Ms. Rita's Minute

On occasion, I’ll sit and ask myself if I really understand what Jesus has provided for me and what He intends for my life. I often get the sense that there is so much more in store for me and the family of God than we can ever imagine. The joy I get from meditating on the lavish unselfishness of His provision is indescribable.

Unfortunately, per John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Yet graciously, Jesus came “that we might have life and have it to the full.” This wonderful verse gives us greater insight into God’s generous desire for our existence. He came not only that we’d have life, but to have it wholly.

This reminds me that his commands aren’t given to steal our joy, kill our happiness, or destroy our peace. That’s the thief’s work, so we shouldn’t assign it to our Lord and Savior. Jesus has brought great fulfillment to our lives as only He can, and develops us into the family He desires.

Now of course, according to Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death” and sometimes, our unwise and sinful choices can open doors for our adversary to wreak havoc in our lives. However, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Bible tells us that, in Jesus, was life, “and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). Further, Jesus tells us “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. …” (John 11:25-26).

Therefore, Jesus is the one to whom we offer our gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise for all the great things He has done and continues to do for us.

We have truly been blessed with bountiful life and should not forget all of the Lord’s benefits written in Psalm 103:3-5: “Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”

How comforting to know that “He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” We can rest in knowing that “… as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him… .” (Psalm 103:10-11)

Now as far as our enemy is concerned, he has been handled as well. Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:18-19 that He “saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning” and that Jesus had given them “authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy” and that nothing would harm them. Dedicated followers of Jesus are his disciples today.

Even when we experience the trials of living in a sinful world, 2 Peter 2:9 assures us that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” Also, we know from James 1:2-3, that we can face trials with joy as we know that “the testing of our faith produces perseverance.”  Not to mention, the Bible’s Old Testament tells us: “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Proverbs 24:16) Nevertheless, it’s okay to ask for help getting back up.

So with all glory being given to Jesus, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 comes to mind: “So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” Now if that isn’t abundant life, I don’t know what is!

There’s no doubt we need the Lord’s instructions and His Holy Spirit’s power working through us to be successful in loving our enemies. Yet we may need help in identifying our enemies and determining our level of communication with them. Are they believers we define as difficult or carnal, or are they unbelievers who don’t know God at all?

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I’m reminded of the unbelievers we’re told not to be yoked together with as shown in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them, and walk among them and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

However, we’re instructed in Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Though we may gather doing good to an enemy does not necessarily mean being yoked together, or in a binding relationship with them, loving our enemies is our response to those who offend us and our way of life or faith–a part of living the Christian lifestyle.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 continues with: “Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Then Chapter 7, follows with: “…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Nevertheless, we have the Lord’s direction in John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Also, we’re told in Luke 6:27-28: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

So, though we should not forget that we are justified by faith in Jesus, apart from the works of the law, at the same time, we must understand we still have some responsibility and effort to maintain Christlike behavior in our lives. 1 Peter 1:15 reminds us that: “… just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

One part of this being holy entails loving our enemies, those who oppose us and possibly even want to harm us or see us fail. This could be someone we don’t know personally or someone we know very well. It may be someone who knows nothing of Jesus and the Bible, or someone who knows much about the Bible but interprets it differently than they should. Or, one who sees no real value in its contents.

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In any event, we must show respect for them as fellow humans who Christ died for and pray for them. This is loving them. It does not mean we are to walk closely with them as the Bible warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Further, in dealing with even those who profess to be Christians, but practice hypocrisy, Jesus tells us we are to “guard against the yeast of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1)… .” This included self-righteousness, doing to be seen, not practicing what they preached, neglecting justice, mercy and faithfulness, greed, and self-indulgence.

Another important verse to note is Galatians 6:1, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Each time we encounter an enemy, we should pray to our heavenly Father specifically about how to communicate with them if at all. It may be that we are to remain quiet. Relying on the Holy Spirit and what He shows us in His word about loving an enemy, and obeying Him, may result in our enemy experiencing the Holy Spirit’s fruit of God’s love in us. If he or she does not recognize it as love, they will surely recognize it as being different from the world.

First, I’d like to preface the following paragraphs with the fact that I love Jesus from the whitest white to the darkest black skin color. However, that doesn’t stop me from seriously wondering what he actually looked like.

There’s nothing wrong with pondering the appearance of someone with whom we are so close. I’m certainly willing to wait with patience to see Him face to face, but having some frame of reference as to my Savior’s appearance is for sure a strong desire. I wonder about those practical characteristics like his height, build, skin and hair color, eye shape, hair texture, etc.

Isaiah 53:2/NIV of the Bible describes Jesus as having “no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” So this suggests to me that He wasn’t what you would describe as attractive or good-looking, though no doubt He was the sweetest person who ever lived. His personality must have been very humble and compassionate, especially since verse 3 goes on to tell us “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

John of Revelation 1:9-18 describes an event when he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and he heard behind him a loud voice that told him to write on a scroll what he saw and to send it to the seven churches. He described seeing “someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” He told John “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Isn’t that an amazing event to imagine? The risen Jesus went on to tell him to write what John had seen and what would take place later.

Josephus, a highly educated man, born into a wealthy family, the son of a Jewish priest, who grew up in Jerusalem, was appointed a military governor of Galilee, and later became a Roman citizen and was referred to as Flavius Josephus. In one of his works, The Antiquities of the Jews (Book 18, Chapter 3), he wrote of Jesus: ““About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.”

One description of Jesus, according to the “Slavonic Josephus,” a translation of Josephus’ History of the Jewish War; The Messiah Jesus and John the Baptist According to Flavius Josephus; Robert Eisler, Ph.D.: “Both his nature and his form were human: for he was a man of simple appearance, mature age, short growth, three cubits tall [about 4 and a half feet, based on the Jewish cubit], with scanty hair, but having a line in the middle of the head after the fashion of the Naziraeans, eyebrows meeting above the nose so that the spectators could take fright, with a long face, a long nose, and with an undeveloped beard, dark skin, and hunchbacked. …”

Another description of Jesus is from The Letter of Lentulus, which was said to be written by a Roman, contemporary of Jesus, and gives a physical and personal description of Jesus: “Lentulus, the Governor of the Jerusalemites to the Roman Senate and People, greetings. There has appeared in our times, and there still lives, a man of great power (virtue), called Jesus Christ.

The people call him prophet of truth; his disciples, son of God. He raises the dead, and heals infirmities. He is a man of medium size (statura procerus, mediocris et spectabilis); he has a venerable aspect, and his beholders can both fear and love him. His hair is of the colour of the ripe hazel-nut, straight down to the ears, but below the ears wavy and curled, with a bluish and bright reflection, flowing over his shoulders. It is parted in two on the top of the head, after the pattern of the Nazarenes.

His brow is smooth and very cheerful with a face without wrinkle or spot, embellished by a slightly reddish complexion. His nose and mouth are faultless. His beard is abundant, of the colour of his hair, not long, but divided at the chin. His aspect is simple and mature, his eyes are blue-gray and bright. He is terrible in his reprimands, sweet and amiable in his admonitions, cheerful without loss of gravity. He was never known to laugh, but often to weep. His stature is straight, his hands and arms beautiful to behold. His conversation is grave, infrequent, and modest. He is the most beautiful among the children of men.”

Now only God knows the level of accuracy of these descriptions, however, they are an interesting read. Nevertheless, I can’t help but think of the angel in Acts 1:11 who spoke to his disciples as Jesus was taken up on a cloud into heaven after his death and resurrection: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

So we can expect from the Bible’s signs of the end times, that we will see Him soon and will no longer have to wonder what he looks like. Of course, many believe that it does not matter what He looks like, but one like me can’t help but wonder what the author and finisher of my faith looks like. It is indeed a valid question.

Two other events remind me that Jesus can change his appearance.

Matthew 17:1-3: “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.”

Luke 24:13-51: “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

…. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

It may be interesting to read the writings or interpretations of others’ information on Jesus’ appearance, however, we should never forget that the Bible tells us we all descended from one man, Adam, created by God Almighty. So, there are no worries about how we are connected. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, birthed by a woman, was born of the Holy Ghost–that same Spirit by which we as Christians were spiritually reborn to become a part of the family of God.

To see other thought-provoking, differing ideas on what Jesus may look like, I’ve added a few videos for your viewing.

I’m remembering how my mother used an old expression that defined her displeasure in a situation: “I was fit to be tied.” This phrase meant that she was so furious she needed to be restrained.

How often are we fit to be tied? What causes us to go throughout the day seething in thought about someone’s inconsiderate behavior toward us, or even worse causes us to blow up in full cussing out mode?

Anger is an emotion we all feel from time to time. Sometimes it’s valid. Other times, not so much. Yet our heavenly Father knows all about the frustrations of life that bring about this emotion. He knows that anger will surface, but teaches us how to handle it.

Anger can have a detrimental effect on our lives if we aren’t careful to bring that emotion under subjection to the Holy Spirit. If we don’t act accordingly, it can cause us to linger in unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness; not to mention go to jail, or even end up dead.

Anger is not a sin, but can cause us to sin. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:26-27/NIV, ““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Sometimes, life will call for the display of righteous anger when injustices are committed. Jesus displayed righteous anger when he turned over the tables of the money changers and sellers he found in the temple. His Father’s house was designed to be a house of prayer. His actions weren’t done to harm them but to correct them.

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:13-17)

Righteous anger involves standing up for what is right. We see many examples of this in the Bible.

Nehemiah, the initial cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, and later Governor of Judah, in Nehemiah 5 of the Bible, was very angry following the outcry of the poor of his people. After returning to Judah, the home of his ancestors, by permission of the king, to rebuild the city, he was an example of one whose actions proved helpful.

Nehemiah addressed the nobles and officials regarding the problems of the indigent and succeeded in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, as well as instituting some religious and economic reforms.

Righteous anger will often be followed by some kind of needful action. However, our behavior or response to an offense will determine its effect in any situation. The Bible tells us in James 1:19-20 that “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Of course, excessive anger is not helpful, but destructive. It can cause major problems in relationships and make us very unattractive. The Bible warns us about angry associations: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Proverbs 22:24-25)

Thankfully, the feeling of anger can be channeled toward something helpful. For example, if one is angry that poor people aren’t considered or helped, one might develop a new method, small or large, to help them. Or simply volunteer one’s own time in their community, at an organization that provides help to the poor.

One might be angry about the trash often seen in one’s neighborhood. One could alone or organize neighbors together, collect trash when seen in front of you or nearby. This can serve as an example to other neighbors to dispose of trash if they see it.

One might be angry about how a classmate is consistently gossiping about other students, causing trouble. That anger can be used to foster a few casual conversations during breaks or lunch before sharing one’s thoughts on how one keeps their own mind free of other people’s behavior.

Sometimes, just seeing someone’s good behavior can spark motivating thoughts in another’s mind and conscience on how to behave.

As God’s ambassadors or representatives, we must submit our emotions to God for His grace to rule. We see that according to Romans 12:16-18, we are to “live in harmony with one another” and that we aren’t to repay anyone for evil but to “be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”

We are to leave any repayment for wrongdoing to the Lord as He is the only one who has the right to avenge. This is the way of His kingdom whether we like it or not.

Often, it takes more advanced help to temper our tempers. We may need counseling to help us unpack those hidden things that cause us to feel rage to the point of harming others. Not to mention time in God’s Bible and prayer regularly makes for less frustration and outbursts.

Though anger may surface, God graciously gives us creative ways of being and doing that help us steer clear of displaying those behaviors that anger may produce, but we must read our Bibles and pray consistently, even if in short, small segments.

Sometimes, I think patience is the one fruit of God’s Spirit that I’ve struggled to walk in most. Nevertheless, at times I’ve feared to ask for more of it, as lessons of patience often involve more waiting. Yet, as God’s family, we must have it, as the blessings of life will never perfectly unfold per our own time schedules. So to stay in God’s peace, we must cultivate patience.

As we’ve submitted our lives to the Lord, we come under His divine schedule and must honor His way of bringing events to pass. Hence, we learn to wait and practice contentment while we do so, which makes life less stressful. Impatience indeed brings on unneeded anxiety.

When we find ourselves unable to make something occur, when or as we’d like, we may be tempted to create various ways to do so. This can make matters worse, so we must resist the urge to control events that require waiting, which creates extra angst.

There are many examples in the Bible of godly people who needed to exercise great patience. However, here are a few who experienced it’s necessity and reward:

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Abraham and Sarah

This memorable couple, mentioned in Genesis 17-21, waited many years for God’s promise of a child to be fulfilled. Despite their very old age, they eventually had their son, Isaac. Yet the waiting was not without some doubt, namely when Sarah took it upon herself to attempt to help God out by offering her slave to her husband, Abraham, to produce a child which he was obliged to do. This was not without some frustrating events that occurred later.

Joseph

Joseph, in Genesis 37-50, faced being betrayed by his brothers, the lies of a frustrated woman, and imprisonment in Egypt. Yet Joseph remained patient and faithful, later being promoted with great authority and reconciliation with his brothers.

Moses

In the book of Exodus, Moses, leading the Israelites out of Egypt, dealt with the people’s complaints and disobedience for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land. Nevertheless, Moses, who initially thought he was definitely not the man for the job, completed his assignment.

Job

Job, in the book of Job, is a man who the Bible described as blameless and upright; who feared God and shunned evil. He had to exhibit much patience when he lost everything he had–health, wealth, and family–but still praised God and would not turn away from Him. He continued to trust Him and saw the latter part of his life greater than the former, encompassing the restoration of all he had lost and more.

The Bible teaches us that patience is produced through the trials and testing of our faith, per James 1:2-4, so we know this to be a way this fruit is cultivated in our lives.

(Photo: Impatience Meter Levels by Jane Keeper)

Sometimes, we can get offended by someone to the point of anger, but we’re told in Proverbs 15:18 that “a hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” So this is where we have to ask God for His grace to exercise His patience when we are tempted by frustrating interactions with others.

God has given us a helpful way to get through our challenges of waiting as we grow in patience. That way is prayer: simply asking and believing Him. If He didn’t want us to do so, He wouldn’t have said so.

In Mark 11:24, Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” We already know that according to Matthew 6:10, we are to be praying that God’s “will be done”, and that via Ephesians 5:17, we are not to be foolish, but “understand what the will of the Lord is.” Therefore, we read the Bible to know His will.

In addition, Philippians 4:6-7 tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Furthermore, James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

It is truly a blessing, to be assured in Galatians 6:9, that we will reap a harvest at the proper time, if we don’t get weary in doing good and give up. Talking to God when we’re waiting on anything brings comfort.

It’s not easy to wait, especially when it is something that appears to be needful immediately. Nevertheless, we are graced to seek God for the patience necessary to wait with the fruit of peace and joy that He’s also provided us.