ISSUE: #48

MEM

Message

Life is filled with choices. But are we daily making choices with a higher calling in mind?

Undoubtedly the more blessing in the materialistic realm the bigger the challenge to remain faithful to a higher calling. We have all we need and more. We spend our time by working, shopping, recreational activities and in the pursuit of bigger and better things. There is so much that consumes our time and energy it is difficult to find time to worship the Creator of all things.

We plan and save to send our children off to college. Why? To be sure they will have a head start in this materialistic way of life. But have we grounded them in the moral values that promote the higher calling?

Have you considered we are creatures? If we are creatures that means there must be a Creator. If there is a Creator, then there must be a purpose for which we were created. Surely it must be more than dedicating a few hours a week to sit through some church service?

Is there something beyond this life? Are you looking toward your higher calling, a better life after the resurrection? Is there a way to evaluate if we are firmly on the road to the higher calling?

Paul gives us a challenge: 1Corinithians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

The book of Hebrews makes plain the two paths of life. You might call it the way of self and the way of faith. Self is the way we inherited from our first parents, which was passed down to us. We all have this self; it is not all bad but left to itself it will seek after things that cannot satisfy. When we realize that these futile ways of self have no lasting value we need to choose to walk the way of faith, which is the higher calling.

First, we can be empowered to live above our inborn selfish nature. 2 Peter 1: 4 (NLT) And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires… verse 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11 is called the faith chapter. Faith in what? To put it simply: trusting in a Creator that made a higher calling possible through a Savior. Hebrews 11:1(NLT unless noted) Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see…

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Hebrews 11 goes on to tell about the faith of righteous men throughout Scripture; such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others. V-32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

Now that all sounds very encouraging, until we realize some of these did not live such dynamic or comfortable lives: 35 …But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

What kept them going despite their lot in life? Verse 35: …‘They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection’… 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Do you think the way of faith is too difficult? Consider what the writer of Hebrews tells us next: 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

So is an entrance into the eternal Kingdom worth consideration, worth the effort? I think so. We are further admonished to: 12:12 …take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Chapter 13: Here is a checklist for those seeking the way of the higher calling; note, this list is contrary to society and to our selfish nature; it is meant to strengthen our faith:

1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers…

3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

6 So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God...

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace…

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

My prayer for those with this faith to look forward to a better resurrection, a higher calling, the entry into the eternal Kingdom of Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah -

20 Now may the God of peace–– who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood–– 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Proverb

Proverbs 23:18 Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

Web Article

Saying (s)

"We are fully effective only when we attend to the human elements of our lives, beginning with ourselves. We are our most important "human resource," followed closely by the relationships that we have with other people. " Stephen R. Covey

Proverbs 23: 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things And your mind will utter perverse things.

34 And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. 35 "They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink."

Proverbs 23: 17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the LORD always.

Bible Quiz

1. What statement did Yeshua make to a paralytic man who was lowered through a roof that caused Yeshua’s opposition to criticize Him?
2. How many books are there in the New Testament?
3. Ben-Hadad was king of what country?
4. For how long did Paul and those ship wrecked with him stay on the island of Malta?
5. What contest did Elijah propose to the prophets of Baal?
6. What Old Testament prophet interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams?
7. Who said, "Fill the jars with water"?

Humility

"Her (Eve’s), life and the life of the race that sprang from her became corrupt to its very root with that most terrible of all sins and curses- Satan’s pride. All the wretchedness of which this world has been the scene, all its wars and bloodshed among the nations, all its selfishness and suffering, all its vain ambitions and jealousies, all its broken hearts and embittered lives, with all its daily unhappiness, have their origin in what this cursed pride – our own or that of others – has brought upon us. It is pride that made redemption necessary; it is from our pride that we need, above everything else, to be redeemed. And our insight into the need of redemption will largely depend upon our knowledge of the terrible nature of the power of pride that has entered our being." Andrew Murray

Ephesians 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

2 Peter 1:4 …He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Did you know:

Alaska

More than half of the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska.

Amazon

* The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply.

* The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea, off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean.

* The volume of water in the Amazon river is greater than the next eight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States.

Antarctica

*Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country.

* Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica. This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world.

* As strange as it sounds, however, Antarctica is essentially a desert. The average yearly total precipitation is about two inches.

* Although covered with ice (all but 0.4% of it,), Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.

Brazil.

Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.

Canada

* Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined.

* Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village."

Chicago

Next to Warsaw, Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world.

Detroit

Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan carries the designation M - 1, named so because it was the first paved road anywhere.

Damascus, Syria

Damascus, Syria, was flourishing a couple of thousand years before Rome was founded in 753 BC, making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in existence.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.

Lighter Side

Kids Letters to God

Dear God –
Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it a mistake?

Dear God –
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t you just keep the ones you have now?

Dear God –
Who draws the lines around the countries?

Dear God –
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay?

Dear God –
Thank you for my baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.

Dear God –
It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that people are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him in any way.
- Your friend (but I’m not going to tell you who I am)

Dear God –
Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.

Dear God –
I want to be just like my daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.

The Story of Harry

When services were over Harry had writer’s cramp from taking so many notes. He was still trying to sort out all the meaningful information when Jim asked him to stay for the fellowship meal. Coming back to the reality of his surroundings Harry looked at his watch and said he came unprepared and did not bring a food contribution; also his ailing mother would be expecting him home shortly. Jim expressed concern for his mother and said he would mention her in his prayers. He also said no food contribution was necessary as they normally bring more than enough, expecting additional guests.

Harry was now a little more relaxed and expressed his desire to join them for a short while. He pitched in to set up tables at the back of the room and put chairs around them. Others rolled paper coverings on the tables and the children helped by setting out small decorations along with the salt and pepper. By now long tables of food has been set up by the ladies.

Being a guest and older he was invited to go through the serving line first. Jim, his wife, the pastor and his wife joined Harry as they partook of the meal. Thinking these people were a bit too friendly he felt guarded at first. Could this be genuine joy and friendliness with pure motives? The conversation was cordial and they did not pry into Harry’s personal life. He was welcomed and invited to come again next week. They showed concern for Harry’s mother and wished him well for the coming week. Harry excused himself and thanked them for their welcome, explaining his mother would be expecting him. Pastor Bill gave Harry his card, saying, "Feel free to call if we can help in any way".

Harry headed for home; he tried to examine the motives of this small group of seventh day keepers. Before he reached home he realized he was being judgmental and should thank the Creator for the experience. At the very moment he asked YHVH’s forgiveness for his judging attitude a peace flooded his inner being and he began to praise his heavenly Father.

Soon he was home and set about caring for his mother. She asked about his morning, (this was unusual for her). At first he thought to just say, "It was OK", but he decided to witness to the unbelievable unity, peace, joy and fellowship he now realized he had just experienced. "Mom," he said, "I have just witnessed one of the most fabulous worship services of my life. I believe I have found a fellowship home for me."

Another surprise came when his mother asked him why it was so special. Was this a chance to explain his understanding of the Sabbath and all that it means to him? Was his mother now really interested in what she called a silly return to the law? Was Elohim forcing him to express the truth in understandable terms that would glorify Him?

With a quick silent prayer Harry decided not to pour out everything, but to let his mother lead by asking questions. Just like those at the small fellowship. "Mom, these people I met with today showed me how to truly express the love of Christ. They did it without prying into my beliefs or motives. I was welcomed as a believer and not as a stranger. I felt like they had my interest at heart. They even expressed concern for you and desired your recovery and comfort." Harry went on to express his desire to return, and the possibility of attending their weekly Bible study and prayer service.

That afternoon Harry went over his notes. He looked up the scriptures. He prayed for understanding and direction. The more he did this the more he was assured these people had a true heart to serve the Father and the Savior and express that love toward others. Even though they did not have a fancy church building with all the organization that comes with it, they had a peace and faith unlike that of others he had seen. Was he too quick to make this assumption? No the Spirit of Elohim bore witness to this truth.

Harry decided to accept their invitation and return. His prayer was that he might use whatever YHVH would give him to contribute to their, and hopefully his, fellowship.

With thankful heart Harry expectantly looked forward to the next Sabbath. He would explain to his mother he would be a little longer and make provision for her in his absence. He also planned to take along a covered dish, probably his famous potato salad.

Psalm 133:1(AV) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Quiz Answers

1. "Friend your sins are forgiven." - Luke 5:18-21

2. Twenty seven

3. Aram - 1 Kings 20:1

4. Three months - Acts 28:11

5. Would Baal or YHVH answer by fire - 1 Kings 18:21-24

6. Daniel - Daniel 2:16

7. Yeshua - John 2:7