A Tarnished Crown, A Bloody Cross, An Empty Grave

 

Man: the crown of God's creation (see Genesis 1:26-27). But the serpent was crafty and sly. In his deceptive ploy, he came to the woman and caused her to question God's word.

"You will not surely die," he hissed. "Rather, you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Eyeing the fruit, it looked pleasing to the woman. She saw that it was good for food, pleasant to behold, and desirable to gain wisdom (see Genesis 3:6; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14; James 1:14-15; 1 John 2:16). She took it and ate it, and gave it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. All of a sudden, shame attacked their very souls. They sewed (perishable) fig leaves together covering their nakedness (see Genesis 3:1-7).

Hearing the LORD God walking in the Garden, they hid from him (but quickly learned the impossibility of such an attempt.  See Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 139). They were deceived, desiring worldly pleasures more than God's purposes for them.

As disobedient children, God disciplined them. Creation's crown now tarnished, they were put out of that Garden to manage their way; they had chosen to live a life, struggling to "make ends meet."

A gulf was fixed between God and humankind, invoking misconduct, immorality, and terror throughout the earth. It continues today, humans still with that rebellious nature inherited from the "first Adam," the sentence of death being the final payment (see Genesis 3:22-24).

Even still God loved his human creatures. He provided for their physical need, a more durable covering  (see Genesis 3:21).

But then the time had fully come when God sent His one and only Son, Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ (Messiah); He was born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, and adopted as His children. (See Galatians 4:4-5; cf. Mark 1:15; Romans 5:6; Ephesians 1:10).

He had been born to die, however, from the manger to the cross, paying the price in full for all humanity– from the poor as the shepherds to the wealthy as the Magi. He bloodied a rugged cross on a hill, effective to those who believe, receiving Jesus as Lord.

Buried in a borrowed grave, but he didn't stay there. On the third day, as the Scriptures had promised, he rose from the dead. With the tomb empty (of Jesus' body, the clothes that wrapped Him remained) He appeared first to Peter, then to the Twelve, and then to more than 500 others at the same time — evidence indeed of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Then, as his disciples stood watching Him ascend into the sky, returning to his Father, two men in white apparel appeared with them, and spoke, "This same Jesus, as you see him go into the heavens, will so come again in like manner, at the Father's will."

Until then, as Jesus has commanded his disciples (and us), we're to proclaim this Good News, like a shining beacon of God's glorious truth to all peoples of the earth.

For further reflection, consider –

Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-20; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-5

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

Lead On, O King Eternal

  Wake up Church, through these ever-darkening days trusting in our King eternal through the greater hysterical days that are ahead...

1. Lead on, O King eternal:

the day of march has come;

henceforth in fields of battle

thy tents shall be our home:

through days of preparation

thy grace has made us strong,

and now, O King eternal,

we lift our battle song.

2. Lead on, O King eternal,

till sin's fierce war shall cease,

and holiness shall whisper

the sweet Amen of peace;

for not with swords' loud clashing

nor roll of stirring drum,

but deeds of love and mercy,

thy reign of peace shall come.

3. Lead on, O King eternal:

we follow, not with fears,

for gladness breaks like morning

where'er thy face appears:

thy cross is lifted o'er us;

we journey in its light;

the crown awaits the conquest;

lead on, O God of might.

The Decade That Was

Another year has come and gone; what a year it was. But for me, not just another year, but another decade it was (plus 2 1/2 years) from mid-2007 to 2020.

Following are major events (in my life) of that past decade:

2007:

            Mid-September I had to move from a previous residence, on 5310 Two Notch Road, Forest Acres area of Columbia, South Carolina, due to the property being sold and the mobile home in which I was then living could not be moved. I then lived in what was Crossroads apartments on Zimalcrest Drive, Columbia, South Carolina. (There, made aware of it by a Narnia fan, down a path outside my front door was “a lamppost in the middle of the wood.”)

            My previous car, which was given to me, “gave up the ghost.” I had a chance then to learn of the city bus system.

2008:

            I became unemployed on 07/11/2008.

            Eventually, I was given another car. (The person who gave it to me was going overseas in Christian mission work, so I paid something for the car for her support.)

2011:

Custodial employment with Columbia International University (C.I.U.) mid-May 2011 thru August 2014—not desiring custodial work, but needing a job I thought I would give it a try, at least then I had a job for a time.

I had another custodial job for a time at Baptist Parkridge hospital in Columbia. I enjoyed working for a hospital, but again not so much custodial work

May 2014 thru June 2018:

            Lived in C.I.U.’s Pine View apartments

2016 Presidential election:

            God brought President Trump into the White House for “such a time as this,” I’m sure of it, surprising us all particularly winning over those Democrats and the fake news media

2016 thru 2020:

            Impeachment proceedings of President Trump took center stage, but to no avail, however, it was simply a conspiracy act and a waste of taxpayer dollars.

July 2018 thru March 2019:

            Lived eight months in Ohio. (Perhaps a benefit: I realized greater the two worlds.)

2020:

            Covid pandemic

            General election. An overwhelmingly red wave, although the Democrats trying to steal it.

 

And so what is the impact of it all on my life:

I think how I would like to tear out of my life story that past decade. But of course, I can not. History is God’s story, and as is all of humanity, we’re characters in His story; guided along by the Good Shephard or going our way as a prodigal—doing our own thing, living the “I did my way,” the “Que sera, sera” misguided philosophy.

As it seems,  how difficult it is for me to live these days as I had done before 2007. Before then, doing things simply for fun and pleasure was a favorite thing to do—a favorite pastime. Now, it’s all not so much fun anymore. (Watching TV doesn’t even hold much of my interest, nor sports, nor movies. Neither giving much attention to the fast becoming unreliable news reporting.)

I have come to realize to a greater extent the end times. My going about these days, my mind now being more set on the immortal eternal reality, noticing the temporal works of humankind—those “towers of Babel” (Genesis 11:1-9 cf. 1 John 2:16)—I realize as the apostle Peter has written that it’s all going to burn (see 2 Peter 3:1-7; 1 John 2:16-17).

Hence, I can’t live these days as if everything in the world is a-okay, hunkey-dorey, or “it’s all just fine.” Not so, these times had not been “the best of times,” and continues not to be so.

Even though people say, “Relax, enjoy life, we’ll all get over it,” uh, I can’t see that.  As mentioned, I can’t live now for the pleasures of this temporal time. I’ve realized the end of this time is coming—it’s nearer than ever before. I’m eager and looking forward to the upper taker, whenever that will be as the Lord so wills (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10). Strange as it may sound, I’ve been sensing that throughout that decade that was. Maybe the result of the 2020 election is evidence of that sensing.

For me, the coming of my unemployment and then forward from the year 2016 has been moreso than ever the "defining moment" of my life. I have come to realize the greater pleasure for my mortal existence is Jesus—my joy, provider, purpose, and meaning for life (Matthew 6:25-34). My rock, fortress, and deliverer (Psalm 18:2)

 

Conclusion: as in my previous writings, so here too, the prayer of my heart these days seems to be, as the apostle John expressed it recorded at Revelation 22:20, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Until then, my continued prayer and fight for my native mortal homeland continues to be: Restore us, heavenly Father, to our founding upon biblical principles and conservative values, that we for a time may be a light-bearer and salt-spreader to the world of Your grace, peace, and love, as You would have us to be until that day of Your return, Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua). Awaken Your Church, heavenly Father, throughout America that we would have a greater impact on the governing affairs of our land—“from sea to shining sea”—as so did our founding fathers, that we would know our being as “one nation under God.”  In Your precious name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Sojourners in a Foreign Land

Time travel with me once again, this time back to those biblical days of Abram (later known as Abraham). From the Old Testament, we read of Terah residing in Ur of the Chaldeans. 

The day came when Terah left Ur with his son Abram, daughter-in-law Sarai and grandson Lot. Together they set out for Canaan, but they settled in Haran (about 600 miles north of Ur). See Genesis 11:31.

After Terah died God commanded Abram to leave Haran and "... go ... where I will show you." God also gave Abram a promise, "... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you," (Genesis 12:1-3). 

Abram left as "the LORD had told him," not knowing where he was going, simply taking God at His word. He arrived in Canaan and became a "stranger (sojourner) in a foreign country," (Genesis 12:4-5). 

God was with Abram as he traveled throughout Canaan. One day as Abram was scanning Canaan's vast horizon, God revealed to him: "To your offspring, I will give this land," (Genesis 12:7). 

Abram built an altar at Shechem and worshiped the LORD there, he then moved on towards Bethel. Between Bethel and Ai, he built another altar and then moved on further towards the Negev (desert in southern Canaan). See Genesis 12:8-9.

And at this point, we, too, move on further through time, centuries beyond the days of Abram, and step into New Testament times to the days of Jesus. There on the shores of Lake Galilee (in modern-day Israel; Old Testament days, Canaan), we see Jesus challenging some fishermen, "Launch out into the deep water." 

"But Master," they responded wearily, "We labored all last night and caught nothing." Nevertheless, trusting Jesus' words they did as He told them, and were astonished at their great catch.

Smiling broadly at their trusting stance, Jesus challenged them again, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching people" 

Accepting the challenge, they left their nets and their boats and followed Jesus. As Jesus taught his disciples then, so He teaches us today how to pass on the blessing of Abraham to all peoples, confidently trusting in God's command to "Go," …  (See Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; John 1:40-42.) 

We now soar further through time. We arrive at the year A.D. 1858. We find ourselves viewing John G. Paton and his newly wedded wife, Mary Ann, leaving their native Scotland behind, being "launched out" to the South Pacific. During his 10 years of city mission work in Glasgow, Scotland, God so pained John Paton's heart with the thought of the New Hebrides islanders entering a Christless eternity.

In the New Hebrides on the island of Tanna, the Patons labored zealously for the cause of Christ. But it wasn't without struggles and hardships, including the death of Mary Ann just one year after they were married, and, at John's count, at least 50 times of imminent threat to his life.

Only after decades of hard labor and during a second term in the New Hebrides (today Vanuatuon is the island of Aniwa), did God show His handiwork through Paton's labor: two orphanages were built, a thriving church established, and schools set up; one was a girl's school where Paton's second wife, Margaret, taught. John G. Paton genuinely loved the people to whom God had sent him, serving wholeheartedly in his God-given task. He realized no other cause more worthy of his lifelong pursuit.

God continues to call other "John Patons" today, to give up their smaller ambitions for the greater -- to become fishers of people. He looks for those who are willing to become sojourners in a foreign land. Consider 1 Peter 2:10-12.


Coming next month A Tarnished Crown, A Bloody Cross, an Empty Grave

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

I'm Tired

 

I’m tired…

-         Not just sleepy where a good night’s rest would/should appease the tiredness,

But I’m tired…

 

-         of these days, of trekking through this mortal time seeing the disruption, corruption,

 

-         and the filth even of mortal humanity’s seeming unconcern where they throw their trash

 

-         of mortal humanity’s seemingly breaking the law (with no concern) moreso than ever before.

 

-         of seeing the living of life simply for this mortal timeline, seemingly, having gone through wars, fires, earthquakes, famines, and such, when all gets straightened out and settled down, all humanity goes back to that “normal” way as if nothing tragic had happened. (Should we not learn from such?)

 

-         Of these dark days, not of the darkness that routinely/regularly “happens” at sunset, but of the darkness igniting the rise of evil at sunset. (“People  love darkness more than the light…” John 3:19.)

 

“Que sera sera” (whatever will be will be) the future’s not ours to see…” Maybe not, but we who know the truth, when we see evil coming in to wipe the truth away, shouldn’t we stand up and speak out that it will not happen; keep on the way of the truth. Until our eternal home going, let us live now to proclaim the truth. (See John 14:6.)

 

Tired of it all. For myself, I have realized the better way of living is for the immortal. I’m ready to see the brilliance of the new day of Christ’s return and the entrance of the Father’s eternal immortal Kingdom, where tiredness will be no more.

 

²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better,” 

Philippians 1:21.

The Year That Was

 That Most Joyous Time of Year Once Again Has Arrived

…Christmas, as it has been called many years throughout history, celebrating God(Elohim) becoming one of us in the person of Jesus (Yeshua)—the Christ, Messiah, Adonai, Savior and soon coming King of kings (Revelation 19:16; Deuteronomy 10:17) for all peoples, the blessing promised long ago to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). “Come, Lord Jesus,” Revelation 22:20. And to my Messianic Jewish friends—about the same time of year—it’s Happy Hanukkah, the festival of lights, celebrating Yeshua, the Light of the world, John 8:12.

 

Crazy days this year has been, hasn’t it? And not as that popular song of yesteryear goes “…lazy, hazy, days of summer”, but all through 2020—the year that was; how do I share? Not fully understanding all I’ve been experiencing through these recent days and years; I’ll give it a try anyway in sharing. In that, this letter as well might be crazy.

We may be uncertain of the happenings of our days; change can be expected in our lifetime, not knowing what may come or when. But Jesus, “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), knows all the happenings (changes) that are to come about in our days—individually or corporately. (And the most important change comes individually through one’s repentance, and turning to Jesus as Savior and Lord, no longer following the “I did my way” mentality, but God’s way.)

Apart from the reality of Jesus being the real reason for this most glorious of holiday seasons, this Christ M A S season, having come through this year that was, is so much different than any other Christmases I have ever experienced, unlike any other year of my lifetime. In the past, Christmas had been simply a joyous once-a-year event—a shopping spree. Now it’s so much different; the real meaning much more evident.

With the coming of that pandemic (in some respects perhaps a panPANic), perhaps 2020 will go down in history as the year that was. But I pray may it not be forgotten, rather remembered as a reminder for us Christ-followers to go forward ever more so zealously than ever before, proclaiming the Good News throughout the year and every year until the day of Jesus’s return and He makes all things new (see Revelation 21:1-8.) Then maybe we’ll get the proper understanding of the truer meaning of that popular Christmas carol Joy to the World, which was originally written of Jesus’s second coming.

Wow, how to cope with it all. The pandemic had launched spiritual warfare within America, my mortal homeland. Never before have I been so concerned about a presidential and legislature election as I have been this year of 2020—as all of the Church should have been, concerned, as in every area of life, even with the governing of our nation as well all throughout our history.

I cannot see now how I can go on living the usual way I have lived before the events of 2020 had happened as if the pandemic had never happened. The end of time, nearer than ever before? It so is, with the passing of each new day— “Come, Lord Jesus.” Nevertheless, until then, when all gets straightened out and the new year begins, may it not be a return to the “normal” past, or even a “new normal,” as it has been in settling down after 911, and other of the wars and tragedies we have suffered—just continuing on with life as usual as if nothing had happened. May it not be, but to the greater purpose of our temporal existence.  Apart from the works of God, since Genesis chapter three, this mortal world has been abnormal. Revive Your Church, Heavenly Father, through this land and around the world to a greater revival than what has ever been seen in history.

I’m sure glad there’s more to life than this mortal time. Crazy as it may sound, but my walking/driving about, my mind/heart now being more set on the immortal eternal reality, noticing the temporal works of humankind, that it’s all temporal, it’s all going to burn (see 2 Peter 3:3-7). And thus as well the realization of the familiar hymn comes true: “this world is not my home, I’m just a pass’n through.” (Consider John 14:1-3; Colossians 3:2-4.) The realization of the better forever world is coming clearer into focus.

James 4:13-16 (Amplified) reads, “…Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” ¹⁴ Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast [vainly] in your pretension and arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

Restore America, heavenly Father, as we were founded—upon biblical principles—that we for a time may be a light-bearer and salt-spreader to the world of Your grace, peace, and love, until the day of Your return, Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua).

 

The year that was—2020. It’s so refreshing and with a new sense, of hearing those Christmas carols this year, reminding me of my truer purpose for living in this time—Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ, Messiah, Adonai, our Salvation and soon coming King. “Come, Lord Jesus.” 

 

Blessings and shalom,

Charles

 

A Christmas movie worthy of your viewing you may want to consider seeing (about 1 hr. 40 min.) if you have not seen it.  Or consider viewing it again or again and again if you have seen it:

 The Christmas Candle

Laborers Together

 Summary: We are laborers together, not singly. Jesus called out disciples and sent them out two-by-two. (Consider Mark 6:7 and Luke 10:1.) Together they are a help to one another. And so are we in this time, a team, not “lone rangers,” to share the “blessing of Abraham” to the nations of the world.

Struggling Twins

Journey with me back in time to the biblical days of Isaac, the second son of Abraham. (We're reading the Bible at Genesis 25:19-34.) As we recall from a prior post, Abraham sent his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for Isaac. And so she was found, Rebecca, among Abraham's relatives, Bethuel and Laban. Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebecca.

Rebecca, unable to have children, Isaac "pleads with the LORD" (Genesis 25:21) on her behalf. The LORD understands and answers Isaac's prayer; Rebecca conceives. In labor she gives birth to twin boys—Esau and Jacob—Jacob the younger. They struggled in the womb, however, and as the LORD knows they would become two rivaling nations (see Genesis 25:23).

Hendrick ter Brugghen,
 Esau Selling His Birthright, c. 1627.

Growing up, Esau becomes a skillful hunter; Jacob is a quiet man, and he prefers to stay at home. One day Esau returns home, famished, after a long day of hunting. He sees his younger brother brewing some stew and asks for some.

Ah, Jacob seizes his opportunity. "Trade me your rights as the firstborn son for some stew," Jacob says (Genesis 25:31).

After a bit of a confrontation, Esau gives in, famished with hunger, and "sells his rights as the firstborn son to his younger brother Jacob" for some stew (Genesis 25:33).

Here we've witnessed a first scheme of Jacob in deceiving his brother Esau. We'll catch a second further forward in considering a later chapter in Genesis. As well, further forwarding we'll see Jacob finding peace with God and with his brother Esau. And he realizes he's the inheritor of the blessing of his grandfather Abraham (see Genesis 12:2-3).   Hence, our labor today, together with our fellow Christ-followers, to all the nations: passing on to all generations the blessing of Abraham (see Acts 1:8, consider Galatians 3:13-16).

Quarreling Church

The Conversion of Saul, fresco 
by Michelangelo, 1542–45aption

Fast-forwarding now to the first century A.D. (we are reading the Bible at 1 Corinthians 3:1-9) we meet Paul (formerly Saul). At first meeting, we see him as a persecutor of Christians, "uttering threats with every breath, eager to kill the Lord's followers (see Acts 7:58; 8:1-2; 9:1-2). 

Then, on the Damascus road, bringing both men and women, arrested and chained, back to Jerusalem a bright light from heaven shining around him suddenly blinds him. He hears a voice, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"

Saul asks, "Who are you, Lord?"

The voice responds, "I am Jesus you are persecuting." And then Jesus instructs Saul what to do (see Acts 9:3-9).

Paul the Apostle, 
by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
c. 1657

Saul's life (now Paul) transformed, and he becomes a Christ-follower himself. Paul's call is realized "to carry [the] name [of Jesus] before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel" (see Acts 9:15-16). In so going Paul does not go alone; he goes with various companions throughout his travels—Barnabas, John Mark, Silas, to name a few (see Acts 4:36, 12:12, 15:22, 16:1).  Paul gives his life to sharing the blessing of Abraham—the Good News—throughout Asia Minor and into Europe, establishing churches for the assembly of Christ-followers where they too can realize their call to labor together in Christ's cause.

To the church in Corinth, Paul writes, expressing his concern for their apparent infancy in the faith, "There are not to be any arguing (quarreling) and jealousy among you (see 1 Corinthians 3:3). Paul's letter continues, "When one of you says ‘I am a follower of Paul,' and another says, ‘I follow Apollos,' aren't you acting like people of the world, ‘still controlled by your sinful nature?'" (See 1 Corinthians 3:3-4).

"One plants one waters," Paul confirms, "but it is God who gives the increase" (see 1 Corinthians 3:5-6). "We are laborers together [in the faith—passing on the blessing of Abraham—to the peoples of the world]" (see 1 Corinthians 3:9).

Consider further the study guide to 1 Corinthians 3.

No Greater Legacy

Forwarding again further through time we come to the 19th Century, to 1840, and St. Clairsville, Ohio, Ohio, U.S.A. Four-year-old James Mills Thoburn welcomes his baby sister, Isabella, to the family. James was born in 1836.

Growing up James graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1857. A year later he joins the Methodist Episcopal Church. The next year he sails to North India. He works in village evangelism and church planting. He labors for a time with William Butler; Butler is the first American Methodist missionary to India. For 13 years, since 1874, James Thoburn served as pastor of the church founded by William Taylor in Calcutta.

Isabella Thoburn, a teacher, persuaded by her brother, joins James and his wife in India in 1870. She's the first missionary appointee of the Women's Foreign Mission Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church to India. Joining her is medical missionary Clara A. Swain, M.D.

Isabella Thoburn

Isabella establishes a girl’s college in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. At first, there were just six girls enrolled in the school but soon grows to 20, despite "bitter prejudice on the part of the Hindus against the education of women," Ruth A. Tucker, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya.   Come the year 1857 Isabella Thoburn College opens; it is the first women's college in Asia.

Isabella served many years at home and abroad. Ill health taking its toll, in 1901 she dies of cholera, her body interred in Lucknow. In failing health, too, James returns to Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1908, where he resides until his death in 1922.

Ruth A. Tucker writes, "[the brother and sister James and Isabella Thoburn leave] a legacy of training Indian nationals for the gospel ministry." What more significant legacy to leave than laboring together in Christ's cause passing on the blessing of Abraham?

Jesus answered them, "Don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you," John 6:27, NLT

Information on James and Isabella Thoburn gathered from Boston University, School of Theology, History of Missiology, Wikipedia, and Ruth A. Tucker’s From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya.


Coming next month Sojourners in a Foreign Land

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal.