This morning I read John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” NKJV.
It spoke to my heart and kept pondering about it.
I decided to make a little word study out of it because yesterday, the same word “truth” was explained in a magazine I was reading.
The Hebrew way of writing “truth” is with the letters Aleph, Mem and Tav = emet. The Aleph and the Tav are the beginning and the final letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Beth and the Mem sits right in the middle.
In the Old and New Testament it is made clear enough who is the Beginning and the End and who the middle – the Messiah and Mediator.
So it is a life-spanning word from the beginning, through the middle, towards the end.
Just walk with me through the concordance and you will see what an excellent word it is, and the great company of words which come along with the truth.
The only true God. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The Spirit of truth.
We are admonished to speak the truth, to love it, to acknowledge it, to worship in spirit and in truth, to believe it, to testify about it, to walk in the truth, to be sanctified and cleansed by it and to gird ourselves with it and to work together for the truth.
The truth fits also in the following company of words: grace, love, light, peace, faith, knowledge, godliness and freedom. You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
It is not good to stray from it, to turn your back to it or leave the path of truth.
It is indeed a word for life, a word for every day and every occasion, a word to keep high in the banner of your life.
Philippians 4:8, 9b
“Finally, brethren (and sisters),whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things… these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
To Live Above With Saints we Love
“To live above, with saints we love, that will be glory.
To live below, with the saints we know, that’s quite a different story!”
Several years ago I came across this well known quote while I studied at the Bible College of Wales.
When you think that Bible College students all day walk with their Bible and study books under their arms and a halo around their heads, you are mistaken.
I had a wonderful time, for sure, and have learned a lot, but we were men and women of flesh and blood who had to learn to live together on a daily basis.
There were strict rules at the Bible College.
Boys were only allowed to interact with boys, girls only with girls, and only in the classroom they were allowed to communicate with one another. We even took our meals in different dining rooms.
However, one couple started courting right at the beginning of their three year study period and managed to keep it secret till the very end.
Next to our studies, we also had to do practical jobs on the College grounds.
The guys looked after all the technical jobs, including plumbing, woodwork and electricity, painting jobs, the gardens and keeping the fires of the central heating going. I was responsible for the tools and parts storeroom, and assisted the professional students when they needed a helping hand.
Sometimes there were jobs to be done in the wing where the girls lived.
One day I went with the electrician to the girl’s dormitory to do repairs. They had to share the room with several girls, while we guys, only had to share the room with one other person. (That could be a challenge too when your room-mate was from a different culture.)
This particular room housed six students, and the quote at the beginning of this story hung on their wall. You probably had to laugh when you read the proverb, but now you can understand how it must have been to share a room with six other girls!
I must confess we guys weren’t saints either, and had our share in breaking the rules.
Whatever the reason was, one Saturday morning a water fight ensued between some students, and somehow I ended up in the middle of it.
As I entered the swinging door, the fleeing student on the other side was stuck and treated to a full bucket of water. This happened just before breakfast, and for the rest of the morning things seemed quiet.
After dinner we walked back to our dormitory, where the “victim” of that morning tried to empty a bucket from the upstairs bathroom.
We thought we were bright and took another entrance, but had forgotten there was only one staircase. Not only we were doused, but the senior student who walked upstairs and threatened, “Don’t you dare!” even more!
We ran upstairs and shuffled with the perpetrator in the bathroom.
One of the students had filled the bathtub with (what we later realized) too warm water. The “morning victim” became a double victim, for two guys put him bottoms-down in the water.
He screamed, and when they released him, he ran through the corridor, yelling, “My bottom is steaming! My bottom is steaming!”
Surely, his behind was very red and another student took him to the first aid department of the Swansea hospital.
The nurse told him to remove his pants.
“What?” he asked incredulous. “At the College I’m not even allowed to TALK to the girls, and you want me to remove my pants?”
The other student burst out laughing when he overheard, and of course this became the joke of the College. Thankfully, it all ended well, but I never forgot the incident.
This is only one of several stories that happened during the two years I spent in the Bible College.
Since then, the students have gone out over the world to Africa, South America, the Middle or Far East or stayed at home ministering in churches, hospitals or wherever God called them, fulfilling the purpose of our training in the Bible College.
To live below, with the saints we know, that’s quite a different story!”
Several years ago I came across this well known quote while I studied at the Bible College of Wales.
When you think that Bible College students all day walk with their Bible and study books under their arms and a halo around their heads, you are mistaken.
I had a wonderful time, for sure, and have learned a lot, but we were men and women of flesh and blood who had to learn to live together on a daily basis.
There were strict rules at the Bible College.
Boys were only allowed to interact with boys, girls only with girls, and only in the classroom they were allowed to communicate with one another. We even took our meals in different dining rooms.
However, one couple started courting right at the beginning of their three year study period and managed to keep it secret till the very end.
Next to our studies, we also had to do practical jobs on the College grounds.
The guys looked after all the technical jobs, including plumbing, woodwork and electricity, painting jobs, the gardens and keeping the fires of the central heating going. I was responsible for the tools and parts storeroom, and assisted the professional students when they needed a helping hand.
Sometimes there were jobs to be done in the wing where the girls lived.
One day I went with the electrician to the girl’s dormitory to do repairs. They had to share the room with several girls, while we guys, only had to share the room with one other person. (That could be a challenge too when your room-mate was from a different culture.)
This particular room housed six students, and the quote at the beginning of this story hung on their wall. You probably had to laugh when you read the proverb, but now you can understand how it must have been to share a room with six other girls!
I must confess we guys weren’t saints either, and had our share in breaking the rules.
Whatever the reason was, one Saturday morning a water fight ensued between some students, and somehow I ended up in the middle of it.
As I entered the swinging door, the fleeing student on the other side was stuck and treated to a full bucket of water. This happened just before breakfast, and for the rest of the morning things seemed quiet.
After dinner we walked back to our dormitory, where the “victim” of that morning tried to empty a bucket from the upstairs bathroom.
We thought we were bright and took another entrance, but had forgotten there was only one staircase. Not only we were doused, but the senior student who walked upstairs and threatened, “Don’t you dare!” even more!
We ran upstairs and shuffled with the perpetrator in the bathroom.
One of the students had filled the bathtub with (what we later realized) too warm water. The “morning victim” became a double victim, for two guys put him bottoms-down in the water.
He screamed, and when they released him, he ran through the corridor, yelling, “My bottom is steaming! My bottom is steaming!”
Surely, his behind was very red and another student took him to the first aid department of the Swansea hospital.
The nurse told him to remove his pants.
“What?” he asked incredulous. “At the College I’m not even allowed to TALK to the girls, and you want me to remove my pants?”
The other student burst out laughing when he overheard, and of course this became the joke of the College. Thankfully, it all ended well, but I never forgot the incident.
This is only one of several stories that happened during the two years I spent in the Bible College.
Since then, the students have gone out over the world to Africa, South America, the Middle or Far East or stayed at home ministering in churches, hospitals or wherever God called them, fulfilling the purpose of our training in the Bible College.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
The Day Before Atonement
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) falls on the tenth day of the Jewish New Year,
in the Hebrew month Tishrei, usually in the month September or October.
You can read about it in Leviticus 16.
On this day, many Jews fast and ask forgiveness for their sins of the past year to God and their fellow men. In doing so, they hope to get a good “signature” in God’s book of Life. They literally ask for mercy on that day.
As soon as the Jewish New Year starts, people wish each other “a good signature” and “an easy fast”.
What makes this day so special is there is no radio or TV, the restaurants, shops and cinemas are closed and traffic comes to a standstill. Outside it is quiet, but the synagogues are full.
Children are allowed to play and make use of the quiet streets.
After Yom Kippur people begin to prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which lasts for seven days. Religious Jews live in a sukka (booth) built on the balcony, in their garden, or on the pavement. The simple structure (usually made of wood) is covered with branches, in order to be able to see the stars at night. Through it they remember the time they lived in the desert, after the Exodus from Egypt.
Sukkot is a pilgrim’s Feast in which many Jews, like in the days of old, go up to Jerusalem. It’s also a future Feast - the day Messiah comes, there shall be peace and joy.
Thousands of Christians who love Israel and the Jewish people, also come “up to Jerusalem” around this time to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
For me at the Christians Embassy in Jerusalem, it’s the busiest time of the year, because we host an international Congress during this time, as a foretaste of what’s to come in Zachariah 14.
But back to the day before Atonement (Yom Kippur).
My wife and I ordered a Hyundai 100 mini-van, suitable to transport our special needs children, including their wheelchairs.
The day before Yom Kippur the car arrived, which I had to pick up at the car dealer. I was in the middle of preparations for the congress, so it was a hectic time. While driving the brand new car to another place where they had to install the car alarm, my cell phone rang. Automatically I answered the phone and didn’t see the policemen on the other side of the road.
They motioned me to stop on the side of the road.
I barely had driven a mile before I already got a ticket. A huge one too, for it’s forbidden to drive while talking on the phone. 700 shekels (about $150), and 6 minus points on my driving license. I felt so utterly stupid!
I pleaded and tried, but whatever I did, nothing worked – the policeman walked to their car to issue the ticket.
A man who had seen it happening, approached me,
“You must try again, talk to them, otherwise you’re stuck with this huge ticket,” he advised.
“I already tried,” I told him.
But I took his advice and while I walked up to the policeman, an idea popped in my mind,
“Tomorrow is Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. Please, have mercy on me!”
To my utter amazement, they gave me a ticket, but one for driving with one hand, which only cost me 40 shekel ($10).
Speaking about grace and mercy!
I never forgot this day and learned an important lesson:
It’s not only forbidden to drive and use the cell phone, it’s also dangerous for yourself and others if you don’t concentrate while driving.
The incident surely served as a warning for me.
So from now on, I try to keep this verse in mind:
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t drive like the lawless with their cell phone in their hands…” Psalm 1, free version (from me)
in the Hebrew month Tishrei, usually in the month September or October.
You can read about it in Leviticus 16.
On this day, many Jews fast and ask forgiveness for their sins of the past year to God and their fellow men. In doing so, they hope to get a good “signature” in God’s book of Life. They literally ask for mercy on that day.
As soon as the Jewish New Year starts, people wish each other “a good signature” and “an easy fast”.
What makes this day so special is there is no radio or TV, the restaurants, shops and cinemas are closed and traffic comes to a standstill. Outside it is quiet, but the synagogues are full.
Children are allowed to play and make use of the quiet streets.
After Yom Kippur people begin to prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which lasts for seven days. Religious Jews live in a sukka (booth) built on the balcony, in their garden, or on the pavement. The simple structure (usually made of wood) is covered with branches, in order to be able to see the stars at night. Through it they remember the time they lived in the desert, after the Exodus from Egypt.
Sukkot is a pilgrim’s Feast in which many Jews, like in the days of old, go up to Jerusalem. It’s also a future Feast - the day Messiah comes, there shall be peace and joy.
Thousands of Christians who love Israel and the Jewish people, also come “up to Jerusalem” around this time to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
For me at the Christians Embassy in Jerusalem, it’s the busiest time of the year, because we host an international Congress during this time, as a foretaste of what’s to come in Zachariah 14.
But back to the day before Atonement (Yom Kippur).
My wife and I ordered a Hyundai 100 mini-van, suitable to transport our special needs children, including their wheelchairs.
The day before Yom Kippur the car arrived, which I had to pick up at the car dealer. I was in the middle of preparations for the congress, so it was a hectic time. While driving the brand new car to another place where they had to install the car alarm, my cell phone rang. Automatically I answered the phone and didn’t see the policemen on the other side of the road.
They motioned me to stop on the side of the road.
I barely had driven a mile before I already got a ticket. A huge one too, for it’s forbidden to drive while talking on the phone. 700 shekels (about $150), and 6 minus points on my driving license. I felt so utterly stupid!
I pleaded and tried, but whatever I did, nothing worked – the policeman walked to their car to issue the ticket.
A man who had seen it happening, approached me,
“You must try again, talk to them, otherwise you’re stuck with this huge ticket,” he advised.
“I already tried,” I told him.
But I took his advice and while I walked up to the policeman, an idea popped in my mind,
“Tomorrow is Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. Please, have mercy on me!”
To my utter amazement, they gave me a ticket, but one for driving with one hand, which only cost me 40 shekel ($10).
Speaking about grace and mercy!
I never forgot this day and learned an important lesson:
It’s not only forbidden to drive and use the cell phone, it’s also dangerous for yourself and others if you don’t concentrate while driving.
The incident surely served as a warning for me.
So from now on, I try to keep this verse in mind:
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t drive like the lawless with their cell phone in their hands…” Psalm 1, free version (from me)
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