From Pity to Praise

The Overlooked Principle Of Cause And Effect

In a world of freedom of choice, some choices inevitably lead to bad results.

Actions yield consequences. We know we reap what we sow, but many don’t realize the source of the saying is in the Bible. Thousands of years ago one of Job’s friends, who was no stranger to suffering observed that “those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same” -Job 4:8.

Centuries later the Hebrew Prophet Hosea looked at the sad spiritual condition of the kingdom of Isreal. Idolatry, violence and immortality were commonplace (Hosea 2:1-23; 4:1-19). Within a few years a mighty Assyrian empire would sweep in from the east and lay waste, slaughtering thousands of its inhabitants and enslaving its survivors. God revealed to Hosea what was coming and why. “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7), “You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity” You have eaten the fruit of lies…” -Hosea 10:13.

When thousands die in natural disasters, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, and droughts -people blame God. Yet, as God told the ancient Israelites. He would bless them with favorable weather only if they obeyed Him -Leviticus 26:3-4;Deuteronomy 28:12. Most chose not no obey. That decision affected not only their own lives but the lives of their children, who fell victim to their parents foolish choices. The innocent often suffer for the sins of others. That is one of the tragic consequences of wrong choices.

When we analyze suffering, we can learn a great deal if we will only trace the circumstances back to their cause. Proverbs 22:3 warns us to consider the long term consequences of our choices. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; but the simple pass on and are punished.”

When we look for the major causes of suffering, we don’t need to look any further than ourselves. In one way or another sin is the underlying cause of most suffering.

God’s Job, Our Job: Know The Difference

Knowing The Difference Between God’s Job and our job makes a difference

With a culture that increasingly encourages self-absorption, it’s not surprising that any people act like “little gods” who are confused about their role in life versus God’s role over all life.

While many well-meaning people may believe in God, there is a tendency to usurp His function. People try to act like God all the time, attempting in their own power to achieve what only God alone can accomplish.

We try to control circumstances, manipulate situations, prevent things from happening, redefine morality, exalt ourselves of avoid the inevitable. But in the end we all must face the reality we are mere mortals who are limited, finite and powerless. We do a pretty lousy job of playing God, and the sooner we realize this the better.

Scientists are attempting to impregnate men, doctors are cutting off body parts of children, some nations are harvesting body parts, people are even choosing who lives and who dies. One thing I know for sure, people’s actions have consequences. Galatians 6:7 tells us “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap.”

It is not my intention to write about God’s attributes, there are many sources that brilliantly address the nature and God character of God. I want to focus on what God does and what we are to do accordingly.

Our society glorifies self-sufficiency, intellectual prowess, personal achievement, creative genius, and survivor instincts. We are told to do it, without knowing the purpose.

So, what is God doing in the world, and what are supposed to do?

It would be naive and arrogant to think I could even scratch the surface of the infinite activities of God in His universe.

But I do believe the scriptures give us some insight into what God’s working on as His divine plan begins to unfold for His most prized creation.

If we consider the difference between one of God’s jobs -to reveal, and one of corresponding jobs – to discover.

One of the traditions of Easter Sunday is a egg hunt which excites children to run around in search of brightly colored eggs hidden by the green ups.

Some are placed in easy to find places, and others request help from the grown-ups to give hints on where the eggs might be.

We must try every day to get ourselves out of the way. We are all different people than we intended to be. It is which we turn to God that we give ourselves up to Him personally, and begin to have a real personality of our own.

Life is like the ultimate hunt. God had many hidden mysteries, and yet His intention is for mankind to constantly make new discoveries. Man did not invent gravity, electricity,relativity, thermodynamics or even found cures of diseases. Man merely uncover them. God revealed them to the seeker.

As much as we would like to take credit for our diligent searches, God always plays a hand in helping us discover all kinds of truths. We can be glad He shares the joy when we uncover amazing new facts and artifacts. It’s all a part of His plan to use human ingenuity to benefit mankind.

If we consider the paring of God’s “job“ and our “job” there are ways to diligently pursue our jobs while humbly remembering that we are not God.

Just A Kid At Heart

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

Don’t let anyone tell you just because you’re an adult, the child inside of you left.

Sometimes I still finding myself wondering what I’ll be when I grow up. But to me there’s no other way to live. After all not everyone has to act as an adult all of the time -that would be boring.

I think eating a grilled cheese is the best. Having the entire day in the outdoors sounds like heaven.

And sometimes staying in your pajamas all day, is a much needed reset. Behaving or thinking in a way a child would behave.

Having more of a youthful outlook on life can be a way of our brains aging less.

In the Bible Jesus tells us, Children have everything they need to get to heaven. He want us all to be like children that possess childlike faith, that has pure, unassuming, humble faith, With a wild trust in God.

Being a kid at heart help us remain young when we are old.

It’s important to stay a kid at heart so that we don’t lose the wonder of life,

My Three Wishes

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

If I had a genie and 3 wishes. I would ask for all people’s hearts to become flesh. A heart of flesh is sensitive and open to others, while a heart of stone is is impermeable, senseless and dead.

I would ask for peace on earth, but there is no peace with God. Until God is in all of us there will be no peace.

For my third wish, I would wish for my own island with a beach house with all the amenities that go along with it. And a close knit family to live with me there.

Why We Should Support Israel

America is at a crossroads. Will we believe and obey the Word of God concerning Israel, or will we continue to equivocate and sympathize with Israel’s enemies?

The cornerstone of the Middle East policy, is to divide the land of Israel to create a terrorist-ruled Islamic Palestinian state. Whose objective is the destruction of Israel.

But there’s a problem.

God promises to pour out His mud on any nation that tries to divide up the land is Israel.

Joel 3:2-14 says, “I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment on them there for My people, and My heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among My land… Multitudes, in the valley of decision (Jehoshaphat) For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

God’s Word is very clear. There will be grave consequences for the nation or nations that attempt to divide up the land of Israel. God’s love for Israel is expressed in the words of Zachariah: “He who touches you (Isreal ) touches the apple of His eye” -Zachariah 2:8.

In Genesis 12:3 God says, “I will bless those who bless you (Israel) and I will curse Him to curses you. This is and has been God’s foreign policy toward the Jewish people from Genesis 12 until this day. Any man or nation that persecutes the Jewish people or the State of Israel will receive the swift judgment of God.

There are biblical reasons why people must stand with Israel:

1. Israel is the only nation created by a sovereign act of God.

Israel belongs to God Himself. As the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:2). God had the right of ownership to give the land to whoever He chose. God gave the title and deed for the land of Israel to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, along with their descendants “forever” (Genesis 15:18; 17:2-8). Ishmael, father of Arabs, was excluded from the title and deed to that land in Genesis 17;19-21. Therefore, modern day Palestinians have no biblical mandate to own the land. The boundaries of the State of Israel are recorded in Scripture (Numbers 34:2-25; Joshua 11:16-23; 13:1-22). In Ezekiel God established the nations of the world. He began with Israel. Israel is the center of the universe in the mind of God (Deuteronomy 32:8-10; Numbers 34:10-14; Joshua 11:16-22).

2. Christians owe a debt of eternal gratitude to the Jewish people for their contributions, which gave birth to the Christian faith.

Paul recorded in Romans 15:27, “For is the Gentiles (us) have been partakes of their (the Jews) spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Jesus is a prominent rabbi from Nazareth, and said, “Salvation is for the Jews,” (John 4:22). We are graphed in. Consider what the Jewish people have given us:

The Scripture
The prophets
The patriarchs
Mary, Joseph and Jesus of Nazareth
The 12 disciples
The apostles

It is not possible to say, “I am a Christian” and not love the Jewish people. The Bible teaches that love is not what you say, but love is what you do.- 1 John 3:18.

3. Jesus never denied His Jewishness.

Some Christians try to deny the connection between Jesus of Nazareth and the Jews of the world. Jesus never deny His Jewishness. He was born Jewish. He was circumcised on the eighth day in keeping with the Jewish tradition. He had His bar mitzvah on His 13th birthday. He kept the Law of Moses. He wore the prayer shawl Moses commanded all Jewish men to wear. He died on the cross with the inscription over His head, “King of the Jews.”

Jesus considered the Jewish people His family. Jesus said, “verily, I say unto you insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these brethren (the Jewish people), ye have done it unto Me” – Matthew 25:40.

4. Christians are to support Israel because it brings the blessings of God to them personally.

In Psalm 122:6, King David command all Christians, “pray for the peace of Jerusalem; May they prosper who love you” The Scriptural principle of personal prosperity is tied to the blessing of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.

Why did Jesus go to the house of Cornelius in Capernaum and heal his servant, who was ready to die? Jesus went because the gentile centurion deserved the blessings of God because he had demonstrated his love for the Jews by building a synagogue in Israel -When you do things to bless the Jewish people and the state of Israel Luke 7:5. When you do things to bless the Jewish people and the state of Israel, God will bless you,

Why did God the Father select the house of Cornelius in Caesarea to be the first Gentile house in Israel to receive the gospel? The answer is given repeatedly in Acts 10:2, a devout man (Cornelius) and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms (the acts of filling a material need for someone less fortunate) generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” Who were the people who Cornelius gave the alms? They were the Jewish people that lived around him.

Acts 10:31 says, “your alms are remembered in the sight of God.”

The point is made three times in the same chapter. A righteous Gentile who expressed his unconditional love for the Jewish people in a practical manner, was divinely selected by having to be the first gentile house, to receive the gospel of salvation, and the first to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The scriptures, Genesis 12:3; Psalm 122:6; Luke 7:1-5 combined say that prosperity, divine healing, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10) came first to the Gentiles who blessed the Jewish people and the nation of Israel in a practical manner. Paul expand on the teaching in Romans 15:27.

The Importance Of The Five Main Types Of Sacrfice

Leviticus 1:7

Leviticus tells us of five sacrifices the Hebrews had to make to become holy before God. The true meaning of sacrifice (tithing) is not to “give up” something, but to draw near.

In the Old Testament the Jewish people had to made many offerings (sacrifices) to the Lord in order to become closer to Him.

1. Burnt Offerings – Total surrender to God. (Leviticus 1:1)

2. Grain Offerings – Surrender To God’s Word (Leviticus 1:2)

3. Peace Offerings – Peace with God and Man (Leviticus 1:3)

4. Sin Offerings – Forgiving others (Leviticus 1:4)

5. Trespass Offerings- Reconciling with others (Leviticus 1:5)

Jesus was sacrificed on the cross for us, so we didn’t have to do these. If you read Leviticus you will find they spent most of their time doing these offerings in order to become acceptable to God. I could not have done all these.

A Family Member

Describe a family member.

A family member that I’m describing would be my Father. He was my rock here on earth. Growing up was crazy experience for me. Between all the pain there were many tragedies. My father always a rock in my quicksand. Someone I could grab a hold up and pull myself back up.

Everyone has their trials and everyone handles them differently. My father was always there for me, no matter what he was going through he always gave me advice when I needed it.

He was an old retired Marine, and while he was strict and set in his ways. He always was a man of honor with a strong work ethic, and had an uncompromising code of integrity, respect, everyone.

He definitely made made feel like you were safe. After he found out my mother wasn’t very nice to me, to say the least, he became my support system.

I wouldn’t have become who I am today without him.

6 Signs That The World Is Ending

How Do We Know?

1. An Increase in stress, anxiety and mental illness.

“But know this, in the last days, difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, thankful, and unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God” – 2 Timothy 3:1-4

That sounds like western culture today.

2. An Increase of mockers of God, and those who believe it.

“Knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts” – 2 Peter 3:3

These are the comedians, late night critics. This is the counterfeit of God goodness.

3. An increased of mockers of Christianity and Christian morality, lovers of sexual immorality.

“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their owns lusts, and the mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage” – Jude 18-16

They are saying that the Bible is wrong and evil. They want to destroy Christianity. Any thing that takes away from there desires is evil. Patriotic

4. An increased love for false teachers, and hatred for people teaching biblical truths.

People will not endure sound teaching and Apostates. They want someone to agree with their ways.

We cannot stand against the world if we don’t stand under the Word.

“For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will keep up for them, selves teachers after their own lusts; And will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables” – 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

5. An increase of people who are anti-Christ. An increase of Christian apostasy that paves the way to the antichrist.

“Little children, it is the last hour, as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that this is the last hour. They went out from us; but they were not of us; or if they had been of us, they would have continued with us, but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” – 1 John 2:18-19

The anti-Christ wants to replace Christ he wants to oppose Christ. And he wants to sit on the throne. He is the counterfeit Christ.

Jesus comes with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Antichrist comes not by the Holy Spirit but with the power of Satan. Fully evil and fully man. A massive world leader who says he want to unite the world globally. Politics, the economy, education, gender, entertainment, the family and religion under one authority structure. This is the push for globalism. They think of we could just unite these things we wouldn’t need Jesus. They would make heaven on earth all by themselves. Like the times of the babylonians.

The point is united unbelievers are more powerful than divided believes. Satan is always trying to bring unbelievers together.

6. An increase in wealth, comfort, a sense that God is not needed for a successful life.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming for you. Your reaches are corrupted, and their corrosion will be a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days” -James (Jacob) 5: 3.

God Shakes The Earth

There’s no doubt the God is shaking things up. I believe He is creating a global crisis. From the world being overtaken by a virus, people being paralyzed by a lockdown and rattled by an economic collapse and shaken by violence to the breakdown of civil order.

While I believe that most of these events were man made, God definitely caused them to happen. We are in a time of judgment. God is not going to accept America killing 60 million children and made amounts of other sin, and not have us face the consequences.

Jonathan Cahn talks about a ancient Bible mystery that foreshadowed all these events. And if so where is this all headed. Will there be even more shakings in the worlds future?

He has written some prophetic books. And all of these events in His books seem to be coming true. While I’m not one to give plugs to books or authors. It’s amazing the sense that is behind Jonathan’s writings and talking.

From the events behind the shaking of America. The Covid virus, to the civil disorder, riots and so much more. He reveals how the exact ancient template determined the timing of the virus and the shaking that’s going on in America.

I believe God is warning us, and people aren’t listening. And so now we are facing judgment. If we don’t wake up soon, things will continue to get worse.

This is just my opinion, of what’s happening from my many hours of reading the Bible and what the prophets are saying.

My Favorite Form Of Exercise

What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

I have a few favorite forms of exercises that come to mind when I think of this. My number 1 favorite is swimming because it releases endorphins which gives off a sense of well-being and happiness. It also is a great stress reducer.

I used to go swimming every morning around 5:00 A.M. as soon as the pool opened I was there. But then Covid happened and the pools were closed down. But, after I recover from my knee replacement surgery. It’s back to swimming.

I also enjoy hiking, I used to take my dog, but she cannot go anymore because her old age has caught up to her. Basically anything that involves nature I enjoy doing as long as it’s not a team sport. Every team sport I have gotten involved in seems to turn into a drama class.

Pay To Go To To The Moon?

How much would you pay to go to the moon?

When I first read this prompt, I thought pay to go to the moon -Why? Then I immediately thought about the time when rich people paid some guy millions of dollars to get in a submarine to go see the wreckage of the Titanic, and drown.

I see the going to the moon trend as a way for rich people to get their jollies. I myself need green grass, trees and fields of fresh food and vast amounts of water. I would rather spend my money on things I would enjoy and give me some relaxation that going to a dark, gray, planet.

Trusting God In Tough Times

I don’t know what lies ahead. It may be good things, it may be bad. The world is a crazy place no matter who’s side you take.

I find myself getting worried about this craziness that’s going on in the world. Just like Habakkuk in the Bible, when I look around and see a lot of sin, and wonder what God is doing about it, or if He even cares.

Habakkuk was one of God’s prophets and He complained to God. God’s response to Habakkuk was, “Don’t worry, I do care, and I’m going to take care of it. Before long, the Babylonians will come in and destroy Judah, because of their sin.” This confused and upset Habakkuk even more. He said to God, “I don’t get that. I mean, I know that Judah is bad, but you are going to use the Babylonians? They are the meanest, most violent, most corrupt people on the face of the earth. You’re going to use people like that to destroy us? That doesn’t seem right, it doesn’t seem fair.”

If you’ve ever had a hard time in your life, and thought to yourself, “that doesn’t seem fair“ (I think that’s pretty much all of us), then you understand how Habakkuk felt. Or maybe like Habakkuk, there’s been a time when you’ve prayed and prayed for God to do something, to help you out with a problem, but years went by without an answer and you just gave up, thinking, “God doesn’t seem to care about anything I’m going through.”

And when we’re surrounded by injustice And immortality and violence, as we are right now. It’s only natural that we pray for God to do something about it. We want to see change, we would like to see justice and godliness. But I think you don’t change, then we pray for God’s judgment. We pray for God to do something to make things right.

While we can be assured that a time of judgment is coming. We have a wallet phrases for this – what comes around goes around or you reap what you sow.

However, where you want to put it, sooner or later, we all face the consequences of the choices we’ve made. That’s true for nations as well as individuals. God cannot be mocked forever, and you cannot ignore Him or pretend He isn’t there., you cannot do as you please and rebel against God without inviting His judgment.

I want you to notice this, because it is important Nothing changed on the outside- Nothing changed on the outside, but Habakkuk changed on the inside. In chapter 1 Habakkuk is upset and confused. In chapter 3 he is at peace. The beginning of this book is filled with mystery (“God, I don’t understand), the end is filled with certainty. The beginning is filled with questions, they end with affirmation. The beginning is filled with complaint, and the end with confidence.

In Habakkuk 1 Habakkuk is saying, “God, I don’t understand.” In chapter 2, God said, “Be patient and wait.” And so Habakkuk did wait. And even though things around him, he didn’t seem to be getting any better, Habakkuk had peace in chapter 3.

So how did Habakkuk get from a place of confusion, worry and fear to a place of faith, confidence and joy? How was he able to make that transition when nothing around him had changed? The people were still mocking God, violence still filled the streets, and babylonians were still coming to attack Jerusalem. Outwardly, everything was still as messed up as it was in the beginning.

But something changed inside of Habakkuk. How did this happen? I want you to look at three things that Habakkuk did that we need to do to make the transition in our lives from confusion, worry and fear to faith, confidence and joy,

1. We need to remember what God has done.

This is a prayer that Habakkuk prayed… “Lord, I have heard the news about you; I am amazed at what you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time, and make anything happen again in our own days” – Habakkuk 3:1-3

Habakkuk starts by saying, “ God, I know all the stories about the amazing things you’ve done in the past. I’ve heard about your miracles. I’ve heard about your power. I’ve heard about your glory. And I remember all of those things, but God, it just doesn’t seem like you’re doing any of that stuffs right now. Do great things again.”

If I’m being completely honest with you, I’d have to admit that there are times in my life when God’s presence has seemed more real than at other times. There are times in my life when God’s power seem to be more evident. I could see that God was doing this, and God was doing that, but then there are times when I get to the point where I say, “God, I remember when you used to do all this stuff. Can you please do it again.”

But it starts with remembering. We need to look back and remember the faithfulness, the character, and the goodness of God. We need to remember what God has done. And that’s what Habakkuk does as he goes down memory lane thinking about the goodness and the power of God.

The more we know about the Planner (God) the more we can trust the plans. It’s not that Habakkuk suddenly understands everything that God is doing. That’s not it at all. In fact, at the end of this book, Habakkuk really doesn’t understand any more that he does at the beginning. But he comes to the realization that it doesn’t really matter as long as he knows that God is in control, and that God will work everything out in His own time.

In these verses, there is a focus on gods activity in the past. Habakkuk Especially focuses on Exodus, the time in the wilderness, and the crossing of the Jordan River. That is the time in God repeatedly perform spectacular miracles. And the implication is that if God did it before, then He can do it again.

2. Accept what God is doing

That doesn’t mean that we give up on expecting God to do anything. But it does mean that sometimes the answer doesn’t come as quickly as we would line it to come, and so, we accept what God is doing right now even if we don’t like it very much.

In 2 Corinthians 12:29Paul has some sort of a problem in his life that he refers to as “a thorn in the flesh.” He pleaded with God three times about this problem and asked God to take it away from him. But God refused to remove this thorn in the flesh and said to Paul “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

When God didn’t answer Paul’s prayer the way he wanted he could have gone into depression or he could have gotten angry with God. But, instead, Paul accepted what God had said, and wrote, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” – 2 Corinthians 12:10.

We see the same response in Habakkuk. When he questioned God, he didn’t get the answer he expected. God said, “ I am going to use the babyloniansto destroy your nation,” and here’s Habakkuk’s response. He said, “I hear these things, and my body trembles, my lips tremble when I hear the sound. My bones feel weak, and my legs shake. Yet I will wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us” – Habakkuk 3:16.

This is Habakkuk’s way of saying, “It makes me sick to my stomach to think about what’s going to happen. And there are times we just have to accept what’s going to happen. We don’t have to like it, but we must trust that God knows what He’s doing,

Before I read these scriptures. I was physically ill knowing that the Palestine’s attacked Israel. For I know America’s fate will come sooner or later. But I have to remember what God had done in the past, and then accept what He’s doing right now.

And then…

3. Trust what God is going to do in the future.

Habakkuk says, “I don’t understand what’s going on and I don’t like it. But he says “I will wait patiently for the day of disaster that will come to the people who attack us” -Habakkuk 3:15.

I’m going to wait because I believe eventually the people who attack us will get theirs, because God said so.

It’s not about have faith for Jesus only in the good times. If you only have God in the good times, you don’t have the God of the Bible. Because…

Sometimes the fig tree doesn’t bud.
Sometimes there are no grapes on the vine.
Sometimes the fields produce no food.
Sometimes there are no sheep in the pen.
Sometimes there areno cattle in the stalls.

What happens then? You can get angry at God or you can give up on God altogether. Or you can choose to trust God anyway. Faith chooses to believe when it would be easier to stop believing. I choose to wait patiently.

I have walked with God long enough that I can trust Him with all my tomorrows. And eventually I will have the faithfulness to trust Him in all things..

“The Lord God is my strength. He makes me like a deer that does not stumble so I can walk steep mountains” – Habakkuk 3:19

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.