 drafts of fiction books (Okay, Confession: I've been afraid to do the work to finish releasing them, but that is going to change).

How did all of this happen? I chased the lion (And I will again).

I can not promise this will happen for you, but if you do nothing, nothing is what you will have.

Published and Drafts

* I am not endorsing Mark Batterson and he is not endorsing this blog.

He has never heard of me, I'm sure.

Jeremiah 25

Jeremiah isn't written linearly. The narrative goes forward and then goes back, and here in chapter 25, it happens again. For me, however, I see why the change is taking place. God, in the previous chapter, spoke of the good people going to Jerusalem. Now, we are given the prophecy about how long those people will have to stay in exile. It is also a reminder that God tried to warn his people before this took place. Yes, God is saying, "I told you so," but in this case, God isn't doing it to brag but to give directions, and though it is a long way off, hope. 

Seventy years is as long as many people live. This means that most of those who were exiled will die away from the land God promised. To me, it is a reminder that in this world, in our exile as it were, we may die before seeing God's promises fulfilled. Yet Jesus tells us that in this world we would have trouble, but he has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will make all things right. Yes, in this world life may be hard, but a better day is coming; it just may not be in this lifetime. 

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Jeremiah 24

 

The people left in Jerusalem had the temple. They had prophets like Jeremiah. They were in the land that God had given to their people. These people had everything that one might expect to do right, yet they were the rotten ones. Good fortune, good luck, or what may seem to be God's blessings don't prove righteousness. In truth, if you aren't trying to serve God faithfully, then being in the church and having faithful teaching available is a curse. Jesus said to whom much is given, much shall be required (Luke 12:48). Knowing this, one can understand why the disobedient people in Jerusalem were so rotten. They had what they needed to serve God and did nothing. It is like someone dying of starvation in a grocery store full of free food. 

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Romans 3

 

I have heard many people judge Christianity by the failure of some Christians. That argument is faulty, according to Paul, when he says, "What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!" Yes, the Jews failed to follow God, but this didn't mean that God wasn't faithful. What it proved was that humanity was the problem. People today can no more judge God on the actions of some people who call themselves Christians than by the lack of faithfulness of Israel could prove that the Law was worthless. Neither the disobedience of others nor the faithfulness of God justifies our continuing in wrongdoing.   

What is amazing in this chapter and actually in much of Romans, is Paul’s referencing to the Old Testament. For those who would like to say that Paul has forsaken the Law and embraced something completely foreign (and there are some, He sure uses the Old Testament to show what he is teaching is true. The truth is that Paul uses the Old Testament because he believes what Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17), and is using the Scriptures they had to show this. 

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Psalm 80

 

We see verse 17 saying, "Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself," and can understand that this man, the psalmist, is thinking about is Israel. Yet in light of the New Testament, we can see that there is another son that God has put his hand on and raised up. Jesus is, in a real sense, the one whom God is going to use to save and keep his people. It is Jesus who will bring about salvation for Israel and for the whole world. 

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1 Samuel 12

 I noticed here in this chapter that Samuel doesn't say that if your king does evil, God will judge you, but if you, the people, do evil. Leaders have influence and power in our world, and how much more when they were little more than dictators. Yet, Samuel says that the people and their king would be swept away if they sinned. We might want to blame leaders, but we still have a choice. We can choose, as Jesus said, to give to Ceaser the things that are his but give to God what belongs to him. We do not have to follow the example of ungodly leaders. We can choose a better, a holy, and godly way, because if we don't, the destruction that comes is on us, not our leaders. 

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1 Samuel 11

 

What surprised me in this chapter was the arrogance of the Ammonites. First, the agreement they called for would be nothing less than a disgrace and disability on the people of Jebesh Gilead. The second is that they would be willing to wait a week to see if someone would come to their aid. This shows me that the Ammonites really thought they could not be beaten and wanted not a victory but an opportunity to humiliate Israel. Perhaps the Ammonites had reason to believe that they were undefeatable, but I'm reminded of the scripture that says to be careful when you think you stand, because you may fall. It is a reminder to me not to be too confident in myself because the Bible and history say that overconfidence (pride) comes before a fall.  

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Jeremiah 23

 

The delusion of our day.

Verse 28 contrasts the dreams of the prophets with the word of God. The idea that one has ultimate authority and the other doesn't. It reminds me of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about one prophecying and the other judging. What do they use to judge? The word of God. 

There is also a multitude of prophets and prophetic announcements in Judah. The consequence of false prophesying is unutterable confusion and ultimately the loss of the word of authority" (G. Campbell Morgan). It reminds me of the world today, where anyone can find "experts" to prove anything they want to prove. Ultimately, today, each person can embrace the delusional idea that "I'm always right." There is no ultimate recognized authority except for the Christian, and that is the Word of God. 

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Jeremiah 22

 

The gold standard, as it was for kings, was if they walked or followed in the way of David. In the historical books, one could know immediately if someone was good if they walked in the way of his father, David. However, if the Bible said that they didn’t walk in the way of David, then you knew they would be part of something terrible. As this chapter begins, it speaks of the king who is sitting on the throne of David. This to me hearkens back to these words. This king was in the place where David was. They had the example of what they should be doing and weren’t. They were on the throne of David, but not acting like David. It's like for those in the USA, that someone would be sitting in the seat of Washington and Lincoln, but not acting presidential. It says to me Do you see where you are sitting? 

Today, we in the church need to look at where we are sitting. We are in the seat that Jesus and the apostles made for us. Are we living into that? Are we walking in their ways? Or is the fact that we are here making a mockery of the church? Let us be worthy of the seat we are in. 

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Romans 2

"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God" Verses 28-29.  What Paul is saying here echoes what God told Peter in Acts 10 and is confirmed by the counsel at Jerusalem in Acts 15. It is what God does in us, the change brought about by the acceptance of Jesus as Lord (Romans 19:9-10). Without a change of heart, anything on the outside is just a disguise. 

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Psalm 79

 

In the middle of destruction, the Author of this psalm understands that God is the one who can make things right. There is a great understanding that the judgment that has fallen isn't because God isn't powerful, but because He decided that this is right. The final verse promises that with God's deliverance comes a promise to praise God for all generations. Though this will ultimately be true. The sad truth is that this is like many a foxhole promise. It is clearly meant, but it will not be fulfilled. When God does deliver them, they don't keep praising God for every generation.  

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1 Samuel 10

When considering the modesty that some see in Saul by hiding in this chapter, G Campbell Morgan said that "modesty becomes sin when it prevents any man from stepping at once into a place to which he knows God is calling him." 

I do not think, however, that what Saul is showing is modesty, but a false humility, or more accurately, a fear of stepping into God's calling. Saul isn't showing a good quality, but if it is fear-motivated, it is a quality that will be seen throughout his life. He will fear the people and offer sacrifice. He will fear losing his kingdom and try to kill David. He will fear not knowing the future and seek a witch. God gave Saul his Spirit, but it seems that he didn't hold onto it and instead chose the spirit of fear.

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1 Samuel 9

 

I find it interesting that the first King is from the tribe of Benjamin. At the end of Judges, we see the tribe of Benjamin nearly wiped out.  A tribe that embraced and defended sin. Yet now, one of this small tribe is going to be chosen to provide the king. Once again, God isn't choosing the greatest or the strongest but from the smallest. There is also an image that we will see repeated in David, God is choosing someone who is looking over animals. Not just any animals, but lost animals. Israel will often be described as wandering from God and needing to be returned. Here God is choosing someone who is looking for the lost and willing to seek God about it. 

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Jeremiah 21

 

What is bad? To Israel, losing Jerusalem was the greatest evil. Submission to a conquering tyrant was evil, but the truth was it wasn’t. It was the only cure. Israel had a sin problem, and God knew at this point the only cure was the loss of their freedom and autonomy. It was like the doctor saying we have to amputate. Unfortunately, Israel was like some patients, “I would rather die.”

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1 Samuel 8

 Samuel appointed his sons as judges. The problem was that they did not follow God. They didn't live like their father did. To me, it seems that Samuel learned nepotism from Eli. He chose those of his family, which might not have been bad, but it was, and this time, the people rejected it. I applaud the people for rejecting Samuel's evil sons, but their solution wasn't a good one either. Ultimately, Jesus will be the king they wanted, but getting a human king is going to be overall as bad as Samuel's sons might have been. 

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Romans 1

 

Paul wanted to come to Rome to give to them, but to also be mutually encouraged. He wanted them to share together. An interesting fact was that Paul wanted to go to Rome long before now, but was prevented. God allows us to be detoured at times from what is a good thing in our minds. We don’t always know why, but we have to keep trusting God.

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Proverbs 17

 

I have heard it said that wealth brings problems you never expected. Unfortunately, those problems are often relatives. This is what came to mind when I read the first verse of this chapter. You might only have a dry piece of bread, but that is better because you have peace. To say it another way, a feast is wonderful unless you have to worry about being poisoned. Many think that money will solve the problems, but don't realize that often it just causes more problems. 

Speaking of money not helping the NLT put verse 16 this way, "It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning." Money to make you smarter won't help if you aren't willing to be educated. Money for college is only good if you're going to learn. The "college experience" is just a waste. 

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1 Samuel 7

 Ebenizer means, "thus far the Lord has helped us." When people read this here and claim it in their lives, they often think only of the victories. However, God had helped Israel not just by giving them victories but also by sending them troubles and even defeat. God's help isn't just what we would call good. God's help can also come in correction and in allowing judgment. This isn't the side of God's help that is fun, but like with our children, sometimes the best gift we can give them is what they don't want. 

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1 Samuel 6

 

It doesn't help just to see that God has done something or to acknowledge that you have done wrong. What is important is whether this changes you? The Philistines know that they have done wrong. The Philistines sent a trespass offering, a sign of repentance. They see that God has passed their test and, once seeing the power of God, go back to Eckron and to their own lives. Just a simple thought exercise should say if this God is more powerful, then would you not want to become his follower?  No, they offered the equivalent of an apology to God, but went back to worshipping their own gods and to their own lives. 

Before we criticize them too much, look at the men of Beth Shemesh. There are Levites here, the ones who are supposed to understand the things of God and the need to reverence them. Yet, they look into the Ark with God had commanded them not to do. When judgment falls, what do they say?  “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?” or to say it another way, This is God's fault, let's get rid of Him.  The correct response should have been admitting they had sinned and rejoicing that God came into their midst, but what happens is little different from what the Philistines did. They sent God away and went back to the way they lived before.  

Here is a truth. Seeing God's power isn't a guarantee that a life will be changed. A changed heart is what changes lives, not power. As I heard once, He that complies against his will / Is of his own opinion still" (Samuel Butler's Hudibras).

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Jeremiah 20

 

This chapter ends with a prayer to God that reminds me of many of the Psalms. It asks God why, but still shows faith. It trusts in God's faithfulness, yet is discouraged. It is like many of us feel from time to time. Yes, Jesus didn't say following him would be easy, but we still want it to be. We still want things to go better. We aren't alone; it's the human condition. The truth is, life isn't always good; in fact, it often is horrible for the saint and the sinner. The hope we have is that God works it out. But in my flesh, I would like it worked out today. 

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Acts 20

 

The early church father, Chrysostom, wrote concerning Eutychus, which inspired me to look at the story a little differently. He said, "And the wonderful circumstance is, that though he was a youth, he was not listless and indifferent; and though (he felt himself) weighed down by sleep, he did not go away, nor yet fear the danger of falling down. It was not from listlessness that he slumbered, but from necessity of nature."* Jesus told his disciples that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. There are times we want to do but our human limitations prevent us. Here is a sign that God can raise us up in spite of our weakness. 

*https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210143.htm, Accessed 8/19/25; Martin, Francis, editor, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament volume 5, Intervarsity Press, Downer Grove, 2006.

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Psalm 78

 

There is an idea, especially in the West, that we want better for our children. It is reasonable, but often leads people to do things that aren't good for their children or lead them to being spoiled. The question Christians should ask those who have children is, What is truly best for them? At the end of the day, I have to go with Jesus' words, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul" (Matthew 16:26 ). 

The reason for this Psalm is to teach children. It is written to keep them from making the same mistakes their ancestors did. It is an admonition to us that we need to teach our children about God. 

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Psalm 79

 In the middle of destruction, the Author of this psalm understands that God is the one who can make things right. There is a great understanding that the judgment that has fallen isn't because God isn't powerful, but because He decided that this is right. The final verse promises that with God's deliverance comes a promise to praise God for all generations. Though this will ultimately be true. The sad truth is that this is like many a foxhole promise. It is clearly meant, but it will not be fulfilled. When God does deliver them, they don't keep praising God for every generation. 

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1 Samuel 5

 

The major deities the Philistines worshipped were Dagon, Ashtoreth, and Baal-Zebub. There is some historical evidence that the three towns the Ark was sent to focused on one of these gods. None of them was able to save the Philistines from God's wrath. God in these places made it clear that He was greater, but like today, that doesn't mean people will turn to Him. 

Dr. Herbert Lockyer pointed out that even today, God will not allow idols in his presence. Considering this, we might ask ourselves if the misery in our lives isn't because we have set up an idol in our lives and hoped God would be okay with it? 

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1 Samuel 4

 

With the loss of the Ark of God, the death of her father and father-in-law, and soon her own life, the wife of Phinehas named her new son Icabod. Icabod means "The glory of God has departed. It is a heartbreaking story, but as I thought about it, it is heartbreaking for a different reason. Israel didn't lose God because the Ark was captured. Israel lost the presence of God long before the battle. They lost God's glory and presence because they were not serving him faithfully. It is only now that they realize it, but they still don't realize it isn't the loss of the Ark, but the loss of their faith in God.  

Yet, at the beginning of the chapter, we have hope; God is speaking through Samuel. 

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