1 : catchword, slogan
2 : a widely held belief or truism
3 : a custom or usage regarded as distinctive of a particular group

M-W’s background on the word:

The Bible’s Book of Judges (12:4-6) tells the story of the Ephraimites, who, after they were routed by the Gileadite army, tried to retreat by sneaking across a ford of the Jordan River that was held by their enemy. The Gileadites, wary of the ploy, asked every soldier who tried to cross if he was an Ephraimite. When the soldier said “no,” he was asked to say “shibboleth”(which means “stream” in Hebrew). Gileadites pronounced the word “shibboleth,” but Ephramites said “sibboleth.” Anyone who left out the initial “sh” was killed on the spot. When English speakers first borrowed “shibboleth,” they used it to mean “test phrase,” but it has acquired additional meanings since that time.

What M-W does not note is that the word “sibboleth” (the mispronounced version the Ephraimites used) means “ear” as in an ear of grain.  This word “sibboleth” is only used once in the whole Bible… in the Judges 12 passage.

In the “Left Behind” series believers would often use a test phrase… a shibboleth.  They would say “He is risen.” and the response phrase was expected to be “He is risen, indeed.”  If someone did not respond appropriately they would know that person was not a believer.

Shibboleth and sibboleth (streams and ears) bring to mind another passage of Scripture in Revelation 22:

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (Revelation 22:1-2)

This passage begs the question: why do the nations need to be healed?

Won’t everyone who is left be saved?  Didn’t we see those whose name is not written in the book of life throw into the fire in Revelation 20:15?

More to come on this as a study of end times is in the works…

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Oh, yeah… copacetic!  \koh-puh-SET-ik\

That means “very satisfactory”, dude.  Sweeeet.

OK, yes, the word is often associated with “dudes” from the valley because of its prevalent use during various movies of the 80’s and early 90’s but its use in America goes back to the 1920’s and the early jazz era.

M-W provides this background on the word:

Theories about the origin of “copacetic” abound. The tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson believed he had coined the word as a boy in Richmond, Virginia. When patrons of his shoeshine stand would ask, “How’s everything this morning?” he would reply, “Oh jes’ copacetic, boss; jes’ copacetic.” But the word was current in Southern Black English perhaps as early as 1880, so it seems unlikely that Robinson (born in 1878) could have invented the term. Another explanation is that the word is from the Hebrew phrase “kol be sedher,” meaning “everything is in order.” Possibly it was coined by Harlem blacks working in Jewish businesses. The word’s popularity among Southern blacks, however, points to its originating in one of the Southern cities in which Jewish communities thrived, such as Atlanta.

Another online resource that I find is highly regarded, World Wide Words, records another possible origin of copacetic as the Hebrew phrase kol b’tzedek which means “all with justice”.

I am reminded of the words of Psalm 19

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.  (Psalm 19:14)

and also Psalm 69

But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.  (Psalm 69:13)

These words of Psalm 69 are part of the traditional opening prayers spoken each morning: the Mah Tovu.

Consider also the exhortations of Paul:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)

And consider the encouragement of Peter:

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  (1 Peter 2:1-5)

May we indeed be seen as copacetic in G-d’s eyes… dude.

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The article, entitled “Go Ahead and Follow Your Heart. God Wants You To“, was on the blog site named PersonalFinanceByTheBook.com.

Upon reading the title a handful of verses immediately came to mind.  Chief among them was this:

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick;Who can understand it?”  (Jeremiah 17:9)

Since this is true, why oh why would G-d want us to follow our hearts?

The author, Joe Plemon, includes this definition of heart in his article:

Pastor Rick Warren defines it thusly, “the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams and affections that you have.”

I believe it is better to examine the words and the original languages of Scripture and allow Scripture to define the words used in it.  In this article regarding The Greatest Commandment, we find that our “heart” is the center of our being and that part of us which makes decisions.  It is that part of us which chooses.

When G-d gave the commandment to wear tzitzit it was because of the sinfulness (i.e. the error in choosing) of our hearts:

“It shall be tzitzit for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.  [emphasis mine] (Numbers 15:39-40)

G-d desires for us to be holy but our eyes and our heart get in the way.

When we follow our hearts we might just be fulfilling the words of Proverbs:

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25)

Consider also this passage about the heart:

For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. (Psalm 95:10) [speaking of the generation that wandered in the wilderness]

Perhaps I should be clearer in my point… we should not follow our heart as is suggested by the personalfinancebythebook.com article.  Instead we should seek after G-d’s heart.

“The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people…”  (1 Samuel 13:14)

The man described here was none other than King David.

The prophet Ezekiel promises that Isra’el will receive a new heart… perhaps one like King David:

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  (Ezekiel 36:26)

Notice that this promise is only to Isra’el.  It is not to the people of Germany, nor the people of Spain, and not even the people of the United States are given this promise.  Only Isra’el.  This is yet another reason why Paul repeatedly tells us that Gentiles (upon their belief in the Messiah Yeshua) become part of Isra’el.  Why?  Because G-d has only made promises to them… not the nations of the world.

Once Isra’el has this new heart, what does G-d do with it?  A special, great, and wonderous thing.  He impresses Himself upon it via His Torah.

I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  (Jeremiah 31:33)

G-d writes His Torah upon the heart of flesh that He has given to Isra’el.  Why?  To conform them to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

That is the goal… to make believers more Christ-like.  Consider again the words of the Psalmist:

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.  (Psalm 24:3-4)

Should we follow our hearts?  No.

We should follow G-d’s heart and seek His ways.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6)

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  (Matthew 6:33)

If we desire to follow after a heart… let it be the heart of our risen Lord and Savior.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.  (1 Timothy 1:17)

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Spafford wrote the hymn after several traumatic events occurred in his life.

The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.[1]

Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.[1]

Ville du Havre means the Village of Havre.  Le Havre was originally named Franciscopolis after King Francis I, who founded the city in 1517. A chapel known as Notre-Dame-de-Grâce  (”Our Lady of Grace”) existed at the site before the city was established, and the denomination lent its name to the port, to be called Le Havre (or Le Hable) de Grâce (”the harbor of grace”). The shortened name Le Havre, as used in modern times, simply translates as “the port” or “the harbor”.[2]

We see in Spafford’s life a great measure of grace that sustained him through his losses.

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

- Horatio Spafford

Although the original manuscript reads “know” at the end of the third line, almost all recordings and written reproductions read “say”.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14)

May you, our readers, find peace in your soul.

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[1] Wikipedia, “It is well with my soul”, taken 7/24/2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul
[2] Wikipedia, “Le Havre”, taken 7/24/2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Havre

The day would turn out to be far from ordinary.

The dealership is located along a main road for business travel where minor traffic accident are common.

This article from MSNBC details the events.

On Thursday one happened right in front of the dealership, a three-car fender bender that didn’t look serious. But when one of the cars pulled into the used-car lot with a woman driving and a little girl inside, things didn’t look right to Josh.
“I saw her pull in, and that’s when I picked up and dialed 911,” Josh, the oldest of the 19 Duggar children, told NBC News. “I knew something was wrong.”
According to 4029TV.com, 6-year-old Maddye Plascensia was in the front seat of a car driven by her grandmother, Glannetta Plascensia of Springdale. The station reported that the girl was eating a chicken nugget and was not wearing a seat belt. She also apparently hit the car’s airbag.
“This girl, just a few moments earlier, was just an ordinary little girl, and just a split second later she’s unconscious and not breathing,” John Duggar told NBC.

John began administering CPR until the Springdale Fire Department arrived and stabilized her.  She was then airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and has fully recovered.

Regarding the incident, CNN quoted Josh as saying

“I don’t believe in coincidences. I think we were in the right place at the right time because God has a plan for Maddye’s life. I’m glad we were there.” 

While this is true, most people do not recognize that G-d has a plan for their life… for every person’s life.

The Plans I Have For You

As some of you read this the verse from Jeremiah may come to mind:

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Many Christians read that verse and find comfort in knowing that G-d is looking out for them.  Taken out of context it might mean just that.  However, if we consider the whole passage we see that G-d is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the exiled nation of Isra’el (Jeremiah 29:4)… not to non-Israelite individuals of today.

No Eye Has Seen No Ear Has Heard

Other believers may think on this passage from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV)

“See!” they say, “We cannot even begin to conceive of the good G-d has planned for us!”

The full context again reveals the meaning of this passage:

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

What those “things” of which the passage speaks?  The context tells us that if the rulers of that age had understood those things then they would not have crucified Yeshua, the Lord of glory.  Those things were the details of Messiah’s incarnation and appearance in their day as Messiah ben Yosef (son of Joseph… the suffering servant).

The text in all caps is a quote from the prophet Isaiah:

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. (Isaiah 64:4)

The “Him” of the passage is clearly Messiah.

All Things Work For the Good

Some may point out this treasured verse:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:29)

However, they neglect to complete the verse or consider the context:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

We should ask the apostle Peter (who was crucified upside down) or the apostle John (who was exiled to the prison island of Patmos) if all things worked together for their good.  It is not our good in this life that the passage is speaking.  It is the ultimate goodness of G-d’s purposes that will be fulfilled.

Little Maddye’s Life

The words Josh Duggar spoke about G-d having a plan for little Maddye’s life are true.  What we should not presume is that her life will be “good”, “easy”, or “blessed” by the measure of this world.  Instead all of our lives should be measured by the standard of G-d’s eternal plan.  May His Name be glorified above all names.

God’s plan for Maddye’s life (and for each of our own lives) should be viewed through the lens of His Word including these passages:

For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  (Romans 9:15)

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8)

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

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the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : prototype; also : a perfect example

This is the etymological information they provided on the word:

“Archetype” derives via Latin from the Greek adjective “archetypos” (”archetypal”), formed from the verb “archein” (”to begin” or “to rule”) and the noun “typos” (”type”). (”Archein” also gave us the prefix “arch-,” meaning “principal” or “extreme” and used to form such words as “archenemy,” “archduke,” and “archconservative.”) “Archetype” has specific uses in the fields of philosophy and psychology. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato, for example, believed that all things have ideal forms (aka archetypes) of which real things are merely shadows or copies. And in the psychology of C. G. Jung, “archetype” refers to an inherited idea or mode of thought that is present in the unconscious of the individual. In everyday prose, however, “archetype” is most commonly used to mean “a perfect example of something.”

To “rule a type”?  How about “to rule the whole universe!?”

Messiah Yeshua uniquely fits that role.

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. – John 1:3

[Messiah is] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. – Ephesians 1:21

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  – Colossians 1:16-17

and in Him [Messiah] you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; – Colossians 2:10

The tabernacle that Moshe made was a type [a picture] of the tabernacle in heaven (Hebrews 8:5).  The tabernacle pictures Messiah.  He is the archetype that was copied to make the earthly tabernacle possible.  John 1:14 tells us that “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us…”.  The Greek word skenoo in that verse means to have one’s tent… to tabernacle or dwell.

The sacrifices that G-d commanded in the Torah are types of the heavenly sacrifices.  They picture Messiah.  He is the archetype that was copied to make those sacrifices have meaning.

Torah observance

For Messianics Messiah Yeshua is also the archetype for Torah observance.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:8

Torah observance is humbling.  To submit your will and do things that, at times you may not want to do, is incredibly humbling.  It is also incredibly rewarding.  It brings forth a measure of discipline that is often lacking in today’s world.  It is glorifying to G-d that we choose to submit our lives to Him.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.- 1 Timothy 1:17

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1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources; also : heterogeneous

M-W provided this background on the word:

“Eclectic” comes from a Greek verb meaning “to select” and was originally applied to ancient philosophers who were not committed to any single system of philosophy; instead, these philosophers selected whichever doctrines pleased them from every school of thought. Later, the word’s use broadened to cover other selective natures. “Hard by, the central slab is thick with books / Diverse, but which the true eclectic mind / Knows how to group, and gather out of each / Their frequent wisdoms….” In this 19th century example from a poem by Arthur Joseph Munby, for example, the word is applied to literature lovers who cull selective works from libraries.

While Messianics generally do not select ideas from multiple systems of philosophy we do often find ourselves selecting ideas from various forms of Judaism and Christianity.

Why is this so?

Often it is because of a lack of discipline.

Developing a form of Torah observance apart from existing ideologies is time consuming and highly challenging.  It requires a measure of discipline to study Scripture repeatedly and thoroughly.  In today’s “let me just look it up on Google” mindset this type of discipline is rare.

It is much easier to simply follow Orthodox Judaism or Karaite Judaism and call it done.  Someone else has done all the work.  Is this the instruction we are given in Scripture?

By no means!

Paul exhorts the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

Relationship or religion?

Christians are often fond of saying that they don’t have a “religion” they have a “relationship”.

First, let’s consider the word “religion”:

religion- a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.  [from dictionary.com]

Do Christians have a set of beliefs concern the cause, nature and purpose of the universe?

Yes.

Do they have a moral code governing their conduct?

Yes.

So Christians do have a religion.

Let’s move on past this particular nit…

As Messianics, we, have a relationship with the Creator of the universe but it is through the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.  It is in the context of that relationship that we work our salvation with fear and trembling.  We should not ask our brothers and sisters what the Father desires for us.  That is for Him to tell us.  What the Father has planned for person “A” may be completely different than His plans for person “B”.  Instead we should, as Paul put it, work our salvation with fear and trembling?

Why?

Because we will be going before the Creator of the universe in prayer and petition to seek His instruction for our lives… not the instruction of the pastor or rabbi down the street.

Yes, we should consider what G-d has revealed to others in terms of Scripture but that does not make them an authority over us nor should we place them in a position that they do not belong.  Namely the position of G-d.

While we can be eclectic in choosing the best examples of how to work our Torah observance we should always seek validation from our heavenly Father that it is His will we should do so.

conforming to the requirements of the law : not forbidden by law : permissible

In their “Did you know?” section they provided this:

“Licit” is far less common than its antonym “illicit,” but you probably won’t be surprised to learn that the former is the older of the two. Not by much, though: the first known use of “licit” in print is from 1483, whereas “illicit” shows up in print for the first time in 1506. For some reason “illicit” took off while “licit” just plodded along. When “licit” appears these days it often modifies “drugs” or “crops.” Meanwhile, “illicit” shows up before words like “thrill” and “passion” (as well as “gambling,” “relationship,” “activities,” and, of course, “drugs” and “crops.”) The Latin word “licitus,” meaning “lawful,” is the root of the pair; “licitus” itself is from “lic?re,” meaning “to be permitted.”

A previously noted M-W Word of the Day, proscribe, refers to those things forbidden by law.  Licit means the exact opposite: something that is not forbidden by law.

One of the first things that comes to mind is this passage of Scripture speaking about the fruit of the Spirit:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:19-25)

The fruit [singular, not plural] of the Spirit is licit.

Apostasy

Paul writes to Timothy and warns of a coming apostasy:

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.  (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

Note what Paul provides as criteria for those things that are licit: the Word of G-d and prayer.  So what does the Word of G-d say about marriage and food?

Marriage
While marriage outside the family of G-d is prohibited (Deuteronomy 7:3, 2 Cor 6:14-15) marriage in general is licit and promoted by Scripture.

Food
G-d forbade several types of animals to be eaten as food (see Leviticus 11) but He did not prohibit the eating of chicken, cows, or several other types of animals… except for animals that die on their own (Deuteronomy 14:21).

So who did forbid marriage and foods?

The Gnostics. 

Their teaching was that an evil god had bound holy and pure spirit beings into wicked bodies of flesh.  Anything the flesh enjoyed was contrary to our spiritual nature and should thus be avoided.  They had a very dualistic view of the world in which the god that created our spirit was good and the god that created our flesh was evil.  Both gods were equal in power and authority.  It was good versus evil, yin versus yang, ”god” versus “the devil”. 

Scripture (on the other hand) tells us that there is only one G-d and that He is creator of all things both spiritual and physical and Who is sovereign over all things.  Satan is a created being with great limitations.  He had to get permission from G-d to test Job.  He sought permission from G-d to sift Peter (Luke 22:31).  He is a finite creature subject to the authority of G-d and is in no way G-d’s equal.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul was writing against these heretical gnostic teachings.

What other things are licit according to Scripture?

Worship of G-d on any day of the week.
G-d made the seventh day (i.e. Saturday) the Sabbath and made it holy (Exodus 20:11) but He did not prohibit worship on any other day of the week.

Prayer and petition to G-d at any time.
G-d defined specific daily sacrifices (Leviticus 6:20) and prayer was associated with them but He did not prohibit prayer at any other time (Ephesians 6:18, 1 Timothy 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

If you can think of others to share, please do!

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

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“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

This amusing and yet disturbing video depicts the common pattern of a non-denominational church service.  It was created by the media group of North Point Community Church as a lampoon of the cookie cutter nature of contemporary Christian services in America (including their own!).  Ironically, North Point is a church that is focused on high quality media productions to draw in seekers… so much so that they have created a separate media entity (North Point Media) to focus exclusively on this aspect of their ministry. 

The amusing part of the video is that they are having a bit of fun at their own expense.  The disturbing part is that, in mocking this Sunday morning pattern, is there a bigger issue not being examined… that they, themselves, don’t see?

If so, perhaps it is this:

The method or pattern by which we express our faith and our relationship with G-d is not the point or purpose of our relationship with G-d.  So many churches today try to make it the point but it isn’t.  Believers often condemn one another and churches split over issues regarding the patterns we choose to express our faith in G-d.

• Do we have chairs or pews?
• Do we have contemporary music or hymns?
• Do we have the Lord’s supper once a week, once a month, or once a year?

All of these things are merely the forms by which some choose to express their faith.  It is not the faith itself.

Another dear brother in the Lord shared some thoughts regarding the focus of a church he used to attend:

My previous church participated in the Rick Warren programs, “40 Days of Purpose”
and “40 Days of Community”.  In the first program, the idea was to get your to look
outside of yourself.  At the time, I was head of our outreach ministry.  We had about
4 tables in our foyer of things our congregation could do to help others (e.g., we had
a food pantry that opened every Saturday and was staffed by volunteers).  My pastor
asked me to take some of them down because they were in the way of the
advertisements for the 40 Days of Purpose!  The irony was amazing, and I pointed it
out to him, but I’m not sure he saw it.

In the 40 Days of Community, the idea was to form small groups or Sunday school
classes to take on some community project.  We also had one project in which the
whole church could participate.  When we arrived the day of the project, there were
only about 6 volunteers and no church leaders (especially none who pushed the 40
Day thing).  Somebody brought some girl scouts with them, and there were actually
more GS than church volunteers!

Keep in mind that in both examples this was something that took over the whole
church, with the intention that everyone be involved.  Yet, the participation was very
low.  The problem is that the 40 Day program puts the cart before the horse.  They
want Christians to do good works, but they want to skip the process of discipleship. 
As I saw first hand, it simply does not work.  In fact, in the 10 years or so that we
moved to the Willow Creek seeker sensitive church model, I saw less desire for people
to become involved in some of the things our church did, like the food pantry. 
When you feed people [spiritual] “junk food”, that’s what you get.

The other result is that Christians who want the meat of the word usually end up
leaving the church.  This happened in our church.  I also read from someone who used
to attend Rick Warren’s church that the much smaller churches near Warren’s church
benefited from the exodus from Warren’s church of more mature believers.

Most of the Sunday school/Bible studies tend to be focused on our flesh.  I find that
very few actually study books of the Bible (both in my previous church and this one). 
What they do study tends to focus on our opinion, or what the video instructor thinks
God is like, typically apart from what Scripture says.  This is not surprising, since the
seeker sensitive model focuses on what appeals to the flesh.  The result is baby
Christians still drinking milk, and usually bad milk at that!

When we focus on these external matters rather than on G-d’s Word what we end up telling those who visit our community/church is that these things are the point… but they aren’t.  It has been noted before but it is worth stating again:

Sitting in church doesn’t make a person a Christian any more than sitting in their garage makes them a car.

If I may offer a light modification of that statement: “Sitting in church [and performing the rituals of that church] doesn’t make a person a believer in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob any more than sitting in their garage makes them a car.”

Dare to be different!

If there is a pattern of living that we are called to embrace as part of our faith in G-d then it will be found in the pages of Scripture not in the pages of a New York Times best seller.

Believers are called to be in the world but not of it. (John 17:11-17)

Walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” – John 14:15

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.  – 1 Timothy 1:17

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1 : outlaw
2 : to condemn or forbid as harmful or unlawful

They provided this information regarding the origins of the word:

“Proscribe” and “prescribe” each have a Latin-derived prefix that means “before” attached to the verb “scribe” (from “scribere,” meaning “to write”). Yet the two words have very distinct, often nearly opposite meanings. Why? In a way, you could say it’s the law. In the 15th and 16th centuries both words had legal implications. To “proscribe” was to publish the name of a person who had been condemned, outlawed, or banished. To “prescribe” meant “to lay down a rule,” including legal rules or orders.

Proscriptions that glorify G-d and benefit us

When we as Messianic believers in Yeshua proclaim to the world that we are “Torah observant” or (perhaps more accurately) “Torah pursuant” then we are living lives that are a testimony to everyone around us regarding what is “lawful” and what is “unlawful” in the eyes of G-d.

This is an awesome responsibility and, as such, G-d defines great consequences for violating that responsibility.  Consider the fact that violation of the G-d’s holy Sabbath day warrants death according to the Law (Exodus 31:14-15).  The person of Isra’el who violates the Sabbath declares to the world that it is lawful to do so in G-d’s eyes.  Such a lie is removed from the community of Isra’el by the death of such a person.

G-d has graciously provided many commandments that proscribe certain behaviors that are contrary to His nature and are harmful and unlawful for us:

• theft
• adultery
• murder

Nobody questions the benefits of following these commandments.  Oh, we might engage in a bit of logomachy regarding the meaning of those words in specific situations but there is general agreement that the commandments forbidding these things were for G-d’s glory and for our benefit.

What about G-d’s proscription of certain types of relationships (in Leviticus 18, 20)?
Aren’t they also given for G-d’s glory and for our benefit?

What about the commandments where G-d proscribes certain types of animals for use as food (see Leviticus 11)?
Aren’t those commandments also given for G-d’s glory and for our benefit in the same measure as the prohibitions against theft, adultery, and murder?

Yes!  They are!

G-d sets the boundaries in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6) and shepherds us as the good shepherd (John 10:11-15).  Will we call “good” what G-d has said is “bad” and will we call “light” what is “dark”  as in Isaiah 5:20? Will we call “lawful” what G-d has declared to be “unlawful”?

May it never be!

The words of men

Another area of concern is the weight to which Messianics give the words of men.

• Some Messianics desire to follow the pattern of Orthodox Judaism in their observance of the commandments.  That is their choice.
• Other Messianics seek to follow the pattern of modern teachers and pundits.  That, too, is their choice.
• Still other Messianics seek only to adhere to G-d’s Word without regard for any teachings outside of Scripture.  That is their choice.

Where each of these groups can go wrong is in declaring their way to be the right and only way.  By proscribing any way other than their own they are taking the words and teachings of men (be it rabbis, teachers, scholars, or themselves) and escalating it to the level of G-d’s Word which proscribes certain behaviors.

For example, Scripture commands us to “remember the sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).  It is to be a sabbath of complete rest on which we should do no work (Exodus 31:15).  Scripture does not give us much in the way of definition for “work”.  For any group to proscribe a certain activity on the Sabbath outside of what is explicitly described in Scripture is to add to what is given in that Scripture.

That is not to say that a community cannot come to some agreement about how they will keep the commandments.  One community says they will not drive on the Sabbath.  Another community says they will drive on the Sabbath to facilitate fellowship.  These are agreements within communities about how to keep the Sabbath not about whether or not the Sabbath should be kept.  If someone violates the agreement they aren’t sinning because they have not violated what G-d has said but what men have said.

In all that we do may we be gracious and merciful in our actions and speech towards others.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

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