A Time to Mourn

On the night in which he was betrayed...

Tonight church had such deep meaning for me. So many things happened on this night over 2000 years ago...

On this night, Jesus knew he would be betrayed...and yet, he washed feet, even the feet of Judas, his betrayer. He knew his body would be broken...his blood shed, and yet, he prayed for his disciples and he prayed for you and me.

I remember being taught just what a humbling act this was, the filth that was upon the feet of the disciples included dust from the road, but in that dusty road was also dried animal waste...it couldn't have been a pleasant experience. He undressed...wrapping a towel around his waist in order to dry their feet once washed.

I can understand Peter's embarrassment...

"Jesus, please don't do this. Let me wash YOUR feet, my Lord, my King."

"Unless you allow me to do this for you, you cannot have a part of me."

"Then don't just wash my feet, but please wash my head and hands as well!"

Much like baptism... He washes us clean...and unless we allow him to wash us clean, we can have no part of him. Are you willing to allow him to wash your feet? Are you ashamed...knowing how undeserving you are to have your feet washed by him?

He humbled himself upon the cross, so that we might learn humility.

In his humility
He humbled me.

John 13

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Then, his body is broken...his blood is shed... for me...and for ALL people for the forgiveness of our sins.

This Passover night, Jesus...the first born ...only begotten Son of God, showed humility.

Not the pride of Pharoah...whose heart was hardened and would not release the Jews...

Passover, when the Jews remember the placing blood upon their doorframes so that the Spirit of God would pass over their homes and take the lives of the first born of Egypt. The blood that saved them that night...the blood on the door frames...that is the blood we are saved by...that is why we call Jesus "Lamb of God".

Exodus 12

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.
"On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

He went willingly. Yet, he did not kill himself. I killed him. His blood was for me. He was without the blemish of sin, yet he willingly died for me...his body broken, his blood shed...and he thanked God.

I even eat the broken body and drink the blood of the lamb who was broken and shed for me.

Yet, I cry for him...and for me. I mourn because I betrayed my Lord, my King and because he died, I live.

And he blessed me for it...

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted.

Forgive Osama bin Laden?

Luke 6:27-36
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

As an American, what Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 hijackers did offended me...but as one of the few people who lost absolutely NO ONE in that horrific incident, it is far easier for me to say what I am about to say than I would expect it to be for anyone else.

I believe that the 9/11 hijackers are in hell. If when I die, they are there...in their heaven...then it is my belief that will be the equivalent of hell to me. As far as I am concerned, I would be in hell (based upon my personal belief...not because this has come up for discussion at church in any way).

Now, that is under the assumption that they are in 'their' heaven.

In MY understanding of heaven, there will be a time of ...purging of evil. That would be purgatory to Catholics (or the BEMA to some protestants). If some of them are there after going through that time of purging, I leave that in G-d's hands. Perhaps they repented of their actions. I really don't know and it isn't my place to judge what G-d chooses to forgive and what he chooses to retain.

I believe I will also go through a time of purging. I hope that by making every effort to follow G-d's laws (as I understand them) that will leave as little as possible that is necessary to be purged from me.

Regarding OSB, I pray for him. I pray that he repents of his actions. I pray that he feels sorrow for what he has done. I believe he suffers for those actions in this life and I believe he will continue to suffer for those actions... So, I do feel pity for him. If he is captured, I expect he will receive the death penalty...and if he lacks a willingness to repent for ALL of his evil (as I am willing to repent for ALL of my evil) then (I believe) he will spend eternity in hell. What saves me is that Christ died for me, but what I suffer for are my own sins. In times when I face what I believe to be unjust suffering, I can only look to myself and say, "Look at what Jesus suffered for me. Do I believe I am more worthy than he is?" There is no value for me to complain about any injustice I face because ANY injustice I face, I know deep inside I deserve far worse than Jesus suffered to die for MY sins. I don't always succeed at not complaining (in fact, there are times I believe I enjoy it a little too much) but I make every effort to identify MY issues because I don't want to hurt someone else.

I don't hate Osama...I don't like him either. I think I probably would hate him if someone I love died. I don't blame anyone who DOES hate him and I don't think that hating OSB would prevent someone from entering heaven. I think G-d would understand that hurt. I believe that allowing that hurt to rule the rest of my life would poison what G-d requires of me. I would become bitter and hateful and be more inclined to see the negative in people than try to help people overcome that and soften toward the Lord. My own actions resulting from that behavior might end up with me having just as many sins as Osama...and hating G-d as well. I believe G-d does allow us to experience trials in this life when he knows that we NEED the discipline in order that we might return to his love. I believe that until the day that Osama dies he will experience trials...and the more trials he experiences in this life, the softer his heart can become and the more likely he will repent...the fewer trials he experiences in this life, the less likely that his eternity will be spent with G-d. Because if he isn't experiencing trials in this life, then (I believe) G-d has determined that he will never repent and he is destined for hell. I believe that some people have no repentance whatsoever in their hearts and that lack is their downfall.

And if you have NO faith in G-d, then there are sins (not all sins) that you have no reason to repent of.

So, do I forgive Osama and the hijackers? I don't really feel it is my place to forgive them as they hurt me emotionally, but their actions didn't directly touch my life. I would HOPE that I could forgive them (in my heart), but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't expect them to still face the penalty for their actions on this earth.

Mark 11:24-26
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Submission=Trust

1 Peter 2:13-25
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 3
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

It sometimes seems like the scariest word that a modern Christian woman can face today is 'submission'.

I think that in this day and age, women either think of the sexual connotations of 'submission' or they think it means being a doormat. I don't think either of those things is what God suggests. I don't think biblical submission should be considered something to be feared. Biblical submission covers man submitting to God, women submitting to their husbands, children submitting to their parents and slaves submitting to their masters. I think men can learn from their wives examples of submission because that is how they are supposed to be submissive to the Lord.

I want women to recognize that biblical submission I speak of is not about a woman being abused and staying in an abusive relationship. Nor is biblical submission a reason to say "Slavery is a good thing." Neither of those statements are true. Before anyone says, "I will NEVER be 'submissive' to my husband" or some similar statement, consider who you submit yourself to on a normal day...

Do you ride in airplanes? Then you submit yourself to the pilot and air traffic controlloers. Do you ride a train? Then you submit yourself to the conductor and anyone in charge of the switches. Do you ride in a car? Then you are submitting yourself to the driver, the mechanic, the auto maker.

Biblical submission is about TRUST.

How do you build trust? You give people a reason to trust you. If you don't trust your husband enough to submit to him, then you shouldn't have married him. God's submission is about saying, "I know you love me, you know what is best for me. I trust your decisions."

THAT is the sort of submission that our God is looking for.

2 Chronicles 30:7-9
And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

Luke 10:17-20
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

James 4:1-8
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I don't think God does not welcome our suggestions..He welcomed Abraham's suggestions regarding Sodom and Gommorrah and He welcomed Moses' suggestions regarding the Jews. In the same way, husbands can be the final decisionmakers of the household, but still welcome the decisions of their spouses. Wives can still be submissive, but that does not mean we have no say in decisions that are made. However, only ONE person can make the 'final' decision. The bible says that the husband should be the one making the final decision.

Wives, if you have a husband that is not faithful to the Lord, this is your opportunity to show HIM how devotion to the Lord blesses the home. Submission is a blessing. Since we have begun faithfully practicing submission, our homelife has become more peaceful, because it isn't my husband or I 'ruling' our home...it is the Lord. HE is in the driver's seat and HE is who we are placing our trust in. When we consider making a major purchase, we are putting the decision in HIS hands and preparing ourselves for whatever answer HE leades us to.

Submission to the Lord is trusting Him in the face of what the world tells us is illogical. Even if it at times is painful. We are so impatient, we rarely see miracles anymore because few of us have the PATIENCE nor the TRUST to wait for the Lord's answer...nor do we SUBMIT to His answer when it comes if we do not agree with it.

So, we rush into marriages that don't last, or we depend upon science to create or kill our children or we spend money we don't have and then our poor suffer because we have forgotten them in our rush to think of ourselves.

Submission means not doing what your flesh wants you to rush into, it means waiting upon the Lord and His will. Trusting the Lord.

God bless

In the Peaceful and Quiet Place

Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart. ~Mother Theresa

Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Zechariah 2:13
Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."

Job 6:24
"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.

Ecclesiastes 9:17
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Lamentations 3:25-26
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Mark 4:39
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

How often do we spend our time yelling and arguing over what we believe God has called us to do? We spend our days telling one another, "THIS is what God says!" Would that instead we remember that God calls each of us to His purpose and it is not our place to tell another what that purpose God has called him or her to do, but it is our place to listen to the Lord and follow His commands. It is a matter of submission for all of us to stop...listen...and trust Him to move our hearts. Pray unceasingly for one another and patiently wait upon the Lord. May the peace of God which passes ALL understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the love and mercy of Christ Jesus.

Lord, Father in heaven,

I humbly ask that you soften my heart to be conformed only to YOUR will for me. I pray that you conform the hearts of both my enemies and my friends, my loved ones, political leaders...everyone of us...that earth might be more like heaven and we might humbly serve only you rather than our own flesh and pride. Let us be still, that we might hear you over the clamor of the world. I ask these things for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, who died for the sake of MY sins.

Amen