Although I reviewed his very interesting facts about the Blood Moons several years ago, I have recently been enjoying Mark Biltz' regular biblical teaching schedule that he serves up to his congregation on a weekly basis.
In one session, Rabbi Biltz speaks about the dynamic of blessing family members that occurs in the homes of those who keep the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath). He notes that 'Christendom' has lost this pattern and practice, citing as his example the high percentage of Jews who, despite oppression, have been awarded the Nobel Prize. Biltz attributes this to an inherent Jewish practice and awareness -- speaking blessing over their children. This is an often quoted correlation I have heard and pondered before; I think Biltz frames this dynamic within a meaningful new context.
Right now, in this season, I am pressed by many issues: family members' health, new grandbabies arriving soon, financial challenges, relationship stresses and disability needs seem to abound in my life. As I look at my own spiritual walk, I find it parallels an emerging trend of Christian believers who are finding a deepened practice of worship through a Torah-based lifestyle which focuses on renewed obedience of God's ways as expressed in the Old Testament. One of the primary areas I pray about is my desire to hear Abba's direction, to gladly receive His discipline in my life as to how I am loving my neighbor, how I am fulfilling Yeshua's call for all who will love and worship the Father to obey His commandments.
So, as I have considered our Messiah's teachings, specifically wrestling with Biltz' emphasis on blessing those around me, I am deeply convicted that in every moment and breath, we all have God-ordained opportunities to speak life to one another, not as many of us might have been previously misled via word-of-faith or almost voodoo-like controls over our tongues engaging in grandiose declarations "in the name of Jesus", but by speaking true empowering words of peace and life to one another.
I have been praying about one part of this personal 'awakening' for several days now and I have a sense of conviction that we (the unwittingly pagan-inspired church) may have really played into the hands of the enemy as we name-and-claim far more often than we kneel-and-obey.
A few weeks ago, I experienced a disturbing encounter -- I had stopped into a local store which I knew had some health-supplements which included good quality vitamin C powder. Many of you know that I struggle with immune-deficiency issues and this past winter was not a good one for me.
The owner, a lady well-versed in naturopathic health and supplement information, happened to be there and I engaged her in a brief conversation about which supplement was best for me. That conversation quickly led into her trying to convince me to purchase some specialty cleaning supplies to "get rid of bacteria and molds in my home". I declined but realized that a parallel conversation with another customer who walked up and joined us was a 'God-opportunity' and the Lord did indeed use something that customer said to help me.
What I didn't realize was that they were both not only Christian believers from a local charismatic church here in my area, but that they were also trying to engage and sell me products for their network-marketing endeavor through a tag-team approach.
After I declined twice, they then offered to "pray with me for healing" (I didn't ask for this) immediately after the shop owner had rebuked me for "speaking death" in the way I spoke about my disability and immune challenges.
I don't like to offend or disagree with people in public (some of my family members might argue to the death on this point). In my defense, I do try to curb my acerbic tongue and an often inopportune intellectual ability to speak circles around folks -- it's an autistic tendency I possess, a safety net I can use. I just elevate my vocabulary to the point that many average folks no longer comprehend the bulk of what I am saying! I promise I pray frequently about this and believe me, while those misdirected ladies prayed with all the religious fervor they could work up, I kept my mouth shut. BUT, I did pray silently that the Lord would honor only His part in their motivations and that He would graciously protect me from everything they flung at me which was not according to His good will and His good word.
But, this circumstance was still profoundly hurtful to me -- I questioned myself for days, just because of the echo-chamber, word-of-faith, porkbelly that was dumped on me! (I tried to find a kosher word to use there, but the other ones that came to mind weren't nearly as clean.)
Ultimately, my response toward these ladies became rather negative -- I resented their entitlement and ignorance and I felt contempt toward them. Here's a consideration for some church-growth proponents: if I had such a profoundly critical response when I am 'technically' a charismatic believer, then it's not hard to imagine how an non-Christian might take serious offense at such marketplace behavior!
So, is it any real surprise that both unsaved and churched-folk alike, are leaving the average Sunday- practicing church in droves? (Those are George Barna's numbers, not mine, by the way.) How can we presume to continue the entitlement that has been fostered in a media-rich, fish bowl spirituality that bears little reflection on the word of God?
Our current culture is deeply cynical, a certainty in a nation having legislated millions of unborn souls into eternity through the genocide of abortion. Such dark sacrifice can never bring light and truth and without deep repentance before the Living God, such cynicism will truly prevail as it remains enthroned -- within our governance and politics, our children's education and entertainment, sexually perverse animated adult hit comedies that enjoy broad viewer demographics on TV and sadly, even within our own living room and kitchen conflicts.
And so, we can see the enemy's plan: if we birth cynicism in place of faith, then where there is no real faith (aka, good old-fashioned awe and fear of the Lord) we no longer engage in the legitimate process of obedience (read reasonable worship, c.f. Romans 12:1-2) which results in the blessings and redemption of God, as He desires to pour such into our lives.
What are the weapons of the enemy's warfare? Distraction, dilution, delusion. As of old, it's not about directly opposing the Creator of the Universe, rather, just getting us involved in some word-of-faith sounding bible-speak, let's call them 'versisms', that sound like they're from the Father. With just a couple degrees off course, the enemy's got us on the hook. So in the context of blessing, we go astray, focusing on speaking declarations of blessing, robotically repeating vain prayers and formulas for spiritual success instead of praying real hands-on blessings over our children, our husbands or wives, our spiritual fellowships.
Perhaps you can envision this as I do: I see so many Western families, both seculars and believers in God, as though we were refugees navigating through a war zone, tainted and battered by the smells, the viscera of bombs and battles raging around or within us. Like those living in the midst of warfare, some of us have gone numb, often groveling or grabbing at whatever spoils we can lay our hands on. Survival in the midst of warfare can foster bitterness that may never be reversed, while the desire to profit and secure one's own family existence often dilutes absolutes like morality or direct obedience to God's laws.
We see this over and again in the Torah, the books of Moses. We see this in the life of old heel-grabber Jacob and later in Joseph's older brothers as they sold him into slavery.
Jacob usurped Esau's blessing by deception. Later, his sons lied to him about Joseph's death to secure their blessing. From our earlier origins, Cain tried this too -- he was so jealous and enraged about God revealing his heart condition in contrast to Abel's obedience, that he killed his brother.
I can almost hear their thoughts : "Safe and secure -- keep your position."
Pastors have done this too: a few lies are better than the ugly truth that will only hurt others' feelings -- preach what the sheep want to hear, not what God has said -- take the middle road to preserve the church budget.
What is common in all of these scenarios? The blessing -- being chosen, adopted, approved, validated, accepted, secure.
What is the opposite? Offense, resentment, bitterness, anger, envy, strife, rage, murder. Sounds like a list that we've read before -- these things are not of God and they are not aligned with His commands, His commandments.
Why is it so easy to be cynical or snide, versus showing deference, displaying respect and honor for one another?
There is a simple answer. We are truly, often shell-shocked in this battle. He knows this. He has ransomed our kidnapped souls. We forget who and whose we are. We lack the awe of God and in consequence, the awe and reverence due those whom He has created.
So, let us turn from our wicked ways and turn toward the Father. Let us return to Him and He will run toward us on the road home. Let us worship Him in spirit and in truth.
I have seen such fallen conditions in my inward parts and I am choosing to publicly repent before God for the hardness of my heart, for my willingness to be curt, sarcastic or cynical in my demeanor with those closest to my heart -- my family members. I repent for having committed to trusting in the chariots and horses of my own good ideas and safety measures, rather than first walking in the peace of God's counsel and direction, even when that means trusting or waiting for Him to answer in His goodness, rather than secure something far less to appease the grasping fears in my wounded soul.
I Want to Obey You Lord music video
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The Test of Knowing Him 1 John 2:3-11New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
7 Brethren,[a] I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.[b] 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
