Relevant Bible Teaching On
How To Handle Your Feeling
Feelings are a very confusing thing if one tries to think about what they actually are and what they actually do. One thing is for sure, feelings are powerful, and they can significantly impact our thinking and our choices. Thus, we must understand what they are and how to best live as human beings whom God made with feelings.
In some circles, it is taught to suppress or ignore feelings as if desire or passion of any kind is dangerous and deadly. This kind of thinking stems from poor theology about the nature of the believer’s heart. If we believe the Scripture which says that we are given new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 5:8) and made into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) who are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6), then we need not categorically fear our emotions as if they are always evil and destined to lead us astray. The Bible doesn’t portray such a negative view of feelings. For example, the bride in Song of Solomon says that her feelings were aroused for her beloved (Song of Song of Solomon 5:4). Jesus felt compassion for the people who followed him for three days and needed food (Mark 8:2). In the early church, everyone kept feeling a sense of awe because of the powerful work of God in their midst (Acts 2:43). Paul felt love and gratefulness when he thought of the believers at Philippi (Philippians 1:7). These are examples of good, normal, and healthy feelings. To suppress such feelings would be to dehumanize ourselves and to ignore part of how God made us. It would be to take love and romance and make it into disinterested boredom. It would be to take care and compassion and make it into impersonal charity. It would be to take an uplifting experience in worship when we are caught up in the wonder of the majesty of our God and supplant it with mechanical ritual and heartless words. To remove feelings from our existence is to kill off a very important part of our being. To be fully human, and thus to live life to the full and to glorify God, we must allow our feelings to operate in a sanctified manner.
Feelings have value and purpose. In fact, feelings are very much interconnected to our thinking. We don’t feel things for no reason at all, but there is a cause. If we feel angry, it is likely because someone has agitated us. If we feel afraid, it is likely because we mentally perceive danger, whether real or not. If we feel disinterested, it is because something is not stimulating our mind to be considered worthy of our thoughts and attention. Feelings also lead to different responses by our body, whether flushed cheeks, a rush of energy, a feeling of fatigue, or a variety of other things. Our body, soul, and mind are very much interconnected, and to suppose that feelings can or should just be turned off is not a healthy or Biblical approach.
The way to handle feelings is the same way we handle thoughts, and this works because of the interconnectedness of thinking and feeling. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Sometimes we will feel things that are legitimate feelings but in the wrong context. A temptation of lust, for example, might excite us before we even have a chance to consciously think about who it was that incited the feelings. This is a normal feeling that is part of being a sexual being, but it is in the wrong context and at the wrong time. Once we are cognizant of the mental state which we are in and of the feelings which we have, we must immediately and almost as a reflex reevaluate them in light of our conscience and Biblical morality. In this instance, the feelings must be dropped which means that we will have to not think on what we just saw and rather think on what is good, right, noble, and pure. Once we discard the thought or, as the Bible says, take the thought captive unto obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), the feelings will subside, and the bodily impulses will go away. But we must not let feelings that are in the wrong context lead to a willful decision to sin by thinking wrong thoughts or doing wrong things. We are not slaves to our thoughts, to our choices, or to our feelings because we are no longer slaves to sin. There is always a way of escape from temptation, even if the feelings are strong (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must choose to think rightly, thereby redirecting our feelings. After all, the feelings we will have after doing right are always more fulfilling than the regret of doing wrong. May God enable us to live in a way such that our feelings are increasingly sanctified such that we delight in obedience, good, and truth and get disturbed by disobedience, evil, and deceit. The more we walk in truth and obedience, the more our feelings will cooperate and prod us onward in the right direction.
Monday, October 11, 2010
How Do You Feel?
Relevant Bible Teaching On
How to Handle Your Feelings
Feelings are a very confusing thing if one tries to think about what they actually are and what they actually do. One thing is for sure, feelings are powerful, and they can significantly impact our thinking and our choices. Thus, we must understand what they are and how to best live as human beings whom God made with feelings.
In some circles, it is taught to suppress or ignore feelings as if desire or passion of any kind is dangerous and deadly. This kind of thinking stems from poor theology about the nature of the believer’s heart. If we believe the Scripture which says that we are given new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 5:8) and made into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) who are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6), then we need not categorically fear our emotions as if they are always evil and destined to lead us astray. The Bible doesn’t portray such a negative view of feelings. For example, the bride in Song of Solomon says that her feelings were aroused for her beloved (Song of Song of Solomon 5:4). Jesus felt compassion for the people who followed him for three days and needed food (Mark 8:2). In the early church, everyone kept feeling a sense of awe because of the powerful work of God in their midst (Acts 2:43). Paul felt love and gratefulness when he thought of the believers at Philippi (Philippians 1:7). These are examples of good, normal, and healthy feelings. To suppress such feelings would be to dehumanize ourselves and to ignore part of how God made us. It would be to take love and romance and make it into disinterested boredom. It would be to take care and compassion and make it into impersonal charity. It would be to take an uplifting experience in worship when we are caught up in the wonder of the majesty of our God and supplant it with mechanical ritual and heartless words. To remove feelings from our existence is to kill off a very important part of our being. To be fully human, and thus to live life to the full and to glorify God, we must allow our feelings to operate in a sanctified manner.
Feelings have value and purpose. In fact, feelings are very much interconnected to our thinking. We don’t feel things for no reason at all, but there is a cause. If we feel angry, it is likely because someone has agitated us. If we feel afraid, it is likely because we mentally perceive danger, whether real or not. If we feel disinterested, it is because something is not stimulating our mind to be considered worthy of our thoughts and attention. Feelings also lead to different responses by our body, whether flushed cheeks, a rush of energy, a feeling of fatigue, or a variety of other things. Our body, soul, and mind are very much interconnected, and to suppose that feelings can or should just be turned off is not a healthy or Biblical approach.
The way to handle feelings is the same way we handle thoughts, and this works because of the interconnectedness of thinking and feeling. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Sometimes we will feel things that are legitimate feelings but in the wrong context. A temptation of lust, for example, might excite us before we even have a chance to consciously think about who it was that incited the feelings. This is a normal feeling that is part of being a sexual being, but it is in the wrong context and at the wrong time. Once we are cognizant of the mental state which we are in and of the feelings which we have, we must immediately and almost as a reflex reevaluate them in light of our conscience and Biblical morality. In this instance, the feelings must be dropped which means that we will have to not think on what we just saw and rather think on what is good, right, noble, and pure. Once we discard the thought or, as the Bible says, take the thought captive unto obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), the feelings will subside, and the bodily impulses will go away. But we must not let feelings that are in the wrong context lead to a willful decision to sin by thinking wrong thoughts or doing wrong things. We are not slaves to our thoughts, to our choices, or to our feelings because we are no longer slaves to sin. There is always a way of escape from temptation, even if the feelings are strong (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must choose to think rightly, thereby redirecting our feelings. After all, the feelings we will have after doing right are always more fulfilling than the regret of doing wrong. May God enable us to live in a way such that our feelings are increasingly sanctified such that we delight in obedience, good, and truth and get disturbed by disobedience, evil, and deceit. The more we walk in truth and obedience, the more our feelings will cooperate and prod us onward in the right direction.
How to Handle Your Feelings
Feelings are a very confusing thing if one tries to think about what they actually are and what they actually do. One thing is for sure, feelings are powerful, and they can significantly impact our thinking and our choices. Thus, we must understand what they are and how to best live as human beings whom God made with feelings.
In some circles, it is taught to suppress or ignore feelings as if desire or passion of any kind is dangerous and deadly. This kind of thinking stems from poor theology about the nature of the believer’s heart. If we believe the Scripture which says that we are given new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 5:8) and made into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) who are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6), then we need not categorically fear our emotions as if they are always evil and destined to lead us astray. The Bible doesn’t portray such a negative view of feelings. For example, the bride in Song of Solomon says that her feelings were aroused for her beloved (Song of Song of Solomon 5:4). Jesus felt compassion for the people who followed him for three days and needed food (Mark 8:2). In the early church, everyone kept feeling a sense of awe because of the powerful work of God in their midst (Acts 2:43). Paul felt love and gratefulness when he thought of the believers at Philippi (Philippians 1:7). These are examples of good, normal, and healthy feelings. To suppress such feelings would be to dehumanize ourselves and to ignore part of how God made us. It would be to take love and romance and make it into disinterested boredom. It would be to take care and compassion and make it into impersonal charity. It would be to take an uplifting experience in worship when we are caught up in the wonder of the majesty of our God and supplant it with mechanical ritual and heartless words. To remove feelings from our existence is to kill off a very important part of our being. To be fully human, and thus to live life to the full and to glorify God, we must allow our feelings to operate in a sanctified manner.
Feelings have value and purpose. In fact, feelings are very much interconnected to our thinking. We don’t feel things for no reason at all, but there is a cause. If we feel angry, it is likely because someone has agitated us. If we feel afraid, it is likely because we mentally perceive danger, whether real or not. If we feel disinterested, it is because something is not stimulating our mind to be considered worthy of our thoughts and attention. Feelings also lead to different responses by our body, whether flushed cheeks, a rush of energy, a feeling of fatigue, or a variety of other things. Our body, soul, and mind are very much interconnected, and to suppose that feelings can or should just be turned off is not a healthy or Biblical approach.
The way to handle feelings is the same way we handle thoughts, and this works because of the interconnectedness of thinking and feeling. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Sometimes we will feel things that are legitimate feelings but in the wrong context. A temptation of lust, for example, might excite us before we even have a chance to consciously think about who it was that incited the feelings. This is a normal feeling that is part of being a sexual being, but it is in the wrong context and at the wrong time. Once we are cognizant of the mental state which we are in and of the feelings which we have, we must immediately and almost as a reflex reevaluate them in light of our conscience and Biblical morality. In this instance, the feelings must be dropped which means that we will have to not think on what we just saw and rather think on what is good, right, noble, and pure. Once we discard the thought or, as the Bible says, take the thought captive unto obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), the feelings will subside, and the bodily impulses will go away. But we must not let feelings that are in the wrong context lead to a willful decision to sin by thinking wrong thoughts or doing wrong things. We are not slaves to our thoughts, to our choices, or to our feelings because we are no longer slaves to sin. There is always a way of escape from temptation, even if the feelings are strong (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must choose to think rightly, thereby redirecting our feelings. After all, the feelings we will have after doing right are always more fulfilling than the regret of doing wrong. May God enable us to live in a way such that our feelings are increasingly sanctified such that we delight in obedience, good, and truth and get disturbed by disobedience, evil, and deceit. The more we walk in truth and obedience, the more our feelings will cooperate and prod us onward in the right direction.
Friday, October 8, 2010
How to Handle Your Feeling
Simple as it may seem
To listen to what’s deep inside
It is the hardest thing
To let go from the heart what hides
You deserve to listen...
-Susan Herrick, You Deserve
What to Do With Your Feelings
by Kali Munro, M.Ed., Psychotherapist,
Intense emotion can be overwhelming for all of us. And if you're just opening up to an emotion, it can feel very raw. No matter how experienced you are with your emotions, we all need help sometimes to know how to deal with them.
Learning to recognize and stay with our feelings is a valuable experience. We can learn that just because we feel something, we don't have to act on it. Or that we can be angry and choose how to respond rather than let the anger control us. The more we know how we feel and ways to feel, release, be with, or let go of our feelings, the better we feel about ourselves.
But how do I know what I'm feeling?
If you don't know how you feel or how to get in touch with your feelings:
1. Identify how you feel:
• Sit quietly for a moment; you might want to close your eyes, and then wait and see what you notice from inside.
• Notice how different areas of your body feel.
• Focus on the areas of tension, breathe, and see if anything comes to your awareness. You don’t have to think about it.
• Notice whether any thoughts, images, feelings, memories, sounds come to you.
• If nothing comes, that’s okay. You may still want to continue.
• Ask yourself how you're feeling, and be aware of what comes up.
• You don’t have to figure anything out, just be aware.
• If nothing comes to you, that's okay. Sometimes that happens. You may still want to try again, another time.
2. Acknowledge your feelings:
• If you know how you feel, let yourself know that this is how you are feeling right now, and that’s okay.
• You don’t have to know where it is coming from.
• You don’t even have to know what to name it; you may simply know that you have a lot of pain in your chest.
• Breathe through it.
• Let your feelings just be there.
• You don’t have to do anything with them, just accept that this is how you feel.
But where do these feelings come from? They just seemed to come out of the blue.
If you want to understand why you feel a certain way:
1. Identify the source of your feelings:
• Know that you are not being "silly" or "crazy" for feeling how you feel; your feelings are there for a good reason.
• Turn inward, and ask yourself what are these feelings connected to.
• Wait and see what you notice. You might just know. You might remember something, see an image, hear a sound, notice tension in a particular area of your body.
• Try not to analyse, interpret or judge what comes to you. Be open to what you notice.
• Go deeper. We may think we already know why we're feeling a certain way, but sometimes there is more to it than what we think. Being patient and receptive helps us to go deeper.
• If nothing comes to you, that’s okay, too. It helps to just let yourself feel.
What do I do with these feelings?
2. Express or release your feelings.
Even if you don't know why you are feeling this way, you can still express yourself in the privacy of your own home.
• Focus on how you feel. Open your mouth and let a sound come from that feeling.
• Move with the feeling. You can dance, stomp around, kick, hit something.
• Scream. If you are worried about the sound, you can scream into a pillow.
• Cry. If you feel like crying, give yourself permission to do this.
• Write or draw from this feeling place. Don’t censor yourself, let the feeling do the writing or drawing.
• Say out loud what you need to say to someone.
• Tell someone supportive how you are feeling.
It's too much for me. I can't take it any more. What do I do?
1. Comfort and reassure yourself:
• Talk to yourself as you would a friend. Be gentle and kind.
• Reassure yourself with whatever you need to hear, for example, "I’m okay, I’m safe."
• Curl up in a comfortable chair/bed with a blanket, a warm drink, a good book, or watch a show on T.V.
• Do something nice for yourself. Treat yourself to something special, take a bubble bath, go to a spa, get a massage.
• Talk to a supportive friend. Ask for what you need.
2. Take a break from your feelings:
Sometimes feelings become overwhelming and you need a break from them. This doesn't mean denying that they are there, only that you need a break and will come back to them later when you are rested. After taking a break, it is important to come back to your feelings. They may have changed, and that's okay.
• Create a safe inner place. Let your imagination create an image of something(s) that represents how you are feeling right now. It may be concrete or abstract. Take your time, let your imagination develop this fully. Then imagine a protective bubble around this image, separating yourself from it. Look at the image. Notice that it is still there, but separate from you. Your feelings are still there, but you are not in them right now. You have a choice, you don't have to be in your feelings right now. Let yourself take the break that you need. Taking this break will mean that you will be better able to deal with them later. You may want to imagine yourself in a safe place -- any image that you choose.
• Remember times when you felt good. Let yourself relax and get comfortable. Breathe gently. Remember a time when you felt good, loved or calm. It could be something that really happened, or something that you create, like being near a waterfall. Imagine being in this situation or with this person, and feel all of those pleasant feelings. Feel your body shift from what you were feeling, letting those feelings go. Let yourself feel more relaxed, comforted or at peace. Stay with this memory or image until you feel really connected to it.
• Exercise vigorously. This can help you to relax, feel energized, and generally feel better.
• Do something that relaxes you.
• Do something that absorbs your attention fully. This can help you to shift out of how you are feeling.
• Get a change of scenery. If you have been at home or in the same room a lot, maybe you need to get out, even if only for a walk around the block. Change your patterns. If you always go home after work only to feel stuck in your feelings, maybe you need to do something different -- go see a concert, a movie, or have dinner out, something that makes you feel good. Doing things to take care of yourself alone may be better than going home alone.
It's not always easy to stay with your feelings, but it can be rewarding when you do.
To listen to what’s deep inside
It is the hardest thing
To let go from the heart what hides
You deserve to listen...
-Susan Herrick, You Deserve
What to Do With Your Feelings
by Kali Munro, M.Ed., Psychotherapist,
Intense emotion can be overwhelming for all of us. And if you're just opening up to an emotion, it can feel very raw. No matter how experienced you are with your emotions, we all need help sometimes to know how to deal with them.
Learning to recognize and stay with our feelings is a valuable experience. We can learn that just because we feel something, we don't have to act on it. Or that we can be angry and choose how to respond rather than let the anger control us. The more we know how we feel and ways to feel, release, be with, or let go of our feelings, the better we feel about ourselves.
But how do I know what I'm feeling?
If you don't know how you feel or how to get in touch with your feelings:
1. Identify how you feel:
• Sit quietly for a moment; you might want to close your eyes, and then wait and see what you notice from inside.
• Notice how different areas of your body feel.
• Focus on the areas of tension, breathe, and see if anything comes to your awareness. You don’t have to think about it.
• Notice whether any thoughts, images, feelings, memories, sounds come to you.
• If nothing comes, that’s okay. You may still want to continue.
• Ask yourself how you're feeling, and be aware of what comes up.
• You don’t have to figure anything out, just be aware.
• If nothing comes to you, that's okay. Sometimes that happens. You may still want to try again, another time.
2. Acknowledge your feelings:
• If you know how you feel, let yourself know that this is how you are feeling right now, and that’s okay.
• You don’t have to know where it is coming from.
• You don’t even have to know what to name it; you may simply know that you have a lot of pain in your chest.
• Breathe through it.
• Let your feelings just be there.
• You don’t have to do anything with them, just accept that this is how you feel.
But where do these feelings come from? They just seemed to come out of the blue.
If you want to understand why you feel a certain way:
1. Identify the source of your feelings:
• Know that you are not being "silly" or "crazy" for feeling how you feel; your feelings are there for a good reason.
• Turn inward, and ask yourself what are these feelings connected to.
• Wait and see what you notice. You might just know. You might remember something, see an image, hear a sound, notice tension in a particular area of your body.
• Try not to analyse, interpret or judge what comes to you. Be open to what you notice.
• Go deeper. We may think we already know why we're feeling a certain way, but sometimes there is more to it than what we think. Being patient and receptive helps us to go deeper.
• If nothing comes to you, that’s okay, too. It helps to just let yourself feel.
What do I do with these feelings?
2. Express or release your feelings.
Even if you don't know why you are feeling this way, you can still express yourself in the privacy of your own home.
• Focus on how you feel. Open your mouth and let a sound come from that feeling.
• Move with the feeling. You can dance, stomp around, kick, hit something.
• Scream. If you are worried about the sound, you can scream into a pillow.
• Cry. If you feel like crying, give yourself permission to do this.
• Write or draw from this feeling place. Don’t censor yourself, let the feeling do the writing or drawing.
• Say out loud what you need to say to someone.
• Tell someone supportive how you are feeling.
It's too much for me. I can't take it any more. What do I do?
1. Comfort and reassure yourself:
• Talk to yourself as you would a friend. Be gentle and kind.
• Reassure yourself with whatever you need to hear, for example, "I’m okay, I’m safe."
• Curl up in a comfortable chair/bed with a blanket, a warm drink, a good book, or watch a show on T.V.
• Do something nice for yourself. Treat yourself to something special, take a bubble bath, go to a spa, get a massage.
• Talk to a supportive friend. Ask for what you need.
2. Take a break from your feelings:
Sometimes feelings become overwhelming and you need a break from them. This doesn't mean denying that they are there, only that you need a break and will come back to them later when you are rested. After taking a break, it is important to come back to your feelings. They may have changed, and that's okay.
• Create a safe inner place. Let your imagination create an image of something(s) that represents how you are feeling right now. It may be concrete or abstract. Take your time, let your imagination develop this fully. Then imagine a protective bubble around this image, separating yourself from it. Look at the image. Notice that it is still there, but separate from you. Your feelings are still there, but you are not in them right now. You have a choice, you don't have to be in your feelings right now. Let yourself take the break that you need. Taking this break will mean that you will be better able to deal with them later. You may want to imagine yourself in a safe place -- any image that you choose.
• Remember times when you felt good. Let yourself relax and get comfortable. Breathe gently. Remember a time when you felt good, loved or calm. It could be something that really happened, or something that you create, like being near a waterfall. Imagine being in this situation or with this person, and feel all of those pleasant feelings. Feel your body shift from what you were feeling, letting those feelings go. Let yourself feel more relaxed, comforted or at peace. Stay with this memory or image until you feel really connected to it.
• Exercise vigorously. This can help you to relax, feel energized, and generally feel better.
• Do something that relaxes you.
• Do something that absorbs your attention fully. This can help you to shift out of how you are feeling.
• Get a change of scenery. If you have been at home or in the same room a lot, maybe you need to get out, even if only for a walk around the block. Change your patterns. If you always go home after work only to feel stuck in your feelings, maybe you need to do something different -- go see a concert, a movie, or have dinner out, something that makes you feel good. Doing things to take care of yourself alone may be better than going home alone.
It's not always easy to stay with your feelings, but it can be rewarding when you do.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Read And Think Of This Article Where You Belong To..................
44th True Parents' Day Speech
Sun Myung Moon
April 19, 2004 - New Yorker Grand Ballroom. Before 7am Pledge Service, Father and Mother entered to the applause of the world leaders of the Family Federation and hundreds of Blessed central families.
Rev. Kwak emceed. Father and Mother lit the candles on the stage and then returned before the beautiful offering table to offer the prayer of gratitude and dedication for this 44th anniversary of True Parents Day.
True Parents then offered their bows before God and all Blessed Families and representatives followed the lead of Rev. Kwak as the MC. Father then spoke.
Notes by Rev. Michael Jenkins, translation by Mrs. Hee Hun Standard. These are notes through a simultaneous translation. Simultaneous translation is done in summary form and depends greatly on the translators ability to communicate the essence of the message. Many of the statements in the notes are also in summary form. Therefore these should not be published as definitive texts and should never be used in the future for some kind of publication on Father's words. However they do provide a good idea of the " spirit" of the message.
Today we will make a new beginning. Every day should now become the Sabbath. Each day we should do Kyung Beh and Kajong Mengse and we should teach our children. Then a new day the 8th Day of Shi Hwi or attendance will begin. Now our mind and body must be united as one.
The number eight is like the combination of two circles. Since the fall everything was reversed, right became left, up became down and the lower took over the upper. This is now being reversed at this time. All things must go from right to left and from the top to the bottom.
We must set the condition to establish the right direction. One such condition we do is our tithing. This is not a complete substantial offering but it is a condition of substance that sets us in the right direction.
Before Adam and Eve fell did they have clothes or not. They did not have clothes. There was no shame. They were proud of their beautiful bodies. Adam would be proud that he was unique and different from Eve and she would be proud for the same thing. Would Adam complain to God … No. He would be grateful. Adam representing the male would be proud of his body.
Eve was supposed to grow up to 17 or 18 years old. The woman is soft and the man is hard and masculine. As they grew up they realized that though they were like twins they were different. What about the nose, what about the eyes, were they created separately. No they were created at the same time. Man was born for woman and woman was born for man. They were also born for their parents and their parents for them.
Around 14 years - 16 the girls start their periods. This is universal. This is so important that this functions correctly. The creation is set that everything lives for the higher purpose. The mineral world lives for the plant world which lives for the animal world which lives for man and man should live for God and all humankind.
This is a fundamental principle of creation, that everything lives for the higher purpose. That means those who absolutely obey our True Parents. Why should we love our siblings, or why should we love our mother. Why, because everything should be centered on True Love. We should love our mother, even though we as children may be taller, much bigger and stronger than our mother. In the world of angels they don't have the object partners yet. They are like the managers of the creation. They could relate to animals and human beings. When they were relating to human beings it was like they were relating to their masters. Just like a dog relates with its master. Just as when the dog is hungry and barks for food, we should have a similar kind of relation with the angels where they communicate what they need to us and we as masters fulfill it.
The must be the establishment of the True Center for there to be settlement and unification. The number 10 is a critical number to establish. 12 is also a critical number. If you do not understand this, you would not understand the meaning of life. Western philosophy doesn't fully understand the importance of these numbers.
The westerners wore leather throughout history and to secure this the westerners had to she a lot of the blood of the animals, while Asians wore long cloth robes. Therefore the culture is not oriented towards bloodshed.
The main topic is the importance of man and woman. Should woman go around men or should men go around women? Western sisters, please respond. Well, the woman is smaller and shorter so actually it is natural that the man should be the center and help the woman. The woman should revolve around the man. Should he abandon her or protect her.
She has one way to go in the future. She should offer Absolute Faith and Absolute Love and Absolute Obedience to Man and the man should do the same towards God. Man should not be leading humanity and leaving women behind. That is not the way to go.
Because of the fall, Man has been fighting between the mind and the body. God is totally united between mind and body. If there was a struggle in God there would be no center.
We need Absolute Faith, Absolute Love and Absolute Obedience between Man and Woman. Due to the Fall, not only the four position foundation was lost, they lost the center as well. Two hands should come together as one, that's how husband and wife should unite.
True Mother is truly beautiful and united with me. To be that way I have to support Mother and she has to be grateful for whatever way I relate with her. Without man there can be no woman and without woman there can be no man. We are going to establish the something beyond the Sabbath - that is the Day of Attendance. This will be the 8th Day. The number 8 is the number of a new day and a new beginning. In each finger you can see three bones, and when you combine the four fingers you get the number 12, when you ad the thumb to it is 14 on each hand. Bringing the two hands together is 28.
If we do not take the proper restoration course then things can go wrong. God can invest energy for the creation. Everything should be done in a subject object relationship. Clapping your hands is like subject and object coming together. When you open your hands more widely you can make a greater sound when your hands come together. It is like the example of the plus and minus coming together. To clap you must bring your hands to the center. It is a good example of how plus and minus must unite. To unite they must come to the center. When we talk about the unity of man and woman. The wife should be touched on the breast. Where should the man be touched.
Everyday now must become the Sabbath. We will abolish the old Sabbath in which only one day was the Sabbath. It used to be a day of rest, however we now must have a different lifestyle. Sabbath is now they day to work because of the fall and the course of restoration God has no time or chance to rest. How can we rest if God cannot rest. Therefore we should set the condition that we will work hard seven days a week. We must work hard so that we can restore all things into God's realm - this will also restore all the numbers.
Why do men and women kiss? When they kiss it sets off many physiological functions that lead to love. Love is the center of the universe.
The eighth day should be instituted from now. We must have the untapped Shi Wi or attendance. However this will not be a day of resting, this will be the time in which we work.
Do you understand. Those people who are husband and wife should hold hands. You must become one now. The man should have the purpose of protecting the woman. Depending on the motivation direction and purpose of our actions the result will be determined. There must be harmony between husband and wife. If you fight there should be an agreed upon punishment for the one that is wrong. Like one eyebrow will be cut off !! (laughter). We must make harmony and overcome the differences.
We must accumulate good conditions to achieve harmony. The way for the woman to unite is to educate her husbands relatives about God. You should achieve harmony - not be fighting. Raise you hands if you pledge not to fight but to achieve harmony. Don't lower your hands if you are not willing to achieve harmony.
Do you husbands and wives sleep together. Husbands and wives fight and don't sleep together. Husbands should take care of the wives. From the touching of the top of the head to the bottom of the feet you should serve your wife. Do you sleep with clothes? You must now sleep together without clothes. You must be very intimate to achieve harmony. You must follow the principles and laws taught by the parents. All relatives would like to visit you with this kind of spirit.
So from now all husbands and wives must sleep naked. You must have a right heart to bring harmony between your brothers and sisters and bring harmonious relationships. Someday in the future the way I will give your inheritance will be based on how we are loving each other.
I made Rev. Kwak the central figure of all because there cannot be two heads. There must be unity between Rev. Hwang, Rev. Yoon and Rev. Kwak. There can be only one head.
I am giving you an order today. You can rotate responsibility. Basically Father is expecting these major leaders to unite. They are from three different provinces. One from the north, one from the south and one from the middle. The church must be the center. Whatever is more internal must be the subject position. The person who serves the most will be the one who is elevated. We should not be limited to a district area. We must expand our territory. Mr. Yoon do you understand. Rev. Hwang do you understand. They must come together and decide who will be responsible for the special activity now in Korea. There must be unity and harmony together. All of the leaders must be united. You cannot be just self centered. No one can be a leader if they didn't go to UTS. Without going to the seminary they cannot be a leader in our church. No matter how long they are in the church, they cannot be a leader without having gone through UTS.
From today on husband and wife must sleep together naked. When something is done wrong you should agree on the punishment, maybe you can pinch each other !! From now on you should sleep naked with your spouse. If you can't be with your spouse you can hold your pillow.
Commemorative Speech
Later that day, True Parents arrived with several Christian clergy and True Family members. We sang together Grace of the Holy Garden.
Rev. Jenkins offered the Opening Prayer, on behalf of seven enemy nations and on the foundation of the creation of the Peace Kingdom and creation of the Abel United Nations.
True Parents lit the candles on the celebration cake, as the congregation sang "Happy True Parents Day to you."
The time "when the individual must go" is over; we need the K of God, a nation bigger than what anyone can conceive. "The Path for America and Humanity in the Last Days," Father's text from year 2000 speaking tour, is Father's base text for today's speech. Did I live in America because I wanted to, or because I had to?
We have proclaimed the revolution of conscience. Through the providence in the Middle East. last Dec 22 we restored the position of Jesus in Israel. This brought in the age of liberation for all humankind. Now the K of Heaven has been realized. I received so much persecution of 30 years, but I could stay here because of God's presence.
Rev. Kwak's speech was very good, and for me to elaborate upon it would take a long time. My longest speech was 14 hours, or even more.
We need a people or nation willing to sacrifice for a higher purpose, to help the world. I came to America and made my utmost effort to revive the country by educating the youth to revive morality. What have I been teaching them? To live for others: the individual for the family, family for the society, society for the people, people for the nation, nation for the world, and world for God, and then God will come to us and live for us.
In the family, husband and wife live for each other, and parents and children live for each other.
Second, I teach to love your enemy, as God sacrificed His son Jesus for the sake of his enemy, Satan's children. Satan cannot accuse someone who loves his children more than he does his own. This is the secret of the foundation I could lay.
This is also the secret of the expansion of Christianity, by the sacrifice of missionaries. But now that Christian spirit is declining and we hear voices asserting that God is dead or does not exist. How does God feel? For whom has God been sacrificing Himself? Not for the world, but for each of us, you and me. This is why Jesus sacrificed himself. So we should take responsibility for humankind in response.
We should take on God's suffering for the sake of inheriting God's heart. Have you prayed all night for this? The person God sent was killed, after 4,000 years preparation. If we continue like this, there is no hope; everything will be blocked.
Christianity was the bride prepared to receive the Bridegroom. Unificationism is the teaching to restore the true family and filfill the messianic role of the first ancestors. Jesus came with the mission of establishing the true husband and wife, but was rejected. The path of Jesus' suffering on the cross is the same path as that of God, forgiving his enemies. His life did not end at age 33, but continued through Christianity that inherited his spirit.
Look at the path of world civilization. It moved from the tropics to the warm zone (? hard to keep track here) and now is with the 20 degrees north latitude countries of England and America. This is the cool zone civilization of autumn, then comes the brief cold zone civilization of communism, that is continuing through materialism and atheism. America should clean this up, or the UC should do it. If Rev. Moon doesn't do it, we will be in trouble.
Now the true spring civilization will appear, to melt the frozen ice in the heart of God. It cannot be done with power, money or knowledge. The center of civilization is moving toward the Pacific zone civilization, based in America, Japan and Korea, and finally in Korea it will bear fruit.
So, Rev. Moon coming from Korea can be described in no other way than the summation of God's providence. I have inspired constructive activities for peace and prosperity throughout the world, to overcome pollution, hunger and disease. Also I have founded the pure love movement, blessing hundreds of millions of couples around the world. So, shouldn't you do tong ban kyok pah (outreach to your neighborhood and community)?
The splintering of denominations and struggle between religions serve no purpose but to hinder God's providence. Therefore I have spent most of our church budget in efforts to reach out to other religions. I founded the IRFWP, for world peace, and the IIFWP. All people should go beyond racial and religious differences, to bring God's world into reality through faith, hope and love. We must recover the heartistic relationship with God that we lost in the fall.
The True Parents are the final fruits of humankind's hope throughout the world. Ultimately we must liberate God, who has been in the depth of sorrow. Humankind calls for human freedom and liberation, but we must bring God's liberation, and then human liberation wil follow automatically. You are called to do this.
The Pilgrim fathers departed from their families and nation as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. They arrived in New England in late November, and you should do more than they did, or America will perish. They believed in serving the will of God in every aspect of their lives. They offered the first fruits of the harvest to God, and built the church and school first, before their houses. Thus they built the nation. Without a nation, we cannot say we fulfilled our mission.
The British fought for their king, but the Americans fought for God. Even now, the US Congress opens its sessions with prayer. When the President is sworn in, he places his hand on the Bible. Your money is inscribed with "In God We Trust." Hence this is a mainly Protestant country with global influence. It is a unique country. But what about America today? There is no prayer in schools. Evolution teaching is mandated. The divorce rate is sky-high. We need another revolution.
I left my homeland to come to America, leaving my homeland and family. I cried out I was a firefighter, a physician sent by God. I declared that God was departing America. It seems like only yesterday that I stood on Fifth Ave and wept openly. Unfortunately, America has persisted on the path of moral deterioration, as I predicted.
We have to revive a God-centered revolution. I have been in the US 33 years and could not be in comfort even one day. The true master of America is not white, or black, but the one who loves America as God does. If America abandons God, she will perish. I plead with you, because God has chosen America as His elder son nation. Jesus is present in America and is offering fervent prayers for America.
I created the Washington Times and True Family Values Ministry for America. I created a prayer ground near the White House, where still today many people gather all night to pray. This is the time to end the lamentations of creation that lost its masters. It is time for the new earth and new heaven to come, in which all tears are wiped away.
Now the promises of the Old and New Testaments will be filfilled. God's dominion will be fulfilled through his omnipresence and omniscience. Now the time has come when America must awaken once again. [To a second generation--you should grow up quickly.] Korea cannot do this; the people are gathering in America. So America must keep God from leaving, and become a society that upholds Him.
If God leaves America, where can He go? To Korea? Where? America is the hope. If America honors God, all its problems will be solved naturally. When all races can live in harmony here, it will be a model for the Kingdom of God on earth. So Americans should not fight, but repent. Take the lead as the elder son nation, open a new path. Please realize how important you are as Americans.
Sun Myung Moon
April 19, 2004 - New Yorker Grand Ballroom. Before 7am Pledge Service, Father and Mother entered to the applause of the world leaders of the Family Federation and hundreds of Blessed central families.
Rev. Kwak emceed. Father and Mother lit the candles on the stage and then returned before the beautiful offering table to offer the prayer of gratitude and dedication for this 44th anniversary of True Parents Day.
True Parents then offered their bows before God and all Blessed Families and representatives followed the lead of Rev. Kwak as the MC. Father then spoke.
Notes by Rev. Michael Jenkins, translation by Mrs. Hee Hun Standard. These are notes through a simultaneous translation. Simultaneous translation is done in summary form and depends greatly on the translators ability to communicate the essence of the message. Many of the statements in the notes are also in summary form. Therefore these should not be published as definitive texts and should never be used in the future for some kind of publication on Father's words. However they do provide a good idea of the " spirit" of the message.
Today we will make a new beginning. Every day should now become the Sabbath. Each day we should do Kyung Beh and Kajong Mengse and we should teach our children. Then a new day the 8th Day of Shi Hwi or attendance will begin. Now our mind and body must be united as one.
The number eight is like the combination of two circles. Since the fall everything was reversed, right became left, up became down and the lower took over the upper. This is now being reversed at this time. All things must go from right to left and from the top to the bottom.
We must set the condition to establish the right direction. One such condition we do is our tithing. This is not a complete substantial offering but it is a condition of substance that sets us in the right direction.
Before Adam and Eve fell did they have clothes or not. They did not have clothes. There was no shame. They were proud of their beautiful bodies. Adam would be proud that he was unique and different from Eve and she would be proud for the same thing. Would Adam complain to God … No. He would be grateful. Adam representing the male would be proud of his body.
Eve was supposed to grow up to 17 or 18 years old. The woman is soft and the man is hard and masculine. As they grew up they realized that though they were like twins they were different. What about the nose, what about the eyes, were they created separately. No they were created at the same time. Man was born for woman and woman was born for man. They were also born for their parents and their parents for them.
Around 14 years - 16 the girls start their periods. This is universal. This is so important that this functions correctly. The creation is set that everything lives for the higher purpose. The mineral world lives for the plant world which lives for the animal world which lives for man and man should live for God and all humankind.
This is a fundamental principle of creation, that everything lives for the higher purpose. That means those who absolutely obey our True Parents. Why should we love our siblings, or why should we love our mother. Why, because everything should be centered on True Love. We should love our mother, even though we as children may be taller, much bigger and stronger than our mother. In the world of angels they don't have the object partners yet. They are like the managers of the creation. They could relate to animals and human beings. When they were relating to human beings it was like they were relating to their masters. Just like a dog relates with its master. Just as when the dog is hungry and barks for food, we should have a similar kind of relation with the angels where they communicate what they need to us and we as masters fulfill it.
The must be the establishment of the True Center for there to be settlement and unification. The number 10 is a critical number to establish. 12 is also a critical number. If you do not understand this, you would not understand the meaning of life. Western philosophy doesn't fully understand the importance of these numbers.
The westerners wore leather throughout history and to secure this the westerners had to she a lot of the blood of the animals, while Asians wore long cloth robes. Therefore the culture is not oriented towards bloodshed.
The main topic is the importance of man and woman. Should woman go around men or should men go around women? Western sisters, please respond. Well, the woman is smaller and shorter so actually it is natural that the man should be the center and help the woman. The woman should revolve around the man. Should he abandon her or protect her.
She has one way to go in the future. She should offer Absolute Faith and Absolute Love and Absolute Obedience to Man and the man should do the same towards God. Man should not be leading humanity and leaving women behind. That is not the way to go.
Because of the fall, Man has been fighting between the mind and the body. God is totally united between mind and body. If there was a struggle in God there would be no center.
We need Absolute Faith, Absolute Love and Absolute Obedience between Man and Woman. Due to the Fall, not only the four position foundation was lost, they lost the center as well. Two hands should come together as one, that's how husband and wife should unite.
True Mother is truly beautiful and united with me. To be that way I have to support Mother and she has to be grateful for whatever way I relate with her. Without man there can be no woman and without woman there can be no man. We are going to establish the something beyond the Sabbath - that is the Day of Attendance. This will be the 8th Day. The number 8 is the number of a new day and a new beginning. In each finger you can see three bones, and when you combine the four fingers you get the number 12, when you ad the thumb to it is 14 on each hand. Bringing the two hands together is 28.
If we do not take the proper restoration course then things can go wrong. God can invest energy for the creation. Everything should be done in a subject object relationship. Clapping your hands is like subject and object coming together. When you open your hands more widely you can make a greater sound when your hands come together. It is like the example of the plus and minus coming together. To clap you must bring your hands to the center. It is a good example of how plus and minus must unite. To unite they must come to the center. When we talk about the unity of man and woman. The wife should be touched on the breast. Where should the man be touched.
Everyday now must become the Sabbath. We will abolish the old Sabbath in which only one day was the Sabbath. It used to be a day of rest, however we now must have a different lifestyle. Sabbath is now they day to work because of the fall and the course of restoration God has no time or chance to rest. How can we rest if God cannot rest. Therefore we should set the condition that we will work hard seven days a week. We must work hard so that we can restore all things into God's realm - this will also restore all the numbers.
Why do men and women kiss? When they kiss it sets off many physiological functions that lead to love. Love is the center of the universe.
The eighth day should be instituted from now. We must have the untapped Shi Wi or attendance. However this will not be a day of resting, this will be the time in which we work.
Do you understand. Those people who are husband and wife should hold hands. You must become one now. The man should have the purpose of protecting the woman. Depending on the motivation direction and purpose of our actions the result will be determined. There must be harmony between husband and wife. If you fight there should be an agreed upon punishment for the one that is wrong. Like one eyebrow will be cut off !! (laughter). We must make harmony and overcome the differences.
We must accumulate good conditions to achieve harmony. The way for the woman to unite is to educate her husbands relatives about God. You should achieve harmony - not be fighting. Raise you hands if you pledge not to fight but to achieve harmony. Don't lower your hands if you are not willing to achieve harmony.
Do you husbands and wives sleep together. Husbands and wives fight and don't sleep together. Husbands should take care of the wives. From the touching of the top of the head to the bottom of the feet you should serve your wife. Do you sleep with clothes? You must now sleep together without clothes. You must be very intimate to achieve harmony. You must follow the principles and laws taught by the parents. All relatives would like to visit you with this kind of spirit.
So from now all husbands and wives must sleep naked. You must have a right heart to bring harmony between your brothers and sisters and bring harmonious relationships. Someday in the future the way I will give your inheritance will be based on how we are loving each other.
I made Rev. Kwak the central figure of all because there cannot be two heads. There must be unity between Rev. Hwang, Rev. Yoon and Rev. Kwak. There can be only one head.
I am giving you an order today. You can rotate responsibility. Basically Father is expecting these major leaders to unite. They are from three different provinces. One from the north, one from the south and one from the middle. The church must be the center. Whatever is more internal must be the subject position. The person who serves the most will be the one who is elevated. We should not be limited to a district area. We must expand our territory. Mr. Yoon do you understand. Rev. Hwang do you understand. They must come together and decide who will be responsible for the special activity now in Korea. There must be unity and harmony together. All of the leaders must be united. You cannot be just self centered. No one can be a leader if they didn't go to UTS. Without going to the seminary they cannot be a leader in our church. No matter how long they are in the church, they cannot be a leader without having gone through UTS.
From today on husband and wife must sleep together naked. When something is done wrong you should agree on the punishment, maybe you can pinch each other !! From now on you should sleep naked with your spouse. If you can't be with your spouse you can hold your pillow.
Commemorative Speech
Later that day, True Parents arrived with several Christian clergy and True Family members. We sang together Grace of the Holy Garden.
Rev. Jenkins offered the Opening Prayer, on behalf of seven enemy nations and on the foundation of the creation of the Peace Kingdom and creation of the Abel United Nations.
True Parents lit the candles on the celebration cake, as the congregation sang "Happy True Parents Day to you."
The time "when the individual must go" is over; we need the K of God, a nation bigger than what anyone can conceive. "The Path for America and Humanity in the Last Days," Father's text from year 2000 speaking tour, is Father's base text for today's speech. Did I live in America because I wanted to, or because I had to?
We have proclaimed the revolution of conscience. Through the providence in the Middle East. last Dec 22 we restored the position of Jesus in Israel. This brought in the age of liberation for all humankind. Now the K of Heaven has been realized. I received so much persecution of 30 years, but I could stay here because of God's presence.
Rev. Kwak's speech was very good, and for me to elaborate upon it would take a long time. My longest speech was 14 hours, or even more.
We need a people or nation willing to sacrifice for a higher purpose, to help the world. I came to America and made my utmost effort to revive the country by educating the youth to revive morality. What have I been teaching them? To live for others: the individual for the family, family for the society, society for the people, people for the nation, nation for the world, and world for God, and then God will come to us and live for us.
In the family, husband and wife live for each other, and parents and children live for each other.
Second, I teach to love your enemy, as God sacrificed His son Jesus for the sake of his enemy, Satan's children. Satan cannot accuse someone who loves his children more than he does his own. This is the secret of the foundation I could lay.
This is also the secret of the expansion of Christianity, by the sacrifice of missionaries. But now that Christian spirit is declining and we hear voices asserting that God is dead or does not exist. How does God feel? For whom has God been sacrificing Himself? Not for the world, but for each of us, you and me. This is why Jesus sacrificed himself. So we should take responsibility for humankind in response.
We should take on God's suffering for the sake of inheriting God's heart. Have you prayed all night for this? The person God sent was killed, after 4,000 years preparation. If we continue like this, there is no hope; everything will be blocked.
Christianity was the bride prepared to receive the Bridegroom. Unificationism is the teaching to restore the true family and filfill the messianic role of the first ancestors. Jesus came with the mission of establishing the true husband and wife, but was rejected. The path of Jesus' suffering on the cross is the same path as that of God, forgiving his enemies. His life did not end at age 33, but continued through Christianity that inherited his spirit.
Look at the path of world civilization. It moved from the tropics to the warm zone (? hard to keep track here) and now is with the 20 degrees north latitude countries of England and America. This is the cool zone civilization of autumn, then comes the brief cold zone civilization of communism, that is continuing through materialism and atheism. America should clean this up, or the UC should do it. If Rev. Moon doesn't do it, we will be in trouble.
Now the true spring civilization will appear, to melt the frozen ice in the heart of God. It cannot be done with power, money or knowledge. The center of civilization is moving toward the Pacific zone civilization, based in America, Japan and Korea, and finally in Korea it will bear fruit.
So, Rev. Moon coming from Korea can be described in no other way than the summation of God's providence. I have inspired constructive activities for peace and prosperity throughout the world, to overcome pollution, hunger and disease. Also I have founded the pure love movement, blessing hundreds of millions of couples around the world. So, shouldn't you do tong ban kyok pah (outreach to your neighborhood and community)?
The splintering of denominations and struggle between religions serve no purpose but to hinder God's providence. Therefore I have spent most of our church budget in efforts to reach out to other religions. I founded the IRFWP, for world peace, and the IIFWP. All people should go beyond racial and religious differences, to bring God's world into reality through faith, hope and love. We must recover the heartistic relationship with God that we lost in the fall.
The True Parents are the final fruits of humankind's hope throughout the world. Ultimately we must liberate God, who has been in the depth of sorrow. Humankind calls for human freedom and liberation, but we must bring God's liberation, and then human liberation wil follow automatically. You are called to do this.
The Pilgrim fathers departed from their families and nation as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. They arrived in New England in late November, and you should do more than they did, or America will perish. They believed in serving the will of God in every aspect of their lives. They offered the first fruits of the harvest to God, and built the church and school first, before their houses. Thus they built the nation. Without a nation, we cannot say we fulfilled our mission.
The British fought for their king, but the Americans fought for God. Even now, the US Congress opens its sessions with prayer. When the President is sworn in, he places his hand on the Bible. Your money is inscribed with "In God We Trust." Hence this is a mainly Protestant country with global influence. It is a unique country. But what about America today? There is no prayer in schools. Evolution teaching is mandated. The divorce rate is sky-high. We need another revolution.
I left my homeland to come to America, leaving my homeland and family. I cried out I was a firefighter, a physician sent by God. I declared that God was departing America. It seems like only yesterday that I stood on Fifth Ave and wept openly. Unfortunately, America has persisted on the path of moral deterioration, as I predicted.
We have to revive a God-centered revolution. I have been in the US 33 years and could not be in comfort even one day. The true master of America is not white, or black, but the one who loves America as God does. If America abandons God, she will perish. I plead with you, because God has chosen America as His elder son nation. Jesus is present in America and is offering fervent prayers for America.
I created the Washington Times and True Family Values Ministry for America. I created a prayer ground near the White House, where still today many people gather all night to pray. This is the time to end the lamentations of creation that lost its masters. It is time for the new earth and new heaven to come, in which all tears are wiped away.
Now the promises of the Old and New Testaments will be filfilled. God's dominion will be fulfilled through his omnipresence and omniscience. Now the time has come when America must awaken once again. [To a second generation--you should grow up quickly.] Korea cannot do this; the people are gathering in America. So America must keep God from leaving, and become a society that upholds Him.
If God leaves America, where can He go? To Korea? Where? America is the hope. If America honors God, all its problems will be solved naturally. When all races can live in harmony here, it will be a model for the Kingdom of God on earth. So Americans should not fight, but repent. Take the lead as the elder son nation, open a new path. Please realize how important you are as Americans.
"YOU SHALL ENCOUNTER"
"A Divine Encounter"
By: Keith Krell Share Send to friendPrinter-friendly version
In a recent survey of a very large congregation in North America, the question was asked, “What do you fear the most?”1 The primary answer from the pew was a bit startling: “intimacy with God.” It’s possible that many Christians might give this same response. Why is this?
Let me pose another question: What would happen if God came to Thurston County? What if He came to your front door? How would you feel? What would you do? What would you not do? When God visits, people’s priorities are quickly laid bare. Lives change…for the better!
In Genesis 18:1-15, Abraham experiences intimacy with God and once again discovers that God is a loving and patient God that reaffirms His covenant. We will learn from Abraham and Sarah’s reactions the proper way to react to God. First…
1. Respond to God’s intimate care (18:1-8). Our passage begins with the following account: “Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre [13:18; 14:13],2 while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three3 men [18:10, 13, 16-17, 33; 19:1] were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, ‘My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by”’ (18:1-3). In chapter 17, the Lord had appeared to Abraham for the first time in thirteen years (17:1).4 Now, just a short time later, God appears again.5 The Lord is encouraging Abraham with His presence and friendship. The text says that the Lord (Yahweh) appeared to Abraham “in the heat of the day.” It was siesta time in the hot East and Abraham was resting at the door of his tent. Abraham did not see his three guests walking from a distance, they just appeared.
Many Bible students don’t believe that Abraham recognized the identity of the three men. Personally, I believe he did recognize the identity of the visitors. Abraham responded by running to meet them and bowing himself to the earth (18:2). Even though the ancient Middle East was known for its hospitality, I’m not sure that the 100-year-old Abraham would have responded with such fervor. The clues intensify. Abraham addresses one of the men as “my lord.” Unfortunately, this translation “my lord” is misleading, since the Hebrew text refers to a title for God (cf. 18:27, 31). The Hebrew reads adonay (“LORD”) not adoni (“lord” or “sir”).6 The ESV, NKJV, and KJV translate this title correctly. Finally, Abraham says, “if now I have found favor in your sight.” In the Scriptures, this is always spoken to one of a higher rank.7 These clues all point to the fact that Abraham recognized the Lord (cf. 12:7, 17:1).
We can assume that this was God, in the person of Jesus Christ, appearing to Abraham before He took on flesh and was born at Bethlehem. The Bible teaches that no man has ever seen God the Father (John 1:18; 1 Tim 6:16). Therefore, if God appeared to someone in human form in the Old Testament, it makes sense that it was the second person of the Trinity, the God-man that we know as Jesus Christ.
Abraham responds with one of the greatest lines in Scripture: “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by” (18:3). He was eager to encounter and experience God. He wanted God to remain with him so he said, “Please do not pass your servant by.” This is precisely how the church should respond when Jesus knocks to be invited in for fellowship (Matt 25:31-46; John 6:53-58; Rev 3:20; 19:7).8 We ought to be receptive and responsive to His visitation. God is sovereign. He does visit His people. He fulfills His plan and program. The only question is: Will He pass us by or will He come down and visit us? Typically, God only stays where He is wanted. He is not like a visiting in-law that forces his way into our home and then wears out his welcome. He wants to visit those that seek Him and desire Him. Today, can you honestly say that you long for God’s appearing?
In 18:4-8, Abraham responds to the Lord with great zeal. He says, “‘Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.’ And they said, ‘So do, as you have said.’ So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.’ Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. He took curds [yogurt] and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.” Abraham jumps to provide service and care for his guests. He prepares a basin for them to wash their feet and he promises them that he will bring “a piece of bread” (18:5). The Hebrew word translated “bread” (lehem) can refer either to bread specifically or to food in general. Based on Abraham’s directions to Sarah in 18:6, bread was certainly involved, but 18:7 indicates that Abraham had a more elaborate meal in mind.9
As this section unfolds, there is a striking emphasis on worship. [These principles are also relevant to hospitality.] Abraham demonstrates worship in three ways: (1) speed, (2) selection, and (3) service. First, we will look at speed. When Abraham saw the men, “he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth” (18:2). The text goes on to say that Abraham “hurried” into the tent to delegate the orders to Sarah (18:6). I love this verse because it is so realistic. Abraham is a lot like most husbands. He makes commitments without talking to his wife. Men, are you guilty of this? At one time or another, I think every one of us has been. In effect, Abraham says, “Come on in, I’ll wash your feet. I’ll feed you a meal. Rest with us. I will take care of you.” But he has nothing prepared for these unexpected guests. So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.” “Don’t ask me any questions, Sarah,” he might have said. “Don’t give me the old lecture that I always over commit myself. Let’s not have a family discussion. I’m in a bind. Bail me out!” Like a wonderful, loving wife, she does just that.10 In the very next verse, Abraham “ran” to his servant to have the best meal possible prepared (18:7). Good old Abraham definitely got his fair share of exercise when company came into town. The man took worship and hospitality seriously.
Not only was Abraham a man of speed but also he was a man of selection. Abraham prepared the best available food for his guests (18:6-8). He didn’t hold back his first fruits for his family; rather he gave of his wealth to others. He was a man of great generosity. The feast that Abraham had prepared could have fed a small army.11 The ingredients for the bread cakes, “three measures of fine flour,” are equivalent to about thirty quarts of flour, which would make a lot of bread.12 Depending on the breed of cow, the calf butchered for the meal could produce up to 100 pounds or more of tender veal.13 I call this “Abe’s All You Can Eat Steakhouse.”
Lastly, Abraham was willing to provide service. We know Abraham had 318 men in his household who were his servants (14:14), but here he himself becomes personally involved. He does not “pass the buck,”—he hastens to do this himself. Abraham sought the rest and refreshment of his company (18:4-5). He was after their best interests. So much so that Abraham was willing to make himself available to these men as a waiter/busser (“and he was standing by them14 under the tree as they ate,” 18:8).
Throughout their encounter, the Lord treated Abraham as His friend. He shared an intimate occasion with him—a common meal. This was a unique privilege for Abraham. It was the only case before the incarnation in which Jesus ate food set before Him. There were certainly many other occasions on which the Lord appeared to people and they offered Him food. However, on all those occasions He turned the food into a sacrifice. But with Abraham, He enjoyed a special relationship. He sat down at the table and ate with him.15 God reveals Himself to those who desire Him.
[We are encouraged to respond to God’s intimate care. Additionally, we are encouraged to…]
2. Rely on God’s infinite resources (18:9-15). In the next seven verses, the narrative pans in on Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Moses records: “Then they [the guests] said to him [Abraham], ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’16 And he [Abraham] said, ‘There, in the tent.’ He [the LORD] said, ‘I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son’” (18:9-10a). Again the narrative confirms that Abraham’s guests were not ordinary men. They had used the new, divinely given name of his wife (17:15). Furthermore, the Lord affirmed His promise that Sarah would have a child the following year (cf. 17:21). He even promised that He would show up for the birth.
In 18:10b, we learn that “Sarah was listening at the tent door,” behind Abraham. It was customary in Abraham’s day, as in some cultures today, for women to be neither seen nor heard while male guests were entertained. Sarah thus prepared the bread out of the sight of the men (cf. 18:6), and now she remains inside the tent as they ate. While she carefully kept out of sight, her curiosity got the best of her. She may have peeped through the folds of the tent. At the least, she had her ear to the door, anxious to hear the conversation outside. I doubt that any of us could have avoided such temptation either.17
In 18:11-12, the narrator gives us the inside scoop: “Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’”18 Sarah had been infertile her entire life (cf. 11:30). She was now 90 years old and has been through menopause. So she was doubly dead in respect to childbearing.19 The promise that she would be a mother next year was absurd.20 In human terms it was impossible. So “Sarah laughed to herself.” Here, laughter was not the result of stubborn resistance to God’s will, but of hopelessness and years of disappointment.21
Many of you have read the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schultz. For many years there has been a recurring story line in which Lucy holds a football for Charlie Brown to kick. Each time she pulls it away at the last second, causing him to fall on his backside. One year Lucy solemnly promised Charlie Brown that this time she wouldn’t pull the ball away. Thus encouraged he took a long run at the ball only to have her pull it way at the last second. As he lay on his back with a dazed look on his face, Lucy peered down at him and said, “Charlie Brown, your faith in human nature is an inspiration to all young people.” Sarah became cynical. She won’t try to kick that football again! God has pulled it away one too many times.22
Ladies, before we move on, I’d like you to notice something very important. Even in her unbelief, Sarah calls Abraham “my lord” exhibiting respect for her husband (1 Pet 3:6). Is this your response? Not that you need to call your husband “lord,” but do you respect him? This is a challenging example for every wife to respect her husband (Eph 5:22-24). Sarah, however, needs to see beyond her lord (Abraham) and see her Lord.23 Wives, this word is also applicable to you.
In 18:13-14, the Lord turned and said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ Is anything too difficult24 for the LORD?25 At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” I find it interesting that God confronts Abraham for Sarah’s lack of faith. Had Abraham deliberately kept God’s promise from her? Was his faith so weak that he could not convince his wife? Somehow he must give account for his wife’s response. Abraham was the head of the home and was responsible for the spiritual instruction in the home. Sarah’s response of disbelief had mirrored Abraham’s (17:17). Sarah saw unbelief in Abraham and she responded in kind.
Husbands, are you modeling a life of faith to your wife? Fathers, what are you modeling for your family? When you’re under pressure? Tired? In crisis? Discouraged? Do those that know you best and love you most see you as an exemplary man of faith?
Although the announcement of the birth of a son is made to Abraham, the focus of the narrative is clearly on Sarah’s response. Sarah receives the same promise of a son. It must sound like a broken record. It’s not nice to laugh at God! Laugh at me?26 I’ll find another couple that will take me seriously. Even when we doubt His Word and laugh at His promises, God remains faithful (2 Tim 2:13). We might think God would say, “I gave you this promise twice and twice you laughed at it. That’s it! No more promise. I’ll take it to someone who will appreciate it.” Instead, God responded by dealing with her sin of unbelief, but not by taking away the promise. Instead, He reaffirms His promises to Abraham and Sarah. This is interesting. The underlying issue is the physical impossibility of the fulfillment of the promise through Sarah. Once the physical impossibility of Sarah’s giving birth was clearly established, the Lord repeated His promise to Abraham.
God is sovereign over history. God prepares people by waiting. We want everything to change but we won’t change. God waits so long because He’s in it for His glory. Here is the bedrock issue. The only reason for such unbelief is a failure to comprehend the extent of God’s ability to work in and through us. While it may not be reasonable to believe in resurrection, faith transcends reason.27
The Lord had already told Abraham that Sarah would have son “at this time next year” (17:15-21). What, then, was the purpose of returning to repeat the announcement? We need to hear God’s promises over and over again in order to strengthen and develop our faith. This is why we must assemble together for the teaching of God’s Word. We desperately need instruction, whether we realize it or not.
The fact that the Lord knew Sarah had laughed and knew her thoughts demonstrated His supernatural knowledge to Abraham and Sarah (Ps 139:1-2, 4; Heb 4:13; 1 John 3:20). The Lord’s rhetorical question, one of the great statements of Scripture, reminded the elderly couple of His supernatural power and further fortified their faith (cf. Jer 32:17, 27; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37).
The words of our Lord speak as loudly to Christians today as they did to Abraham, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (18:14a). What problems are you facing in life? Addictions? God can deliver you! Discouragement over an unbelieving spouse? God is faithful! A wayward child? Nothing is too hard for Him! Despair over debt or marital problems? Nothing is impossible for God. Do you see the importance of this passage for your everyday living? It applies to those with families and those without them. It applies to anyone who feels they are in an impossible situation.
* Those facing infertility…is your problem too hard for the Lord?
* Those facing an overwhelming illness…God is able to meet your needs.
* Those who look at their rebellious children and feel they are “hopeless”…The problem may seem beyond you…it is not too hard for the Lord.
* Those who face old wounds that seem impossible to overcome…is this beyond God’s power to mend?
* Those raised in dysfunctional homes…God can unravel the mess and heal the pain.
* Those who look at the costs of a college education and say, “It is impossible.” Do you really think it is impossible for the God of the Universe?
* Those who feel that their marriage is hopelessly over…the God who made you one can renew the love.
The list could go on. I suspect I’ve given enough examples to help you see your own need in the light of these words. The simple laughter of Abraham and Sarah reminds us that we often laugh when we should trust. We often throw our hands up in the air when we should be putting them together in prayer. We are too prone to focus on our lack of strength instead of His sufficient strength.
A question arises as to why the Lord is angry with Sarah’s laughter at hearing that she would give birth to a son the following year; but the Lord does not appear to be angry with Abraham who earlier (17:17) also laughed at hearing that he and Sarah would have a child. It is clear that both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the news that they would have a son so late in life. The question, then, is this: Why was Sarah the only one who was rebuked? The fact that Abraham immediately posed the issue of Ishmael and how he would fit into the promised seed if another son were born shows that he too spoke out of unbelief, just as much as did Sarah. The issue was not just Ishmael’s person, but his posterity as well. The promise of another son, Abraham feared, would destroy all hope that he had placed in the one already given. So Abraham was equally guilty of unbelief. So why the rebuke on Sarah?
It is true that Sarah only laughed to herself but so did Abraham. Nevertheless, the Lord saw what transpired in her inner being and openly spoke of His displeasure of the same. And since the principle from which both of their inward laughing sprang was the same (that is, unbelief, and not that one was a laugh of admiration and joy whereas the other was a laugh of disbelief and distrust), the unbelief of both of them was the main basis for the rebuke.
Does this mean that Abraham’s unbelief was without blame, but Sarah’s was? No, for the condemnation of one was equally a condemnation of the other. The text focuses on Sarah’s unbelief because she went on to deny it (thereby making the issue memorable and newsworthy) and because, when the whole matter was ended, it also became the basis for the naming of Isaac, which is associated with the word “he laughs” or “laughter” (21:3, 6).28
Our passage closes with these words: “Sarah denied it however, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. And He [the Lord] said, ‘No, but you did laugh’” (18:15). Poor Sarah. When confronted about her laughter, she denies it. I would too. It’s not nice to laugh at God!29 The Bible does not gloss over the sins of its heroes and heroines of faith (cf. 12:13).30 This is yet another indication that the Bible is God’s Word. What other book would expose the failures of its heroes?
If this were the entire story, we would be tempted to say that this woman is no example to follow. But over in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, we get the rest of the story. There, in that wonderful eleventh chapter, the hall of fame of the heroes of faith, Sarah’s name appears: “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised (Heb 11:11). Now we begin to see what must have happened. After the guests left, Sarah was still thinking about what she had heard, and the words of the Lord came home to her heart in peculiar power, especially the question God had asked, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (18:14) As Sarah thought about it, she had to face that question. Is there? Is anything too hard for the Lord? As Sarah began to think of the One who had said these words, she looked beyond the contrary facts of her own life and beyond the contrary feelings of her own heart and said, “Of course not. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord. If He has promised, then it shall be done.” Through faith she received power to conceive when she was past age because she counted Him faithful who had promised.
By: Keith Krell Share Send to friendPrinter-friendly version
In a recent survey of a very large congregation in North America, the question was asked, “What do you fear the most?”1 The primary answer from the pew was a bit startling: “intimacy with God.” It’s possible that many Christians might give this same response. Why is this?
Let me pose another question: What would happen if God came to Thurston County? What if He came to your front door? How would you feel? What would you do? What would you not do? When God visits, people’s priorities are quickly laid bare. Lives change…for the better!
In Genesis 18:1-15, Abraham experiences intimacy with God and once again discovers that God is a loving and patient God that reaffirms His covenant. We will learn from Abraham and Sarah’s reactions the proper way to react to God. First…
1. Respond to God’s intimate care (18:1-8). Our passage begins with the following account: “Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre [13:18; 14:13],2 while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three3 men [18:10, 13, 16-17, 33; 19:1] were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, ‘My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by”’ (18:1-3). In chapter 17, the Lord had appeared to Abraham for the first time in thirteen years (17:1).4 Now, just a short time later, God appears again.5 The Lord is encouraging Abraham with His presence and friendship. The text says that the Lord (Yahweh) appeared to Abraham “in the heat of the day.” It was siesta time in the hot East and Abraham was resting at the door of his tent. Abraham did not see his three guests walking from a distance, they just appeared.
Many Bible students don’t believe that Abraham recognized the identity of the three men. Personally, I believe he did recognize the identity of the visitors. Abraham responded by running to meet them and bowing himself to the earth (18:2). Even though the ancient Middle East was known for its hospitality, I’m not sure that the 100-year-old Abraham would have responded with such fervor. The clues intensify. Abraham addresses one of the men as “my lord.” Unfortunately, this translation “my lord” is misleading, since the Hebrew text refers to a title for God (cf. 18:27, 31). The Hebrew reads adonay (“LORD”) not adoni (“lord” or “sir”).6 The ESV, NKJV, and KJV translate this title correctly. Finally, Abraham says, “if now I have found favor in your sight.” In the Scriptures, this is always spoken to one of a higher rank.7 These clues all point to the fact that Abraham recognized the Lord (cf. 12:7, 17:1).
We can assume that this was God, in the person of Jesus Christ, appearing to Abraham before He took on flesh and was born at Bethlehem. The Bible teaches that no man has ever seen God the Father (John 1:18; 1 Tim 6:16). Therefore, if God appeared to someone in human form in the Old Testament, it makes sense that it was the second person of the Trinity, the God-man that we know as Jesus Christ.
Abraham responds with one of the greatest lines in Scripture: “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by” (18:3). He was eager to encounter and experience God. He wanted God to remain with him so he said, “Please do not pass your servant by.” This is precisely how the church should respond when Jesus knocks to be invited in for fellowship (Matt 25:31-46; John 6:53-58; Rev 3:20; 19:7).8 We ought to be receptive and responsive to His visitation. God is sovereign. He does visit His people. He fulfills His plan and program. The only question is: Will He pass us by or will He come down and visit us? Typically, God only stays where He is wanted. He is not like a visiting in-law that forces his way into our home and then wears out his welcome. He wants to visit those that seek Him and desire Him. Today, can you honestly say that you long for God’s appearing?
In 18:4-8, Abraham responds to the Lord with great zeal. He says, “‘Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.’ And they said, ‘So do, as you have said.’ So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.’ Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. He took curds [yogurt] and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.” Abraham jumps to provide service and care for his guests. He prepares a basin for them to wash their feet and he promises them that he will bring “a piece of bread” (18:5). The Hebrew word translated “bread” (lehem) can refer either to bread specifically or to food in general. Based on Abraham’s directions to Sarah in 18:6, bread was certainly involved, but 18:7 indicates that Abraham had a more elaborate meal in mind.9
As this section unfolds, there is a striking emphasis on worship. [These principles are also relevant to hospitality.] Abraham demonstrates worship in three ways: (1) speed, (2) selection, and (3) service. First, we will look at speed. When Abraham saw the men, “he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth” (18:2). The text goes on to say that Abraham “hurried” into the tent to delegate the orders to Sarah (18:6). I love this verse because it is so realistic. Abraham is a lot like most husbands. He makes commitments without talking to his wife. Men, are you guilty of this? At one time or another, I think every one of us has been. In effect, Abraham says, “Come on in, I’ll wash your feet. I’ll feed you a meal. Rest with us. I will take care of you.” But he has nothing prepared for these unexpected guests. So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.” “Don’t ask me any questions, Sarah,” he might have said. “Don’t give me the old lecture that I always over commit myself. Let’s not have a family discussion. I’m in a bind. Bail me out!” Like a wonderful, loving wife, she does just that.10 In the very next verse, Abraham “ran” to his servant to have the best meal possible prepared (18:7). Good old Abraham definitely got his fair share of exercise when company came into town. The man took worship and hospitality seriously.
Not only was Abraham a man of speed but also he was a man of selection. Abraham prepared the best available food for his guests (18:6-8). He didn’t hold back his first fruits for his family; rather he gave of his wealth to others. He was a man of great generosity. The feast that Abraham had prepared could have fed a small army.11 The ingredients for the bread cakes, “three measures of fine flour,” are equivalent to about thirty quarts of flour, which would make a lot of bread.12 Depending on the breed of cow, the calf butchered for the meal could produce up to 100 pounds or more of tender veal.13 I call this “Abe’s All You Can Eat Steakhouse.”
Lastly, Abraham was willing to provide service. We know Abraham had 318 men in his household who were his servants (14:14), but here he himself becomes personally involved. He does not “pass the buck,”—he hastens to do this himself. Abraham sought the rest and refreshment of his company (18:4-5). He was after their best interests. So much so that Abraham was willing to make himself available to these men as a waiter/busser (“and he was standing by them14 under the tree as they ate,” 18:8).
Throughout their encounter, the Lord treated Abraham as His friend. He shared an intimate occasion with him—a common meal. This was a unique privilege for Abraham. It was the only case before the incarnation in which Jesus ate food set before Him. There were certainly many other occasions on which the Lord appeared to people and they offered Him food. However, on all those occasions He turned the food into a sacrifice. But with Abraham, He enjoyed a special relationship. He sat down at the table and ate with him.15 God reveals Himself to those who desire Him.
[We are encouraged to respond to God’s intimate care. Additionally, we are encouraged to…]
2. Rely on God’s infinite resources (18:9-15). In the next seven verses, the narrative pans in on Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Moses records: “Then they [the guests] said to him [Abraham], ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’16 And he [Abraham] said, ‘There, in the tent.’ He [the LORD] said, ‘I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son’” (18:9-10a). Again the narrative confirms that Abraham’s guests were not ordinary men. They had used the new, divinely given name of his wife (17:15). Furthermore, the Lord affirmed His promise that Sarah would have a child the following year (cf. 17:21). He even promised that He would show up for the birth.
In 18:10b, we learn that “Sarah was listening at the tent door,” behind Abraham. It was customary in Abraham’s day, as in some cultures today, for women to be neither seen nor heard while male guests were entertained. Sarah thus prepared the bread out of the sight of the men (cf. 18:6), and now she remains inside the tent as they ate. While she carefully kept out of sight, her curiosity got the best of her. She may have peeped through the folds of the tent. At the least, she had her ear to the door, anxious to hear the conversation outside. I doubt that any of us could have avoided such temptation either.17
In 18:11-12, the narrator gives us the inside scoop: “Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’”18 Sarah had been infertile her entire life (cf. 11:30). She was now 90 years old and has been through menopause. So she was doubly dead in respect to childbearing.19 The promise that she would be a mother next year was absurd.20 In human terms it was impossible. So “Sarah laughed to herself.” Here, laughter was not the result of stubborn resistance to God’s will, but of hopelessness and years of disappointment.21
Many of you have read the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schultz. For many years there has been a recurring story line in which Lucy holds a football for Charlie Brown to kick. Each time she pulls it away at the last second, causing him to fall on his backside. One year Lucy solemnly promised Charlie Brown that this time she wouldn’t pull the ball away. Thus encouraged he took a long run at the ball only to have her pull it way at the last second. As he lay on his back with a dazed look on his face, Lucy peered down at him and said, “Charlie Brown, your faith in human nature is an inspiration to all young people.” Sarah became cynical. She won’t try to kick that football again! God has pulled it away one too many times.22
Ladies, before we move on, I’d like you to notice something very important. Even in her unbelief, Sarah calls Abraham “my lord” exhibiting respect for her husband (1 Pet 3:6). Is this your response? Not that you need to call your husband “lord,” but do you respect him? This is a challenging example for every wife to respect her husband (Eph 5:22-24). Sarah, however, needs to see beyond her lord (Abraham) and see her Lord.23 Wives, this word is also applicable to you.
In 18:13-14, the Lord turned and said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ Is anything too difficult24 for the LORD?25 At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” I find it interesting that God confronts Abraham for Sarah’s lack of faith. Had Abraham deliberately kept God’s promise from her? Was his faith so weak that he could not convince his wife? Somehow he must give account for his wife’s response. Abraham was the head of the home and was responsible for the spiritual instruction in the home. Sarah’s response of disbelief had mirrored Abraham’s (17:17). Sarah saw unbelief in Abraham and she responded in kind.
Husbands, are you modeling a life of faith to your wife? Fathers, what are you modeling for your family? When you’re under pressure? Tired? In crisis? Discouraged? Do those that know you best and love you most see you as an exemplary man of faith?
Although the announcement of the birth of a son is made to Abraham, the focus of the narrative is clearly on Sarah’s response. Sarah receives the same promise of a son. It must sound like a broken record. It’s not nice to laugh at God! Laugh at me?26 I’ll find another couple that will take me seriously. Even when we doubt His Word and laugh at His promises, God remains faithful (2 Tim 2:13). We might think God would say, “I gave you this promise twice and twice you laughed at it. That’s it! No more promise. I’ll take it to someone who will appreciate it.” Instead, God responded by dealing with her sin of unbelief, but not by taking away the promise. Instead, He reaffirms His promises to Abraham and Sarah. This is interesting. The underlying issue is the physical impossibility of the fulfillment of the promise through Sarah. Once the physical impossibility of Sarah’s giving birth was clearly established, the Lord repeated His promise to Abraham.
God is sovereign over history. God prepares people by waiting. We want everything to change but we won’t change. God waits so long because He’s in it for His glory. Here is the bedrock issue. The only reason for such unbelief is a failure to comprehend the extent of God’s ability to work in and through us. While it may not be reasonable to believe in resurrection, faith transcends reason.27
The Lord had already told Abraham that Sarah would have son “at this time next year” (17:15-21). What, then, was the purpose of returning to repeat the announcement? We need to hear God’s promises over and over again in order to strengthen and develop our faith. This is why we must assemble together for the teaching of God’s Word. We desperately need instruction, whether we realize it or not.
The fact that the Lord knew Sarah had laughed and knew her thoughts demonstrated His supernatural knowledge to Abraham and Sarah (Ps 139:1-2, 4; Heb 4:13; 1 John 3:20). The Lord’s rhetorical question, one of the great statements of Scripture, reminded the elderly couple of His supernatural power and further fortified their faith (cf. Jer 32:17, 27; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37).
The words of our Lord speak as loudly to Christians today as they did to Abraham, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (18:14a). What problems are you facing in life? Addictions? God can deliver you! Discouragement over an unbelieving spouse? God is faithful! A wayward child? Nothing is too hard for Him! Despair over debt or marital problems? Nothing is impossible for God. Do you see the importance of this passage for your everyday living? It applies to those with families and those without them. It applies to anyone who feels they are in an impossible situation.
* Those facing infertility…is your problem too hard for the Lord?
* Those facing an overwhelming illness…God is able to meet your needs.
* Those who look at their rebellious children and feel they are “hopeless”…The problem may seem beyond you…it is not too hard for the Lord.
* Those who face old wounds that seem impossible to overcome…is this beyond God’s power to mend?
* Those raised in dysfunctional homes…God can unravel the mess and heal the pain.
* Those who look at the costs of a college education and say, “It is impossible.” Do you really think it is impossible for the God of the Universe?
* Those who feel that their marriage is hopelessly over…the God who made you one can renew the love.
The list could go on. I suspect I’ve given enough examples to help you see your own need in the light of these words. The simple laughter of Abraham and Sarah reminds us that we often laugh when we should trust. We often throw our hands up in the air when we should be putting them together in prayer. We are too prone to focus on our lack of strength instead of His sufficient strength.
A question arises as to why the Lord is angry with Sarah’s laughter at hearing that she would give birth to a son the following year; but the Lord does not appear to be angry with Abraham who earlier (17:17) also laughed at hearing that he and Sarah would have a child. It is clear that both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the news that they would have a son so late in life. The question, then, is this: Why was Sarah the only one who was rebuked? The fact that Abraham immediately posed the issue of Ishmael and how he would fit into the promised seed if another son were born shows that he too spoke out of unbelief, just as much as did Sarah. The issue was not just Ishmael’s person, but his posterity as well. The promise of another son, Abraham feared, would destroy all hope that he had placed in the one already given. So Abraham was equally guilty of unbelief. So why the rebuke on Sarah?
It is true that Sarah only laughed to herself but so did Abraham. Nevertheless, the Lord saw what transpired in her inner being and openly spoke of His displeasure of the same. And since the principle from which both of their inward laughing sprang was the same (that is, unbelief, and not that one was a laugh of admiration and joy whereas the other was a laugh of disbelief and distrust), the unbelief of both of them was the main basis for the rebuke.
Does this mean that Abraham’s unbelief was without blame, but Sarah’s was? No, for the condemnation of one was equally a condemnation of the other. The text focuses on Sarah’s unbelief because she went on to deny it (thereby making the issue memorable and newsworthy) and because, when the whole matter was ended, it also became the basis for the naming of Isaac, which is associated with the word “he laughs” or “laughter” (21:3, 6).28
Our passage closes with these words: “Sarah denied it however, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. And He [the Lord] said, ‘No, but you did laugh’” (18:15). Poor Sarah. When confronted about her laughter, she denies it. I would too. It’s not nice to laugh at God!29 The Bible does not gloss over the sins of its heroes and heroines of faith (cf. 12:13).30 This is yet another indication that the Bible is God’s Word. What other book would expose the failures of its heroes?
If this were the entire story, we would be tempted to say that this woman is no example to follow. But over in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, we get the rest of the story. There, in that wonderful eleventh chapter, the hall of fame of the heroes of faith, Sarah’s name appears: “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised (Heb 11:11). Now we begin to see what must have happened. After the guests left, Sarah was still thinking about what she had heard, and the words of the Lord came home to her heart in peculiar power, especially the question God had asked, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (18:14) As Sarah thought about it, she had to face that question. Is there? Is anything too hard for the Lord? As Sarah began to think of the One who had said these words, she looked beyond the contrary facts of her own life and beyond the contrary feelings of her own heart and said, “Of course not. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord. If He has promised, then it shall be done.” Through faith she received power to conceive when she was past age because she counted Him faithful who had promised.
Who is this jesus?
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus is provided as God's perfect sacrifice to achieve perfect justice. One sacrifice, for all sin, for all time. (John 1:29, Hebrews 10:10)
Through faith in Jesus, our sin is forgotten by God, and we receive his righteousness. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:22) We can approach the throne of God and address him as our father. (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2) Jesus made this possible. (John 14:6)
I'm basically a good person. Do I still need Jesus?
Sin means "missing the mark", to fall short of doing what is right. Sin can be intentional or unintentional. Consider the wrongs done to you, and the wrongs you have done to others, as sin. Even with the best intentions, we have missed the mark.(Romans 3:23)(Romans 6:23)
God's Gift Of Life is offered to everyone.
Our relationship with God is restored through the sacrifice of his son. When we acknowledge that Jesus died for our sins, and was raised from the dead, we become the children of God. (Galatians 3:26)(Romans 10:9)
Our good works do not make God love us more, and our sin does not make God love us less. God has shown his love, in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) If God did not withhold his son, while we were sinners, what would he keep from us as his children?
Don't get stressed, and feel unworthy when you mess up. We're all unworthy, and God loves us anyway. (Romans 3:23)(I Timothy 1:15)
Our lives should produce good works as the evidence of changed lives, but our works do not justify our place before God. (Ephesians 2:8)(John 15:4)(Matthew 5:16) It's all about Jesus.
God does not hate sinners. His heart is for people. His desire is that we repent, turn to him, and receive his gift of life. (Luke 5:32)(Romans 5:8)(Luke 15:10)
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer:
(Prayer is talking to God)
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.
Jesus is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus is provided as God's perfect sacrifice to achieve perfect justice. One sacrifice, for all sin, for all time. (John 1:29, Hebrews 10:10)
Through faith in Jesus, our sin is forgotten by God, and we receive his righteousness. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:22) We can approach the throne of God and address him as our father. (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2) Jesus made this possible. (John 14:6)
I'm basically a good person. Do I still need Jesus?
Sin means "missing the mark", to fall short of doing what is right. Sin can be intentional or unintentional. Consider the wrongs done to you, and the wrongs you have done to others, as sin. Even with the best intentions, we have missed the mark.(Romans 3:23)(Romans 6:23)
God's Gift Of Life is offered to everyone.
Our relationship with God is restored through the sacrifice of his son. When we acknowledge that Jesus died for our sins, and was raised from the dead, we become the children of God. (Galatians 3:26)(Romans 10:9)
Our good works do not make God love us more, and our sin does not make God love us less. God has shown his love, in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) If God did not withhold his son, while we were sinners, what would he keep from us as his children?
Don't get stressed, and feel unworthy when you mess up. We're all unworthy, and God loves us anyway. (Romans 3:23)(I Timothy 1:15)
Our lives should produce good works as the evidence of changed lives, but our works do not justify our place before God. (Ephesians 2:8)(John 15:4)(Matthew 5:16) It's all about Jesus.
God does not hate sinners. His heart is for people. His desire is that we repent, turn to him, and receive his gift of life. (Luke 5:32)(Romans 5:8)(Luke 15:10)
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer:
(Prayer is talking to God)
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
God is in control in the affairs of Nigeria
Goodmorning dear Reader,
I would like to comment on the decision of our Acting President Dr Goodluck Jonathan by taking the post of Minister of Power by himself, dear reader this shows that God has interest in his Goverment and the spirit of God is working with him.
You know why, because it takes only people that have the fear of God to take such position simply because the manufacturers of plants, I mean generator would not happy with the decision of our Acting President hadbeen the position is for someone else, they would have found their ways in bribering such person.
Because one way or other ,they're gaining from the darkness of the nation but the decision of the Acting President has curbed them in doing that, but one thing i know by the power of Almightly God whom we serve in this country, power will definately change hands.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
I would like to comment on the decision of our Acting President Dr Goodluck Jonathan by taking the post of Minister of Power by himself, dear reader this shows that God has interest in his Goverment and the spirit of God is working with him.
You know why, because it takes only people that have the fear of God to take such position simply because the manufacturers of plants, I mean generator would not happy with the decision of our Acting President hadbeen the position is for someone else, they would have found their ways in bribering such person.
Because one way or other ,they're gaining from the darkness of the nation but the decision of the Acting President has curbed them in doing that, but one thing i know by the power of Almightly God whom we serve in this country, power will definately change hands.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
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