I Wonder

This past Advent season, during our church corporate confession time, the words we spoke together ended with, “Remind us that this is a season of waiting and preparing, of remembering Your first coming even as we pray for Your second coming.”

 

Every time I pray that, I question—do I? Do we?

 

Do we actually say to Him, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”? (Revelation 22:20b)

 

I wonder. Are we not yet too uncomfortable in this land of the living to plead for His return? It was when the Israelites moaned and cried out to be rescued and when that cry of help ascended to God that He was moved to take action. (Exodus 2:23-25 The Voice)

 

I wonder. Do we dare to suppose that Simeon and Anna both were so much in anticipation for the Advent of their Messiah that daily they pleaded for His coming? (Luke 2)

 

I wonder. What would happen if we lived in recognition that this world is just a fleeting thing and we got to the work of prayer instead of all the other fluff we fill our lives with? That’s what it appears Anna and Simeon did.

 

I wonder. Would our prayerful anticipation of the Lord’s coming break down all that keeps us attached to this life so that we actually live in eagerness for the next?

 

I wonder. Would that eagerness cause us to echo what the shepherds did so many years ago? Would we spread the story of the first Advent with praise and then glorify God that He keeps His promises so that those who are without hope see our joyful faces and run to Jesus, too?

 

I wonder.

The One who testifies to these realities makes this promise: The Anointed One:

Yes. I am coming soon. To which we say,

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Revelation 22:20 (The Voice)

"It's biblical."

Not exactly a “Christmas” season post, but…

Recently, the topic of the Shroud of Turin came up, again. And someone told me, “It’s biblical.”

 

I would say, no, it opposes the Bible, the Word of God. These are my reasons.

 

Firstly, John 19:40, NASB, tells us, “So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.” Here the NASB uses the word, bound. This is the Greek word, deo, which most versions translate as either bound or wrapped with a few using the word, wound. This word, deo, means bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind.

 

This is the same word used in reference to Lazarus in John 11:44, NASB, “The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus *said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” The word for wrappings is keiria, which Strong’s defines as a band used for tying up a corpse after it is swathed in linen, or a winding-sheet. Take note here that the word for unbind is lyo, which means to break(up), destroy, dissolve, (un)loose, melt, put off. That’s what Jesus told them to do to Lazarus. And Lazarus, just like Jesus, has a separate head covering.

 

The word for wrappings used in John 19:40 is different. It is othonion, this word means a linen bandage, linen clothes, according to Strong’s. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon adds that it would refer to plural strips of linen cloth for swathing the dead. Additionally, Matthew 27:59, NASB, says, “And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.” Here the word for wrapped is entylisso, which means to entwine or wind up in. So, the biblical account does not fit a draping of a one-piece shroud.

 

Also, the Bible makes no mention of a shroud, of a picture of Jesus on burial clothes. And since this would have been a supernatural occurrence, something God would have done to make the image, it would be logical that He would speak of it in His Word. However, there is absolutely no mention of such a thing, and He Himself in doing this image would go against the making of an image of God forbidden in the 10 Commandments. It was also forbidden for Jews to take grave clothes. These are unclean.

 

“As is the burial custom of the Jews” is important information regarding the process of Jesus’ burial, not just the grave clothes. Jesus’ body, on the cross, would have been a bloody mess from the nails, the crown of thorns, and from all the beatings. Remember, the Romans used a particularly brutal method to whip prisoners. Yet, all that blood was washed off carefully by Nicodemus and Joseph, who after Jesus died had plenty of time to remove His body and prepare it for burial. So, there would be no blood to stain the grave clothes.

 

After a thorough washing, Jesus’ body would have been bound with the linen bandages intermittently adding in the spices and aloe. The latter would act like a glue to hold together the linen. His head was wrapped separately. Scripture is very clear on this. In John 20:7 (NASB), we read, “and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.” I personally think this loose head wrapping was because, well, what if the person wasn’t really dead, they’d need to breathe and yell for help.

 

Since the women would not have been allowed to prepare Jesus’ body for burial—being women, most likely they were coming early that Sunday morning to do additional anointing. Perhaps their intent was adding their items to His head or the outside portion of the wrappings.

 

I also believe that the reason John had no need to go into the tomb, but stood at the entrance and believed, was that it was very obvious that no body could have been freed from the wrappings either by others or by itself from the state that they were left in, which due to the spices and aloe after several days would have made them like a collapsed formfitting cocoon. It was obvious to John a miracle had occurred. This would not have been the case of a shroud.

 

Something else that is notable. Jewish men had short hair. Only women and Nazarites (under oath) had long hair. Jesus was of Nazareth, so He was called the Nazarene. But, He was not one of those who took the Nazarite vow. His actions do not support Numbers 6. He went near dead bodies and drank wine. If He was under that vow, He would have shown integrity to it.

 

When you take these things into consideration, you must choose. Is the scriptural account correct? Or is the Shroud of Turin? If you choose the latter, then the Scripture loses integrity. It loses its claim to communicate truth.

 

So, that is why I believe the Shroud of Turin opposes truth of Scripture. And that makes the Shroud of Turin anything but harmless.

 

Charge!

Our Moms in Prayer International theme for the 2017-2018 school year is “Courageous Faith”—what all of us need, for sure. Our theme verse is from Joshua 1:9 (NIV).

Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

 

Joshua’s courageous faith is an example to us. But let me tell you about another Joshua, one who lived just over a century ago.

 

This Joshua had a last name, Chamberlain. He was a teacher, yet, at the Battle of Gettysburg, this Joshua found himself leading a band of Union soldiers that numbered 80 facing an army of 4,000 Confederate soldiers—with no reinforcements coming and only one round of ammunition left. Perhaps he felt like the first Joshua as he overlooked the fortified city of Jericho.

 

The story about Joshua Chamberlain goes that he climbed up a hill, held up his sword, and yelled, “Charge!” His 80 soldiers with bayonets fixed ran towards the enemy and caught them off guard. Within 5 minutes these 80 captured the 4,000 and won a victory that turned the tide of the war. Wow!

 

It is not our numbers as we gather to pray that matter. We who join together in prayer are mighty because what matters is the Lord’s promised powerful presence with us. He is the One that will turn the tide of our battle against the enemy. We only must have confidence in His love and choose courageous faith to charge the enemy in prayer. We must “be persistent and devoted to prayer…” (Colossians 4:2 AMP)

 

I remember these words hanging on a wall in my junior high Sunday school class—

 

Only one life,

‘Twill soon be past.

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

C. Studd

 

May we strive in prayer, praying constantly and earnestly with a passion for the welfare of others. (Colossians 4:12-13)

 

 

 

Claiming Responsibility for Our Time

This past spring, a leadership meeting topic was our use of our time and the use of planners to help us master our schedule, to put our “to dos” in writing to help us be accountable.

In the book, “Leadership Essentials for Women,” Debbie Lloyd is the author of chapter three, “Time Management Essentials.” Early in the chapter, she wrote, “…time management is life management, discerning priorities, having the right perspective, claiming responsibility for our time, accepting interruptions as opportunities, learning when to delegate and when to say no, and feeling good about the choices we have made.” She goes on to write, “When we master our time, we master our lives.” And then she gives the example of Jesus and His control of time.

 

She wrote that Jesus understood His mission and He “measured His use of time against that,” making intentional choices to invest “prime time.” She summed it up, writing, “Jesus practiced the principle: where your priorities are, there your time will be.”

 

Scripture tells us to use our time with wisdom and diligence. (Ephesians 5:15-16) Jesus had an attitude of Kingdom priorities and so should we as His followers.

 

Debbie Lloyd wrote that we’ll have a better job of redeeming [our] time if we simplify our life and get organized— “getting organized ultimately takes less time and energy” and helps you “find more time for the important things in life.” She’s right on. Simplifying your life helps you move with more freedom.

 

Our calling from God, and we all have one, is important or God wouldn’t have given it to us. I just was thinking of this when I read Acts 26:14 recently. Jesus had a calling on Paul’s life. Think about how Paul described himself as being highly educated in God’s Word. It seems there’s a sense of a battle that went on in his soul. And Christ called him on it— “It is hard for you to kick [repeatedly] against the goads”—what a farmer used to keep an ox going in the right direction— “[offering pointless resistance].” (AMP) Jesus told him, “Get up and stand on your feet” and gave Paul his calling.

 

That’s what each one of us as the Lord’s followers need to do, especially in these days. You and I need to get up and stand on our feet. We need to take our calling seriously. The times are changing fast—we are seeing our culture and the world sliding faster and faster uncontrolled down the slippery slope to the crash at the end.

 

Our Lord could return any moment. Let’s be found faithful.

 

Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (The Voice)

Fellowship is “More Than”

I was reading Acts 2 this morning and had looked up the meaning of fellowship, as in verse 42. It’s the word, koinonia. It means, simply put, just what a friend of mine wrote in an email to me later, "to walk together in the Christian life." It’s a partnership. It’s to be in community. It’s to actually live as the Body of Christ interconnected.

 

I wrote in my faith journal that we are called to live life together, not alone—contrary to our American individualistic society. We are to jointly participate in all of life as an intimate Body just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exhibit. This is a oneness that goes beyond Sunday coffee hours and occasional potlucks.

 

It's interesting that this word is also translated "contribution"—as in money, and "sharing"—as in the blood of Christ and as in doing good to each other. What a difference we'd see, what difference the world would see, if this were the "fellowship" of the Church. It’s so much more than!

 

Part of that “more than” means that corporate prayer is an essential part of that fellowship. It’s not an option.

 

Like we used to say when the ministry of Moms in Prayer was called Moms In Touch—it's being in touch with the Lord and each other at the same time through prayer. That type of “more than” is what gave the early Church boldness and an effective witness, especially during times of suffering. It’s what is needed in the Church today, especially for these times when following Christ takes courageous faith. We are a Body and we need each other.

 

In fact, Tony Evans wrote, “Connection in the body is necessary for function and for life, and it is essential if we are to leave a lasting impact and impression on our society and in our world.” Necessary and essential.

 

The author of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit, exhorts us with these words:

 

Let us consider how to inspire each other to greater love and to righteous deeds,

not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.

Hebrews 10:24-25 The Voice

The commentators for The Voice had this to say:

 

Some people, for reasons only they know, choose to live their Christian faiths in isolation. When they do, they cut themselves off from the gifts, encouragement, and vitality of others. And perhaps, just as tragically, they deprive the church of the grace and life God has invested in them.

 

And that means the “more than” becomes “less than.”

Porcupine Sword

Several days ago, our daughter’s pet pigeons were caught unaware by a hawk that entered their pen. Two of them became food. Very upsetting!

 

The next morning I awoke after having a dream with a much different ending. I dreamt that I looked out into our backyard to see our cats frozen and huddled in a group in the grass, and one of them was in the mouth of a small bear! I called for my husband and rushed out to rescue her. That startled the bear who dropped her, but it decided I was no threat and proceeded to return to its mission. I also noticed a badger had our older cat. I grabbed the badger by the neck and tossed it in the air. But, when it came down, I could see that I’d only enraged it! The look in its eyes! What to do???

 

So, the next thing I knew I had picked up a porcupine and aimed its quills at the critter. That seemed to be the turning point. I soon saw the badger, bear AND cougar (where had it come from?) on the other side of our fence fleeing. And then I woke up.

 

 

I do remember the quills of the porcupine to be long and fearsome. But what I was grasping was soft and fluffy. Hmm.

 

Wondering, I looked up the word, porcupine. It comes from the Latin porcus—pig—and spina—spine, quill. Some call it a quill pig, or a thorn swine, or an iron pig.  In Ghana, the name is Kotoko, which literally means, “bend and fight.” Wikipedia’s source says that this “refers to the ability of the porcupine to bend and attack its attackers with quills from different angles without losing ground or allowing the enemy to subdue it.” This is a real tactical advantage. In any case, it was enough in my dream to cause the attackers to run away.

 

I thought, and thought—what does this mean?

 

I concluded that not only was there another unseen enemy, the cougar, but that there was an unseen weapon there all along. Moms, we are in a downright war for our children’s lives, their eternal destination is at stake. And the Lord has given us His own tactical weapon—the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God—at our disposal. With it, we are to bend and fight and to subdue the enemy! Let’s use what we have. It will cause the enemy to flee!

 

Do not be afraid of these people! Instead, remember the Eternal, our great and awesome Lord. Fight for your people: your sisters and your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.

Nehemiah 4:14 (The Voice)

Unshaken

Unshaken—isn’t that what we all want to be in this land of the living?

 

This past February, I was given an advance copy of the book, Unshaken, written by Sally Burke and Cyndie Claypool de Neve, and read it during flight delays—long delays—at airports, of course. My copy has much text underlined and starred and has notes written in it here and there. I am actually now looking back with thankfulness for the extra time to just sit and read. How often does that happen? And, just perhaps, I had this book in my hand to keep me unshaken during those hours of wondering when I’d ever make it back home to my family. I love winter snow, but planes do not.

 

I’ve been involved in Moms in Prayer International, formerly Moms In Touch International, since the fall of 1992. Praying with other moms has seen me through raising my kids and has also strengthened me in my faith. This ministry really, truly has been a gift to me from the Lord.

 

Unshaken, written by Sally Burke, the current president of Moms in Prayer International and a former Space Shuttle engineer, speaks to the influence this strategic prayer ministry has had on her life and the lives of others whose testimonies are written throughout its pages. In the introduction to Unshaken, Fern Nichols, the ministry Founder, refers to her realization that united prayer was the answer to her fears for her children as they attended public school. She wrote, “We needed a strategic prayer plan to counteract the influence of the world, the flesh, and the devil that would rush like a tidal wave against them, intent on destroying them.”

 

That was over 3 decades ago. Women in over 140 countries now impact their children and schools for Christ as they gather to implement this strategic prayer plan.

 

What I love about participating in Moms in Prayer is that we always begin with the Lord Himself and then throughout the rest of our hour, He is not only present but He is our focus as we pray for our children and schools. And that has the effect of His Spirit imparting in us moms courageous faith, the kind of faith that comes from a heart that knows the Lord her God.

 

But there’s another thing I love about this ministry. It’s the “we.” It’s not just me praying for my children, but it’s me with others praying over them together. This is a powerful thing. It’s why I’m still involved even though my children are adults. Well, and also it’s because now I have a grandson that needs prayer.

 

Sally Burke wrote, “Shaken women become unshaken when they remember the Christ who lives in them is eager to answer their prayers—but they need to ask Him.” That’s the key—we need to take the time to stop and ask the Lord. Moms in Prayer added to our weekly schedule helps us do that in this crazy, busy world.

 

 

Unshaken will help you embrace the invitation the Lord has given you as a mom to stand firm and wield that sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, in prayer to counteract the enemy unshaken and with courageous faith. I recommend this book to everyone. You can purchase a copy of Unshaken through the Moms in Prayer International’s website Shop. Just go to www.MomsInPrayer.org and click on Shop.

 

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

Tooth and Nail

Oh, my goodness!! I picked up our smallest cat, Phoebe, to give her some love, and she threw a fit! Another cat was in her sight, and she was growling, huffing, AND trying to bite and scratch me. Did she really think she was not safe in my arms? If I hadn’t had a good grip on her, my skin would have become torn and bloody. Evidently, she really doesn’t believe I can be trusted.

Isn’t that what we do sometimes to our God who just wants us to be still and receive His love?

 

Yet, we often fight tooth and nail—Oh! Now I know what that means!—to get away from Him. We say we believe in Him, but yet we evidently think that He’s not to be trusted to handle our fears; He’s not to be trusted with the “what ifs” of life. We’ve no time or patience to relax in His presence and trust Him that He’s got this!

 

It was a reminder to me that we don’t have to be burdened with fear. We can take all our anxieties and worries and lean back into the arms of the One whose love empowers us with courage.

Let’s choose to relax as we take our fears to Him in prayer. He’s strong enough to hold us tight. And He’s completely trustworthy!

The Lord is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread?

Psalm 27:1 (AMP)

 

 

A Blind Beggar's Courageous Faith

My Scripture reading today was Mark 10. There’s much of importance in this chapter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that I could spend pages writing about, but what caught my attention was—

 

[When] …a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, … heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, “Jesus, Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!” Many sternly rebuked him, telling him to keep still and be quiet; but he kept on shouting out all the more, “Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call Him.” So they called the blind man, telling him, “Take courage, get up! He is calling for you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni (my Master), let me regain my sight.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.

Mark 10:46-52 AMP

 

Here is a beggar, a blind beggar, sitting on the side of the road. Yet, nothing—not even the rebuke/intimidation of the crowd—would inhibit him from crying out to Jesus, whom he couldn’t even see. When they told him to stop, he cried out "all the more."

 

But, when Jesus called him, he took courage and even jumped up when called, throwing off his cloak—what hindered him.

 

There’s something else here. If you look back in this chapter, and even in previous chapters, you will notice that this man being blind “saw” while most of the crowd, even perhaps the disciples did not.

 

When Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, cried out to Jesus, he recognized the Lord for who He is—the Son of David, the Messiah, and called Him, “Rabboni (my Master).”

 

What an example of courageous faith!! He wouldn’t be stopped until he was able to look Jesus in the face.

 

Are we as courageous when we pray?

 

Do we let the circumstances of our lives or the people in them stop us from accessing Jesus—His presence and His power? Oh, may we throw off what hinders us, jump up and come to Him. May we tell Him plainly our heart’s desire—all because we know Jesus as “my Master.” He hears our cries for mercy.