God's People, Work, and Inheritance

I still remember the first time I read Isaiah 19, and how it rocked my world. I grew up always hearing my father say how he wished our government would just drop "the bomb" on all those "Arab countries", and then the world would be a better place. They were nothing but trouble, and deserved it. Well, I too thought that way for a long time, until three things happened.

First, my sister who was living in Ecuador told me about a lot of Palestinian Christians that lived in Quito had a tough time getting out of the Palestinian territory because they were suspected terrorists. But inside the Palestinian territory they were persecuted because they were Christians and not Muslims. I had never thought about Christians being stuck in the Palestinian territory and facing double persecution from the Muslims they were neighbors with and from Israel who treated them all the same.

Second, I heard a news story about the same thing. It was a radio interview of a Palestinian Christian family who was having an unbelievably hard time existing because of the ostracizing, the death threats, and the shutting off of the borders from the outside world. I couldn't believe that at one time I had honestly agreed with my father about wiping them off the map.

Third, I read Isaiah 19, and I heard God say these words,

"In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it. And the LORD will strike Egypt, He will strike and
heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal
them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the
Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians
will serve with the Assyrians."

And then in verses 24 and 25 it says, "In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.'"

God says right there that He loves these two Muslim extremist nations, Egypt and modern day Syria. Now it says before this that He will break them with suffering, and make them His own, but He would only bring tough times on them to change their hearts.

I hope you can see the lesson I learned. Who am I to cast a God judgement on a people. God is God, and I am not. Even Michael didn't try to throw an accusing word at Satan when disputing the body of Moses. Instead He said, "The LORD rebuke you!" (Jude 1:9) For God is the Judge; not me - not you.

Now, let me ask you, is there any skin color, nationality, pedigree, social class, lifestyle or faith that you have ever wished was erased from the earth. It's hard to look at the ugly in us, but if it's there, deal with it. Throw out your pride, pray for your enemies, and confess your hatred to your Creator. If you choose to keep it, you will shut out any chance of finding joy or peace in the tough times. It will control your life.

Trust God, who prophesies of some of the evil people around you, calling them, "My people, the work of My hands, and my inheritance." Do you doubt it. Well, if you're a Christian, don't you see it? That's exactly what He did for you.

--Johnie

Fireproof - The Movie

Always stay with your partner, especially in a fire.

Joyce and I watched Fireproof the movie tonight, and it was great! It made me think a lot about how love is interested in the other person's best, and that without expecting anything in return. Love is a verb, and is not just something spoken. Love is shown by our choices and our actions.

It's hard to describe a movie that actually has a moral. Watching it really made me want to take action. What are the things I expect out of my spouse that I have no control over. I mean the only thing I really have any control over is what I do. I can't change anyone but me. I can show the love for my wife and kids by how I spend my time and money. If I spend on me, then I guess I am showing love to only me. But if I sacrifice some of my "me time" then I then have time to spend on others.

Here's a test: If you truly care about your spouse, then they should know it. Ask them:

• Do you think we have a great marriage?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, what would you rank our marriage?
• Do you think I care about you more than anything else?
• Is there anything you wish I would give up for us?

How well do you know your spouse? Well, you may think "too well," but if you want a strong marriage then by your actions you need to show them that they are important to you. Even if it doesn't reciprocate. Love is a gift that you can give by caring about someone besides yourself.

If you haven't seen the movie, go see it. You'll be glad you did.

--Johnie

Letting Go is Hard to Do

"Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” - Luke 18:15-17

What does it mean to be in control? Is it if someone has all their debts paid off and has a healthy savings account? Are they financially "in control"? If someone always keeps the house spotless and dresses nice, does that make them "in control"?

Often we think we have everything under control when circumstances fall in our favor. You know: All the bills are paid on time, the car is running good, no family members are sick, and your boss likes you. Things are going good, so everything is under control.

But what about when things are not so good. Your boss doesn't like you, your parents are in the nursing home constantly sick, the belt on the car is about to break again, but you are still driving it around because you don't have the money to get it fixed. Yikes! Life is spinning out of control!

We all want to think ourselves capable, but how important is it to God if we are capable? How does God feel about beggars? Well, its pretty easy to judge them as "do nothings", but God freely accepted Lazarus the beggar when he died. He was loved by God as a beggar just as much as when he was resting in Abraham's bosom.

To be honest, I think we all have trouble contemplating total submission to God. We work to provide for our families - don't we? We are strong and healthy, probably because we are eating oh so right - aren't we? We stay busy with work, church, organizations, hobbies, and our kids activities, so we're productive - right? What could we possibly do to earn God's favor? The answer is nothing!

A child knows how to enjoy life and not worry about the fine details about how things happen. Just like children, we need to accept God's free gift for what it is - Free. Also children believe what they hear, and their belief is unshakable because they trust adults as caregivers. Those who trust in Christ's forgiveness are new creations and adopted children of the Living God. We have to face the fact that He is our provider and we are not. We really don't have anything to offer God. But He wants us to let go of thinking that we are in control. He wants us to trust Him. You may have a good paying job right now, but if you lose it will you worry because you are no longer in control? If you lose your house or your car, does that make you a bad person? No, but if you think it's all up to you, then you'll be down on yourself.

There is nothing we can do to earn God's favor. God just wants us to trust Him in the big things and in the little things. He wants us to then be amazed at what He does and to praise Him for it.


--Johnie

The Burning Embers

Here is a poem I wrote two winters ago that I wanted to share. It reminds me of my ancestors and how much I have in common with them. In the end the people of the past are peers to the people of the future. We all must deal with our sin before our Creator.

The Burning Embers
By Johnie W. Levell, 12/26/2006


Drawn by the warmth – constrained by the same;
Enchanted by the glow;
With the wind the embers dance,
They move as those who live.

Both rise and fall of sun is there
In remnant of the flame.
Speak now in tongue of blowing leaves,
And gently sprinkled rain.

Through this window, time’s erased,
Deep thought in those who gaze –
All men equal around the fire,
Searching out their ways.

"Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD; Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven." - Lamentations 3:40-41


--Johnie

Should Have Bought Crackers

I think the whole world knows that this last week the stock markets took a tumble. I really feel for all the people who have been getting ready to retire soon. I have heard many of them say that they "lost" a fortune. Yes it is still true that money has wings and flies away!

I went grocery shopping the other day and I was equally shocked by the cost of food. I think Walmart must be planning on not selling a good deal of their "stuff", so instead they raised the price of food. I've never really played the stock market, but oh if I only knew that Great Value brand crackers were going to go from 69 cents 2 weeks ago to $1.09 this week, boy could I have made a killing! I could have cashed my whole paycheck and bought a couple thousand boxes of Great Value Saltines and then sold them again this week and made a few hundred dollars! Oh, why was I not born with market savey intuition!! But I bet not many people in America have even thought too hard about playing the cracker market.

Hind sight is always 20/20, and if we only knew a month ago what we know now.........oh, well. Jesus told us not to store up our treasure here on earth, but to store it up in heaven. Hopefully we are thinking more about that now. It doesn't matter how much we think we have because it can disappear so quickly. And there's not even a really good explanation for it either!

Trust God because it was all His before the "financial crisis" and it is still ALL HIS today. He is our provider and we should never feel secure because of money. If you still feel worried or uptight, ask God to help you let go of it and just trust Him.


--Johnie