Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....July 2, 2018
I want to share with you all something that should be of interest to all of us....Death...
At the pinnacle of his career, Apple CEO Steve Jobs received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As the cancer slowly robbed him of his health, Jobs spoke about his impending death at a 2005 Stanford University commencement ceremony:
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
There is something about a diagnosis of terminal death that annihilates the clutter and brings a person face to face with his own very real mortality. While Steve Jobs used the occasion to inspire the Stanford graduates, his rejection of the Christian faith left him with more questions than answers.
Steve Jobs died at the age of 56 on October 5, 2011. His death raises the question: “Are you ready?”
A seminary professor once told his students, “Sometimes I can hardly wait to die, and sometimes I am scared to death to die.” This tension between the old and new man is what the Apostle Paul talked about in Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:22-25.
It is the tension experienced by the father who said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). On this side of heaven, fear and doubt are part of our sinful natures. In general there are three reasons why people are afraid of death:
Reason # 1: Uncertainty About What Lies Beyond
Historically “true Christians” are viewed by the world as “Christimitators”: loving, compassionate and sacrificial people. That is also why there is little toleration for flawed Christians – who are often referred to as hypocrites.
In reality, true Christians are characterized first by their faith. They acknowledge their sinfulness, are embarrassed that they fail to rightly imitate Christ, and cling stubbornly to Jesus as their Savior from sin.
Left in sin none of us would be “good enough” to get into heaven. All our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Even the best among us are not pure enough to deserve eternal life in heaven after we die (James 2:10). Rather, we believe that He who had no sin (Jesus) became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:41). He paid the complete price for sin. That is why we know where we are going when we die, because death holds no sting for us (1 Corinthians 15:35-58).
But even Christians doubt on occasion. God’s ways are beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8,9) yet we are lured into thinking dead bodies cannot come back to life (Job 19:25,26). We might also think that Judgment Day must be a myth since it has not yet taken place (2 Peter 3:3-10).
We are saved by faith. It is the inexplicable conviction (Hebrews 11:1) that Jesus died for our sins and, because He saved us, death not only loses its sting but life in heaven is assured! There is nothing to fear. Our sins are forgiven through Christ. Heaven belongs to each of us!
Reason # 2: Worry About the Path That Leads to Death
This is a very popular fear among both Christians and non-Christians. A century ago most people died unexpected and sudden deaths. With today’s improved health care and a more educated public we live longer and often face lingering deaths. Unlike our forefathers who generally suffered fatal heart attacks or strokes in the prime of their lives, people live longer today.
Fear of the diminishing nature of the quality of life causes some people to consider shortening their time on earth. They find no value in continued feeding and care of those who cannot contribute to others and/or society. Yet, despite a diminished quality of life, a person becomes an outlet for the faith of others by serving as God’s instruments to train others in the practice of selfless love.
Rather than looking for ways to escape the challenges of aging and dying, Christians can see in the dying process an opportunity to mend relationships. It also gives people the occasion to put their faith into action through acts of love and concern (1 Timothy 5:8; 1 John 3:18).
Reason # 3: Concern for Those Left Behind
Even the strongest Christian can hold out one lingering fear about the prospect of facing death: concern for those left behind.
By far the most common fear people express at the prospect of their own death centers on those they will leave behind. Sometimes family members become deeply dependent on us. The question becomes, “Who will care for my loved ones?"
The answer is simple, but the reality is much harder. When it came into existence, the early New Testament church assumed the role for the care of the widows and orphans (Acts 6). The congregations of believers were called on to care for the needs of all people, especially those in their households (1 Timothy 5:8) as well as their fellow Christians (Galatians 6:10).
In this regard Christian families and Christian congregations are given premier opportunities to step forward to demonstrate care and concern for families of dying members. The consistency and determination to care for others should be so obvious that those facing death realize – under God’s providential care and through His servants – the family will be fine.
Ready?
In this world of sin many temptations can compromise our readiness to die. Those temptations invite doubts and fears. But our God is perfect. He is not hindered by the unreliability of our sinful nature. When tempted to doubt and fear, take heart! Our God is a great God who brings life in the face of death!
I want to share with you all something that should be of interest to all of us....Death...
At the pinnacle of his career, Apple CEO Steve Jobs received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As the cancer slowly robbed him of his health, Jobs spoke about his impending death at a 2005 Stanford University commencement ceremony:
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
There is something about a diagnosis of terminal death that annihilates the clutter and brings a person face to face with his own very real mortality. While Steve Jobs used the occasion to inspire the Stanford graduates, his rejection of the Christian faith left him with more questions than answers.
Steve Jobs died at the age of 56 on October 5, 2011. His death raises the question: “Are you ready?”
A seminary professor once told his students, “Sometimes I can hardly wait to die, and sometimes I am scared to death to die.” This tension between the old and new man is what the Apostle Paul talked about in Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:22-25.
It is the tension experienced by the father who said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). On this side of heaven, fear and doubt are part of our sinful natures. In general there are three reasons why people are afraid of death:
Reason # 1: Uncertainty About What Lies Beyond
Historically “true Christians” are viewed by the world as “Christimitators”: loving, compassionate and sacrificial people. That is also why there is little toleration for flawed Christians – who are often referred to as hypocrites.
In reality, true Christians are characterized first by their faith. They acknowledge their sinfulness, are embarrassed that they fail to rightly imitate Christ, and cling stubbornly to Jesus as their Savior from sin.
Left in sin none of us would be “good enough” to get into heaven. All our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Even the best among us are not pure enough to deserve eternal life in heaven after we die (James 2:10). Rather, we believe that He who had no sin (Jesus) became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:41). He paid the complete price for sin. That is why we know where we are going when we die, because death holds no sting for us (1 Corinthians 15:35-58).
But even Christians doubt on occasion. God’s ways are beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8,9) yet we are lured into thinking dead bodies cannot come back to life (Job 19:25,26). We might also think that Judgment Day must be a myth since it has not yet taken place (2 Peter 3:3-10).
We are saved by faith. It is the inexplicable conviction (Hebrews 11:1) that Jesus died for our sins and, because He saved us, death not only loses its sting but life in heaven is assured! There is nothing to fear. Our sins are forgiven through Christ. Heaven belongs to each of us!
Reason # 2: Worry About the Path That Leads to Death
This is a very popular fear among both Christians and non-Christians. A century ago most people died unexpected and sudden deaths. With today’s improved health care and a more educated public we live longer and often face lingering deaths. Unlike our forefathers who generally suffered fatal heart attacks or strokes in the prime of their lives, people live longer today.
Fear of the diminishing nature of the quality of life causes some people to consider shortening their time on earth. They find no value in continued feeding and care of those who cannot contribute to others and/or society. Yet, despite a diminished quality of life, a person becomes an outlet for the faith of others by serving as God’s instruments to train others in the practice of selfless love.
Rather than looking for ways to escape the challenges of aging and dying, Christians can see in the dying process an opportunity to mend relationships. It also gives people the occasion to put their faith into action through acts of love and concern (1 Timothy 5:8; 1 John 3:18).
Reason # 3: Concern for Those Left Behind
Even the strongest Christian can hold out one lingering fear about the prospect of facing death: concern for those left behind.
By far the most common fear people express at the prospect of their own death centers on those they will leave behind. Sometimes family members become deeply dependent on us. The question becomes, “Who will care for my loved ones?"
The answer is simple, but the reality is much harder. When it came into existence, the early New Testament church assumed the role for the care of the widows and orphans (Acts 6). The congregations of believers were called on to care for the needs of all people, especially those in their households (1 Timothy 5:8) as well as their fellow Christians (Galatians 6:10).
In this regard Christian families and Christian congregations are given premier opportunities to step forward to demonstrate care and concern for families of dying members. The consistency and determination to care for others should be so obvious that those facing death realize – under God’s providential care and through His servants – the family will be fine.
Ready?
In this world of sin many temptations can compromise our readiness to die. Those temptations invite doubts and fears. But our God is perfect. He is not hindered by the unreliability of our sinful nature. When tempted to doubt and fear, take heart! Our God is a great God who brings life in the face of death!
DID YOU EVER WONDER???
I found this poem in some old emails I had. It tells us a beautiful story of our Lord and Savior and the relationship we should have with Him...
Complete
Our relationship with Jesus…
Love, Grace, & Faith… so sweet,
Knowing that He died to save us
We kneel humbly at His feet.
On this earth much strife and turmoil,
Seeking peace when there’s no peace,
When we give our heart to Jesus,
Only then will searching cease.
Do you know Him, really know Him?
Do you go to Him in prayer?
What a blessing… What a treasure…
When you know that He is there.
On Calvary He died to save us,
From our sins to set us free,
Do accept His gift of mercy
He gave His all for you and me.
Please dear Lord our steps do ‘order’
All through life we need Your care,
Guide our steps… alone we falter…
As we seek Your will in prayer.
Our relationship with Jesus
Love, Grace, & Faith… so sweet,
When we know Him as our Savior
Then, in Him, we are completed.
Thank you Lord.
Joyce Peeples 8/4/02
I found this poem in some old emails I had. It tells us a beautiful story of our Lord and Savior and the relationship we should have with Him...
Complete
Our relationship with Jesus…
Love, Grace, & Faith… so sweet,
Knowing that He died to save us
We kneel humbly at His feet.
On this earth much strife and turmoil,
Seeking peace when there’s no peace,
When we give our heart to Jesus,
Only then will searching cease.
Do you know Him, really know Him?
Do you go to Him in prayer?
What a blessing… What a treasure…
When you know that He is there.
On Calvary He died to save us,
From our sins to set us free,
Do accept His gift of mercy
He gave His all for you and me.
Please dear Lord our steps do ‘order’
All through life we need Your care,
Guide our steps… alone we falter…
As we seek Your will in prayer.
Our relationship with Jesus
Love, Grace, & Faith… so sweet,
When we know Him as our Savior
Then, in Him, we are completed.
Thank you Lord.
Joyce Peeples 8/4/02
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
We are beginning a new set of teachings in this section. Beginning this week and for the next 66 weeks, I will be giving an overview of each Book of the Holy Bible. These will be short summaries of each of the Books which I pray will give each of you a little better understanding of God's Word. We begin in the beginning.....
Genesis....Who Wrote the Book?
Old Testament books seldom include a byline. So we look to outside sources to discover authorship. Jewish tradition and other biblical authors name Moses, the prophet and deliverer of Israel, as the author of the entire Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament. His education in the courts of Egypt (Acts 7:22) and his close communion with Yahweh—the Hebrew name for God—support this premise. Jesus Himself confirmed Moses’s authorship (John 5:45–47), as did the scribes and Pharisees of His time (Matthew 19:7; 22:24).
From the Hebrew word toledoth, the first book of the Bible is titled “Genesis” in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. The word means “beginning, origin,”¹ or generation and is a foundational theme that winds throughout the book.
Moses wrote Genesis for the people of Israel, whom he led out of slavery in Egypt back to the land of their forefathers. Genesis provides a history of those forefathers—their origins, their journeys, and their covenants with God. Because the events contained in the rest of the Pentateuch are responses to the promises of God found in Genesis, such a history of God’s interaction with their ancestors would have provided encouragement and inspiration to the former slaves seeking freedom and prosperity in the Promised Land.
Where are we?
The first eleven chapters of Genesis paint the early history of the human race in broad strokes. After the great flood, the focus narrows to God’s dealings with one family living in Mesopotamia, a family headed by Abram, later called Abraham. From the Euphrates River (in modern-day Iraq) over to what is now Syria, events move south into Canaan (modern-day Israel) and Egypt.
Genesis covers the most extensive period of time in all of Scripture, longer than the other books in the Bible combined! While the ancient history recounted in the first eleven chapters gives no indication of time span, Abram’s story begins around 2091 BC (Genesis 12:1), and the book ends with Joseph’s death in Egypt around 1805 BC (50:26).
Why is Genesis so important?
To the original readers of Genesis, the book was valued as a history of their people. It told them the story of how God created the world and dealt with all humanity until He initiated a personal relationship with their forefather Abraham. Genesis revealed to them the eternal promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—promises which extended to their descendants. It provided comfort and hope for the downtrodden Hebrews as they waited to return to their “promised land.”
For later readers, Genesis offers a thorough background to the rest of the Bible. Here we learn ancient history and geography and are introduced to significant people and events found later in the Bible. God also reveals many facets of His nature through His dealings with people. We learn of the origin of sin, of its destructive effect on humanity, and of God’s plan to atone for that sin through a future Son of the people of Israel (Genesis 3:15; 22:18; 49:10).
What's the big idea?
The Bible is divided into two major parts, the Old and New Testaments. Testament is another word for covenant. Covenants figure prominently into the story of Genesis, for they help define God’s relationship with His people at various times. Sin broke the perfect peace between God and humanity (Genesis 3) and instead of enjoying the blessing God intended, humanity was burdened with the curse. But God established His plan for redemption and blessing through covenants, first with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–5), reaffirmed with Isaac (26:1–35), then with Jacob (28:1–22). These promises applied to the Israelites in Egypt and to later generations. Genesis sets the stage for the rest of God’s plan to redeem the world through His Son, Jesus Christ.
How do I apply this?
It’s easy to get lost in the genealogies and accounts in Genesis without seeing the big picture. Keep God, not just the people, in mind as you read through the book. Consider His character qualities. If you were an Israelite just released from slavery and reading this for the first time, would you marvel at God’s power over creation? Or His anger over sin?Or the way He fulfilled His promises to everyone? Awareness of each of these characteristics should evoke worship . . . and hope. Remember that the Lord is strong, faithful, and just. And His desire to bless His creation will one day be fully realized.
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou