Till, Tend. Cloud-Rider. Dwelling. How long? Remember-Ps 78

Till and Tend. In the beginning, God entrusted humanity with a two-word Prime Directive (Gen 2:15) for life in the Garden: Avad and Shamar.

• Till and Tend.
• Cultivate and Care For.
• Conceive and Conserve.

This ancient wisdom holds the secret to a life of wholeness, where opposites harmonize in a sacred dance. Mastery of this rhythm of resonance requires embracing the interplay between:

• Innovation and Consolidation
• Stability and Motion
• Settling down and Stirring up
• Roots and Wings
• Being and Becoming
• Rest and Renewal
• Vocation and Vacation
• Tradition and Transfiguration

Cloud-Rider, Divine Warrior: The God "who rides on the clouds" (Ps 68:4, 33; 18:9; 104:3-4; Dt 33:26; Isa 19:1; Eze 1:4, 28; Nah 1:3; Mt 24:30; 26:64; Mk 13:26; 14:62; Lk 21:27; Rev 1:7).

Dwelling in God's/Yahweh's house: Ps 23:6; 26:8; 27:4; 36:7-8; 52:8; 65:4; 84:1-4, 10-12; 92:12-14.

How long? The question asked during the lament (Ps 4:2; 6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 62:3; 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 89:46; 90:13; 94:3; 119:84). This indicates that the sufferer has been long in his pain and sees no end in sight. He thus appeals to God's pity that perhaps "enough is enough."

God’s Word says you’re lovable (John 3:16), capable (2 Peter 1:3), valuable (Luke 12:6), forgivable (Psalm 103:12), and usable (Ephesians 4:12). Psychologists say that your self-esteem comes from what you think the most important person in your life thinks about you.

Change (Romans 6:1-14)

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• What do you wish you could cut out OR add to your life forever, instantly?

1. How might you answer someone who says that it is no big deal for a Christian to sin, since grace will cover it (Rom 6:1; 5:20)? [Why did Paul's Jewish opponents oppose his teaching of grace (Rom 6:15?]

Is this moral policing? Augustine-happiness.

Gal 6:1, 1 Cor 5:1-13, 1 Tim 5:20, Tit 3:10-11, Jas 5:19, Rom 16:17, 2 Tim 4:2, Lk 17:3-4, Ezek 33:7-12, Lev 19:17, Gal 2:11-14

“There is a joy that is not given to those who do not love you, but only to those who love you for your own sake. You yourself are their joy”

“Happiness is to rejoice in you and for you and because of you. This is happiness and there is no other. Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere but theirs is not true joy.” Augustine.

Don't Demand Your Own Interpretation of the Bible (C.S. Lewis)

A reason why I think Christians should not insist on a particular, precise, specific, narrow interpretation of Scripture or biblical doctrine, and then use it to question any other contrary interpretation or perspective or practice: "...then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it" (Eccl 8:17).

Death (Psalm 49) and Judgment (Psalm 50)

“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself” (Ps 49:15). Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me (Ps 50:14-15).

Psalm 49: The Brevity of Life, the Certainty of Death and the Futility of Wealth.

• What are 2 unavoidable guarantees and certainties in life (Heb 9:27)?

SINKING: Drowning in Darkness (Psalm 69:1-36)

Desperation (Ps 69:1-4): "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal."

Folly (Ps 69:5-12): "You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you" (Ps 69:5; 51:3-4). "...for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me" (Ps 69:9).

God Knows and Sees All (Psalm 139)

Too Wonderful for Me: "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me" (Ps 139:1). "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps 139:23-24).

• Do you want your children, parents, spouse or friends to know your every thought and desire just like God?

Is it scary that God knows everything about you? No one can ever escape from God, yet the psalmist finds nothing to fear or regret from such a "scary" truth.

Raising Disciples

• 
  Sadly, it's so much easier to teach others than to teach myself (Rom 2:21).

• Focus on "be" not "do," "being" not "doing," "being a disciple" (Mk 1:17a; Mt 28:19a) not "raising disciples" (Mk 1:17b; Mt 28:19b).
• Focus first on yourself (Ac 20:28a) and not primarily on others (Ac 20:28b).
• Focus on Jesus (Heb 12:2), not the Bible student (Isa 53:6a).

When the Foundations are Destroyed (Psalm 11-12)

* Your thoughts about having faith in God (Mk 11:22)?

1. When is it a very strong temptation to flee/run away (Ps 11:1; Mt 16:22; Lk 13:31; Ac 21:12; 1 Sam 26:20)? Why (Ps 11:2-3)? Why should we not (Ps 11:4; 9:7; 96:10; 99:1; 146:10; Dan 4:26; Rev 19:6)? What if your life is in great danger (Phil 1:21; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23; Ac 20:24)?
2. What should you know about the Lord (Ps 11:4, 7a)? About the righteous and the wicked (Ps 11:5-6: Gen 19:24; 2 Pet 2:6-9)? [Why-]Should you want to see God's face (Ps 11:7; 13:1; 34:15-16; 27:4; 63:2; 80:3; Exo 33:18; Num 6:25)?
3. Why do we need help from the Lord (Ps 12:1-4; Isa 6:5; Jas 3:5-6)? Where do lies come from (Gen 3:1, 4-5; Jn 8:44)? What does the Lord promise to do (Ps 12:5)?
4. 
   What counteracts the power of lying lips (Ps 12:6; 18:30; 19:7)? Why (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12; Jn 6:63; Mt 24:35; Mk 13:31; Lk 21:33)? Knowing this, what should you do practically (Ps 1:2; 119:97, 11; Prov 23:23; Phil 4:8: Jn 8:31-32)?

• When the vile are honored (Ps 12:8) and foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do (Ps 11:3)? "When vileness is exalted" (Ps 12:8, NKJV). "What can an honest person do when everything crumbles?" (Ps 11:3, CEV)

"When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps 11:3) "...when what is vile is honored by the human race" (Ps 12:8).

Shout Out, Bow Down, Listen Up! (Psalm 95)

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods (Ps 95:1-3). "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, 'Do not harden your hearts...'" (Ps 95:6-8a). 

RESIDENCE (Psalm 15). SECURITY (Psalm 16)

How to Live with God: "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken" (Ps 15:1-5).

To enter God's presence. This brief poem of 5 verses instructs those who desire to enter the presence of God in the sanctuary. It gives 11 answers to the question of who can enter God's presence (Ps 15:2-5a).

Feeling Far From Father God (Psalm 77)

When You Feel Far From God: "I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me" (Ps 77:1). "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" (Ps 77:7-9)

• Have you ever faced something so difficult and so heartbreaking that it's caused you to question God's goodness, presence and love (Ps 77:7-9; 22:1)?

Why Churches Die

Why do churches die? Thom Rainer's list:

(1) because they refuse to admit they’re sick,

(2) they don’t take sufficient responsibility,

(3) they are too inwardly focused,

(4) they want to return to the glory days,

(5) they are waiting for the super pastor,

(6) they are unwilling to change.

Downcast, Disturbed, Discouraged, Depressed (Psalm 42-43)

In Psalm 42-43, the writer felt overwhelmed and discouraged.

1. Do you long for God as a deer pants for water (Ps 42:1-2)?
• Do you long for God more in good times or in hard times? 
• Do you long more for something else or for God? For answers [Why? Why? (Ps 42:5, 9, 11; 43:2, 5)] or for God Himself?

Universal Salvation, David Bentley Hart

Romans 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15:22, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Romans 11:32, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Titus 2:11, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Ephesians 1:9-10, Colossians 1:27-28, John 12:32, Hebrews 2:9, John 17:2, John 4:42, John 12:47, 1 John 4:14, 2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 18:14, Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 1:19-20, 1 John 2:2, John 3:17, Luke 16:16, and 1 Timothy 4:10. (Cited in Hart's That All Shall Be Saved, 95-102).

Forsaken (2024 Key Verse)

Found guilty as a criminal. 2023 began 2 weeks after 6 armed FBI agents came to my house unannounced at 7 am and hand-cuffed and arrested me. I was indicted and charged with serious offences of defrauding the U.S. government and committing health care fraud for an online job I did for 5 months in 2019. I reviewed charts of patients who had cancer or a family history of cancer to decide whether or not to order a genetic test. Unbeknownst to me, there was a fraud that involved labs and multiple marketing companies that targeted medicare recipients. I knew of this only after my defense attorneys informed me. I was paid $26,800 while the lab billed Medicare for 9 million according to my indictment. In Aug I went to trial. After 3 emotionally exhausting weeks 12 jurors found me guilty on one charge. On Feb 29, 2024, I will be sentenced and will receive prison time of up to 5 years and fines and forfeitures.

Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:6

Isa 49:1-3. What is the first command Isa 49:1? Who are the recipients of this command? Who is giving this command? What is the significance of the words “born” and “womb”? What are the qualifications listed of the Servant Isa 49:2? What is He called Isa 49:3 and what is His purpose? Isa 49:4. How might the Servant be discouraged in His ministry? Yet, despite the discouragement, what is His assurance?

Isa 49:5-6. What is the Servant’s purpose Isa 49:5? How is the Servant regarded and upheld by God Isa 49:5? What is the Servant’s purpose as described Isa 49:6? How does this remind us of what Israel was called to do (Isa 42:6)? Who is the light of the world? Isa 49:7. What will the nation of Israel think of the Servant? What is God’s ultimate promise to His Servant?

Isa 49:8-9. Who is the Lord speaking to Isa 49:8? How is the ministry of the Servant described Isa 49:8-9? How are these covenant blessings to be enjoyed by God’s people? Read Isa 49:9-12. How do Isa 49:9-10 describe God’s provision, protection, and guidance? What do Isa 49:11-12 promise for those whom the Lord brings to Himself?

Isa 49:13. What is the response of all creation when the Lord liberates His people? Isa 49:14. Yet, despite God’s promises, what is the response of His people, Zion? Isa 49:15-18. What is the Lord’s word of hope to His people Isa 49:15-16? What additional promises does the Lord make to His people Isa 49:17-18?

Isa 49:19-21. Because of the Servants work, God will bring blessings to His people. Isa 49:19-20, it is as though the Lord was speaking to Jerusalem/Zion; what does He say to the city? In Isa 49:21, what do the words “bereaved and barren” indicate? Yet, what is God’s promise?

Isa 49:22-23. How do Isa 49:22-23 describe the Sovereign Lord reversing the fortunes of His people?

Isa 49:24-26. What is the question being asked Isa 49:24? How is the question answered Isa 49:25? In Isa 49:26 we see some of the horrors of siege conditions. Through God’s deliverance of His people, what will all mankind know (Isa 49:25)?

Heaven (Revelation 21:1-8)

“I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5)

• What is your idea of heaven? A pie in the sky? Playing harps on a cloud?
• Do you fear death? Going to hell?

1. What is significant about:
• a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1a; Isa 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet 3:13),
• the first heaven and the first earth (Rev 21:1b; 2 Pet 3:10) and 
• no more sea (Rev 21:1c; 13:1; Dan 7:3; Isa 57:20; Lk 21:25)? Is this literal (Rev 21:6; 22:1-2, 17)?
2. What is "the new Jerusalem" (Rev 21:2, 10, 16; Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22; cf. Exo 26:33-34; 1 Ki 6:20; 2 Chron 3:8)?
3. Why is the promise of God dwelling with man the best promise ever (Rev 21:3-4, 7; 7:16-17; Eze 37:27; Is 25:8; 65:19; 9:6)? What prevents this from happening (Isa 59:2)?
4. How does God make all things new (Rev 21:5; Isa 43:18-19, 2 Cor 5:17)?
5. Why is God "the Alpha and the Omega" (Rev 21:6; 1:8; 22:13; Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)? [What is Alpha and Omega in the Greek alphabet?] What is it to be thirsty for the water of life (Rev 21:6b; Isa 55:1; Jn 4:13-14)? To be victorious (Rev 21:7; Gal 3:26)?
6. What is every person's worst destiny (Rev 21:8)? Are you afraid of dying? Hell? How can you not be cowardly (Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:7; Heb 2:14-15; Phil 1:21; Ac 20:24)?

• How might the new heaven and the new earth be entirely and existentially different from anything you have ever experienced in your life? How can it help you handle trials, tribulations and temptations in your life?

Revelation is about the triumph of God over Satan and the forces of sin and evil through Christ, culminating in a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). The ultimate hope of God's people is heaven (> 500x in Scripture; ~50x in Revelation).

1. Bonus questions for your own reflection and rumination:

2. 1. What does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth signify to you?

   2. What emotions or thoughts does the description of the New Jerusalem evoke in you?

   3. How does the vision of God dwelling among His people influence your understanding of God's relationship with humanity?

   4. How does the absence of a physical temple in the New Jerusalem shape your view of worship?

   5. How does the concept of the second death in the lake of fire influence your understanding of divine judgment and reward?

   6. In what ways do you see God making things new in your life today?

   7. How can the promise of a life without mourning, crying, or pain bring comfort in your present situations?

   8. How can the detailed description of the New Jerusalem inspire you to live in anticipation of this glorious future?

   9. How can the vision of the New Jerusalem impact the way you handle trials and tribulations in your life?

   10. How does the vision of God as the Alpha and Omega influence your view of God's sovereignty?

   11. What does it mean to you to be called to "overcome," as mentioned in verse 7?

• In what ways will the new heaven and the new earth be entirely different from anything we’ve experienced to this point in our lives? How will the new heaven and the new earth be better from what we’ve experienced to this point in our lives? (v. 1-8)
• What does it mean to you that the Lord will dwell with us forever? Why is this important? (v. 3)
• Why do you think John includes this beautiful, comforting picture of God wiping away every tear from our eyes? Why is this important? (v. 4) 
• God prepares us for eternity and provides us with the perspective we need by means of His Word. How can you be more intentional about the time you spend in God’s Word moving forward? Alone? With your family? At church?
• ● What do you think it means to live with an eternal perspective? Are you living with an eternal perspective? Moving forward, how can you more intentionally live in light of the eternal destiny that’s in store for you as God’s people?

Re: Matthew 6:33 (2023)

😪

On Sun, Jan 8, 2023 at 4:07 PM Benjamin Toh <benjamintoh@gmail.com> wrote:

I. Joy.

In 2022 I don't remember why I chose "Be joyful always" (1 Th 5:16) as my KV for the first time in 40 yrs. But I do know that no matter what happens or no matter what does not happen I MUST have joy in my heart and soul. I'll start with joyful events.

The joy of studying and preaching Exodus for the first time in 2022. In brief, all people need only 3 things without which we will still be enslaved by someone or something and are no different from the slaves oppressed by Pharaoh in Egypt:

1. Deliverance (Exo 19:4; 20:2). We need a Savior (Mt 1:21). No one can save themselves. I need salvation to "be joyful always."
2. Obedience (Exo 19:5; 20:3-17). We need to obey the Law (Jn 14:15) to be happy. I need to obey God "be joyful always."
3. Tabernacle (Exo 25:8; 29:44-46). We need a tabernacle for God to dwell with us (Jn 1:14). I must build my tabernacle to "be joyful always."

In 2023, no matter what, the only 3 things I need--deliverance/salvation, obedience/Law, tabernacle--do not change one iota.

The most joyest event in 2022 is when Johnny, my youngest and 7th grandchild, was born on 2/13/2022. Christy and I baby sit him 3 days a week, 6 hours each day. It is the first time in my 6 decades of life that I've spent so much time with a baby, since I hardly spent any time with our own 4 kids and 6 prior grandchildren when they were babies. But by enjoying baby Johnny 3 days a week I realized that I had missed 10 previous opportunities to enjoy lovely babies.

Next, though this was a loss for our Podil members, it was a happy surprise that John and Maria became a part of our WL church community in mid 2022. Dasha tells me that WL stole John and Maria from them. At the end of 2022 we also celebrated the joyous white wedding of Sarah Gutierez. Finally, what is always joyful all year round without exception is knowing your prayer, love and support for me, despite my many shortcomings and sins. But things happened in 2022 that I was quite sad and sorry about, yet God wants me to never lose my joy in Him.

Departure of friends. When people leave the church after many years or even decades, I feel that I've lost some friends that I at least see every Sunday at church. And if they left the church because of me, I'm sorry that I said things that caused them to leave. Despite the departure of some long standing older and younger people, I know that God has comforted and helped me to keep my heart and to "be joyful always" only because of Christ.

Indicted for a criminal offense. In mid-December half a dozen FBI agents came to my house unannounced to arrest me in hand-cuffs at 7:15 am for committing health care fraud. Without going into detail about the charges, it completely surprised me. It's the first time I've ever been hand-cuffed as a potentially dangerous criminal. I was in detention with leg chains for a day with 2 other convicted felons in the same jail cell, and I was released on bond to be tried at a later date. If found guilty my maximum sentence is 10 years in prison + a fine of up to $500,000. This waiting for a jury trial and their verdict is uncomfortable and distressful with many unknowns. But my key verse says, "be joyful always." I learned practically that joy is a choice which has nothing to do with my situation or circumstances. Even Jesus saw the joy set before him while being tortured, crucified and executed on the cross (Heb 12:2). So "be joyful always" is still a great KV for 2023.

Why did this happen? I've been praying that God would sanctify and purify me to be more like Jesus. So, without a doubt God is faithful to answer my prayer. Would you also pray for yourself for God to truly sanctify and purify you?

II. Because of the possibility and prospect of being found guilty and sent to jail, a few key verses for 2023 are:

• Phil 4:8b--"if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
• Isa 55:9--"my ways [are] higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
• Mt 6:33--"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..."
• Heb 13:5--"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,'" which is from Dt 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

With these verses in mind, being in jail is no big deal in the big picture and in the scheme of things. I hope Christy will visit me in jail. But I have to confess that I will miss seeing my 7-8 grandchildren grow up.

In 2023, God willing, and with your love, prayer and support, John and I will preach. I pray to preach through Acts. Pray for God to bless our outreach and evangelism at UIC. Pray for Ukraine and the end of the war.

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you," therefore seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.

Day 22 Advent, 12/25/23: God became a Man (John 1:14)

Merry X'mas. This is the last day of Advent reflection   

I've often thought of God becoming a man to live among them to save them, to a man becoming a cockroach to live among cockroaches to save cockroaches. This analogy is not only gross and crude, but inconceivable. Surely you can come up with a poignant analogy that expresses the mystery and majesty of the incarnation.

Yesterday, Jim Cook shared in his sermon the Message translation of John 1:14: "The Word became flesh, and moved into the neighborhood..." which reminded Christy Toh of Mr. Rogers. Jesus is truly the intimate friend of all sinners without discrimination, or favoritism, or racism, or gender bias.

Lord, help me to always remember the great cost of the Incarnation and the ultimate cost of the Cross. Help me to live out the truth that Jesus is the Incarnate God who is with me in order to save me.

Mon, Dec 25, 2023 Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) John 1:1–18 Friends, our Gospel for Christmas day is the prologue to the Gospel of John. In many ways, it is the entire Gospel, indeed the entire Bible, in miniature. Let's turn to the central passage: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The word used in Greek here for "made his dwelling" is eskenosen, which means literally, "pitched his tent among us." Don't read that in a folksy way. It is meant to call to mind the tabernacle of the temple. The Word becoming flesh is God coming to dwell definitively in his world, undoing the effects of sin and turning it into what it was always meant to be. Notice, too, what we see in the wake of this tabernacling: "And we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." So John is telling us that Jesus is the new Eden, the new Temple, the restored creation, the realization of God's intention for the world. And our purpose is not simply to gaze on this fact with wonder but rather to enter into its power: "From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace." .

Day 21 Advent, 12/24/23 🔴: Jesus' Kingdom will Never End

"…his kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:33).

Merry Xmas eve. In this world kingdoms rise and wane. Once a kingdom has been defeated, it never arises again. The kingdom of David was conquered by Babylon and exiled over 500 years ago in 587 B.C. But the angel promised Mary that the child she will bear "will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David" (Lk 1:32). Though this was inconceivable, God would fulfill his ancient promise made to David (2 Sam 7:16) around 1,000 B.C. as John Peace shared today during the lectionary reading.

Lord, thank you for faithfully keeping your promise despite our unfaithfulness to you. Thank you for sending your Son through whom your kingdom will never end. Help me to live with this glorious hope in my heart in the years to come.

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