Ncheno…

Thank you so much for your prayers…

God’s love and grace is wonderful…

Praise and glory to His name!!!

Love… what is love?

Courtesy: flikcr.com

February… A month full of love…Love is in the air…But this month is almost over…Does love still exists?

Love is felt and present everywhere, everytime, everymoment …when there is do..does…did… and action.

…to be continued

Hosea: The pathos of God

“PERSONAL APPLICATION”

             As I have been reading and studying the Book of Hosea, I could not imagine how hard it is for Hosea to live with his adulterous wife.  An ordinary person like me would not be able to endure such situation.  Hosea was such a blessed man whom God has given tolerance and passion to love Gomer in spite of who she is.  And as I read and discover that the Israelites were like Hosea’s wife, I realize and could not imagine how painful for God to see His people turn away from Him, and still His love is unending and His mercy still surrounds them (Hosea 2). 

               Through reading and studying this book, I became like the Israelites before.  And sometimes I unknowingly and oftentimes knowingly become unfaithful to God who loves me so much.  I am not yet married or do adulterous things but through focusing my mind to other priorities in the world instead of prioritizing God, I understand now that I would also become so unfaithful to God.  I sometimes trust and depend on men instead of God (Hosea 4-6).  And there I experience the emptiness and consequences of being away from God, feeling that I am nothing with Him in my life. 

               But I thank God, His unconditional and undying love for me like His love to the Israelites is always there.  The only thing that I need to do is to seek God’s face and ask forgiveness for my sins and unfaithfulness to Him.   And there, His loving arms and merciful heart is always available, always waiting for me to come back to Him (Hosea 11-14).   

        But as His children, I should not abuse His love for me, like committing sin again and again, and then seek Him, and then sin again.  I observe, many Christians are like that, they abuse God’s love and do transgressions like testing God’s forgiveness and love.  Loving God should be continues.  Like husband and wife vowing to each other to be faithful for better or for worse, till death do they part.  God’s love to mankind and human’s love to God should be endless and pure.

Rushulo (Ashulo) Seb

Ditty Q. 8

Discuss the relationships of the prophets of Ancient Israel with the throne (government), the temple (religion), and the people (society).    

   There are two professional schools of prophets in ancient Israel: the true prophets who are considered as the revile of the kings e.g. Jezebel killed all the northern kingdom prophets except the Hosea’s oracles (Hosea 11), and there are false prophets who are motivated and sponsored by the state government in order to speak for them. They do this for endanger upon their lives and their poor economic living standard.  

   Indeed, the prophets receive the word of God and deliver the message to the people. They have no authority of their own but always with direct command from Yahweh like “Thus says the Lord.” There are specific purpose in their prophecies and are not new but rooted with God’s covenant. They talk about judgment and do not foretell the future events alone but also reinforce the law (Torah) for the current events around 90% (Mhac Janapin, OT class). The people were corrupted and committed great sins even considered as national crime. They are after the moral change; social change and a heart change to Yahweh.

   In relationship, politically it was controlled and directed through the consultation of the true prophets like King Saul’s case (1 Sam. 9). And even the false prophets were used for their political favor and good governing. During the 8^th century of the great prosperity of north and southern kingdoms had become threats to the true religion of Yahweh because of low morality and religious corruption probably the false prophets and their influence upon the people. Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah were against the sinful practices of their religious infidelity in the temple and the leaders were responsible for it. It was a call for restoration of faith from the idolatry and unrighteousness and the impending judgment of unrepentant sins and consequences, a heart change of the people to the true God (Yahweh). Thus, the ancient Israel prophets play a great role of God’s mouthpiece in dealing with the people and their sins: socially, politically and religious.

 References:

The Holy Bible (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

 Kaiser, Walter C. A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars. Nashville, Tennessee: Brodman & Holman Publishers,1998. 

Hailey, Homer. Ancient Prophets in a Modern World. Vol. 1, No. 3, January 1952. Available at http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/AncientProphetsInAModernWorld.html. Internet. 

“The prophets of Israel” available at http://www.awitness.org/lostmess/poet.html. Internet.

Ditty Q. 7

Choose a king from the North. Summarize his reign and the evaluation of it. What could have he done different in order to have a positive evaluation from God?

    King Jeroboam, son of Nebat who was one of the King Solomon’s officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah and his widow mother was Zeruah (1 Kings 11:26). He was a man of standing, master statesman (Kaiser.304), and an in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph (v.28). He was the first King of the divided kingdom of Northern Israel.

    He reigned for 22 years, and all the events of his kingship and reigns were written in the annals of the kings of Israel and he was rested with his father (1 Kings 14: 20). The promise of God for his enthronement was revealed through prophet Ahijah of Shiloh that God is going to divide the kingdom of Israel from the house of king Solomon into two and ten tribes would be with him (Jeroboam)… and he would rule over Israel in his own hearts desire if he walk and do right things in the eyes of the Lord as king David did…(1Kings 11:37-39). But he did not keep the command of God and mislead Israel by making altars and shrines to worship other gods and idols (1Kings 12: 25-33), and appointed illegal priests and Levites over them. He was called a man who causes the Lord angry and did more sins and evils than anyone else before him (1kings 14: 9).

    If he did not developed evil thoughts towards southern kingdoms (Judah) and made for the altars and its worship, he would be more popular in his divine leadership in Israel. This is one of his greatest weaknesses and could be the major cause of his downfall from the throne. If he could follow and obey what God had promised and instructed him to do and rule over Israel even though it is not forever, it could have been possible to took control over all Israel including southern kingdom as the Lord leads and direct and be with him. There could be possibility of peace and unity in both kingdoms through his leadership. He began with divine intervention of God’s hands for his future kingship but ends with confusion and curse from God.

Reference:

The Holy Bible (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

Kaiser, Walter C. A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars. Nashville, Tennessee: Brodman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Ditty Q. 6

Read Dr. Isbell’s article “History and Writing.” According to him, what is the biblical text disclosing? What is the relationship of the Bible with History?

    For David Isbell, the biblical text clearly disclosed that there is a wide gap between modern understanding of the word “history” and pre-modern state (3), which is a great treat to the biblical historicity today. The Bible is considered more of prophetic, a moral, and a Yahwistic interpretation of the true meaning of the history than the term “history” perceives by the modern scholars (13). Because the biblical narratives were simply not sophisticated enough to understand (1). Rather they were more like evaluation of the kings and their nations in different times and events.

The records of the ancient biblical history are found in the annals of the Kings, supported by additional information of the chronicles (5), which is preserved in the royal archives, but they are no longer with us today and it is the dilemma of the biblical historicity. Nevertheless, they do have enough evidence of their own internal witness to its purpose and to prove that they did right to what they set out to do (3). Only modern scholars and theological students misunderstood the word “history.” It is for sure is that “all history is somebody’s opinion” (1) and Bible is one of such history that has its own goals that had been accomplished.

Some of the relationship of the Bible with history could be that the kings, chronicles, and the prophets used cross-referenced for additional information and sources where more historical events and evidence could be found but not all (15). This directs the modern history to research more possible evidences and facts of biblical times. The prophetic message and interpretation was studied, copied and transmitted from ages to ages and it is never to question, the divine intervention of God’s miracles in the realm of time and space were irrefutable as well. The fact is that the Bible is not interested in “Just the facts” (19) that the modern historian meant to search for but the pre-modern searches for the true influence of people to live or survive.

Reference:

The Holy Bible (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

Kaiser, Walter C. A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars. Nashville, Tennessee: Brodman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Isbell, Charles David. “History and Writing” Louisiana State University, August 2003.

My devotional 8

“The true living God is greater and powerful than any other gods”

Courtesy: Kapela316

II Kings 1:1-4, So Ahaziah sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury… Therefore this is what the Lord says, ‘you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’ (NIV).”

        This is one of the weaknesses of Israelites to keep away themselves from Baal worship and worst sins often committed before God in their history. They knew that their God (YEWEH) is always their strength and power and yet it was obvious that they did not live out their faith in practical life. Their pagan beliefs in Baal and other idols were so big temptations and great challenges for them to turn away, they often turn back and became slaves to those gods, which is against the true living God. King Ahaziah of Israel did forsaken his true God and consult the god of Ekron and therefore the Lord dealt with his illness to death.

        God is a God who can raise the dead even, life and death is in His hands and plans for each one of us. He is the divine healer, every kind of sicknesses are cured in His name. Jesus Christ is the great healer and the best physician where the best of this world can produce but can’t heal what Jesus can. He is the perfect healer of every sickness. On the other hands, since Old Testament times there had been many false teacher and healer such as the great magicians, the great healer, witch doctors, and different kinds of demonic power that heals various sicknesses. We are surrounded with so many demonic spirit and power and temptation that grasped the believers easily. What is our stand and belief in true God? Obviously and uniquely those false healer and power are just temporary healing and last for sometime. There is no life in their healing and their mission but to curse and condemn in the future. Yes we are in battle with this satanic force on earth wherein every believer has to confess and contend with the only true God who has the power to heal both spiritual and physical that will leads to eternity.

        Acknowledging God’s sovereignty of divine healing does not mean earthly doctors, physicians and the medicines are no use. God uses different healing process and the doctors and physicians are one of the God’s design healers who minister the people of God in various ways and methods with genuine needs and cares. When only people use God’s wisdom and gift in wrong ways, the ultimate consequence is bitter, harsh and worst. There are many instances when the condition of a patient is bleak after being treated with good medicines and even consistent prayer had been offered to God. We are tempted to seek different ways to relief the pain and suffering of the patient and thereby there is always tendency to fall into the trap of such stronghold of satanic power and false healing. Only God holds our lives, future and knows the destiny there is no greater gods, no greater healer, no divine healing in anyone else except our Lord Jesus. Our God is greater than our present hopeless, problems, difficulties, and any circumstances of sickness or tragedy. There is no greater cost and cause to seek God than anything/one else!

My devotional 7

“The God of Brook and Ravens…is all sufficient God who meets our daily needs”

Courtesy: Roger B.

I Kings 17:1-5, …then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn to eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there…(NIV).”

God uses the smallest things to test our faith and proved His- all- sufficient and manifest miracles in our Christian life. In the same way if it were not the brook and ravens that had not quenched the thirst and feed the hunger of Elijah in the Kerith Ravine. There would be no witnessed and miracle experience of new life for the widow and her dead son and no proved of the truth in the prophecy (1 Kings 17:22-24). The obedience and humbleness of Elijah and the widow led them to experience unconditional layers of God’s blessings in their real life dilemma situation in the history. Brook and Ravens were used as the foundation of blessing for Elijah to meet the widow and her dead son’s physical and spirituals needs. He is the God of sufficient to every soul and life.

Matthew reminded us the sufficient God in relationship with birds of the air, and the lilies of the field that do not labor but fed them well by Him (Matt. 6:25-34). How much more valuable life will it be before God? How much more precious are we in the sight of God? How much more will He have compassion on us? Nothing will satisfy our lives and needs besides the living God, in whom we live, have and move our beings. He loves us and cares for us so much and accordingly He provides our needs sufficiently visible or invisible ways. He is an awesome God indeed.

The God of brook and ravens is all sufficient God who meets our daily needs because He is our Jehovah Jireh-the provider of all good blessings. All blessings flows from Him, the source of everything like the streams flows from the source and gathered to make a mighty ocean. The access point to the source is the faithfulness, obedience and humbleness before the creator and the supplier.

He is able and rich God and wants us to avail all the opportunity and the rights of privilege at anytime. We are called not to be poor and failures or defeated one because our God is rich and victory? But are we (believers and ministers) accessible to this source and enjoying all these richness of God? Let us reason together and learn from the Lord, our past, our sins, and failures and ask where have we gone wrong that the promise of God’s blessing did not come upon our lives (Isa. 1:18). You are Jehovah-Jireh- the provider and the source of everything that is on earth and in heaven.

Dear heavenly father, teach us to learn how to do good, seek your righteousness and justice, and rescue the widows and perishing souls (Isa. 1:17). Help us to live a life that is pleasing and after your own hearts and will so that we can access to your richness and abundance blessing as we continue to serve you and the dying world. Thank you Lord for the provision that always sustains us.

my devotional 6

“Fervent prayers are answered beyond measure…”

Courtesy: Monte Mendoza

I Kings 3:11-13, so God said to Solomon, “Since you have asked for this… I will do what you have asked… Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for-both riches and honor-so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings (NIV).”

Often times many believers assumed (wrongly) that God sees and knows our hearts and needs before the prayer is offered to God and the obvious result leads to question negative answers and lazy to pray. Indeed, God demands sincere and confessing heart in prayer and He never fails to answer every single prayer. Many times we murmur and question why God never answer our prayers… but I believe God always answers our prayers faithfully.

I believe every prayer is answered in two ways – positive or negative. Prayer is often answered but negatively or opposite to what we make appeal to or cry out to for specific things in a particular time and needs, sometime the answers are fulfilled in an unexpected time. Probably this kind of prayer’s answers may be wrong approach and wrong timing in the sight of God or there may be some wrong motives and attitudes behind those prayers. Above all, prayer has to do a lot with patience and humility. On the other hand, prayers are sometimes positive and immediately our prayers are answered. In this case, our prayer might be in the right tract and in the will of God for what we are asking and crying for. Blessed are those whose prayers are answered immediately.

        King Solomon could have asked of many other things but faithfully and honestly he asked the most needed one among all things. He was so humble and acknowledged God’s greatness and kindness and leading hands towards his father David and the same blessings upon his life. He approached God with emptiness, lowly and humble submission seeking God’s wisdom and guidance to rule the people who were placed under his care and leadership. Thus, his attitudes of spiritual hunger and thirst and gratefulness motives were on the favor of God and pleased God to grant beyond his expected requests including the things he even mentioned not. God sees his clean heart, his honest and faithful prayer and the genuine needs for his people at his crucial time.

        Prayer is timeless, season less, it is without ceasing (I Thess.5: 17) deep within our hearts in times of joy, happiness, success, achievements, brokenness, frustrations, stress, hopelessness, failures because we do not know God’s doing in our lives. It may not be good for the moment but in the future it may be the best thing that we may realize it is the Lord’s hand. Let us not only come to the Lord in prayer when we are in confused or difficult times but let us learn to acknowledge the goodness of sovereign Lord in all situations of our lives. Our God is the same God of King Solomon who did answered such unasked prayers He is ready to do miracles to our faithful and grateful prayer, He is ready to grant our prayers of any difficulties, problems, and unspoken prayer at anytime because He is the God who answers prayers beyond measures…come and seek Him, claim His promise, experience the power of prayer and be blessed.