Two become one

I am constantly amazed at the revelation that continues to be discovered in God’s Word. Lately my attention has been drawn to that of creation as relating to humankind and wanted to share some insight integral to understanding God’s natural intent and design for us all. In Genesis 2:7 we see that Adam (man) is formed. Formed-“bring together parts or combine to create, bring into existence.” On the other hand the Isha (woman) was made. Made-“bring into certain form-to cause to be or become.” After the creation of Adam-Elohim (The Lord) declared that it was not good for man to be alone. However, not only was Adam alone, he was “AL-ONE.” The creation of humankind came about through the creation of Adam. After mankind was brought into existence the Lord separated man (humankind) into male and female!

The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. Most of today’s translations read “then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.”(Genesis 2:21) However, the original word used in this context is “tsela or tzela” which means side-side chambers or cells. It has been postulated that what was actually taken from Adam was DNA-which is the framework of life and contains the instructions an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce. It is possible that rib was used allegorically as ribs are necessary not only for the protection of vital organs and assistance in breathing, but they also serve as much needed support for the body. They are the framework onto which the muscles of the chest, back, upper abdomen and shoulder girdle attach. Let’s just say you couldn’t live without them!

What God did with Adam is to remove the portion of him which would later serve as the framework for which the female would come to be. Why the male first? Seed reproduces after its own kind (Genesis 1:11 & 1:25) Males are the producers of seed and women are the bearers/carriers of that seed-woman-meaning “womb man.” What is further interesting is the name for husband-man and woman-wife in the Hebrew language.

Husband-man is represented by Aleph Yod Shin with woman-wife represented by Aleph Shin Heh (Hey). These two names are separated by Yod and Heh (Hey) In looking at what remains-Aleph Shin we learn this means fire-fire. This fire within both male and female can represent passions, desires, etc. These passions and desires can burn uncontrollably if not kept in check. When we look at what was removed, Yod Heh (Hey)-(YH) we come to discover that this is actually the abbreviated form of the Lord’s divine name-YHWH. What is so amazing about God is that He inserted Himself into both the male and female! He is the source that if submitted to Him, controls the fire, so that it does not burn uncontrollably.

After the woman was made the scripture reads, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” In Genesis 1:26 we read that man was created in the image and likeness of God. But, remember after man was created-God separated them into male and female. Oh, here is the best part! It is when man and woman are joined together through (marriage), becoming one flesh, that they reveal the image and likeness of God! It is the act of marriage that brings back together what was once separated!

Why this long message? Because we need to understand the importance of marriage and to recognize Satan’s assault and calculated attack on the institution of it. Remember Satan hates anything that represents God and this act puts the fullness of God’s image and likeness on display.

Press Onward

During the latter half of my third pregnancy I began having some issues with mobility, particularly on the right side. These issues were eventually resolved but would later revisit me in my fourth and final pregnancy. After a few years of visiting various doctors, physical therapies and injections I finally opted for a right sided S.I. Joint Fusion in the summer of 2013.

Prior to these issues I was very active and considered myself to be in even greater shape at that point of my life then when I was younger. The recovery was long lasting and almost two years later I still experience some limitations. Here recently, I decided that in spite of these limitations I needed to be more active. Since the surgery I’ve worked out here and there but not with any consistency. I decided that no matter how small a start returning to physical fitness was a feat I was determined to accomplish.

The other day while jogging, yes jogging, an activity I hadn’t done years prior to my final pregnancy or surgery because of two injured knees I had a revelation. My right hip is often stiff, a side effect from the fusion I’m sure, and sometimes it takes a while to get in motion. At the outset of the run I was experiencing a little pain from the stiffness, but I noticed the longer I ran the less pain I felt, until I eventually felt no pain at all. This very physical activity referenced a spiritual one.

Often in life we find ourselves facing some very intense struggles, battles and situations.  These very things often cripple a person to the point where they struggle to live fully. Sure, they are alive physically but with each step taken they feel the crushing weight of life’s challenges holding them back. It was in that moment as I was jogging that I discovered if I pushed past that which was causing so much discomfort I would break through those very hindrances that were holding me back. Paul is one of the writers of the Bible that is often quoted. I love Paul as I can relate much to the man and definitely to his message.

^“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” I Corinthians 9:26-27

I like the fact that Paul used such a relatable concept in the way of sports. Being in a Roman dominated society I’m sure he was well equated with the Roman world of sports. He understood that laying hold of something would require discipline. It would require intense and unswerving fixation on a goal along with the training and exercise to obtain it. As a believer this is what we do when we encounter life. Being a believer does not exempt us from the effects of life, being a believer empowers us to rise above them. In the physical many thrive from having a partner to help push and motivate them toward reaching their goal but we are also afforded assistance in the spiritual world. Believers have the best training partner in the way of our Lord, the great I AM.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

Consequently, in that same exercise session I was enlightened with another revelation. When I awakened the next morning I was slightly sore in my oblique area. I could not figure out why when it hit me that the previous day I did approximately 20 side bends on both the left and right sides. This wasn’t an extensive amount of exercise and I couldn’t understand why this would leave me sore. I then realized these were muscles that have been severely underutilized and any amount of training would produce a physical effect. The same is true within our spiritual walk when facing difficulties. As challenging as it may be spending a small amount of time in prayer, praise and worship will produce not only a physical effect but a spiritual one as well. Time spent in these devices will uplift the soul and strengthen the spirit. The more you continue in those small efforts the greater the advancements you will make.

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Have you stayed too long?

A few months ago I made the decision to read through the Bible with my children. I remember as a child attending Sunday and Vacation Bible School. It was during these encounters that I was able to learn scripture even if I didn’t understand the meaning behind them. With Sunday school classes on the decline and in some instances Vacation Bible School as well I realized that “I” needed to do more to expose my children to God’s Word. Isn’t that the job of a parent anyway? I wanted to make it simple so I just started with the beginning. What has been so beautiful about this experience is the revelation I’ve been receiving! I have read these books multiple times and at varying stages in my Christian walk but this experience has been quite different. After completing Genesis and soon to begin Exodus I gave my son a brief description of what the book entails. It was in this synopsis that something key was revealed.

Toward the end of Genesis we learn that Jacob, now known as Israel, his sons and all their household must relocate to Egypt due to a drought (Genesis 45-46) Twenty years earlier, Israel’s son Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers due to their jealousy. During Joseph’s time in Egypt he suffered much hardship but was ultimately promoted to Governor in Egypt second only to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:38). It was because of who Joseph was that his family was able to move to Egypt and be spared from the effects of the drought. Israel, his sons and their families were able to live in Egypt peacefully and abundantly for many years. However, after the deaths of Israel, Joseph and his brothers the descendants of Israel became mighty in the land of Egypt. Upon recognition of this the Egyptians reasoned with themselves that if they did not enslave them then those descendants might align with their enemies and war against them (Exodus 1)

The failure of the Israelites during this time is that they became too comfortable in Egypt. When God brought them out of the land of Canaan in order to save them from the drought He never intended for them to prolong their stay in Egypt. However, in order to get a complete picture we must go back to Jacob/Israel’s grandfather Abraham. God told Abraham to leave his father’s household and go to a place that He would show him (Genesis 12); this land was Canaan. It is interesting to note that after Abraham and Sarah arrived in Canaan there was a famine which caused them to have to go to Egypt. However, their stay there was short lived but when they departed they left with sheep, oxen, donkeys, camels and female and male servants (Genesis 12:16)  Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and their descendants were already living in what would become the promised land (Canaan) for the Israelites. With the exception of the 20 years Jacob/Israel spent living and working for his uncle Laban he, himself was reared in the land of Canaan.

Isn’t that the case with God’s children of today? We become comfortable in situations and places that God never intended for us to remain in. We have two choices, leave when we are instructed or remain and face the consequences of staying in a place when we aren’t supposed to. Of course, hundreds of years later God would deliver the Israelites and once again instruct them to go to Canaan (the Promised Land) but their presence in the land had been absent for many years and other nations inhabited the land. The Israelites had to fight to regain what was theirs to begin with! I believe they were supposed to leave when Joseph died and/or when the famine had ended. The famine lasted only 7 years but they sojourned there for many more years after that.

It is important to seek God on where you are to be and to be sensitive to His voice. God can call you to a place filled with peacefulness and abundant living however, you must recognize if and when He calls you to leave. Don’t become too comfortable that you miss His voice and when calamity befalls you question where He is.

The Agony of Waiting

The other day I was in the middle of cleaning when my three year old asked me to help her remove a belt that she had fastened around her dress. Because of the chemicals on the gloves that I was wearing I told her to sit on the bed and once I was done I would help her. Apparently, wait is not a part of her vocabulary and she began to throw a tantrum! I thought this the opportune time to teach her the importance of waiting. As her tantrum began to reach decibels that should have shattered the windows the more determined I became in not running to her rescue. In that moment I needed her to understand that she can't expect everything to happen at the time she determines they should. This tantrum raged on for almost 30 minutes and concluded only when she succeeded in ripping the dress because she  refused to wait the 10 minutes it would have taken me to finish my tasks.

As she stood there crying I asked God if this is how we react to Him when He doesn't respond immediately. We ask Him for something and when He doesn't show up on our predetermined schedule we throw a tantrum. Of course tantrums for us may not be screaming hysterically, but for some that maybe the case. Our tantrums could manifest in refusing to do the things we know we should; read our bibles, go to church, neglect our responsibilities or in some cases refuse to fellowship with God. We could be close to the cusp of answered prayer and because God doesn't appear at the time "we've" requested we throw a tantrum. What happens as a result of our proverbial tantrum is that God is surely delayed and in some cases we miss His time of visitation altogether.

You see, God tells us that we are not to be anxious but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6) But I believe that if many believers are honest with themselves the reason for their anxiety is lack of faith. Hebrews 11:6 states that it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone coming to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Many believers do not have a problem with the existence part, it is the part that He rewards those who diligently seek Him that can cause us to stumble.

Certainly life's circumstances can sometimes seem overwhelming and at times appear to crush us under its weight but Christ told us to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world. I do not share this with you as someone who has arrived to the place free of struggles but as someone who continues to struggle. My mind has been the thorn in my flesh and some days it feels clear and free and then other days not so much. But, what I've learned is I don't have to pretend with God to be someone I'm not and I don't have to pretend that I have obtained and arrived at the place He would have me be. When I feel overwhelmed in my mind I confess it and I ask God for His grace. I have discovered that is the only way I can make it. I've settled the fact that God does reward those who diligently seek Him even when His rewards appear to take more time than I like. To everything there is a season but there is also a process. If we could see behind the scenes and be privy to every plan that God has then why would we need faith? What would be the point of trusting and hoping for that which we can't see because in this scenario we've already seen it.

 No believer's life is perfect, nor is it free of challenges but let us all cling to Psalm 27: 13-14 which states, "I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Don't turn a blind eye

The topic of sin can be all too overwhelming. Many people stay away from the topic because they are ashamed, ashamed of being judged. So, they hide their struggles or they give into them. Before a person comes to Christ they in most instances do not realize they are sinners who need the saving grace of the Lord. So, in sharing the good news believers must understand that leading a non believer away from a life of sin will look very different than a believer caught in the grips of sin. Whoa, let me repeat myself, "leading a non believer away from a life of sin will look very different than a believer caught in the grips of sin." Yes it's true, believers still wrestle with sin, gasp! Once a person accepts Christ as His savior it is his spirit that is reborn instantly but his soul (thoughts, emotions and will) is not. New believers find themselves crushed under the actualization that they may still wrestle with sin, hence why the need for the saving grace of the Lord never ends. But, alas-this post is for the believer so, let's stay on topic :-)

As a believer the Bible tells us not to judge or criticize because by doing so we bring the same judgement and criticism upon ourselves. We are not to point out the sin in another person's life if we-ourselves choose to live a life dominated by sin (Matthew 7) The day and age in which we live is one in which the sinful acts of the past that a person may have committed in the dark have in most instances become the norm for most, the new way of living. The most troubling thing about this is that as Christians have worked hard to operate in love for others as Christ did they too have come to accept these sinful lifestyles as the norm as well.

The question that is often thought of but rarely asked is, "what is the believer's responsibility when you see a fellow sister or brother in Christ who has adopted a sinful lifestyle?" In Matthew 18 around verse 11 Christ states to his disciples that He came to save those that are lost. He then proceeds in verse 12 to tell the parable of the shepherd with 100 sheep. "If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."

As Christ's ambassadors in the earth we are His representatives and are charged with the same mission as Peter and all the disciples were-to feed His lambs (supply nutrients to babes in Christ)-to tend His sheep (look after them while they are developing and maturing) and to feed His sheep (seasoned believers still need to be supplied with nutrients to sustain what they have acquired and for continued growth) all the while doing this in love and with much compassion (John 2:15-18)

BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also Galatians 6:1

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Tim:24-26

You see, turning someone away from sin is not to be done in judgement but in love; with the mindset that it is not acceptable for any to be lost, not when we, God's children are full of His light, love and truth. Many people do not see the error of their ways for many reasons but here are two realizations that keep people from knowing or accepting truth.

But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah). And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; 2 Corinthians 11:14

My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ-our great foe the devil wants to keep us in bondage, ignorant to God's truth. How do you know if you are led by God or being lured by Satan-easy by the fruit that you bear (Matt 7:16-18)

For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Galatians 5:17-23

So, how do you help your fellow believer caught in the grips of sin? Your only assistance maybe in demonstrating love and praying, while for others God may ask you to confront directly. However, in either situation seek God first. Never go off of good intentions alone because to be overzealous is to be hasty and miss the mark (Proverbs 19:2) Holy Spirit will direct your footsteps just trust in the promises and process of God.