Saul...Paul
Besides Jesus, there are certain characters that I favour in the Bible such as Gideon, Esther and Paul among others. But my favourite character is Paul.
I like and appreciate his life story for several reasons:
(1) That he taught us to embrace positivity or optimism even when faced with challenges and obstacles, and to have faith and trust in God in those difficult times that He has a plan for us.
(2) That he encouraged his followers to treat others with compassion and respect, namely love, regardless of their differences, whatever shape that takes e.g. skin colour, nationality etc. He taught us to be kind and loving towards friends, family, and even strangers.These I find especially important when witnessing to others about Jesus being Lord and Saviour.
(3) That he was a warrior even without the visible armour about his body because he persevered through many hardships which included imprisonment and persecution for his beliefs and we can do the same because God will enable us. I find this especially appealing since I was always the shy and timid kid who was always afraid of others' criticism but in high school I decided to ditch that version and go for faith in God because between now when I'm young and healthy and when death comes nearer that's not the way I want to die.
(4) That he used his talents and gifts such as being a skilled writer and speaker to spread the teachings of Jesus and share his own story of transformation. I
find this to be one way that we can serve others and make a positive impact in the world. This resonates with me because it's one way to feel useful whereas I would've continued to feel not.
(5) That he sought to deepen his wisdom and understanding by devoutly looking to God's Word for it. This too, we should practice daily because just as our bodies need refreshment daily so those our spirit.
(6) That he demonstrated humility and service towards others despite all his accomplishments and leadership in the early Christian church, and he remained humble and grateful even in times of success and prosperity. I'm reminded that we can do the same by humbly serving those around us and using our resources and abilities to help those in need and stay humble and grateful throughout while giving credit to God for the successes and achievements.
(7) That we can learn from him to practice forgiveness and let go of bitterness and resentment towards others because he eventually came to forgive himself and others, and other Christians came to forgive him as well for all the horrible things he had done to them.
(8) That he was unafraid to stand up for his beliefs, even in the face of opposition and persecution. He remained steadfast in his faith and continued to spread the message of love and salvation, even if it was unpopular and challenging.
(9) Lastly, that he trusted in God for his that His plan is always for our ultimate good just as Romans 8:28 says. Here we can learn to surrender our own desires and trust in God's perfect plan for our lives because His is far better or beyond than our own.
There's a quote that says there's only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing. But I refuse to say nothing, do nothing and be nothing because as Jesus and Paul taught me, that's not how I want to live and die.
Acts of the Apostles 8:1-3 - Being Empowered Despite My Past Failures (Bible Journal)
"[1] Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. [2] (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) [3] But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison (Acts of the Apostles 8:1-3 NLT)."
I am going through a season where I am struggling with anxiety over shame for past sins and mistakes that I wish I could go back and handle differently, but I am unable to alter. Today's Scripture began with showing us a glimpse of Saul's dark feelings and actions, reflecting someone that can easily be written off as nothing more than a cruel villain. This isn't his destiny though, as later chapters reveal his encounter with the Lord, which converted Saul into a staunch Christian and ally to the Lord that we know as Paul. He couldn’t change like this on his own, but God worked through him, and Paul embraced it and allowed the Lord to empower him to do great things in the Lord's name. It is reassuring to know that if Paul could go through such a radical change even after all the wrongs he did, that I can also be changed and serve as an ally to God, regardless of my past mistakes.
Chuck Mingo's latest message ("How To Access Power" - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-crossroads-church-28634445/episode/s2-ep13-how-to-access-power-165384788/?cmp=android_share&sc=android_social_share&pr=false) featured some great mantras that I will be utilizing as I continue to work through internal struggles over my past failures. I loved Chuck's statement of "kicking out the trash talking voice of shame," and his reminder that "you don't have to be defined by your biggest mistake." One of the most important things Chuck helped me to remember is that I'm not alone in overcoming these feelings, as I can call on the Holy Spirit to help me work through the things I need to overcome. Constantly trying to sort through everything by my own thoughts and feelings alone is not only exhausting, but doesn't lead to complete peace in the end, as new anxieties will inevitably come into play. But trusting in God to help me through any and all of these battles, along with embracing my identity as a son that belongs to Him, will be the key that I need to use to unlock true calmness, and the path to the next step in the role God wants me to play in the growth of His Kingdom.
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your son's work on the cross, and His resurrection afterward that paid the price for all of my past, present, and future sins. Thank You for not letting that be Your only plan for my life, as there is more work that You would like to do through me. Please help me to continue to stand up to that voice of shame, and please help me to pay attention to what You truly want me to put my focus on. Please help anyone dealing with feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, and please equip me to be part of the solution for those that are going through these kind of challenges. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Job
Never have I heard of a man that endured long-suffering,
From the things he owned to the ones he loved, even his very own skin perished,
His body died while he was alive yet he didn't curse God, I lost my mother and it took me a minute to do what he couldn't do in long months,
Even when others laughed at his pain, he remembered all he had was from God
If I was job, my name wouldn't have been writen in the good books cuz mine would have ended in death
His story reminds me that God is infact aware of all our pain and he is powerful enough to make us forget it.
Esther & Kindness
My favorite character in the bible is Esther, a Jewish woman who risks her life to save the Jewish people. I was named after her for her kindness and bravery. I believe this name was perfectly chosen for me. I have grown into a kind and brave person, just as it was prophesied when my mom named me. I apply Esther's story to my life by prioritizing kindness and choosing to practice compassion, empathy, and gentleness everywhere I go. I believe that the energy we put into the world is the energy we get back, and this is why I am constantly surrounded by love and kindness. I did not allow the things I've been through to make me bitter, cruel, or mean. I have always valued kindness. In my opinion, choosing to be kind and gentle in such a harsh world is one of the bravest things you can do. I practice kindness everyday, and I know Esther would be so proud.
Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself
Well, I guess it's up to me to play devil's advocate. I can't help it and I've always pulled for the underdog, but in this case, I guess I'm pulling for the under-demon? So my favorite character in the Bible is the villain, good ol' Satan. Now, hear me out. I always thought that forgiveness and redemption were central themes in the Bible, but as Mark Twain noted, "But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?”
If Jesus came to die for our sins what about Lucifer? After all, he is the first and worst sinner, so shouldn't he get intensive care prayer? I would argue that the most Christian of acts would be to pray for the one who would be the hardest to pray for as they are most assuredly the sinner who needs it the most.
However, the way Satan is treated in the Bible actually contradicts the central tenants of the Christian faith. Jesus was all about loving thy neighbor, treating those who consider you an enemy with kindness, forgiving, and being forgiven. So, why then don't Christians pray for the fallen angel who was once one of God's favored angels? I guess the lessons of the prodigal son can only be selectively applied?
This duplicitous attitude towards sin is one of the reasons why Christianity has lost so much credibility and is hemorrhaging younger members. The Bible says that God is love and that he wants to forgive the sinner for their sins. Well, everyone except for the first sinners, Satan and his fallen angels, they get the lake of fire heated shaft. This sets a REALLY bad example for Christians. If God can withhold grace and forgiveness from one of his angels, then Christians can withhold prayer and grace from anyone they disagree with, right? Having an abortion? No prayer for you. You're a same sex married couple? No prayer for you. In fact, we will falsely call you pedophiles (thou shalt not bare false witness anyone?) and accuse you of trying to indoctrinate children into the LBGTQ+ community while reading to them during story time at the library. Yet, some Christians WILL pray for their favorite presidential candidate who has cheated on all of his wives and publicly said that it is okay to grab unsuspecting women, "By the pussy" without permission (though shalt not commit adultery), been convicted of sexual assault (thou shalt not covet and thou shalt not steal), fraud (thou shalt not lie and thou shalt not steal), and insighted a riot that killed innocents and could have been a lot worse because he was too vain to accept defeat gracefully (thou shalt not murder) because he says he hates who we hate.
So, yeah, Satan deserves someone to stand up for him too. If God is love and he wants sinners to return to grace, why is Satan excluded? Frankly, I think Lucifer has a right to be a little hot under the collar. So, if you can't pray for him at least you can, in the words of Mick and the boys, "Have some courtesy, have some sympathy and some taste. Use all your well-learned politesse. Or he'll lay your soul to waste."
The Man who loved and was loved by God
David. David was described as the man after God's heart. He had such a humble beginning and rose to the throne. He had strong faith in God and defeated the mighty Goliath with just 5 stones and a sling. When he sinned and was confronted, he quickly repented.
Just like David, I have done some things I regret and wish I hadn't done but I know God has forgiven me because I have repented of them. God has also brought me far from where I started life from and He is taking me even higher. Like David, I love singing songs of praise to God, appreciating Him for all He's done in my life. Just like David danced before God and was mocked by his wife for debating himself, I can dance and worship God without minding my audience.
Finally, I love God and I know He loves me.
This Is a Test, This Is Just a Test
The Tree of Knowledge stood alone and untouched
Forbidden and forgotten, its fruit was low-hanging
While pointing to the skies above, as the nonesuch
And the only test in a world that was unchanging
Let's set the record straight.
The original Eve — that is, the Original Sin Eve — the mother of the human race, has been vilified from scripture to folklore as the ruin of everyone. Before she fell for the serpent's deceits, life was perfect. The climate was temperate, lending itself to unapologetic nudity. There were no issues. No tigers conspired to jump and devour Adam. No fruit was unreachable for Eve. No bugs stung them.
Life was sweet.
But I call to mind a Twilight Zone episode, "A Nice Place to Visit," in which Rocky Valentine, a small-time crook and gambler, is killed by police and goes to Heaven. He is given a luxury apartment, beautiful women, and a penchant for winning at the casino every single time he plays. Like in Eden, for Rocky, life is sweet. This is until he tires of the predictability and painful absence of challenges. He can't even rob a bank; the predestined outcome would take any thrill out of it.
Everything is given to Rocky, all women do whatever he wants, and his luck never runs out. Bored, unchallenged, and unfulfilled, he asks to go to "the other place," instead of Heaven.
His guide, Pip, answers, "Heaven? Whatever gave you the idea you were in Heaven? This IS the other place!"
Adam and Eve weren't in Paradise; they were in the Twilight Zone.
Content and controlled were the first woman and man
Dancing the perfect life around them, betaken
No needs, nor frets, nor troubles outran
All but one tree was theirs for the taking
A mischievous thought synapsed in Eve's mind like such a serpent a'slitherin'.
Yet the succulence wafted odoriferous on breezes
Pulling on her perfect forebrain amnesic
Making her wonder what possibility teases
When tasting the fruit, of arboreal, epistemic
The Tree of Knowledge, the school for learning good from evil, had been off-limits. Why? Eve wondered what she was accomplishing with her miraculous gift of life.
Adam was clueless, like a man in a mall. Perhaps the seat of wisdom was all in that one rib.
Eve had been given an excellent brain and wondered, Am I a pet? Like the tiger that doesn't devour? What is my purpose? Certainly not just to please Adam. To please God? Does God want just a lapdog?
Obeying or disobeying Him is not the test!
My "test" is whether or not I take this incredible brain God gave me and use it. Really use it! To be my best. To reach perfection. To achieve self-actualization. To strive, to yearn, to invoke ambition. To be what I could be. Yes, she thought, that's the test.
We are in His image. So...why the Tree?
Eve strolled toward the Tree and thus invented the "near occasion of sin": she had no official intention of reaching for one of the apples and taking a bite. But what if she couldn't help it?
Tempted by the unknown to take one for the team
Eve sat in the tree's shade and basked in its warning
Of the one thing she should neither risk nor scheme
Lest she exchange her sweet life for life's mourning
The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was low-hanging for a reason!
She easily plucked the apple. Hell, it was about to fall off. Without regret, she lifted it to her mouth and bit, not tempted, but enlightened.
And God was pleased. He knew his creations, baited, would bite. They passed the test. Eve, anyway. Adam was reluctant.
"What were you thinking?" he demanded of her.
"What I was thinking is that I have free will. I live. I choose. I either celebrate the rewards or suffer consequences. But it's life. And now life is me! Now, Adam, you eat!" she commanded him.
There being not many authority figures in the Garden, he'd readily obey the last whoever to command him. While his sin wasn't very original, like Eve's, it counted.
They traded Paradise for clothing. Childbearing in pain, gnashing of teeth, and brow sweat weren't easier, but life now was truly existential. And better. Just ask Rocky Valentine.
Eve inspires me because she reasoned and gambled. But unlike Rocky, the outcome wasn't predestined. The loving God is the one who allows us to do it on our own. To grow in His image by ourselves.
Because of Eve, we passed His test.
Our first parents had made a choice
To know apples from oranges, evil from good
Swap naked for clothes and silence for voice
Choose vicissitudes of life to not inherit godhood
Judas (how I see him anyway)
I am not religious at all, never even read the Bible. But the story of Judas and Jesus just intrigues me so much.
Think about it:
You personally know someone who is more or less divine, maybe you consider them a friend, a leader or a confidant, just someone who is supposed to know it all. You follow them.
Then something changes one day. You don't know what exactly. Maybe you were blinded by greed for a moment, or something terrible possessed. All you know is that doubt has set in and you'll betray them.
Your friend tells you and bunch of other people they know that they'll be betrayed. What do you feel? Guilty, terrified, anxious?
You betray them, with an imitate gesture, a kiss of all things. Address them as someone above you, and it's gets them caught.
It's come to light that your friend is going to die as result of your betrayal. You might feel it all sink it, try to repent your greed and change what has happened, but you can't.
You take your own life.
It doesn't help that I'm a sucker for betrayal stories, and I just think Judas is very interesting.
Milk and a Tent Peg: a recipe for victory.
Unassuming, underestimated, and obedient. That’s what they thought of Jael too, until she did something no one else could.
As a society we are led to believe that Biblical women were soft, but the reality is quite the opposite. Jael is simply one example of such a fearsome female, not to mention my favorite.
Captain Sisera was the villain in this tale. Many had tried but none could stop his tiereny. Whilst on the run he sought shelter, which Jael gladly gave him. After some milk and a comfortable place to rest, Sisera fell into a deep slumber.
Jael then drove a tent peg into his skull, killing him. She conquered the enemy, something battle-trained soldiers failed to do.
So often we believe to fight battles, we must go out in a blaze of glory, when measured control and a little ingenuity do wonders.
As a new teacher, I had students tell me I was too sweet and I would get eaten alive. Little did they know, behind my baby face exterior beat the tenacious heart of a warrior. Here I am, five years later, still going strong. Daughter of Jael for life.