The Promise

And the Problem

“Yet a little while and the world will see me no more,
but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” —John 14:19

YeshuaJesus said that those who believed in Him would live again. They would also see Him again. While Yeshua was going away, He was going to come back to Earth. And though His followers may die, like Yeshua, they would come back from death into life and be with Him. They would see Yeshua in the flesh, physically.

Yeshua also revealed a problem that was going to happen. He said that the world would see Him no more. Yeshua, during His time on Earth. was a thorn in the side of the religious leaders. He presented a problem for them. There are accounts in which those leaders felt they couldn’t act against Yeshua for fear of the people. Yeshua’s mere presence was a problem for all people. He stood before people, in the flesh, and showed the Love of G-D, Father. As it was then, it is today, the love of the G-D of Israel is shown through Yeshua. And it is rejected because too often people want their own way.

Today the world cannot see Yeshua. This is a problem for the world in at least two ways. First, it is a problem in that it is much more difficult to believe in what isn’t seen. Thomas, a disciple of Yeshua, had the opportunity to place his finger in wound Yeshua received during His death. The other disciples physically saw the risen Yeshua, walked with Him, talked with Him. Today we don’t physically see Yeshua. Hard to believe what you don’t see, isn’t it? After Thomas said he believed, Yeshua said to him,

“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The second way that it is a problem that Yeshua isn’t physically seen is that any restraint that might have been present when Yeshua was here in the flesh is removed. Unbelieving people, political leaders, even the courts of the land, seemingly are able to do as they please, unconstrained. Also, within the Christian community, leaders do as they please regardless of Scripture. They feel as though they are no longer constrained. Life. Liberty. Happiness. Do what we please. Yippee! We’re Free!

Early in America’s foundation, we were considered a Christian nation. Even in my public school days, children stood in the morning, faced the flat, the symbol of America, and pledged allegiance to the unity of our country under the Name of the G-D of Israel. When did things change? When was it that things became more unconstrained? I believe a mile marker on our path toward destruction came in 1973.

1973 was  a very good year for me, overall. It was not a very good year for a whole lot of babies in America, however. It was a death sentence issued by the Supreme Court in its decision in the case of Roe -v- Wade, which allowed the murder of babies simply because a person didn’t want to give birth to, and raise, the baby. That set us on the proverbial slippery slope, on a path toward destruction. Or as Barry McGuire sang, Eve of Destruction.

What we can’t see, can’t hurt us, right?

Wrong!

L-RD Bless, Protect, Shine upon y’all, and then He will give His Peace. . .

No News is. . .

. . . not always good news.

Nothing to report on Ms.Asia Bibi. And this only means that she’s still imprisoned behind four walls. The only difference from before her acquittal, and rescue from the death sentence wrongfully imposed upon her, is that now the door to her jail is wide open—is she dares to walk through it. Her “freedom” is elusive. Walking through the open door means certain death.

While the Pakistani government made some good decisions, after making some very bad decisions, it has not continued in the proper direction. That direction would be to overturn its blasphemy laws entirely AND ensure that Ms. Bibi is given safe passage out of Pakistan.

Here’s a link to a set of articles by BBC News covering Ms. Bibi’s ordeal:

Asia Bibi’s Blasphemy Case—BBC News

Please pray for Ms. Bibi.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine . . .

Persecution Update

“Dear friends,
do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Messiah,
so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Messiah,
you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of G-d rests on you.”
1 Peter 4:12-14

The following Report is from Renewal Ministry Fellowship:

Remember to keep our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world in our prayers. The two most populous nations in the world, China and India, have both been suffering increasing persecution in recent years.

The repression of Christianity in China is now at its worst since the Cultural Revolution. About 20 million people faced persecution last year in China and an estimated 50 million are expected to experience repression this year as the ruling Communist Party continues a severe crackdown on religion which has included closing and demolishing churches, removing crosses from churches, imprisoning pastors and church members under false allegations, exiling Christians from their community and putting others under surveillance. Chinese police are staking out churches, noting who attends, then appearing at their homes for “inspections”, causing fearful worshippers to stay away from church. Increasing numbers of employers are requiring that workers sign “no-faith” commitments or else be at risk of losing their jobs and livelihood. In December a 1,500 member church in Beijing was banned because its pastor refused to install CCTV to enable the Communist party to monitor those who attended.

There were more than 12,000 reported violent attacks against Christians in India in 2018, while increasing numbers of persecution acts in this nation are going unreported. Increasing numbers of Christians are killed for their faith each year and the number of churches attacked increased from 34 last year to 98 this year. Christian NGOs are also being targeted by various government departments in attempts to accuse them of “anti-national” activities, especially concerning conversions to Christ. Hindu nationalist politicians are increasingly being elected to power and the government is systematically misusing the anti-conversion laws, religious laws, administration and police to deprive freedom to Christians while turning a blind eye to the brutal violence inflicted on Christians by Hindu extremists. Christian converts from a Hindu background face the worst of the persecution with daily harassment and constant pressure to return to Hinduism including societal pressure from family, friends and community members and local Hindu priests, beatings, hospitalizations and even death. On 9th January 2019 Hindu extremists tore down a church building in Narnepadu village, Muppalla Mandal, Guntur District, in Andhra Pradesh state, claiming that it violated Hindu principles of placement ad positioning. Earlier in neighbouring Telangana state radical Hindus stopped a Christian group’s van, beat a 51yo father of three and burned over 350 Bibles they were carrying for distribution. In a suburb of Hyderabad a group of Christian youths cleaning up their church grounds in preparation for the even service after a neighbour had dumped a large amount of trash on the site were set upon by a mob of over 40 Hindu extremists, the pastor who tried to come to their rescue and his father were also physically assaulted, but when the battered men went to the police station the police refused to take their complaint and the next day fabricated a charge of “voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons” against the pastor and his father. On 23rd October 2018 Pastor John Lakra was taking his 18 month old baby to hospital for emergency treatment in Odisha (Orissa) state when hundreds of Hindu extremists surrounded his car, began hurling stones at them and hitting the windows with rods and shouting curses at them. Soon they pulled him out of the car, slapped and beat him black and blue, ripped off his cloths, kicked him then forced him onto a motorcycle to take him to a Durga idol and forced him to kneel before it even as they continued beating him, poured a gallon of petrol on him and shouted that he should be given as a live sacrifice to the goddess. God miraculously saved him and this time the police did act against the perpetrators, but after pressure from the RSS and BJP the Sundargarh police released them and booked the pastor for “deliberate and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings”, “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion” and “criminal intimidation”, the judge rejected his plea for bail and he spent 10 days in jail. The co-pastor of one of our Affiliates in Odisha was falsely charged by police on 28th July 2018 and is still in prison and his family are struggling. On 11th February 2019 a father of five, Anant Ram Gand, who had converted to Christ nine months earlier and recently been baptised with his family members in Raigarh Tehsil village was dragged out of his home by three men and beheaded in front of his 6yo son. His wife, Sukbati, is fearful about their future and terrified what the Hindu extremists might do to her and her five children. “But I am sure I will not forsake Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord,” she said. “Please remember us in your prayers so that we stand strong in faith and all our daily needs are met. God bless.”

Why do you stand looking into space?

Ever been at work and seen a co-worker standing there staring off into space? Perhaps instructions have been given for a particular task and one of the staffers just sits there gazing off into space as if lost. There’s lots of work to do, and he or she is doing? N O T H I N G!

I like the way Memphis Applegate, the host of Memphis Monday, a wood working show I like, opens his video blogs. He sits in a chair, briefly explains what he’s going to do that day, puts his hands down to push himself out of the chair, and says:

” Let’s get crackin’ ”

So it was like that a couple thousand years ago, and provides a great principle for us today. Yeshua had given some instructions to his followers.

“. . .stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

But after Yeshua ascended to Heaven, His followers simply stood there. Perhaps their mouths gapped open. Perhaps they were simply struck with the full weight of the grief for losing their Teacher. An angel appears to snap them out of it.

“Why do you stand looking into heaven? Yeshua, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

There is a kindness in the Angel’s words. There is comfort in immediate reassurance that they’ll see Yeshua again. But there is also a bit of a chiding, too, “Why do you stand” there? The implication, as I interpret it, is that to get back to doing something, for even in waiting, there are things to do. And that’s exactly what those followers did.

They returned to Jerusalem and gathered together in “one accord. . .devoting themselves to prayer. . .” (Acts 1:14)

Finally the promise of Yeshua to cloth His followers in power came about. ”

“. . . there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. . .” Acts 2:2-4)

Once the followers were clothed in power, they now could get on with their primary task. They were to declare repentance for the forgiveness of sins in the Name of Yeshua to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

Every thing that they would do, essentially building a community of followers of Yeshua within the larger Jewish community, was aimed at bringing the G-D of Israel to all peoples of the world.

I see principles here that are applicable for us, for today, for tomorrow. We find ourselves overwhelmed or over burdened. We stare at a blank wall. We look up toward some hill as if someone would come to help us in our situation—whatever the issue. But our help isn’t coming from a out in space, from a wall, from a hill.

We simply need to begin to talk to G-D the Father, through the mediation of Yeshua Messiah. We must accept our misguided nature, turn to G-D, and seek Him with all our being.

The problem isn’t necessarily going to simply disappear. But if we continue to develop a friendship with G-D, we will find in increasing measure, the Spirit’s influence until at some time we are completely clothed in the Power of the Spirit of G-D.

Along the way we will be drawn into a community of followers of Yeshua, find our place within a new community, draw away from the old world in which we were born, raised, lived, and failed. Yes. The old world doesn’t encourage us to succeed, to have inner peace and joy. It simple traps us into a false notion of happiness based on external devices that fail us, and we fail.

Please understand. It’s not about joining a church, going to some classes and learning. It’s about turning from who we’ve been, turning to the only hope for a truthful, full, abundant life.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Where is Asia Bibi?

Somewhere. Hopefully in Canada. Several reports have been made of her exodus from Pakistan, her reuniting with her children, her safety in Canada, albeit hidden away. But those reports aren’t conclusive, and may only be wishful thinking.

In the meantime, the incredible case of Ms. Bibi has, according to Mohammad Zaheer of the Independent, has changed the way Pakistan approaches extremism. The following is the concluding part of his article:

“In Pakistan, however, just the fact that she was released is seen as a silver lining. Forget rightful compensation, not succumbing to extremist pressure and merely letting her leave the country would be considered quite the feat.

“My heart prays that the reports of her safely reuniting with her family in Canada are true. She deserves nothing less than a happy ending.

“In compelling the state to re-evaluate its long-held toxic policy of appeasement of religious extremists, she leaves behind a nation that might not be appreciative today, but owes her a significant debt of gratitude nonetheless.”

L-RD grant Ms. Bibi safe passage to her children, hide her beneath Your Wings, continue Your care for her and her family, and those who offered her help. Forgive the rest of us for turing away in her time of need. AMEIN.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

 

Pakistan Supreme Court Upholds Overturn of Asia Bibi Conviction

“The Supreme Court upheld its decision to overturn Asia Bibi’s conviction and death sentence.” —BBC Reports.

Amnesty International is now calling for Ms. Bibi’s freedom, and that Pakistan’s Supreme Court not entertain further requests to rescind its overturn of the conviction.

Asa Bibi, in Pakistan“This shameful delay in enforcing Asia Bibi’s rights only reinforces the need for the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy laws as soon as possible, as well as other laws that discriminate against religious minorities and put their lives in danger.” —Amnesty also said in its statement.

“Pakistan’s blasphemy laws,” said Amnesty,” are over broad, vague and coercive. They have been used to target religious minorities, pursue personal vendettas and carry out vigilante violence. On the basis of little or no evidence, the accused struggle to establish their innocence while angry and violent groups of people seek to intimidate the police, witnesses, prosecutors, lawyers and judges.”

Reading Amnesty’s statement on the blasphemy laws reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials (Massachusetts 1692-93) in which a simple accusation was a death sentence. Hum. Reminds me of America during Senator Joseph McCarthy’s own brand of witch hunt.

It also reminds me of the current state of America and the “Me Too” movement. Lives ruined by an allegation, whether true or false, with but a simple statement.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” —Exodus 20:16

Generally this is thought of as lying in court and slander, which be are very conscious of with the “articles” published in Enquirer and similar “newspapers.” [using the term loudly.]  It seems to me that often forgotten these days is the biblical injunction that no accusation may be brought against a person unless there are multiple witnesses. In the event one is tempted to discard this as so Old Testament, hear what Apostle Paul said: “Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” —2 Corinthians 13:1)

An article in CBN goes into greater detail, showing a fuller meaning for bearing false witness.

“But the commandment against bearing false witness has a much broader application. Outside the context of the courts, it is termed slander. It is possible to bear false witness or slander by spreading rumors. For example, a well-known gospel singer was picked up in Los Angeles because of his careless driving. A search of his car revealed some white powder, and he was booked on a drug charge. It turned out that the white powder was a diet mix, and so the singer was discharged from his arrest and confinement.

“It was too late to stop the false rumors that this man was involved in drug dealing. These rumors hurt the man’s career and reputation. Those who spread them were guilty of bearing false witness.” —CBN.  [ I think that singer was Andre Crouch. ]

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
        From The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats

Perhaps the L-RD will now allow Ms. Bibi to have a G.O.O.D Day (Get Out Of Dodge), hop a plane to Canada, be welcomed, and be reunited with her family.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Pakistan Court to Reconsider Murdering Asia Bibi

Pakistan’s Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to “quash” the blasphemy conviction and execution sentence of Asia Bibi.

“Pakistan’s supreme court quashed her 2010 conviction and death sentence in October, in a case that had drawn worldwide outcry from Church groups. But after days of protests by hardline Islamist clerics, Imran Khan agreed to allow a petition against the decision.

“The petition will now be heard on January 29 by a panel including the country’s top judge.” —Ben Farmer, in Islamabad, for Britain’s Telegram.

The articles states that Ms. Bibi’s children have been evacuated to Canada, and that Canada could become Ms. Bibi’s new home.

While “The court is widely expected to uphold its original decision, which demolished her conviction and was scathing of the prosecution case,” it behooves us to continue to pray the L-RD’s will and desires in this matter. I’d like to see an end to this scandalous affair, not only having original overturn upheld but to also for G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) for Ms. Bibi; get her on a plane out of Pakastan ASAP.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
That your beloved ones may be delivered
give salvation by your right hand and answer me! (Psalm 108:5,6)

Let the wicked fall into their own nets.” (Psalm 141:10)

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Asia Bibi–Update

“She spends her days in seclusion for fear of being targeted by angry mobs clamoring for her death. In her hideout, she longs for her children who were taken to Canada for their safety.” VOA News.

While Ms. Bibi’s continued imprisonment stands as a witness against Islam, and its tenants and intolerance, it also stands as a witness of a world that simply isn’t paying attention.

Ms. Bibi is also a portent of things to come. If not this coming year, then next, or the following. It won’t be long, however, before many more Christians will face persecution. It has been foretold.

Here’s the warning and the encouragement Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman Believers in Messiah Yeshua:

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, or height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:31-39)

 

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

What’s Christmas All About? A Messianic Perspective

Fo another perspective on Christmas, from a Messianic perspective, listen to John Parson as he speaks about the Incarnation in his audio message: The Word Made Flesh, A Message for Christmas.

In his message, Mr. Parson begins with a verse from Deuteronomy:

“Did any people ever hear the voice of G-D speaking out of the midst of the fire,
as you have heard, and still live?” (4:33)

and from the Gospel According the John

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (v1)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (v14)

Mr. Parson’s message is short, about 18 minutes, but packed with great insight.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .