CONSUMING FIRE

Sometimes I forget that GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE! Hebrews 12:29 

It says in the epistle of James that "God opposes the proud"! Meaning He hates pride, and those who are prideful are in direct opposition to Him. 

I never really considered the idea that to befriend the world, as it were, was in essence to become an enemy of God! How can that be? I've read those verses a thousand times in James, but I think I saw them more metaphorically, which diminishes their meaning and impact. I believe James is giving a clue when he says that "the Spirit He caused to live in us yearns jealously." Yearns jealousy for what? Our heart's! He doesn’t want us being pulled away and distracted from out relationship with the Life Giver Himself. Why? Because the truth is, there is no God but YHVH and the world presents us with other gods! The Hebrew word used for idolatry means to place something between you and the object of your focus (in this case God), thus blocking it from sight and causing something else to take it's place of importance. Simple, yet powerful!

Thank God James said "He gives us MORE grace!" He follows that thought with something from Proverbs. "... but He gives grace to the humble." 

So how do we humble ourselves to receive this grace? 

I think I'll sum it up this way... recognize the pride and then ache for the break. King David said, "a broken and contrite heart He will never turn away." 

This is the only confidence I have... what about you?

As the month of Elul is upon us and pushes us ever closer towards Rosh haShanah and Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), in Judaism it is a time one is to take into account the last year of life, a soul search as it were, in preparation for Yom Kippur. It's probably not a bad thing to not only join into the process, but to ask God to show us how it is we have forgotten who He is and how the simplicity of our actions cause us to be at odds with Him, and His Spirit in us. Don't you?

Thanks for reading and shalom!

© 2010 Steven Bliss

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RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

(Several months ago a 7 year old boy was murdered by Taliban thugs in retaliation for the boys Grandfathers instructions to stand against the Taliban to the people of their small village in Afghanistan. A spokesperson for the Taliban accused the boy of spying for the US. The child was apprehended as he was playing and later found hanging from a tree not far from the village. In truth, it was clearly an act meant to instill fear and terror in the hearts of his family, and anyone influenced by the words of his Grandfather.) 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/11/afghan-taliban-hang-year-old-boy-punish-family/ 


            We now live in an age of neo-barbarianism. Unlike its early predecessors, this age has arrived in a time when civilization has evolved and devolved at the exact same time. There are no excuses for insanity other than insanity itself, but the great big world we live in has gotten very small over the last twenty years. Whether it’s because of computers or travel, or the constant up to the nanosecond global information barrage from the media; as citizens of the world we are living in very tight quarters. What we were sheltered from in the past now stares us in the face. Good or bad, it forces us to look, and demands that we respond. 



In my opinion, the earthshaking event of a 7 year old boy being snatched from the safety of innocent play to be hung from a tree in order to terrorize all who see; as well as those of us who discover this horrific story, requires an aggressive, yet honest immediate response. 



In the ancient world, there were no rules of engagement. It was common practice to strike fear in the hearts of an enemy by cutting off the heads of those who oppose you and hang their bodies from the city walls and plant their heads on stakes for all to see. There was no civilized or humane sense about it. The point was, “This will happen to anyone who defies or comes against us. Be forewarned!” More often than not, it worked. Those who were struck with fear retreated into submission. But these are different times… right? We are no longer barbarians… right? 



Unfortunately the answers to these questions are being rapidly redefined. 



Sophisticated and intellectual warfare fought with fierce and formidable weapons are no real match for the ancient ways of war. Though the power of the weapons seems more apt to inflict greater casualty, it pales in comparison to the demon-like ferocity of those who wield the weapons of psychological terror. Strike fear into the heart and you control the mind. Even more insidious and greater still… those who are promised reward for their sacrifice willingly participate without fear of reprisal. 



Without exception, the use of children is at its least, criminal. At its highest it is unconscionable and requires a re-think of just how we are dealing with our enemy. If you are a parent, put yourself for one moment in the place of the parents and relatives of this child. 



In this present climate where even the terminology is being changed to dull the senses, we have been lulled into the hands of our enemy by disconnecting with just who it is we are fighting. We assume the posture of sophistication and intelligence against and enemy whose sole purpose is world domination through a “bow or die” mentality. They are drunk with the blood of their martyrs and as deceived as they are wicked. They are a consuming force making their way into the peaceful un-walled villages of our minds. Ours is to reason, theirs is to conquer. We seek to be civilized, compassionate, and help; they live to kill. It is an ancient foe... one that has ruled more than once on this planet, and seeks to rule again. 



The rules of engagement do not exist for those under such ancient influence. To engage this enemy with any mindset other than the one they employ is like trying to keep oil from slipping through your fingers. In these cases, an eye for eye is an acceptable position. Most will say this is nothing more than a barbaric approach to an ineffectual end. But when dealing with those who have no compunction in hanging a 7 year old child from a tree to terrorize the hearts of all who see, fire must be returned with fire… but not with the same fire used by the enemy… rather with fire that will char the palate of the demons within.



Thanks for reading. 



© 2010 Steven Bliss
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