No Olvides…

Deuteronomy 8

¿Recuerda alguna vez en que fue culpable de ser ingrato por el bien que alguien había hecho por usted? Tal vez tuviste una madre soltera que sacrificó todo lo que deseaba para que pudieras tener una buena vida. Desafortunadamente, nunca la apreciaste realmente y actuaste como si su bondad no fuera lo suficientemente buena. O tal vez fuiste el producto de la familia ideal, donde papá y mamá te criaron en el temor de Dios, sin carecer nunca de nada bueno. Pero aprovechaste su amabilidad y elegiste vivir sin restricciones saludables. En nuestro texto, Dios había obrado maravillas milagrosas en la vida de los hijos de Israel. Cuando estaban obligados a servir como esclavos a los egipcios, y oprimidos sin medida, Dios los libró y luego los puso en el camino hacia la tierra prometida. Dios le había dado al pueblo una serie de mandamientos y amonestaciones para prepararlos antes de que entraran en la tierra de la abundancia, pero a pesar de todo lo que Dios ya había hecho por Israel, aparentemente se olvidaron y se encontraron murmurando y quejándose la mayoría de las veces. Dios sabía que si los corazones de la gente no estaban debidamente acondicionados antes de entrar en Canaán, entonces todo su aumento los echaría a perder y haría que sus corazones se llenaran de orgullo. A menudo, cuando Dios nos bendice, permitimos que esas mismas bendiciones nos hagan olvidar a Aquel que nos las dio en primer lugar. A diferencia de los hijos de Israel, quienes fallaron en apreciar las maravillosas obras de Dios en sus vidas, también debemos tener cuidado de no olvidar cuán misericordioso ha sido Dios con nosotros. Además, debemos tener mucho cuidado de no permitir que nuestro aumento haga que nuestro corazón se enorgullezca, porque aquí es cuando fácilmente nos olvidaremos de Dios. Cuando nos olvidamos de Dios, nos alineamos en el camino que conduce a la destrucción.

Don’t Forget…

Deuteronomy 8

Can you remember a time, when you were guilty of being ungrateful for the good someone had done for you? Maybe you had a single mother who sacrificed all she desired, so that you could have a good life. Unfortunately, you never really appreciated her, and acted as if her good wasn’t good enough. Or, maybe you were the product of the ideal family, where dad and mom raised you in the fear of God, never lacking anything good. But, you took advantage of their kindness and chose to live without healthy restraints. In our text, God had worked miraculous wonders in the lives of the children of Israel. When they were bound to serve as slaves to the Egyptians, and oppressed beyond measure, God delivered them, then set them on a path to the land of promise. God had a given the people a number of commandments and admonitions, to prepare them before they entered the land of plenty, but despite all God had already done for Israel, they seemingly forgot, and found themselves murmuring and complaining more often than not. God knew, if the hearts of the people were not properly conditioned before entering Canaan, then all their increase would spoil them rotten, and cause their hearts to become filled with pride. Oftentimes, when God blesses us, we allow those same blessings to cause us to forget the One who gave them to us in the first place. Unlike the children of Israel, who failed to appreciate the awesome works of God in their lives, we should also be mindful not to forget how merciful God has been to us. In addition, we must be very careful not to allow our increase to cause our hearts to become prideful, for this is when we will easily forget God. When we forget God, we align ourselves on the path that leads to destruction.

Desejar e Executar

Romans 7

Muitas vezes, parece difícil viver uma vida santa de maneira consistente. A batalha inevitável entre o bem e o mal molda todos os aspectos de nossas vidas, e o caminho que nossas vidas tomam é determinado pelo lado a que nos submetemos. Quando uma pessoa é recentemente convertida à família de Deus, ela tem um desejo insaciável de fazer o bem. Sua mente foi renovada, os pensamentos revigorados e as intenções voltadas para fazer apenas o bem. Infelizmente, a temporada de novidades tende a se desgastar, quando os desejos do passado gradualmente voltam às suas vidas. Quanto mais tempo uma pessoa gasta estudando, aprendendo e crescendo no caminho da santidade, é mais provável que ela se torne devidamente equipada para andar no Espírito, evitando as concupiscências da carne. Por outro lado, quanto menos tempo gasto na palavra de Deus pode fazer com que uma pessoa seja influenciada pela injustiça, e seus efeitos prejudiciais. Todos nós podemos ter um forte desejo ou vontade de fazer o que Deus nos mandou fazer, mas se não formos diligentes em nosso compromisso de servir e nos recusarmos a estudar para nos mostrarmos aprovados a Deus, então nossa vontade e desejos só serão residem em nossas mentes, e não em nossas ações.

Querer y Hacer

Romans 7

A menudo, parece difícil vivir una vida santa de manera constante. La batalla inevitable entre el bien y el mal da forma a todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas, y el camino que toman nuestras vidas está determinado por el lado al que nos sometemos. Cuando una persona se convierte recientemente en la familia de Dios, tiene un deseo insaciable de hacer el bien. Su mente ha sido renovada, sus pensamientos se han refrescado y sus intenciones están puestas en hacer solo el bien. Desafortunadamente, la temporada de la novedad tiende a agotarse, cuando los deseos del pasado regresan gradualmente a sus vidas. Cuanto más tiempo pase un individuo estudiando, aprendiendo y creciendo en el camino de la santidad, más probabilidades tendrá de estar debidamente equipado para caminar en el Espíritu, mientras evita los deseos de la carne. Por otro lado, el menor tiempo dedicado a la palabra de Dios puede hacer que una persona sea influenciada por la injusticia y sus efectos dañinos. Todos podemos tener un fuerte deseo, o voluntad de hacer lo que Dios nos ordenó que hiciéramos, pero si no somos diligentes en nuestro compromiso de servir y nos negamos a estudiar para mostrarnos aprobados ante Dios, entonces nuestra voluntad y nuestros deseos solo lo harán. residen en nuestras mentes y no en nuestras acciones.

To Will… And To Perform

Romans 7

Oftentimes, it seems hard to live a holy life on a consistent basis. The inevitable battle between good and evil shapes every aspect of our lives, and the path our lives take, is determined by which side we submit to. When a person is newly converted into the family of God, they have an insatiable desire to do good. Their mind has been renewed, thoughts refreshed, and intentions set on doing only good. Unfortunately, the season of newness tends to wear down, when the desires of the past gradually creep back into their lives. The more time an individual spends studying, learning, and growing in the way of holiness, the more likely they’ll become properly equipped to walk in the Spirit, while avoiding the lusts of the flesh. On the other hand, the less time spent in God’s word can cause a person to become influenced by unrighteousness, and it’s harmful effects. We all may have a strong desire, or will to do as God commanded us to do, but if we aren’t diligent in our commitment to serve, and refuse to study to show ourselves approved unto God, then our will and desires will only reside in our minds, and not our actions.

Blended Psalms

Psalm 56, 84, 86, 93, 136

When I am afraid, I will trust in the Lord, because He warms my heart and sustains my life like the sun. The Lord is my shield, and protects me from all who come against me. The Lord showers me with grace and glory, and He’ll never withhold anything good from me. The Lord is great in mercy, full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and truth. The Lord reigns supreme! He is clothed with majesty and strength. His throne is established of old. He is from everlasting. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and a good understanding have all they that do His commandments. His praise endures forever. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Nothing To Lose

2 Kings 7

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Nothing To Lose” starring, the Four Lepers! I’m your host, “HolyEll”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(During the days of the great prophet Elijah, a season came when severe famine entered the land. The situation for the children of Israel had become so lamentable, until they forced themselves to eat unclean animals, and some attempted to eat their own children. Moses predicted this would happen, if the people ever fell into sin. Unfortunately, they did.)

(Four leprous men lingered near the gate of a Syrian camp.)

Leper 1: Why are we still sitting here, waiting to die? Our condition will only lead to our death, so let’s get up from here, and do something.

Leper 2: What would you advise us to do?

Leper 3: Yeah, what are we supposed to do? No one can stand to be near us, let alone set their eyes upon us.

Leper 4: Sigh… God help us.

Leper 1: Listen guys, if we go into the city, there’s famine, and we’ll die from starvation. If we sit here, we’ll die from this miserable disease anyway, so let’s take a chance and go into the camp.

Leper 2: Wait a minute. If we go in there, the Syrians will turn us away.

Leper 3: Right! They’ll certainly send us back into the streets .

Leper 4: Sigh… God help us.

Leper 1: Alright, listen. We’re going in there, and if they spare us, we’ll live, but if they kill us, we’ll die.

Leper 2: Umm…. that’s kinda obvious (speaking sarcastically)

Leper 3: (Looking confused and uncertain)

Leper 4: Sigh… God help us.

Leper 1: It is better to die with hope, than with none at all. Let’s go fellas.

(“And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.” vs. 5)

Leper 4: Oh my God! There’s no one here!

Leper 3: Where did all the men go?

Leper 2: (Mouth wide open in amazement)

(“For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.” vs. 6-7)

Leper 1: Hey, since there’s no one around, let’s see what’s in these tents!

(“And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.” vs. 8)

With nothing to lose, the frail, yet hopeful lepers joined together, removed themselves from their place of misery, and went forward in faith, to find what they hoped for. Surprisingly, they received more than what either of them could have imagined. God is well aware of our struggles and wants to see us blessed, but we will never receive of His glory, until we get up from our place of misery, realize we have nothing to lose, and go forward in faith.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Nothing To Lose”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

The Right Way

Psalm 25:8-11

We are bombarded today with unlimited appeals to “go my way.” TV advertising alone places hundreds of options before us, in addition to appeals made by political parties, cults, false religions, and dozens of other groups. Numerous organizations, including Christian organizations, seek to motivate us to “support the cause.” Add to that the dozens of decisions we must make concerning our job, our family, our money, our society, and we become desperate for someone to show us the right way. If you find yourself pulled in several directions, remember that “the meek will he teach his way.” (Life Application Study Bible excerpt)

Interesting Interviews

Exodus 32, 1 Samuel 17, Job 1

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Interesting Interviews” starring, HolyEll and various characters throughout Bible history! I’m your host, “HolyEll”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.”)

(HolyEll appears in the midst of Aaron the priest)

HolyEll: Excuse me sir. My name is HolyEll, and I would like to take a moment to better understand your perspective on an issue.

Aaron: Who are you? And, What are you wearing son?

HolyEll: I’m from a time in the future, and I traveled back to get a better understanding of some of the major decisions made in Bible history.

Aaron: Uhh I have no idea what you speak of. At any rate, you may deliver your inquiries.

HolyEll: Alright. Firstly, what are you doing sir?! Are you aware, your brother is currently in the presence of God, gathering essential instructions on how to lead all these people? Why have you allowed the people to cause you to give in to their nonsense?

Aaron: Well, umm… you see, my brother has been gone for quite some time, and the people have grown restless while awaiting his return. So, I submitted to their request to make gods, that will go before them.

HolyEll: A-Aron! Really sir? Do you not recall the recent miraculous events provided you by the hand of the almighty God? Have you so easily forgotten, your brother stood boldly before the Lord and obeyed as He commanded, so that the people could live and prosper? How could you allow yourself to go against the very God who saved and delivered you, in place of idols, which can do nothing except rot, and take up valuable space?

(HolyEll vanishes into thin air, as Aaron wonders in amazement.)

Aaron: Whe…where did he go. My Lord, he certainly made some valid points. Oh dear…

(“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”)

(HolyEll appears in the midst of young David.)

HolyEll: Hey, hey, excuse me young man.

David: Hey there, can you give me a moment. I have a very important job to do right now.

HolyEll: Yes, I know the story, I meant well…right. Before you go to face that giant of a man over there, may I ask you a few questions?

David: I am very determined to fulfill this assignment, so could you make it quick?

HolyEll: Of course! Umm, aren’t you afraid to go up against that guy? I mean, just look at him. It looks like he eats buffalo for breakfast and dinner?

David: What’s a buffalo?

HolyEll: Nevermind that. I saw you pick up five smooth stones. Do you think they’ll work to defeat that big mammoth of a man?

David: I have the Lord on my side, and the extra stones are for anyone else who comes against me after I take the head of that uncircumcised Philistine.

HolyEll: Hey bro, do your thing homie!

(HolyEll vanishes into thin air, as David wonders in amazement.)

David: Bro?… Homie?…. prepare to meet your maker giant AAAHHHHH!

(“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil… And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”)

Job: (Crying and lying on his face in agony)

HolyEll: Umm… excuse me sir. Sorry to bother you, but…may I sit with you for a moment?

Job: Good day to you son. How may help you?

HolyEll: Wow, you’re really nice! You’ve been lying here suffering for countless days, yet you maintain your character.

Job: How do you know about my suffering?

HolyEll: Let’s just say, a little birdie told me all about it. Anyhoo, may I ask you a few questions?

Job: At this point, you may ask as you please. I’ve lost everything. My children, my livestock, even my wife has spoken ill against the Lord. Nevertheless, I will not turn away from the hand of my God, because the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.

HolyEll: Man, that’s deep. Mr Job, I’m fully aware of your situation, and how your close friends would not support you in your struggle. Although they meant well, they were unaware of God’s overall plan for your life.

Job: You speak as a wise man, son. Naked I came into this world, and naked I’ll leave. God is always righteous, even in His judgment. There is a reason for my suffering, but my God will continue to get all the glory.

HolyEll: Man…sniff sniff… you’re making me cry.

Job: It’s ok son. I’ve cried rivers of tears already. Just let it flow, and God will turn your tears into joy.

HolyEll: I came with intentions to encourage you, but you’ve blessed me more than I could imagine.

(HolyEll vanishes into thin air, as Job wonders in amazement.)

Job: Who was that young man? Reminds me of myself, during my younger days. Thank you Father for sending a listening ear. All glory belongs to you.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Interesting Interviews”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

The True History Of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in the US is traditionally a time for family and food. American schoolchildren typically learn that the tradition dates back to the Pilgrims, who helped establish Plymouth Colony in 1620 in what is now Massachusetts. As the story goes, friendly American Indian locals swooped in to teach the struggling colonists how to survive in what the Europeans called the New World. Then everyone got together to celebrate with a feast in 1621.

Thanksgiving 2021 would mark the 400th anniversary of that “first” American Thanksgiving. But, in reality, Thanksgiving feasts predate Plymouth, and the peace celebrated that day was tenuous. The real story behind the holiday is so dark, in fact, that some people are rethinking how they celebrate the holiday, or whether they should at all. Settlers in Berkeley Hundred, in what is now Virginia, celebrated their arrival with a Thanksgiving as far back as 1619, according to National Geographic — though The Washingtonian reported the meal was probably little more than some oysters and ham thrown together. Decades before that, Spanish settlers and members of the Seloy tribe broke bread in Florida with salted pork, garbanzo beans, and a Mass in 1565, according to the National Parks Service.

Our modern definition of Thanksgiving revolves around eating turkey, but this was more of an occasion for religious observance in past centuries. The Pilgrims would most likely consider their sober 1623 day of prayer the first actual Thanksgiving, per the History of Massachusetts Blog. Others pinpoint 1637 as the true origin of Thanksgiving, since the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s governor, John Winthrop, declared a day to celebrate colonial soldiers who had just slaughtered hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children in what is now Mystic, Connecticut. Regardless, the popular telling of the initial harvest festival is what lived on, thanks to Abraham Lincoln.

The enduring holiday has also nearly erased from our collective memory what happened between the Wampanoag and the English a generation later.
Massasoit, the Wampanoag paramount chief, allied with the English settlers after Plymouth was established and fought with the newcomers against the French and other local tribes. But the alliance became strained over time. As thousands more English colonists moved to Plymouth, taking over more land, authorities asserted control over “most aspects of Wampanoag life,” according to “Historic Contact: Indian People and Colonists in Today’s Northeastern United States.” A study published in the journal Quarternary Science Reviews estimated that disease had already reduced the New England Indigenous population by 90% by 1620.

The Wampanoag continued to die from what the colonists called “Indian fever,” an unknown disease brought by early European settlers. By the time Massasoit’s son, Metacomet — known to the English as “King Philip” — inherited leadership, relations had frayed. His men were executed for the murder of the Punkapoag interpreter and Christian convert John Sassamon, sparking King Philip’s War. Wampanoag warriors responded with raids, and the New England Confederat. The war was bloody and devastating. In an article published in the Historical Journal of Massachusetts, the Montclair State University professor Robert E. Cray Jr. said the death toll could have been up to 30% of the English population and half of the Native Americans in New England. Metacomet was beheaded and dismembered, according to “It Happened in Rhode Island,” and colonists impaled his head on a spike to display for 25 years.

The war was just one of a series of brutal but dimly remembered early conflicts between Native Americans and colonists in New England, New York, and Virginia. A recently renewed focus on racial justice in the US has some people saying it’s time to reevaluate the meaning and celebration of Thanksgiving. Teachers, professors, and Native Americans told The New York Times that they were rethinking the holiday that has marginalized the US’s violence and cruelty against Native Americans, giving it names like “Takesgiving” and “The Thanksgiving Massacre.” And reflections on Thanksgiving are not new. According to the New York Post, the United American Indians of New England have been publicly mourning on Thanksgiving for decades.

Frank James, an Aquinnah Wampanoag activist who helped establish a National Day of Mourning in 1970, called the Wampanoag’s welcoming of the English settlers “perhaps our biggest mistake,” The Washington Post reports. On the National Day of Mourning, Native Americans gather in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for a day of remembrance. Prayers and speeches take place accompanied by beating drums before participants march through the Plymouth Historic District.

“Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today,” the commemorating plaque says, in part. “It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”

-Áine Cain and Joey Hadden (Insider.com)