But God Meant It For Good

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

When we think on the promises of God, do we think about the promise that we will experience persecution? That we will suffer? If you are anything like me, that's the last promise we want to think about. It's the one blessing we want to avoid. But all the prior blessings in the Beatitudes lead up to this one.

When God accomplishes an attitude change in us where we have left self-desires behind and focus only on the matters of God, we are strong enough to face the suffering of persecution. I would offer an observation here. If we are not suffering persecution of some kind - if we are 'flying under the radar' so unbelieving family, friends, neighbors, and work colleagues do not notice us - perhaps there is an element of self-interest or self-preservation still at work in us.

"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
2 Timothy 3:12

Live a godly life. Isn't that what the BE-attitudes are all about? Live a life that glorifies God. Why does that bring persecution on our heads? 

"And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at the time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also," Galatians 4:28-29

From the moment Adam sinned persecution arose from the spirit of the world against the Spirit of God. Once God made His covenant with Abraham that the world would be blessed through his son, the child of the flesh became the adversary of the child of promise though neither child had yet been conceived. 

Ishmael was thirteen when Isaac was born. Traditionally, women weaned their babies when they were about three years old, so when Ishmael was sixteen Abraham threw a great party.

"The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born to Abraham, mocking" Genesis 21:8-9

Isaac was insulted - mocked - before he'd had much chance to deserve it. The prophets, too, were examples to us of persecution for righteousness sake. Consider just a few:

Joseph: betrayed with intent to murder. Sold into slavery by his brothers because of jealousy. They meant it for evil, but Joseph later told them God meant it for good.

Moses: slandered by the people he came to help. They disagreed with him, questioned his motives, challenged his authority, and wanted to return to Egypt thereby giving up on God's promise. But God meant it for good.

David: fled for his life from the murderous attempts by the unrighteous King Saul. Though God had chosen him as king, David had to wait for God to vindicate him and set him on the throne. He was a flawed man, yet the promise of the Messiah came through him. But God meant it for good.

Daniel: torn from his family in childhood, was taken to serve in a cruel idolatrous government. Lived his life in godly integrity and survived several attempts to destroy him, the last one being in his 80's when he bore the sentence of execution in the lion's den. Divine intervention saved him. During his life he was the recipient of awesome prophecies regarding the future succession of world powers, the first and second comings of Jesus, and the final end times conflict. He was also a highly trusted advisor to King Cyrus when the order was given for the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after the seventy years in exile. But God meant it for good.

Jesus: condemned to die by his own people - men who feared losing their power privilege and position. He was mocked, tortured and scourged before crucifixion and endured continued insults while he was dying on the cross. But God meant it for good.

Paul, Peter, the disciples and the early followers of The Way: persecution took the Gospel message beyond Jerusalem to the known world. Their persecution strengthened their souls, and brought comfort and salvation to others. But God meant it for good.

The force of persecution toward believers in Jesus Christ is becoming more obvious today throughout the world. Back in the first century A.D. Peter wrote,

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-14

I would be remiss if I failed to bring to mind Peter's admonition in the next two verses:

"Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name." 1 Peter 4:15-16

The spirit of this world hates the Holy Spirit of God and has ever tried to destroy Him - from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane to the Garden of believer's souls. The seal of the Holy Spirit upon us makes us a target in the world's eyes. 

Do you love God? Then you have the promise that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, will bring good out of your circumstances of persecution.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Knowing these things, how then should we live?

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11

by Marilyn Allison

Blind Journey

"Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, 'Do you see anything?' And he looked up and said, 'I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.' Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly." Mark 8:23-25 (NASB)

I love how God takes a small portion of scripture and brings something new to light. How many times I've read this story and missed this small statement. "He brought him out of the village." The KJV reads, "He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town."

Jesus could have touched the blind man right there in Bethsaida. The man's friends had brought him to Jesus for that very thing.

"And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him." Mark 8:22

Jesus chose to take the man's hand and lead him outside of the town before healing him. The story relates an instance of progressive healing. He could have healed his blindness with the spoken word. He could have touched him. But He chose to give him a little vision at first.

Jesus spit on the man's eyes, then lay His hands upon him. Pretty unorthodox. I like to think the DNA of Jesus was put upon (or into) the man at this point.

Now the man could see, but not clearly. Then Jesus touched his eyes, the point where he needed healing, and told him to look up. And the man was restored.

In reading this scripture, please don't miss what the blind man did. First, he came to Jesus. Next he allowed Jesus to take him somewhere he couldn't see. He trusted Jesus to keep him from stumbling over unseen obstacles. 

He submitted to being spit in the eye. The man and his friends had come to Jesus because of his reputation (aka testimony). They believed He had the power to supernaturally meet their desires, restoration of sight to the blind, They were desperate for this impossible need to be met. So, the act that would be seen by men as a curse, became the avenue of the man's healing.

The blind man stayed with Jesus until he was completely healed. He didn't settle for partial vision and be content with that. Then Jesus put His hands directly on the man's eyes and told him to look up. The man obeyed Jesus and his full vision was restored.

Oh, the blessing of walking with Jesus, of trusting Him to lead us safely "out of town," of submitting to the plan he has, even if it involves humbling ourselves. When we "trust and obey" the door to full restoration is wide open for us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Jesus and the encouragement we receive from His examples in Scripture. Thank You, Jesus, for leading us out of the world, for revealing Yourself to us and restoring us. Oh, LORD, may we not settle for partial sight. May we cling to You through all the experiences in our lives until that day when full vision is restored and we see You face to face. Amen

by Marilyn Allison

Restoration

'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Several women in my life have experienced domestic abuse, both physical and verbal. It is impossible not to have compassion for them. My heart breaks, my spirit ebbs and flows to try and speak hope and life into their situation.  The church is divided on how to address this issue in many cases. 

I hashed out thoughts on this subject with one of my best friends. I voiced my struggle, “The hard thing is, it is easy to love the victim and want to help them…and we should! But, as much as it disgusts our human minds at times, Jesus died on the cross for the abuser, too. We are called to love and restore the abuser, not just the victim. THAT is the truth of how deep the love of Jesus is. THAT is the test of how much we look like him.” 

My friends eyes welled up as she pushed out the hushed words, “Jenna, when I hear you say that, I think of my abortion and...it’s like…I was that abuser. I was that murderer.” 

My eyes burned back tears. Oh, how I love her. My, godly, courageous, beautifully restored friend. Yes. We are all the abuser. We are all the murderer.  We are all that thief on the cross who needs saving. My best friend, who had carried the shame for so long, needed the people of God to love like Jesus and say, Come in, there is love here for you. There is forgiveness here for you. There is restoration. There is freedom.

Jesus can change anyone. No one on earth was excluded from the work done on the cross.  It hit me: If I feel disgusted that Jesus even offers salvation to vile offenders, then I have no real sense of who I was before Jesus saved me. Bill Hybels reminds us, “You have never looked into the eyes of someone who does not matter to God”.  

Seriously, I've used this quote many times to test my level of understanding of the love of Christ. I’ve held up photos of Hitler, looked into his empty eyes and said out loud, You will never look into the eyes of a person Jesus didn’t die for. There is no evidence that Hitler ever accepted this gift of salvation of course, but was it offered? Yes, by the work of the cross. I only go to this uncomfortable extreme because without it, how do we understand how deep and wide is the love of Christ?  How will we ever be able to understand the power of his blood on the cross?

Jesus paid it ALL.

"Jesus paid it ALL.
ALL to him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."**

Do I believe he has the power to do that? For me? For Hitler? For the wife beater down the street?

Are we intentional in seeking after abusers who want change, saying, There is hope for you! It is imperative that we crowd around the people they have hurt, offering them a safe place to stay. Let us not diminish our distinct, urgent call to aid and protect the abused, as well!

But then what of the offender? Do we never look back?

What if Ananias had not gone to see Paul after he was blinded on the road to Damascus? Here was a man who was overseeing the murder and persecution of Christians. Paul was an abuser; possibly a murderer.

God knew it would be hard for Ananias to believe such a vile man could change. He graciously spoke to Ananias in a vision instructing him to care for Paul because he was God’s ‘chosen instrument’(Acts 9:15). What if he had not been obedient to care for Paul? What if he refused to go heal him as God instructed? What if he did not believe God could restore a, man like that?

Without realizing it, Ananias was a huge catalyst in the spreading of the gospel and the writing of the New Testament - all because he trusted God’s power and was obedient.  He was one of the first people to offer Paul the tangible acceptance of Christ after his radical conversion, even referring to him as, brother.

There are two forces at work here. The most significant being the work of God Himself. God blinded Saul with his power. God must do the work to bring someone to repentance. Ananias had no power to bring Paul to faith.

The second is also the work of God, but, it is Him working through his people.   He used one of his people to give Paul back his sight. We have a role to play.  We must understand God has called us to participate in the restoration of others--no matter their offenses.

I think of my best friend and what a powerhouse of God’s love she is. God is moving and using her life in crazy, beautiful ways to bless others.  And it makes me think, "what would the kingdom of God look like without her?" The answer: not the same. Jesus crafted a role just for her. In His power, I foresee her moving mountains. I have no doubt God will partner with her to bring restoration to other women. She will have the honor of acting as an Ananias.  

What if she had been left to her condemnation? What if she had remained in the shadows and believed her name was ‘murderer’? What if Paul remained the same way?! What if Ananias never said to him:

"Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17

Oh, Satan would have loved for Ananias to keep silent.  He wants all God’s children to remain blind to their divine purposes.  He wants us to keep our old names.

Remember, Satan is forever bound to his name, which means, ‘the accuser’. He wants us to be forever bound to our condemning names as well. We should not listen to him.

We should listen to one whose name means, “God Saves”; our precious savior, Jesus. He tells us the truth of who we are.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Let us not be silent regarding this truth. Pull the people around you closer to the foot of the cross. Show them their new name carved into the wood. On the days they forget who they are, engage in the work of restoration. Take them by the hand and go back to the foot of the cross. Find your new names. Say them out loud. Praise God!

by Jenna Masters

**Jesus Paid It All, words by Elvina M. Hall, music by John T. Grape

What Does It Take To Name A Baby (When You Serve in a Foreign Country)?

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Well, well, well.  Turns out two kids are more than one.  I’ve been home now for about two and a half weeks.  It’s been… busy.  I’m not sure how any moms get anything done??

One of the challenges since we’ve been home is in the actual name of our new daughter.

Wait, what?

I know, right?  My husband and the pastor of the church took our paperwork, including the birth paper issued by the hospital, to the city hall to get her birth registered and get health insurance, etc.  More on all that later.  However, the gentleman at the birth register desk insisted that the Japanese way to write her name was not the way that we wrote it.

Let me explain, using initials for discretion.  Her initials will be E V A, according to how we’d write it in the States.  In Japan, using the format of our passports, her name would be written A E V or, more rarely A, E V.  That’s the way each of our names - mine, my husband's and our older daughter's - is written for all of our paperwork.

Well.  Gentleman-behind-the-desk didn’t care about that.  He insisted (and refused to argue) that it should be written A V, E.  So, that’s what her Japanese birth certificate shows.  Though this made me very frustrated over the phone when I heard about it, it’s not a super big deal because we can change her name for US stuff.  The problem comes in that all of her paperwork here will have to reflect her passport, which means we’re going to have to go back and file a name change here after we receive her passport.  (On a side note, after the unexpected trip to the embassy, the staff there wondered why the city hall staffer wrote her middle name in the last name box!)

Speaking of names though, something that stumped me when I was at the hospital was how many of the sore and exhausted moms I’d talked to had still not chosen a name for their baby.  I was flabbergasted.  With our first daughter, we had her name chosen even before we were planning to have kids.

I made some inquiries over breakfast with the other postpartum moms and learned much in the process!  You think choosing a name in English is difficult?  We’ve got nothing on the Japanese.

Japanese obviously use kanji (Chinese characters) for their names.  Every kanji has one or more meanings and sometimes numerous pronunciations.  And every kanji has a stroke order and a stroke count (that’s how you look it up in the dictionary).

For the Japanese, the number of strokes in the kanji chosen for their name can either be lucky or unlucky. Certain numbers are lucky and others are not.  In fact, there are about five different categories (for example, love, job, money, etc.) that have to be determined, and while a name you’re considering may be lucky in 4 of the categories, parents want it to be good in all five.

It gets more complicated. The kanji of the last name have to be taken into consideration as well, as it’s the total number of strokes in a name that matters.  Apparently, the combination of kanji (first and last, first kanji of both names, second kanji of both names, etc.) matters too.

Then you want to be careful that the kanji of both names make sense together.  You wouldn’t want to have a mix-up of number kanji, or seasonal kanji or recurring syllables when you write/say it all together.  And, of course, too many over-all strokes will be time consuming for your child.

Parents these days use online dictionaries to investigate potential kanji for their child. Once they find a number that will work for them, they can get lists of kanji and start piecing together their child’s name.

Of course, then both parents (and often grandparents) have to approve of their name and it has to feel right for the child too.

(Apparently, some women who have gotten married changed the kanji for their first names to maintain a lucky balance with their husband’s last name)

It had always been a mystery to me why none of the Japanese pregnant moms I’d met had revealed the name for their child before birth.  I wondered if it was a bad omen to say the name before the birth or if it was a secret or just not their custom. We announced our daughter’s name when we confirmed the gender, but none of the Japanese thought to ask the question (whereas for our American counterparts, it was one of the first questions!).

But now I know…. it’s complicated!

By Janine Alvarado, Missionary to Japan

A Pure Heart

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Jesus is the standard by which all of us are measured. He didn't take my sin upon Himself and suffer the torment of the cross, the curse that separated Himself from God, so I could choose which sins I would keep - wink, wink.

No. I will either be judged and condemned by the standard or I will agree to the process of making me pure. For the pure nature to fill me and reign, my self nature must die.

There is nothing good in me, nothing I can wink at.

As long as I try to justify my flesh, that's what I'll see - my flesh. But, when I agree with the Holy Spirit that all sin is sin - not greater or lesser, but SIN - I see the remedy.

I WANT the remedy.
I WANT a heart without evil thoughts and desires.
I WANT a heart that doesn't fear, doubt, feel guilt.
I WANT the heart that is one with God, for then I shall see Him as He is.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

by Marilyn Allison