MEM

We normally feature a section called "Bytes" written by Alan Gilman. When this commentary was written about coming to understand a simple definition of God’s love, the MEM felt it should be shared because there is little understanding about true love. In Scripture we find the command to "Love God and our neighbor". How do we put this into action? Primarily by bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Love is a fruit of God’s Spirit) and possibly by considering this commentary.

I was almost hit by a car the other day. I was getting out of my vehicle, when a red sports car in the same lane I was parked was speeding right toward me trying to (illegally) pass a car in the outside lane. I pressed myself against the side of my vehicle as closely as I could as the sports car found a narrow opening between me and the car he was passing. I was in a bit of shock as I thought about what almost was. "Just a few more inches and he would have plowed right into me," played over and over again in my mind. Then I remembered the other "almosts" of my life: I almost died of the croup at 6 months, I almost died of dehydration at 11 years. Then there was the time a friend stopped to give me a ride. As I was putting something in their trunk, another car was slowly coming up behind with lots of time to stop, but for some reason I can't remember, I moved out of the way as the vehicle slammed into the rear end of the car I had been standing behind. I still shutter at the thought of my legs almost being sandwiched between those two cars. Almost.

Some of you reading or listening to this may respond differently to such happenings. You perhaps would think about how wonderful it is that these almosts didn't happen. I understand. I know I should be so grateful for all the things that haven't happened to me. I am grateful, but for some reason I tend to focus more on the horrible things that almost happened than the actual good outcomes.

I don't want to get into the psychology of why I am this way; rather, I want to look at how I should be thinking. The above Scripture portion refers to an almost that happened to Israel during their years in the wilderness. The King of Moab hired a sorcerer named Balaam to curse Israel in his desire to undermine them (see Number 22-24). It didn't work. Every time Balaam attempted to curse Israel, blessing came from his mouth. Why? God's love. Because the Master of the Universe loves Israel, he stopped the bad thing from happening. More than that, he caused good to happen instead.

I, like many others, have often wondered what love is. It seems to me what most people today mean by love is "desirous affection." The word "love" is most often used as a very intense form of "like" usually with the intent of wanting, having, or keeping the stated object, whether it be human or something else. The focus of love is usually not the one being loved, but the lover and his or her own desires.

But this is not the meaning of love as we find it in our portion. Love here is best described in one of the ways my wife tries to explain her love for me. As I mentioned my tendency with my almosts has been to focus on the negative things that theoretically could have happened instead of the positive actual outcomes. Similarly, I have also tended to interpret intentions of others towards me as negative. This has caused me to interpret motives, including of those closest to me, incorrectly. To counter this my wife has told me countless times, "I am for you." That's true love - the wanting and the doing good to and for another person. That's what God's love is. It is not some warm fuzzy feeling on God's part. Nor is it a way of saying he likes us a lot. To know God's love is to know that he is for us. He is out for our good and works things out for our good as he did for Israel regarding Balaam.

Now, of course, the circumstances of life are not always good. Babies’ die of the croup and people are killed or severely injured in car accidents. It can be a challenge to hold on to the assurance of God's love in the midst of real tragedy. But if you are like me, before we can ever look beyond hardships and trust in God's love when life is truly hard, we need to first come to the place where we stop thinking of all the things that might have happened and start accepting how much God really loves us through all the good he regularly does on our behalf.

Alan Gilman of TorahBytes Communications

YHVH is our helper

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up." Mark Twain

When we are for others, by wanting and doing, we are blessing ourselves in eternal matters.

Andrew Murray (See 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

How does God feel about issues we face today?

Do you love God? Do you love to do His will and obey His commandments? What believer would say no to the first question? Yet would you expect less enthusiastic responses to the second question? Many people, even among those who affirm the faith, have a vague notion of love as a positive feeling. Yet it would be wrong to draw a distinction between the first two questions given above, for one implies the other. God’s will is inherent in His being and inseparable from it. So His word tells you that by this you know that you love Him, when you keep His commandments. He who loves God will also love those He loves, including his brother. (Adopted from a blog post by Dale Cresap)

It’s an old joke:

"Doctor, it hurts when I lift my left arm over my head!"

"Well then, don’t do that!"

The causes of pain aren’t always obvious. Consider these unexpected sources:

• Back pain. Taking our vitamins? Chronic back pain can be caused by low levels of vitamin D. Another possibility: constipation caused by blockage in the colon. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and fiber for better digestion. (Source: Prevention magazine)

• Achy feet. Wearing sandals or flip-flops can cause pain in your feet, ankles and knees due to poor arch support. (Source: the Web MD website)

• Headache. Cheese may be the culprit. A substance called tyramine in cheese can trigger headaches. Also, low blood sugar can create a headache even before you realize you’re hungry. A snack like whole-grain crackers with peanut butter can bring quick relief. (Source: the Web MD website)

The Captain of the Host of the Lord Josh 5:14

The Captain of Salvation Heb 2:10

The Author and Finisher of Faith Heb 12:2

A Leader Isa 55:4

A Commander Isa 55:4

Ruler Micah 5:2

A Governor Matt 2:6

The Deliverer Rom 11:26

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Rev 5:5

An Ensign of the People Isa 11:10

The Chiefest Among Ten Thousand (in an army) or Standard Bearer (marg.) Song 5:10

A Polished Shaft Isa 49:2

The Shield Ps 84:9

One Lord Eph 4:5 One Lord…

God Hath Made that Same Jesus Both Lord and Christ Acts 2:36

Lord of Lords Rev 17:14

King of Kings Rev 17:14

Lord Both of the Dead and Living Rom 14:9

Lord of the Sabbath Luke 6:5

Lord of Peace II Th 3:16

Lord of All Acts 10:36

Lord Over All Rom 10:12

The Messiah the Prince Dan 9:25

The Prince of Life Acts 3:15

A Prince and a Savior Acts 5:31

The Prince of Peace Isa 9:6

The Prince of Princes Dan 8:25

The Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev 1:5

A Prince (among Israel) Ezek 34:24

The Glory of Thy People Israel Luke 2:32

He That Fills All in All Eph 1:23

The Judge Acts 17:31

The Righteous Judge 2 Tim 4:8

The King Zech 14:16

King of Kings Rev 19:16

Lord of Lords Rev 19:16

A Scepter (out of Israel) Num 24:17

The King's Son Ps 72:1

David Their King Jer 30:9

The King of Israel John 1:49

King of the Daughter of Zion John 12:15

The King of the Jews (born) Matt 2:2, Mark 15:2

The King of the Jews (crucified) John 19:19

The King of Saints, or King of Nations Rev 15:3

King Over All the Earth Zech 14:4,5,9

The King of Righteousness Heb 7:2

The King of Peace Heb 7:2

The King of Glory Ps 24:10

The King in His Beauty Isa 33:17

He Sits King Forever Ps 29:10

Crowned with a Crown of Thorns John 19:2

Crowned with Glory and Honor Heb 2:9

Crowned with a Crown of Pure Gold Ps 21:3

Crowned with Many Crowns Rev 19:12

(These Names and Titles of Yeshua [Jesus] began in MEM issue 138 thru this issue)

Do you love your enemies as well as your friends? Yeshua (Jesus) teaches us to love them both, but we love our friends more than our enemies. He loves everyone and promises to meet the basic needs even of those who are far from Him or even oppose Him. If Yeshua will do this for them, how much more will He do for us? He held nothing back in His ultimate sacrifice, how shall He not also freely give you all things? He provides for His enemies but loves His friends without limit. Do we look at our own life and see areas of lack and need? These things serve a purpose that may not be apparent to us now, but He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him, because of His love for us. 

The love of His Grace; the unceasing operation of His Mighty Power - His love at work in us

Perspective [Where is our love? Our compassion?]

Some things just stop you in your tracks. You can be busy doing a dozen different things, thinking of doing a hundred others, then all of a sudden something happens, and your breath catches in your throat, and the world simply stops.

Such moments are infrequent, so when they happen they are all the more impacting.

I’ve been in the ministry since the age of twelve, have visited the hurting, the broken, the hungry, the naked, the infirm, and the helpless for the better part of thirty years trying to be a present help in their time of need, yet certain stories still impact me to the point of speechlessness.

As we were busy putting together this issue of the newsletter, my brother Daniel forwarded me a short paragraph concerning the Botosanu family, and their current struggle, that had been forwarded to him by our staff in Romania.

I want to share this paragraph with you in its entirety, as it impacted me greatly, and once again reinforced the undeniable reality that given the right perspective our constant attitude should be one of thankfulness and gratitude toward God for all the many blessings He bestows upon us, blessings we often overlook or undervalue in our daily lives.

[From Romania]

I don’t know about you, but that paragraph moved me to no end. The only thing I could think about is that if my daughter just skips a meal her mother and I are beside ourselves with worry, never mind having not eaten for three weeks. There are men, women, children and families truly suffering in this world. There are situations that are so heart wrenching that one can but ask why, and do whatever they can to be a comfort, and ease some of the heartache if they are able. I believe this is just such a situation, and this family needs our prayers and our help.

I believe situations like this put our own lives into perspective, and but for the grace of God, it could be me watching helplessly as disease ravages my child. It’s just not something I can gloss over lightly, or take for granted.

Again, I would ask that you pray for a miracle for Andreea, that God would touch her body and restore her, that the doctors would be left to wonder in amazement as to how this could be, and I would also ask that you pray for strength for Costel and his wife, as I know this is a difficult time and a testing of their faith the likes of which many of us could not even comprehend.

As the Body of Christ we must feel for one another, and this is the case even if the other member of the Body is unknown to us, or in a different part of the world altogether.

1. They came to Him - Matthew 5:1

2. Revelation

3. Galilee - Matthew 2:22-23

4. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit - Romans 14:17

5. Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy - Exodus 20:8

6. Goliath - 1 Samuel 17:4