Jesus Is Arrested, The Gospel According to John18:1-11

Arrested!  The Lord and Savior, the King of the Jews?  The Messiah and the Son of God?  How could this ever happen?  What did He ever do to deserve the treatment that He got from His own people?  He was innocent and He committed NO Crime, yet, HE WAS ARRESTED?

Jesus Christ was arrested in the Garden of Gathsemene, the night of the Last Supper, the Night of Passover, because He spent His ministry preaching the Word of God.  He was teaching the people what it was the God wanted them to hear and to learn, not what it was that He alone was teaching.  He said to the people, "You now arrest me?  I preached in your synagogues and I preached in your temple, and you did nothing to Me.  Yet, now you come and take me away?

He was certainly right.  It made absolutely no sense.  Now, many years ago, growing up a Conservative Jew, I would have thought differently.  We were taught that Jesus Christ was a blasphemer, but was I ever wrong.  Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He was brought to earth as God Himself in the flesh.  He went to the Cross as God in the flesh.  However, all of this had to be done so that prophesy could be fulfilled.

What would you have done if you were in the shoes of Judas Iscariot?  What would you have done if you were in the shoes of the Jewish High Priests?  These are easy questions if prophesy was to be fulfilled.  At the same time, do you not think that the Jewish people were scared that Jesus was right?

Here is another video for your viewing and I hope that you enjoy it.  Feel free to leave me any comments that you would like as long as they are kept clean and they are good for discussion.

Jesus is  Arrested Video 1
http://youtu.be/-SoO1FkTxEg

Jesus is Arrested Video 2
http://youtu.be/bV53y-14DCI

Happy Mother's Day to all of the great mother's out there.  I also say Happy Mother's Day to my mother who nearly 2 years ago succumbed to Polysythemia Vera which in the end turned into Acute Leukemia.  May you rest in peace mom!

Jesus Prays for His Disciples and All Believers John 17:6-26

Here you will find the first in a series of videos created by David Brown, co-founder of Mission Lighthouse Ministry in Atlanta, Georgia.

The first one was done after Easter and this is where the videos will begin.  There will be reading of scripture, some brief words based on the scripture and how it affects us today and possibly in the future.

Thank you for visiting Mission Lighthouse Ministry and remember there is a website for the Ministry at www.missionlighthouseministry.org.

Should you have any questions or need to be prayed upon even have a praise report, feel free to comment here or visit our website and we will be more than happy to post it.

Thanks and God Bless.


David M. Brown
Co-Founder Mission Lighthouse Ministry

So Much on My Mind, Yet, Not a Lot of Time

I want to start this blog post by saying that I really do wish I had all of the time in the world to do nothing but write, do my photography, but most importantly talk about God and His Word.  I am one who has been doing a great deal with this ministry and I want to continue, which I am going to, so that I can witness to those who have yet found God in their lives.  Yesterday, Christians around the world celebrated Easter and looking at Facebook many of them including myself knew that Jesus Christ went to the Cross an innocent man, one that committed no crime, yet, did so for us.  Then we also knew that on the Third Day, He defeated death, He defeated satan and He defeated the world as He AROSE and that HE IS ALIVE!

Then Monday comes.  How do we feel?  Are we still thinking about Sunday?  Do we still know that Jesus is Alive?  Do you still dwell in the Word of God?  Do you still walk with Him and Talk with Him?  I know that I do and that it will not stop.  Jesus Christ is my best friend, my Messiah, My One and All and He is also my Lord and Savior.  Things are not what they used to be for me, but knowing that Jesus is in my life, I have to continue to put Him first before life itself.  

For some time now, I have felt some changes in my life that have been both physical and spiritual.  Less than a year ago, I lost the last full time job that I had.  It was tough because of the way that I am living.  It is tough to still be out of full time work, but I also know that I have to put Jesus first because He will save me one way or another.  I have been diligently searching for that "paycheck" job because I know that it pays the bills.  However, due to age and due to a great deal of over qualifications, it has been hard to land a decent job, if one at all.

I thoroughly understand that with the way things are today, finding a job that I want or would like to have may not be in "the cards."  So, this means that I have to once again take the first thing that comes along.  I wish that was a possibility but when you are sending resumes day in and day out and do not get a single response, it is disheartening.  However, I still know that I have to put Jesus Christ first because He is going to save me.  

Here is what the Holy Bible has to say about working:  

Labor Alone Will Not Satisfy the Cry of the Soul
All the labor of man is for his mouth,
And yet the soul is not satisfied. Eccl 6:7 (NKJV)





Jesus Came to Help Us with the Burden of Labor "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NKJV)

We Were Created to do Good Works
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10 (NKJV)

There Is An Inheritance and Reward for Being Faithful to Our Work
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Col 3:23-24 (NKJV)

We were created to do good works.  This is what I want to do.  No matter what it is that I do, I know that the Lord Jesus is there guiding me and giving me strength to complete my tasks.  I am a writer.  I like to take photographs.  I like to read, especially God's Word.  I like to spread the Good News of the Gospel.  Is this not work?  Is trying to work a ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, not work?  Does work always have to be about the mighty American dollar which is slowly sliding into worthlessness?

Our work, no matter what it is, is given to us by God.  He put us on this earth for a reason.  He placed us here to do a particular job and expects us to do it well.  Over the span of the last ten years, I believe, no, I know I did my work well.  I did not particularly do it for me, I did it for my everlasting life and love for the Lord.

As I write this blog post, I am still slightly suffering with gout and something with my prostate.  I am in pain at times but I still move on and ahead.  I do this because God gives me the strength to do so. I write my articles and I post them on social media sites for people to read.  I take pictures and post them on Facebook for people to enjoy.  I write about the Gospel on this Ministry blog site so people can understand what the Holy Bible, what the Word of God is all about.  Are people reading?  Are people looking?  Some are, not many, but some are.

Sometimes I get into a fit of depression because what I try to do seems to fail and sometimes fail miserably.  But you know what?  I still have God on my side.  There is no line to stand in, God is first and no one can cut before Him.  When I do good, God lets me know.  When I do something that is not quite right, God lets me know and sets me back on the right path.

I want my friends to know that I listen to them.  Most of them speak with God in their heart.  Some speak to me as if I am a twelve year old kid.  Both are equal because I know that God is in all of their hearts.   However, sometimes it is hard to follow the latter because they do not understand me.  They do not, I believe want me to succeed.  But, again, as long as God is in my life, I will succeed and I will do so by His grace, not someone else's.

Whatever comes to me in my life, I will know that I have done what I could in God's favor.  I know that I gave my all and I know that is what He is seeking from me.  I know that when I fall, it is not from the hands of my fellow man who picks me up, it is the mighty Hand of God that stands me upright and tells me to push on.

From this day forward, I will continue to do what I have been doing.  Working for God.  Spreading His Word because His Word is above all else.  I will continue to talk to Him through prayer as prayers are answered.  Maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow morning, but they are answered.

What I do from this day forward will be for His grace and for what He did for me -- He went to the Cross so that I might live another day.  I will continue to push forward for Him so that He knows that I LOVE Him for what HE did.  He was innocent and free from committing any crime.  Yet, the people hung Him high and they pierced Him in the side, they watched Him bleed and take a beating that no one man should have to endure for being innocent.  It is for Him that I continue to write and to take pictures. It is for Him that I keep this blog and the ministry going.  It is for Him that I breathe and sing and spread His Good News.  

We are all placed on this earth for a short while.  What we do should be in His service.  When we are done on this earth, there are no bags to pack, no vehicles to load on the heavenly train, no jewelry, no money, no nothing.  Just our soul.  What we earn stays here.  We pray it forward and give to our loved ones who remain until it is their time.  We have to enjoy what we have done and what we have earned here on earth and do so quickly because time is short, there is not a lot of time left.  

So, remember, it is not about me.  It is not about you.  It is about Him.  It is about what He did and we need to spread that across the lands and across the seas.  There are so many that have not come to know Him yet, but they will.  They will hear His name.  They will have a choice.  They will one day say, "What have I done?"  "What have I done for the grace of God?"  Sing alleluia to the Lord because He is Great.  He is the Mighty and Powerful Counselor of Counselors.  He is the Rising Sun.  He is the thunder and He is the rain.  He is the Light and He walks with us in Darkness and guides us to safety.  He is Emanuel - God with Us.  He is our All-in-All.

Thank You Lord for giving me the strength and the courage to write this.  Thank You Lord for what You did so that I can see the Light.  You are the Light, You are the Lamb of God.

In The Mighty and the Most Powerful Name of Jesus Christ and in His Service, I remain His forevermore.


David M.Brown
Grayson, Georgia

Easter - A Time of Reflection - Am I Responsible?

Easter - a time of reflection - especially for someone like myself as I lived the life of a Jew for nearly 36 years.  Here I sit writing what I feel today, at this moment as I have read many postings today on Facebook and Twitter about how people feel at this time of the year.  What I am about to write here is something that I have been thinking about for sometime now and it has been effecting my heart and my mind and my strength and my soul. 

I think about what it was that I was doing and how I was feeling as I was a part of something big, really big.  I was part of history, I was part of something that I feel I cannot take back.  I was part of what happened to my Messiah, My Lord and Savior and the one true Son of God.  I was part of a rejection to the Son of God when His Mother Mary and His Father Joseph was looking for a room in the inn.  I played the role as the Innkeeper who turned them away from a room so Mary could deliver the baby Jesus.  Recently, I played the role of the one disciple, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to the guards of the High Priests and to the Romans.  I played the part of one man who did not believe in Him for nearly 36 years. 

However, I discovered that there was room for me at the Cross.  There was room for me in the crowds at my Messiah's Trial in front of Ponchius Pilate, the Roman Governor in Jerusalem.  There was room for me in the crowds when Jesus was beaten and was whipped like no man should ever have to be for being innocent, for committing no crime.  I was in the crowds along that long road, the Via de la Rosa, which led ever so high to that Mount known as Cavalry.  There was room for me in the crowds along that street stained with my Savior's blood.  I stood back and did not do a thing.  What was wrong with me?  Why could I not believe then as I surely do now?  Am I responsible?  Am I responsible for my Savior's death?  Am I responsible for not storming the Roman soldiers as they nailed my Savior's hands and my Savior's feet to the Cross?  Am I responsible for not climbing that Cross and freeing My Savior who was not a criminal, but God in the flesh?  He hung their high, bleeding, dying for me.  It was my fault.  I sinned.  I did not listen. 

However, Jesus Christ, the Begotten Son of God, said this among His dying words:  "Father, Forgive them for they know not what they do."  Did we not know?  Did I not know?  How could I not?  He taught us about Love, about friendship, the difference between good and evil.  Why did I not know?  How could I not know? 

He died!  I cried and I wept and I screamed for my Lord and Savior.  Was it too late for me?  What was I to do?  Run and hide?  Jesus forgave me when He went to the Cross.  He forgave that part of humanity that was blind to who He was.  He was God, God in the Flesh!  Why could I not see it?  What would it take?  I was waiting for a Messiah.  Someone different, but I was blind. I want to see, Lord Jesus!  Make me see!

He did make me see.  He said that He would raise the temple in three days!  He arose!  He did come back to life like He said He would!  What a beautiful day that was!  He is alive in my heart and in my mind and in my soul.  Jesus is ALIVE!

I now know.  I now know who the Messiah is.  He said that He would return and it would be at the time of His Father's Will.  I have accepted You Lord Jesus as my Savior!  I no longer fear death because of You!  You have taught me what Love is all about.  You have taught me what it means to be a Christian.  You have taught me as long as I accept You I will live in eternity with You.  I know it is a two-way street.  I have to fight temptation.  I have to push satan aside and not let him win over me.  With Your walk with me and with Your talk with me, I know You are here.

Thank You Lord Jesus for guiding me to a path of righteousness.  I know that I may sin from time-to-time, but I also know that You forgive me of these sins because of what You did.  That Old Rugged Cross took You from me for a short time, but I know that You are here.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Now, I know I must do my part.  I must go out into the world and tell people about You.  The souls like me which at one time or another could not see.  They could not believe.  They are lost, but I know through You they can be found.

Happy Easter everyone!  HE IS ALIVE!  HE AROSE.

David Brown
Co-Founder
Mission Lighthouse Ministry

Events at Home Church - Mount Carmel Christian Church, Stone Mountain, GA

Hello and Happy Easter Week Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that the home church that Alex Aleman and I belong to, Mount Carmel Christian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia has a lot of great events that are happening to lead up to Easter Sunday.

First and foremost, there is Wednesday evening fellowship dinner, Bible Study Classes and Choir Practice.  All of these great electives are fun and full of the Holy Spirit as we all should be.  Dinner begins at 5:30pm and is kept open until 6:15pm.  The cost of the dinner is 7.00 and is so worth it as there is plenty of food to go around, including dessert and salad and there is even kid's meals as well.

Second, tomorrow morning, I will be giving a presentation for the Young at Heart at Mount Carmel Christian Church.  It is entitled, "Passover-A Celebration."  I am so looking forward to this, I cannot wait.  This begins at 11:30am.

Third, tomorrow evening, at 7:00pm, there will be a Communion Service.  It is expected to last for 45 minutes and it celebrates the life, the crucifixion and the rising of Jesus Christ back to life!  This is going to be a great presentation and communion will be offered.  Come one and come all for this great service.

Fourth, Friday morning, Good Friday, Mount Carmel Christian School will be presenting a service in the main sanctuary at 10:30 am.  This is going to be service to remembers, so, if you have the time, come witness a great Good Friday service.

Fifth,  on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 1pm - 3pm, there will be a Mount Carmel Christian Church Family Fun Day for everyone!  Please bring your children and your appetite for the Lord and for your stomachs!  There is also an Easter Egg Hunt with over 10,000 eggs to be found!

Lastly, on Sunday, April 24, 2011, there is going to be a very powerful, heart-filled, Easter Service at Mount Carmel Christian Church starting at 10:30am in the main sanctuary.  We are looking for you as is the Lord to attend.  Come and worship that the Lord is Alive!

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to one and all!


Dave Brown

Alex Aleman Photography Establishes Raffle for Christian Mission

Win a $210 photo session from Alex Aleman Photography for ONLY $10. Watch the video to learn how. Alex is holding a raffle to send some mission minded people (Callan Trainer and Michael Simms) to help the Rapha House in Cambodia. The Rapha House help young... girls who fell victim to the sickening world of Sex Trafficking. Some as young as 5 years old. If you have kids, especially girls, that really hits home. Its a great deal and a great cause.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=178127762239607&comments

This is just another great thing that Alex enjoys doing as he is a great Christian and has been offered by GOD with so many great talents.

Alex and his wife Carrie live in Lilburn, Georgia and have two beautiful girls, Christina (4) and Chloe (2).

2011 Easter Message from David Brown, Co-Founder, Mission Lighthouse Ministry

First, I have to apologize for not keeping up with a daily blog posting, but this will soon change.  There really is no excuse, but what I have to say is this:  I have certainly not forgotten about the Easter holiday because I have been practicing for the production that my home church, Mt. Carmel Christian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia is getting ready to put on.  It is scheduled for Sunday evening, April 17, 2011 at 7pm.  It is called, The Easter Song and it may have taken some of us a little bit longer to get into the music and its message, but it is strong and so is the drama. 

"It is going to be the best production, yet," says Trudy Daffron, interim choir director for Mount Carmel Christian Church.  She is certainly right about that. She went on to say this, "whether we have a hundred or more in the audience that night, or we sing to ourselves, we will certainly be touched in a whole new way by this particular production."  Again, she was right.

Speaking of Easter, itself, I want to say this.  This is the time of the year that sees more conversions to the Christian Faith than at any other time of the year.  I can certainly go into all of the statistical readings of this and at sometime during this post, I just might do this.  However, what I would like to talk about is the last days of Jesus before He was crucified, Why He was crucified and What the ramifications are today because of His crucifixion. 

Easter as we know, is a Christian holiday to celebrate not only the crucifixion, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also the spring season, to a degree.  We find ourselves decorating our homes in more pastel colors, wearing clothes that are more pastel in color, and probably planting flowers that are pastel in color.  But, the most important thing to think about is what Easter is truly about and that is Jesus Christ and what it is that He did for us by sacrificing His life for ours.

I would like to point out the scripture that talks about His last days and then get back to Easter and what it means to us.  I am going to start with Matthew 26:17 and go forward to the crucifixion and then continue on.  I will do all that I can to paraphrase what is going on at this point.

The Gospel according to Matthew:

Judas Iscariot front right leaving after being discovered as the Betrayer by Jesus.

We are at the point in the story leading up to Jesus' crucifixion where Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, also considered a thief, had met with the Chief Priest's to do his part in turning Jesus over to them.  He would receive thirty pieces of silver for his service to them and then he waited for the right time to turn Jesus in.  At the same time, Jesus did already know that Judas was the one who was to betray Him to the Chief Priest and that Peter, another of the disciples was eventually going to reject Him three times.

Then, on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and asked Him where they should make preparations for the Passover.  Jesus told them to go into the city (Jerusalem) and them him that the Teacher says:  "My appointed time is near.  I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house." (Matthew 26:18)  So the disciples did as Jesus said and prepared the Passover. 

Evening fell, and Jesus was now celebrating the Passover with His disciples by reclining at the table.  He then went into the story.  He said that one of the twelve would betray Him.  They were all sad and began to say one at a time that it was surely not him.  Jesus told them that it would be the one who dipped his hand in the bowl with Him.  Jesus then went on to say that "woe is the man who betrays the Son of Man!  That it would be better if he was not born at all.

Judas then went on to say that it was surely not him.  This is when Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." (Matthew 26:25).  This is when Jesus took the bread and broke it then gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat, this is my body (Matthew 26:26).  Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Then He said, "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."   (Matthew 26:27-29). 

In the Garden of Gasthemene, Jesus told the Disciples that they would fall away on account of Him.  Peter told Him that even if all fall away on account of Him, he never would.  Here is how Jesus replied in Matthew 26:34:  "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."  Peter told Jesus that even if he had to die with Him that he would never disown Him.  Everyone else said the same.  Sometime from the end of the Passover feast to the leaving for the Garden, Judas had left the room and returned to the Chief Priest. 




While in the Garden, Jesus told His disciples sit elsewhere while He prayed to His Father alone.  He then returned to them and asked them why they could not keep watch for even an hour while He prayed to His Father.  He seemed to be saying this directly to Peter.


A couple of times, Jesus went to pray to His Father and again the disciples would fall into sleep as their eyes were heavy.  Jesus is now troubled to the point of tears.  In Matthew 26:45-46, He asks the disciples, "Are you still sleeping and resting?  Look the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us go!  Here comes my betrayer."


While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived.  With him was a large crowd sent to arrest Him.  The crowd was armed with clubs and swords and they were sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

Then Judas said to the armed men and I am paraphrasing here, the one that I kiss is the one who you are to arrest.  He then walked up to Jesus and said, "Greetings Rabbi."  and then kissed Jesus on the cheek.

Jesus was taken aback by what was occurring in the Garden. 


He asked if they thought He was leading a rebellion for them to come with such weapons.  He went on to ask them why He was not arrested when He sat with the people in the Temple and taught.  He would also say that the scriptures prophesied all of this to this point, so He did not stop what was happening.  However, one of Jesus' companions stepped forward, drew his sword and cut the ear off of one of the servants of the high priests.

Jesus then told him to put his sword away.  He went on to say that the one who draws the sword will die by the sword.  (Matthew 26:52).

Then, without warning, all of the disciples fled and abandoned their Lord.

I will leave the next scenes for tomorrow as I want to stop here and talk about Judas Iscariot.  Last Christmas, I had the opportunity to play the Innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away as she was to soon give birth to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yet, in reading scripture, there was not much about the innkeeper.  I truly believed that the innkeeper who rejected Jesus' parents was also the one who then told them about the barn and that they could have it for the night.  He was also the one who offered fresh hay and blankets to them.  That is my thinking, but I could be wrong.  I say this because I did not find in scripture where Mary and Joseph walked for miles upon miles looking for an inn.

Now, for Easter, I get to play the part of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have to say that even though there are no lines, the thought of playing such a part is not easy.  I also do get to sing with the choir, but playing this role is tough.  I accepted it, so there is no being upset about it.  It is part of the story and I live with it.

Judas found what he did was not right, especially during the questioning and the beatings that Jesus began to endure from the high priests and others.  He took on the guilt and returned the silver pieces to the priests and then went off and hung himself.  Thank God I do not have to do this in the production, but it is worth mentioning anyway.


So, goes the story of the Last Supper, the New Covenant created by Jesus, the betrayal and the rejection of Christ by His disciples.

Next is the trial and the walk up the Via DelaRosa to Mount Cavalry.

Bible Series 2011: Jesus Teaches About Oaths and Eye for Eye...: Matthew 5:33-42

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord,"  Matthew 5:33  You know, there is not a day that goes by that someone in the world is not taking an oath for some reason or another.  It could be the president of the United States of America who takes the oath of office every 4 years on January 20th.  The oath ends, "So help me God."  This basically means, whatever it is that you are taking an oath for, you are asking God for your help during these times.

At the same time, when you accept Jesus Christ to be your savior, know that He is the Son of God and that He is the Messiah, then you are claiming an oath to follow Him and to seek His guidance.  This is probably, no, it is definitely, the most important oath that you can ever take.  What else is important here is to not fall back on your old ways and to remove Him from your life.  Study the Word, Pray daily over all things good and bad, fellowship with your Christian brother and sister and make an oath that you will witness Him to others who are lost and have not yet spoke the oath and then you will know that you have kept your promise.

Jesus Teaches About an Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, Matthew 5:38-42  "You have heard that it was said, Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

The way society is and the way it is today, especially, it seems to forget this beatitude.  There are court systems set up throughout the world to handle all sorts of aspects of life dealing with capital crimes, war crimes, business dealings, you name it, they are there.  We are judged in these courts for what we have done whether it be good or bad.   Jesus tells us to not fret if we are struck.  He tells us to give us our cloak to the one who wants our tunic.  Why not give it to him? 

Then He goes on to say that if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Simply put, do not stop, keep going.  Witness to the people.  Tell them the story of Jesus.  Talk to them about the Gospel.  Go the extra mile.  Do not be afraid.

 And, finally, for the one that asks for something, give it to him and tell him to Pray it forward.  Many times the one who gives does not ask for it back.  Spread the News of the Gospel and make it the best time you could ever have.  If someone wants to borrow from you, give it to him.  This one is a little tougher, but look at it this way:  Does some one want to borrow your Bible?   Does someone need your help financially or need that one tool to get a job done?  If so, give it to him.  However it turns out in the end, remember it is for God to judge, not you or me.

Scripture from the New Testament, NIV, Thoughts following are from David Brown, co-founder of Mission Lighthouse Ministry.
 

Do You Believe Yet? A Look at History and then You Decide on God or Coincidence

First, I would like to say that our prayers are going out to the people of Japan as well as those in Hawaii and on the West Coast of the United States after the powerful 8.9 Quake that hit in the afternoon in Japan.  May God be with you and your families as you now struggle for survival as well as rebuilding after this devastating act of nature.

Now, I want to share with you, not only with my Christian Brothers and Sisters, but those who have yet to find the Lord Your God, a couple of stories that I read from a book entitled, "Psalm 91:  God's Shield of Protection," written by Peggy Joyce Ruth and Angelia Ruth Schum.  It is a book that I was given at a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Event the weekend of March 4-6, 2011 from the Chaplain Corps of the 3rd Medical Command Deployment Support out of Fort Gillem, Georgia.

What I would like to first say is this:  Psalm 91 is referred to as the Soldier's Prayer and this is what is said in the Psalm from the Old Testament of the Holy Bible:

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!"

For it is He who delivers you

from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His refuge is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

Or of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand  at your right hand,

But it shall not approach you.

You will only look on with your eyes

And see the recompense of the wicked.

For you have made the LORD, my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands,

That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra,

The young lion and the serpent

you will trample down.

"Because He has loved Me,

therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him securely on high,

Because he has known my name.

"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him, and honor him.

"With a long life I will satisfy him,

And let him behold My salvation.""

Psalm 91 is very powerful and in the book, Psalm 91, there are many stories of God's love upon His people throughout the many wars and conflicts that have effected our world, our country and our lives.  So, in reading the book, I would like to share at this moment in time, two stories that I read.  One comes out of the Second World War and the other out of the present day conflict in both Afghanistan and Iraq.  Just know this, if you do not know God now, I surely hope that you give yourself room in your heart for Him and for His Son Jesus Christ.

Bill's Goats and Dunkirk, France (World War II)

Chapter 16, God Answers My Call, Psalm 91, ppgs. 104-108.  "He will call upon me, and I will answer Him (Psalm 91:15.)  The story opens up with a young man named Bill who had a heard of goats on some land by the bayou.  During recent floods and with the flood waters rising, some men saw the goats being overtaken by the flood and hoisted them up into the loft of a barn so that they would not drown.

By the next morning the water turned into something like a rushing river about a mile wide.  It began to wash away uprooted trees and everything in its path.  By this time, Bill heard about what was going on with his goats and he set out in a tin-bottom boat to do what he could to rescue his goats.  If he was unable to get to them he knew that they would die from thirst and suffocation.

One of the goats named, Little Willie, was the most precious of the herd.  The reason for this was that Bill had spent much time bottle-feeding Little Willie.  The first cry from the herd was from Little Willie and Bill could hear this as he approached the barn in his boat.  When Bill was able to force open the loft door amid the rushing waters, the first goat to jump was Little Willie and he landed in his arms.  Boatload by boatload, goat by goat, Bill was able to get every one of his goats out of the loft and to safety.

A television camera crew from Abilene saw what was going on and made the story of the saving of the goats a news story that was shown both on the six o'clock news and then again at ten o'clock.  This story was extremely heartwarming.  GOD is extremely merciful and He certainly answers us when we are sincere in our call for help.

Location of British troops and German 

troops at Dunkirk, France

There is no doubt how important individual prayer is.  Then comes the story of Dunkirk, France during World War II.  This is where how important collective prayer is.  The story of Dunkirk goes something like this.  Early on in the war, there were hundreds of thousands of British, French and Belgian troops trapped with the German army just miles behind them and the English Channel in front.  The English Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, warned the nation of Great Britain, that no more than twenty or thirty thousand of the two hundred thousand British soldiers would be rescued from the exposed beaches.  What happens after this is most astonishing and definitely underestimates the power of an entire nation in prayer.

Troops being rescued and evacuated from Dunkirk. 

The Church of England filled to capacity, the King and Queen knelt at Westminster Abby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the good Wilhelmina, and members of parliament were all on their knees.

Now there were three things that occurred during this time:

1.  There was a sudden regrouping of the German troops and the Nazi generals ordered a halt twelve miles from Dunkirk.  Hitler made a rash decision to hold the troops there indefinitely.

2.  The weather became a great hindrance to the enemy planes that were firing on the English trapped on the French Coast.

3.  Every imaginable vessel that would float, from private boats piloted by bank clerks, fishermen, Boy Scouts, yachtsmen, barge operators, college professors, and tugboat captains began the rescue mission.  Even London fire brigade boats got in on the action.  Shipyards were even set up to repair vessels that were damaged, so that they could return to pick up more loads of soldiers.

In the end, here are the following numbers of soldiers that were rescued:   

Over 7,000 the first day

47,310 the second day

British, Belgian and French troops lining up for the evacuation

53,823, 68,014 and 64,429 in the next three days.

The final total evacuated were 338,000 British, Belgian and French Troops.  Is this not God answering the call of the collective people's in prayer?  Does this not show that prayer does work?  It is certainly hard to say no to these questions.  The answer is clear:  God does answer the call of the individual as well as the collective in prayer!

One last tidbit from this story is that on the boats that were taking soldiers to safety, men began to pray, even many who had not ever prayed before.  At a camp in England, men requested permission to pray.  This is when it became apparent to all of Britain that their prayers were being heard.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

"A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you...for you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place."  (Psalm 91:7,9).  This scripture surely fits into the category of this next story about four men who should have truly been badly wounded, if not deceased from an attack that occurred on them and their humvee at the Saddam Canal in Iraq.

The humvee, commanded by Marine Staff Sergeant Bryan Jackway was attacked by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher.  Without warning, the driver's side of the humvee had been hit by a rocket from the RPG twelve inches from where the driver was sitting.  Waves of fire and shrapnel rippled through the cramped compartment.  Such a hit rarely leaves any hint of human remains.

The high-explosive rocket hit with all of its force inside the cabin of the vehicle.  There were four men inside.  As the rocket struck the door frame, it was as if an invisible hand channeled its force.  Most of the force traveled through the driver's open window, while the rest smashed against the inside of the front glass.

The windshield exploded from the inside out.  The bulletproof glass disintegrated into a fireball.  The jagged shards of glass showered the road in front of SSgt. Jackway's humvee.  All four men were engulfed in a wall of heat and flame.  Those in vehicle's behind this humvee knew that America had just lost four Marines.

"Dear God - I'm alive!" SSgt. Jackway shouted after opening his eyes, then grabbing his chest and arm.  He was pounding himself to make sure that he was alive.  He then picked up the radio to call in casualties which he did not yet bother to look at the other men in the vehicle.  What he found was astounding.  All four had survived the rocket attack and all without a scratch!  The driver had been sitting exactly where the blast had occurred.

The following scripture from Psalm 91 was one that SSgt. Jackway could not get out of his head.    "I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.  He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;  I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue and honor him.  With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation."  (Psalm 91:14-16).

Need anymore be said by what Psalm 91:14-16) says about the story told.  By the way,  this was an excerpt of a story told in a book written by Navy Chaplain (Lt) Carey H. Cash in his book, "A Table  in the Presence."

No matter whether you are a soldier, airman, Marine, Coast Guard, sailor or even a civilian, Psalm 91 is one that should be read over and over again.  It is one that is so powerful because with it God is with you.  Do not wait for trouble to come upon you.  Read it in times of safety and times that you may not feel so safe.  Read it with all of your heart and understand its meaning.  For every member of the military that believes in the LORD, this is your protection and this is all about your salvation.

Thank you to all service members everywhere for their service and for their dedication to the United States of America, the greatest country on God's green earth!

David M. Brown
Friday, March 11, 2011

Bible Study Series 2011: Jesus Teaches About Divorce Matthew 4:31-32

The subject of divorce in Christianity is a tough one.  Jesus teaches it strongly on the Mount of Beatitudes and it is one that needs to be heeded.  When a Christian man and a Christian woman are standing in front of the preacher with family and friends and God watching and listening, the oaths and the vows are one's that should last not just a lifetime but into eternity.  There is no doubt that a marriage can be tough, whether it be because of financial matters or differences between the newlyweds that surface after the fact, yet, there is always help, there is always counseling and there is always God to intercede when things seem to go wrong.

I want to share a story from a very popular, award winning play and movie.  It is called Fiddler on the Roof.  Way back in the day, according to Jewish law and tradition, it was known that marriages were established by the parents.  Usually children at an early age were "paired" up for marriage at a later time.  This did not always work out but in the play and movie, it was Tevye and Golda who learned how to love one another even though they may have been two totally different people.  During the play and the movie, Tevye come's to ask Golda if she loved him.  This was nearly 25 years after they had been married.  It appeared that the question never came up as the two of them worked to make a good family in tough times in Russia.  During the song, they finally agreed that there was love and they never found time to even think about leaving one another.

If you have not seen the movie or the play, it is a suggestion to see it.  It does not matter whether you are Jewish or Christian or otherwise.  It is a great movie and play and you will enjoy it.

Back to what Jesus says about divorce however in Matthew 4:31-32:

"It has been said, "Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.  But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."

O.K.  So, outside of marital unfaithfulness, there is no reason to get a divorce according to Jesus Christ.  He must have said this as the words come from the Father in Heaven.  He said this because God joins man and woman in marriage and He expects such a union to stay together.  My late mother used to use the Yiddish word of kanahura (sounds and looks more Hawaiian), so I am not sure of the spelling, which I took to mean an omen.  So, if a marriage is going to end up in divorce, outside of marital unfaithfulness, know that the wife is given the omen of becoming an adulteress and the man who marries the divorced woman commits the act of adultery.  

I remember back in 2003, not long after my conversion to Christianity, a pastor saying something like the following:  He officiated at many weddings. What he did not like was when the telephone rang in his church office.  He would cringe only knowing that it was a party to a wedding that he officiated over and that it was in the process of ending in divorce.  He believed that 50 percent of those couples he married ended up in divorce and that is not a great number by any stretch of the imagination.  

The best thing to do is work out your problems together.  When things begin to get a bit out of control, nip it in the bud by taking a walk, hand-in-hand, put your arm around your wife or your husband and say the words that they yearn for, "I Love You."  If you can not do it yourselves, seek professional help by calling your pastor or a marriage counselor.  Do not do something that you will regret later on in life.

David

Next up this week is:  Jesus Teaches about Oaths

RealClearPolitics - Video - Pence: Obama "Most Anti-Israel" President In History

RealClearPolitics - Video - Pence: Obama "Most Anti-Israel" President In History

Pat on the Back: Goodbye Me, Hello Him: An Attitude Adjustment Party

The area of the Judean Desert where Jesus was tempted by the devil

A Pat on the Back:

Goodbye Me, Hello Him

“An Attitude Adjustment Party”

by

David Brown

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3.

The above scripture from the Gospel of John is no doubt extremely powerful, true and one of my favorites. Come to think of it, the entire Holy Bible is my most favorite book, and those of us who know it and believe what it says know that it is definitely, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

I am writing this post because of a recent conversation that I had with my very best friend and Brother-in-Christ. The same person who I entered into a mission of wanting to do what it takes to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, Son of God and Messiah. It was a long conversation in how we are to act in the presence of the Lord. We have to know that as Christians, we are to be no less like God and truthfully, no greater and no better than Him.

You see, as Christians we are on a worldly if not, heavenly mission. We are witnesses to the greatest man who ever walked this earth. I say man, but He was certainly more than that. He was and is the Word, and as John says in Chapter 1, Verse 1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse is from the New International Version of the Holy Bible as is all that is quoted in this post.

Every Sunday, I do what is necessary to attend my home church. This includes a period of fellowship first and then Bible Study and then the main service which includes Worshiping to the Lord through great music and praise and then a period of the Offering and then Communion. Following Communion, which represents Christians spending a few moments in meditation remembering what Jesus did for us when He went to the Cross with a broken body as well as a bleeding body from a whipping that no man should ever have to endure. He did and He did it for us.

Did Jesus do this to receive what the title of this post says, “A pat on the back?” No! He endured the beatings, the name calling and the going to the Cross because He knew it was coming, it was prophesied in the Old Testament, time and time again and because He sacrificed His life so that we could live a life like He did: One without sin and transgression. This is not to say that we do not sin, but we have to turn to Him when we feel ourselves falling away from the straight and narrow path.

There are many things that we do as humans and we can only hope that they are for the better rather than the worse. However, we have a daily tendency to fall away from the Lord and what He taught us and what is written in The Holy Bible. Why do we do this? Because we are a jealous people, we are a people who want something that is more in the way of materialistic things than spiritual and Godly things. I for one fall in this category at times and forget that we can't take the things that we have in this human world with us when we are called Home. It is nice to have for a while, but these things that we have do tend to get old.

Jesus never gets old.

I clearly remember a Christian song sung by children that goes something like this: “Jesus loves us because the Bible Tells Us So.” Well, this is true, He does love us and we have to turn right around and love Him for what He did for us. It is said to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18). Why should we do this? Because the Bible tells us so.

Here is something else that we have to be careful of. This is something that we all might find ourselves in from time to time and that is the act of jealousy. We have to be careful here. God said to Moses on Mount Sinai in the Book of Exodus that He Himself is a jealous God and that we should not worship any other. I take this as we should not be jealous of one another as we are all in this game together. We are a team of soldiers who believe in the same thing. We need to teach others through worship, through study and through prayer that we are not jealous of one another because if we get into this situation, not only is the jealous person hurt but so is the one who we find ourselves jealous of.

In the Book of James in the New Testament, he talks about jealousy and envy. Here is what is said: “...If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” (James 3:14). And, “For where you have envy and self ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16) There are actually two types of jealousy and one is Godly jealousy and the other is that of sinful jealousy. The title: “What does the Bible Say about Jealousy” at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090321150517AANJTPg, the following explains the two fore-mentioned types of jealousy: “Godly jealousy is jealous to protect someone from being led astray and into false worship. Sinful jealousy is when a person is concerned about them self and worried that someone may withdraw from a relationship with them because of a rival.”

Reading the above paragraph really makes me think about some things that have been a part of my life for the longest of time. I lived a life of jealousy for a long time and most of it fell in the sinful type. I found myself working and working and seeing nothing come of it. I consider myself a hard worker, but at the same time I also find myself falling short of a completed goal. At the same time I see people around me getting everything they could ever ask for and then some. This is not the right way to live and I struggle with this every day. I strive for being not only good but to be God like. I know this comes from reading the Holy Bible, knowing the Word and not getting a pat on the back for doing something good.

I hear everyday, whether it be on the radio or on the television set or on the street, “Me, me, me, me.” It is not about me if you believe. It is about Him. It is about Jesus Christ and our lives have to be Christ-centered. We have to live as He did and we have to act accordingly. We have to watch not only what we say but what we feel and what we think. We have to take the Me attitude out of our lives and bring in the Him attitude.

Let us not be jealous of one another. Let us come together and have the attitude adjustment party. Let us come together in the center and be like Christ. Let us do this through great worship, let us do this through knowing the Word and let us do this by loving one another as we would ourselves. Let us dump our pride and jealousy and rise to the occasion of Jesus Christ.

I personally start now and I challenge you, brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same.

Bible Study Series 2011: Jesus Teaches About Lust: Matthew 5:27-30

Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught

You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."  (Matthew 5:27-30, pg. 1540, Life Application Study Bible, NIV).

This is one of the Commandments of thou shall not commit adultery which comes from Exodus 20:14 in the Old Testament.  What Jesus is telling us that not only is the physical act of sleeping with someone other than your spouse the sin of adultery but that the intentions and the fantasies that might enter our minds are also sinful if they are acted out.  As Christians, we are told that we are sinful in nature with some of our daily acts.  Does it mean that if we even think about looking at another woman as a man or as a woman looking at another man other than our spouse in a lustful way that we are committing ourselves to a life eternal in hell?  This is not the easiest question to answer except that Jesus, the way to the Father in heaven tells us that we are headed to hell even if the intentions are there to be lusting after another woman or man. 

Does this apply to when we are watching television and see someone beautiful and say things or think things that we otherwise would not need to do?  What about when someone beautiful walks by and that first thought goes into your mind?  Unfortunately, that is lust and that is fantasizing and applies as well to what Jesus teaches about lust.  It is said that whether we perform the sin physically or even think about it in our minds, we are subject to the sin and we have to do what it takes to be very careful.

We, as humans, will slip up now and then.  Jesus did go to the Cross so that the burden of our sinful nature would be on His shoulders.  However, this does not mean we should be sinful.  We should heed what He taught and to practice trying to be more like Him.

Next:  Jesus teaches about divorce

Bible Study Series 2011: Jesus Teaches About Anger 5:21-26

Anger.  What is anger?  According to Dictionary.com the word means the following: "a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wratch; ire."  This is in the form of a noun.  In society today, especially in the United States, we find ourselves individually and in a group setting angry over every little thing that happens to us that brings displeasure and belligerence because we have either been wronged or because something that we strongly believe in turns out to be wrong.

So, what does Jesus have to teach us about anger?  According to the Gospel of Matthew 5:21-26 (Life Application Study Bible, NIV), this is what Jesus says:  "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.  Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' (which is an Aramaic term for contempt) is answerable to the Sanhedrin.  But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 

Therefore, if you are offering your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled with your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.  Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.  I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid your last penny."

O.k. Jesus talks about anger.  Within in His discussion, He mentions murder.  He talks about being anger between brothers.  He says that anyone who is angry with his brother will be judged.  What has been debated for centuries is this:  who committed the first murder in the Holy Bible?  Well, this is pretty easy in some way if we look at the story of Cain and Abel.  But then, some might say it was Moses himself who committed the true first murder.  So, let us turn back in time to the Book of Genesis with the story of Cain and Abel, two brothers, the sons of Adam and Eve.  

Now, "Abel kept flocks and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  But Abel brought fat portions from some of the first born of his flock.  The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering.  But on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor.  So Cain, was very angry, and his face was downcast.  Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry?  Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."  (Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Genesis 4:5-7).  

What happens next is very famous.  Cain invites his brother Abel out into the fields attacks him and then kills him.  God is angry with Cain for his actions and the rest is history.  So, not only is man angry, but God Himself is angry, yet, we know that He is a very loving and forgiving God.

So, in this respect brother kills brother and the one who commits the act of murder is judged immediately by God Himself.  He casts out Cain.  He says this to Cain in Genesis 4:12, "When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you.  You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."  Then later Cain responds with the following in Genesis 4:14, "...I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

God responds in the positive, "Not so, if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over."  Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that non one who found him would kill him."  Genesis 4:15.  This is where God basically teaches forgiveness by not putting Cain to death for killing his brother Abel.  

Then we move forward a bit in time to Moses.  In Exodus, we learn of the birth of Moses.  We also learn that he is born to a Hebrew mother, making him, of course, a Hebrew himself.  Yet, he is disguised as an Egyptian.  When he later learns that he is a Hebrew himself, Moses goes out to see the hard labor that his people were subjected to by the Egyptians.  He then witnesses the beating of a Hebrew, one of his own, and after looking around this way and that, he turns on the Egyptian and kills him.  He then hides his body in the sand.  Exodus 2:11-12.  Does God place judgment at this particular time on Moses for his act of murder?

The answer to the last question is no.  We do not read of this.  However, what we do learn is that God takes Moses and uses him as his intermediary between Himself and the Pharaoh of Egypt.  This could have been his punishment because we learn that Moses does to have the talent of great speaking.  However, God works with him and we know the rest of the story.  Through Moses, God's Chosen People, the Hebrews receive the Ten Commandments.  One of the Ten Commandments is mentioned in Exodus 20:13 and it simply says, "You shall not murder."  Is this not interesting to know that Moses is the one who delivers the Ten Commandments and at the same time, committed an act of murder earlier in his life?

Anger.  This is something that we have to deal with on a daily basis.  Anger can lead to so much wrong.  It leads us to say the wrong things at times to our friends and our family.  We tend to forget sometimes what is said in the Holy Bible.  Anger may not necessarily lead to murder but it can lead to wrong doing of other types.  It can come from different sources, too.  It can come from jealousy and this might have been the case with Cain and Abel.  This was certainly not the case with Moses.  Moses was protecting and acting out in anger because he saw one of his own being unjustly punished.  Today, this might be considered justifiable homicide.  Remember, I said might and not giving legal advice.

The next time you find yourself angry remember that no matter the reason, you will be judged.  Maybe not right away, but it certainly will come.

Next, Jesus teaches about Lust.

 

Bible Study Series 2011: Jesus Teaches about the Law: Matthew 5:17-20

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets, I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Matthew 5:17-20, pg. 1538).

For many years of my life, I loved the study of law.  Because of this I wanted to be a lawyer.  However, the toughest part of this is that there are so many directions to go in and to be a specialist in, it was difficult for me to choose.  Did  I want to be a prosecutor or a defender?  Really, what was on my mind when it came to studying the law was the U.S. Constitution and what it stood for and what the true meaning that laid within the document.  However, as my life progressed, I found that it was more of a financial issue where I did not want to add to my already burdensome debt.  At the age of 39 when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, my life changed and the idea of studying law was no longer a love of mine.  Not at least first and foremost.

  

So, reading the New Testament and what Jesus had to say about the Law of the Prophets really hit me hard.  What He had to say in His teachings was beautiful.  He did not want at all to abolish the Law as He stated, He wanted to fulfill them.  There were two areas of the Law that God gave so that the people would love Him with all their hearts and all their minds.  These were called the ceremonial and moral laws. 


First, an example of Ceremonial Law.  This law related specifically to Israel's worship.  To understand the concept of Ceremonial Law we need to take a look at Leviticus 1:2 and 3:

The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting.  He said, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them:  "When any of you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.  If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect.  He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord."  (Life Application Study Bible, NIV, pgs.  156-157).

These laws were no longer considered necessary from the time of Jesus' death and resurrection as they pointed forward toward Him.  They actually still apply to Christians as the principles behind them which is to worship and to love a holy God are the true meaning of the ceremonial laws.  

Second, Moral Law (The Ten Commandments).  Moral Law is the direct command of God and requires strict obedience.  Moral Law reveals the nature and the will of God.  Jesus obeyed these laws completely.  It was said that He preached moral law and that these would not be disappear until earth and heaven disappeared.

The final set of laws is called Civil Law.  These are the laws that applied to daily living in Israel.  Jesus demonstrated these laws by example.  However, due to modern society and the differences in culture today, these guidelines cannot be specifically followed.  The principles are timeless nonetheless.

Again, there are many different examples of the Law.  Today, as it is said, times are different then they are from back during the days of both Moses and Jesus.  Today, we see debate after debate about whether or not the Church or the State should be separated from one another.  What has been happening is that we are seeing Government because of public opinion and public pressure the disappearance of religious symbols.  Yet, in some state buildings, the Ten Commandments can be seen hanging on the walls and even some depictions of biblical times can be seen etched into some of our government buildings as well.

So, we have to say to ourselves what is right?  Follow Jesus in His teachings regarding the Laws or do we look at them in a secular way and avoid them at all costs?  No, we as Christians learn from what Jesus had to say and we need to lead by example.  We have to take the Laws and apply them as He would.  What He said that should stick in our minds is this:  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  His greatest love was for the Ten Commandments, which make up our moral laws of today, as should ours be.

Lighthouse Fellowship Church Friends and Family Celebration

On Sunday, January 30, 2011, my family, including my wife, Amy, mother-n-law, Peggy and good friend, Doctor Paul Glass, took a road trip to my brother-in-law's church where he teaches and runs the music program.  The name of the church is Lighthouse Fellowship Church and Academy in a town called Jonesboro, Georgia.  We arrived a little before 11 am and was welcomed by Senior Pastor Thomas Phillips and soon thereafter by 1st Lady Doris Beasely-Phillips.

We were escorted into a large room where the church service took place.  A young man was behind the podium, decorated with a blue Cross, which is what it is all about, The Cross of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  He was teaching bible study from the Book of Galatians in the New Testament.  It was a well done class and we had a lot of input to add as guests of this service and the church.  It was a great service and so much was included.

After the service, the worship part of the service began with a welcome by 1st Lady Doris Beasley-Phillips.  Then Tim Phillips, my brother and law and Amy (who both have a duet entitled, Golden Breeze) performed two songs from the many that they have performed over the years in Georgia, Tennessee and most of the Southeast.  They were even on a radio station in the southeast many years ago playing Gospel music.

The people were blessed with great Gospel music and a great message from the children as they performed drama in celebration of the upcoming Black History Month.  There was also a great, yet abbreviated sermon from Senior Pastor Thomas Phillips from the Book of Joshua.

Following the service there was a great luncheon with a great spread of southern food and desserts and great fellowship.  I even took many pictures of the children and the staff of the church.

This was a great day of fellowship at another great church which does an outstanding job of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they are very loving people. 

I want to personally thank Tim and the church for inviting us and there is a small video of the photos that I took throughout the service and after.

Enjoy and God Bless and may God bless you and keep you.


David M. Brown