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....October 23, 2017
I have received a number of email questions regarding the hurricanes we have gone through over the past few months. Most were asking about the end times, where we might be and how hurricanes can of course reach us here in the Islands. So a few facts about hurricanes and how the Bible interacts with them.
I have lived through two hurricanes in my life, Alisha in Houston in 1983 and Iniki on Kaua'i in 1992. I am fascinated by the power of these storms. I was riveted before the television watching every movements of the monster hurricane Irma. I was awestruck by the destructive power of this colossal hurricane as it crossed from shore to shore destroying everything in its path without any mercy I was riveted before the television on Sunday watching every movements of the monster hurricane Irma. I was awestruck by the destructive power of this colossal hurricane as it crossed from shore to shore destroying everything in its path without any mercy. Everywhere the storm went the result was destruction and desolation. This made me to reflect on the storms of life as we all have to face such storms in our lifetime. It is not a matter of IF but WHEN as Jesus himself said in the parable, “I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”
So is your house storm proof? Here are some fascinating truths I learned from watching the path of this destructive hurricane.
The greatest threat – Storm surge
The number one danger in an hurricane is not the wind but drowning due to storm surge. A storm surge is a gradual rise in the water level caused by a major storm’s wind as it gets closer to shore. So while you take steps to protect your house from the forceful winds of the hurricane, be also aware of the dangers of flood and ensure you build it at a level that floods cannot reach. In order to make your house storm proof, make sure it is built on a strong foundation as well as at the right altitude. Paul said, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Let’s make sure we are living in an altitude where our eyes are upon the Lord all the time so we can withstand any levels of storm surge.
The tail is coming… calm before the storm
The eye wall is the most devastating region of the hurricane. This is the location within a hurricane where the most damaging winds and intense rainfall is found. Because of the shape of the eye there can be a “wall” in the front and in the back. In between those regions there can be a small window of respite from winds before the back end of the “wall” strikes with vengeance. It is often the back end of the “wall” that brings the storm surge as the front wall recedes the water from the sea. Some people in Tampa went to the beach to take pictures as soon as the wind died after the front wall crossed. But they were warned about the surge and asked to go back to their shelters. Not long after that the surge came and in some places rose up to 10 ft above sea level.
Always “Watch and pray” and never take any peaceful and prosperous time for granted. It was during a peaceful time David got distracted and committed adultery which brought havoc upon his family. I recently came across a powerful quote from a book: “Prosperous times produce passive wills. Passive wills produce overpowering emotions. Overpowering emotions produce perverse thoughts. Perverse thoughts produce private sin. Private sin results in public consequences.” What a powerful truth that is!
Peter warned us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
You cannot fight all the time. A time to fight and a time to “evacuate”
Due to the severity of the hurricane, there was a mandatory evacuation order in Florida and this was the greatest evacuation in the history of United States. We always need to pay attention to the orders from the authorities and governments above us and take steps accordingly. Although there is no storm that can be powerful before our God, sometimes God will ask us to “evacuate” rather than to fight against it. When David saw that philistines are coming to fight against Keilah (1 Samuel 23), he inquired of the Lord and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” David got a resounding victory! Immediately after that, Saul came after David to that city Keilah. So David asked the Lord again, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.”
So David had to escape and live in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert. David never assumed that God will give victory from Saul since he got victory over Philistines. Even Jesus’ parents were given instructions by an angel to escape to Egypt because Herod was searching for the child to kill.
This “evacuation” instruction from the Lord is not out of fear of the storm as no storm can stand against our God and “fear” has no place in his Kingdom. But it is out of the sovereignty of God who knows the best way to protect us and at the same time to teach us some important lessons.
So always listen to the directions from the Lord before responding to the storms of life. Learn to wait upon the Lord when you hear the roaring winds and the surging sea.
It needs to weaken.
Hurricanes won’t disappear instantly. It needs to weaken and lose its power. Although our God can still the storm by the power of His word, sometimes you need to wait for the hurricanes to weaken and lose its power. The process can take a while. Be patient and keep waiting on the Lord.
Don’t let it gain strength
When Irma became a CAT 3 hurricane after crossing Cuba, it gained strength again in the warm waters before hitting the Florida Keys. Don’t provide “warm waters” for the hurricanes of your life to gain strength. Get rid of bitterness and anger and stop putting “pity party”. Learn to live in peace and in humility.
A long recovery
The aftermath of an hurricane can be overwhelming. Don’t expect an instant recovery all the time. Sometimes you need to re-build. It can be trust, confidence, health, finances etc. “Building” is a process which takes time. You cannot expect an instant recovery all the time.
Finally, whatever storm you are facing or you may come across in life, always remember we have a God who can still the storm to whisper and hush the waves of the sea. “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” – Psalm 107:29
But sometimes God will give you strength to walk over the stormy sea instead of hushing it just like he did to Peter. But always remember he will never let you drown as his hands are never too far from reaching out to you should you fall.
DID YOU EVER WONDER???
Every person has a chance to inspire those around them. Each person that come and go from our lives whether a one second stranger or a life time family member is going to see something from us. What they take from us is our choice. To make this world a better place let us focus our minds to only have a positive and loving influence. That influence will have a butterfly affect unlike any other because it comes from you.
This universe that we live allows us to create such wonderful things all around us. Let us begin with a smile. When you smile at someone something happens and in most cases, you will receive a smile back. It doesn’t stop there. They then decide that they will smile at someone, a stranger, a friend, a co-worker or a boss. This changes that life in the most positive direction. When we approach life from a positive, loving way a new reality is created.
You have just changed this universe in a positive direction. Let us take this one step further. What if you see someone struggling and you help them. If each person could take just a few minutes today to help someone, set them on a better path, this entire world would change for the positive. When I had children, I decided that I would change this world for the better. The best way for me has been through writing and I have affected many lives in a positive direction by showing ways they could achieve their dreams and become more like their higher selves want to be. You do this every day.
By being yourself and teaching people through your everyday actions makes you an inspiring individual. Remember that you are an inspiring person. Take that power that you have within and share it with the world in the most loving way that you know how. If you are reading this it is because you are already looking for a positive view of the world, that is why we do Reflections. There is usually an upbeat or positive thought somewhere in our writing. It may take some looking for but it is there:)
There are obstacles in the world. Let those obstacles be your opportunity to shine. If you see a change that needs to be made, choose to make that change. Show people all around you how it is done. The power of social media allows each of us to do great things and share those great things. Do you always have to share the great things you do? No. Sometimes those great things you do are just for you and those in your direct field of vision. That is beautiful. Be a beautiful human being.
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
This week we finish up with Chapter 7 of the Gospel of Matthew and continue:
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
The Faith of a Centurion
5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Jesus Heals Many
14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
The Cost of Following Jesus
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Jesus performs many miracles
(8:1–9:34)
JESUS’ POWER IN ACTION
Matthew tells us some of the amazing miracles that Jesus performs (8:1–34). He has power to heal incurable diseases, control the forces of nature and command evil spirits to depart. These are the proofs that he is the Christ.
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Jesus Calls Matthew
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
A Question About Fasting
14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 9:27–38). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 9:18–26). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 9:9–17). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 9:1–8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 418). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 8:28–34). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 8:14–27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 8:1–13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou