The family of God.

We were reflecting on our time at New Community Church this summer, what a blessed time, it felt like coming home to the children of God. It was like what Paul teaches us in Scripture.

“All of us, regardless of our circumstances in life, are “fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,” as Paul says in Ephesians 2:19. You and I have been adopted into God’s family and have become God’s children (Romans 8:16). God’s family becomes visible on earth through his church.”

Of course we know that the church is a family, we all know that. We love each other, we respect each other, we are patient with each other, we forgive each other, we encourage each other and we never give up one anyone, like children in all real families. But what we learned this summer is that: this does not only go on at Sunday morning, families take care of each other every day of the week, 24/7. On Sunday we come together to thank God and celebrate for what God has done for us during the week. Thank you for setting that example. We thank God. Blessings!

Pastor Case and Gremar

# 09 2023 Dev. Prov. 9:10. Knowledge and Understanding! Read all of chapter nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9 continues the theme of “wisdom” and “knowledge” The chapter compares two imaginary houses, two opposing ways of life and two opposite world views.  Here also, the author personalizes wisdom and folly as  a righteous woman and an unruly woman. This can be said of men as well.

Vs.1-6 is a house of wisdom, a lot of work has gone into the house, she (has hewn out. see note) and set up seven pillars, the number of completeness of the house and completeness of her or his life. “Let all who are simple come to my house!” Come, eat and drink, come and learn to “walk in the way of insight.”

Vs.7-9. Here as well, we have the contrast, the comparison of two world and life views. We have all learned that those wise in their own eyes do not take advice well, but those seeking wisdom, listen.

Vs.10-12. The fear of the Lord, the respect for God’s ways and for God’s precepts, we only need to be afraid if we ignore God’s ways.  But  through wisdom “your days will be many…add years to your life.” Years of peace and harmony.

Vs.13-18. The author has given us the way of wisdom and the results of prudence. In these five verses he gives us the opposite, the opposing view. “Folly is an unruly woman” or man. She does not send out servants to call those seeking wisdom, no, she sits in her door way, she is the temptation. She is in a place, visible.  Her message is the same “Let all who are simple come to my house!” Meat, water, wine, or sex when “stolen is sweet”,  it is all delicious, more exciting but it leads to death. The end result of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the lust for goods is “that her (or his) guests are deep in the realm of the dead.”  A word to the wise.

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# 08 2023 Dev. Gen.20:7. Prophets, Priests and Kings! Read all of chapter twenty, first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from The NIV.

Gen.20:7 “Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live.”

Gen.20 is the second time Abraham and Sarah colluded to deceive a leader they had to deal with. Was there a legitimate concern that a king would kill to steal a wife or a man’s possessions? That could be a real concern but if a king could cement a relationship with someone as prominent as Abraham, it was marriage. That could be what is going on here, in any case, it conflicts with God plan, and God intervened. 

Vs.1-2 Abraham and Sarah did not learn from the consequences of deception in Egypt,  Sarah was taken both times and God intervened both times. 

Vs.3-7 God intervened and the text is very clear that Sarah was not touched. Further, God makes clear to Abimelek that Abraham is a prophet and Abimelek’s survival is in Abraham’s hands.

Vs.8-15 Abimelek makes restitution to Abraham but he calls Abraham to account.  Abimelek to Abraham, why?  “There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife,” was Abraham’s answer. That may be true, but God had promised Abraham His care, and protection. We can identify: “O, ye of little faith,” God is faithful, even if we are not.

V.16 Abimelek also makes restitution to Sarah, “you are vindicated in the eyes of your family”.

Vs.17-18 Abraham prays for Abimelek, God heard his prayer and healed his household. Since God’s Covenant through Jesus, the Covenant of God’s Grace and Love, followers of Jesus,  now  are prophets, priests and kings. We have the Holy Spirit, prophetic knowledge, we have direct access to God as priests, He hears our prayers and we reign with Christ  as kings. Thanks be to God, Amen! 

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# 07 2023 Dev. Prov.8:4. God’s Wisdom! Read all of chapter eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 8:4 ‘“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.”’ 

Proverbs 8 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.” Here in chapter eight wisdom is personified, It is one long quote from vs 12-36 giving instruction that should be familiar to all of us.

Vs.1-11 The chapter starts with a rhetorical question, “Does not wisdom call out?” Yes, wisdom stands at every path, every crossroad, every gate at the city, at every portal of our lives. This is about how we plan, or do not plan to live our lives. Wisdom is trustworthy, speaks what is right,  what is true, and what is just. Choose wisdom over gold or silver, “nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Vs.12-21 Prudence and discretion are the hallmarks. Evil is rejected, pride and arrogance an affront to God, perverse speech, evil.  All who rule on the earth and practice wisdom are a blessing, they love me and seek to find me. All who follow me “walk in the way of righteousness, along the path of justice.

Vs.22-29 Wisdom came to expression at creation, God’s wisdom is all around us every day. God’s wisdom is also expressed in Jesus and in the Holy Spirit. “God, three in one,” from eternity to eternity. 

Vs.30-31 Here we are tempted to place Jesus in the text, but there is no proof that Solomon wants to call Jesus, God’s wisdom, in this context. However, John 1:3 tells us that through him, Jesus, all things were made.

Vs.32-36 Solomon ends with good advice, “blessed are those who keep my (wisdom) ways, Blessed are those who listen to me.” “For those who find me find life” But those who do not seek or find me, love death and not life. Choose life while it may be found. Amen!

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# 06 2023 Dev. Gen.19:2. Punishment and Grace! Read all of chapter nineteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from The NIV.

Gen.19:2 “My lords,’ he said, ‘please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”’

Gen.19 is the chapter describing the visit of two of God’s angels to Sodom and Gomorrah, the destruction of the cities and what happens to Lot and family.

Vs.1-3 Lot practices the hospitality that Abraham practiced. One thing becomes clear, it is unlikely many strangers came into this city. Perhaps Lot wanted to spare these two strangers, knowing the people he lived with. By the time they had finished the meal  I suspect Lot saw these man as very special visitors. 

Vs.4-5 Before long all the city’s men, both young and old, gathered at Lot’s door and demanded he produce these two strangers. Lot lived here in this city as well, but Lot was not involved in homosexual  behavior, he was burdened by the evil of the place and 2 Pet. 2:7 calls Lot, “a righteous man.”  However, Lot did nothing to separate himself from this place.

Vs.6-8 Lot confronted them, “do not do this wicked thing, he offers them his two virgin daughters instead. In our time, this confrontation is disputed, calling it a possible spy situation and they simply wanted to interview the men. And the Idea of offering his two daughter was simply assurance that these men are legitimate guests, not spies. However, this is not what the text says.

Vs.9-11 There is nothing more unsettling to people who justify a commonly practiced activity, by calling it; “this wicked thing.” Today, the wrath of the government and of many people is upon you to suggest such as this. The crowd threatened Lot  to the point that the angels pull him inside and strike the crowd blind. 

Vs.12-26 From this point on, the angels want Lot and family out of the city, Lot finds his two future son’s-in-law but they do not believe him. Finally, the angels take the four of them by the hand and literarily pull them out of the city. “Flee to the the mountains and do not look back.” But Lot pleads to go to a small village instead, Zoar and in His mercy God grants this as well. But as God’s punishment is rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s wife looked back, was she only looking or was her heart  back to her comfortable life? She disobeyed, the angels had warned them not to look back. Some commentators today suggest that she actually went back, we don’t see that here, she longed for the comfortable life she had and it cost her. Is she lost? Based on God’s grace, we don’t think so.

Vs.27-29 Abraham, went to see if the cities were destroyed, and indeed they were. The author, Moses put in an editorial note: “God remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. The point is made that even in punishment there is grace. 

Vs.30-38  Lot, to his peril left the village of Zoar and fled to the mountains to live in a cave. Was Zoar as evil as Sodom?  Were they traumatized? Perhaps both. The daughters colluded together to get pregnant by their father, completely reprehensible, but God allowed it and they both became pregnant. They both had sons, they named them Moab, and Ben-Ammi. See footnotes for the meaning of their names. They became nations that for the most part opposed the Israelites. The one redeeming factor is the story of Naomi and Ruth. Ruth, a Moabite, is in the line of Jesus Christ. God’s grace abounds. Amen!  

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# 05 2023 Dev. Prov.7:1-4. A Prudent Life! Read all of chapter seven first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from The NIV.

Proverbs 7:1-4 “My son, (and daughter) keep my words…Keep my commands and you will live…Bind them on your fingers…Say to wisdom, ‘you are my sister (brother)’ and to insight, ‘you are my relative.’”

Proverbs 7 warns against selfishness: the lust of the flesh, porn,  drugs, wealth, drink, food, and pride. The author, hones in on elicit erotic love, but the lust of the flesh is more comprehensive.

Vs.1-5 The importance of wisdom and insight.

Vs.6-9 The author paints a scenario; a young man or woman, with no sense. intending on doing what is wrong, looking for it.

Vs.10-13 When one goes out, looking to sin, it will find you!

Vs.14-20 Here the lust of the flesh, all of it, takes a sinister turn, religion is used to justify it. This often the case today as well. “Today I fulfilled my vows, and have food from my fellowship offering, at home”.  I have given my gift, I have worshiped, attended church, now I am free to do what I desire! No! True religion does not work that way. Every temptation is thrown at the man or the woman looking for elicit satisfaction, food, spices, alluring smells, the prospect of an all night orgy.

Vs.21-23 Where your heart is, actions follow. It is trap, a snare that Satan sets for all mankind, especially for the followers of Jesus.

Vs.24-27 “Now then, my sons (and daughters), listen to me… Keep your heart pure, keep your heart close to God, close to Jesus, live in a constant state of prayer. God does not let us go, no matter how far we may have gone off the path, the Holy Spirit brings us back. Amen!

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# 04 2023 Dev. Gen.18:18. Chosen! Read all of chapter eighteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from The NIV.

Gen.18:18 “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.[c] 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” 

Gen.18 Is the confirmation of the God’s covent  with Abraham, his offspring, but also with us today, the confirmation of salvation, Gen. 3:15, John 3:16,18. It also shows the heart of Abraham, he has the heart of Jesus, not yet born, as he intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham uses the Hebrew method, that Jesus often used by asking questions. 

Vs.1-2 God shows up at Abraham’s dwelling as a theophany with two angels, members of God’s heavenly council. Did God fellowship with Adam and Eve in that way? Abraham follows the culture of the Middle East in terms of hospitality, that hospitality is also practiced in my African experience. 

Vs.3-8 Abraham says: “If I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord do not pass your servant by.” He brings water, and offers them food, he is a servant to them. This is typical, eating with someone is an honor for the host, by eating the food one puts a blessing on the food and to refuse food is an extreme offense. You do not turn down food no matter what it is.  Abraham put on quite a feast, three seahs of flour is about 36 pounds, and meat was not in the every day meal at that time. Abraham stood by ready to serve. At this time is Abraham becoming aware of who his guests are? I suspect so.

Vs.9-15 “Where is your wife Sarah? They asked him.” “In the tent, ”that she was in the tent is unusual, women were not isolated from normal discourse, if not in their monthly time. She however was listening and when she heard about the child she laughed.  She denied it when confronted but God said, you did laugh, “is  anything too hard for the Lord?” No, nothing, not one thing is too hard for the Lord, Amen. Something for us to remember when struggling with disappointments and illness.

Vs.16-21 As the men left, Abraham walked along with them, this also is part of Mid Eastern and African hospitality. Your host would travel with you for a time, in the Hausa language it is called rikiya, (uphold you on your way). God decided to tell Abraham the second reason for their visit, to see if the sin in Sodom and Gomorrah “is so great and grievous”. The reason God tells Abraham this is that God had said “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation….for I have chosen him, so that he will direct his household after him to keep the way Lord by doing what is right and just.” We are chosen, as well, all who call upon the Name of the Lord, to direct our households to do what is right and just. Amen.

Vs.22-33 the two angels went on to Sodom “but Abraham remained standing before the Lord…. ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous in the city?….  Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

God agreed, if there are fifty righteous, I will not destroy it. Through great humility Abraham continued to intercede – for the city? Yes, and for Lot who is called “righteous” in 2 Pet. 2:7, Abraham continues to intercede seven times, and God agreed not to destroy the city if ten righteous people were found there. Amazing Grace.

What are the implications for us? Are we to intercede for the people around us, both good and bad, intercede for nations, both good and bad? Yes, we are, we are to have the heart of Jesus, who is interceding 24/7 for his lost and found people.

Unfortunately only four righteous people were found there but God did not destroy them, only Lot’s family was saved, yet one of them disobeyed, she died, but I don’t think was lost. Amazing Grace!  Praise the Lord!

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# 03 2023 Dev. Prov.6:20. The Good Life! Read all of chapter six first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from The NIV.

Proverbs 6:20 “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

Proverbs 6 covers instruction on most of life: contracts, examples from nature, planning ahead, laziness, making trouble, seven things God hates, morality. These things are the opposite of “the good life.” Proverbs is like a mirror that we like to avoid. 

Vs.1-5 The author gives practical advice like; know who you are dealing with. It is apparent that in his time there were scammers. There are many more scams out there today. Remember, “there is no free lunch, and if some deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.” 

Vs.6-11 Here we are directed to the examples in nature; plan ahead and work, one lady, 115 years old, attributed her long life to hard work. If you want to be poor and depressed go on long term government assistance. 

Vs.12-15 A good life cannot be found among troublemakers, thieves and those who are violent. Conflict destroys all that is good. There will be a reckoning.

Vs.16-19 There are no unforgivable sins except continual rejection of the Holy Spirit of God, but there are seven sins that are detestable to God: haughty eyes, lying, murder, wicked schemes, inclined to evil, a false witness, one who stirs up conflict in the community, adultery included. Stay far away from those who practice them.

Vs.20-23 The author repeats this admonition for emphasis, this will keep you safe. “My son (and daughter), keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” 

Vs.24-35 We touched on this in Ch. 5, here we see 12 verses emphasizing the importance of the sanctity of marriage, God’s Word to the wise. The Good Life, including Eternal Life, awaits all who listen and obey the Word of God. Amen! 

# 02 2023 Dev. Gen.17:1.Walk Faithfully! Read all of chapter seventeen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from The NIV.

Gen.17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said: ‘I am God almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.”

Gen.17 God makes a covenant with Abram like God made a covenant with Noah. God made a promise to Noah and all the animals about not flooding the earth ever again, and the sign of the covenant was the rainbow. God’s covenant with Abram was more comprehensive. That is what this whole chapter is about.

Vs.1-8 You will the father of many nations, I am changing your name to “Abraham”, “it will be an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” That includes us as followers of Jesus. Further, God gives Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan forever. The Word forever tells us that what God is promising is the New Heaven and the New Earth. Canaan, fore-shadows the promise of Heaven.

Vs.9-14 “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision and it will be the sign of the covenant between you and me.” All those in Abrahams household were to be circumcised in the flesh. Again, this fore-shadows the circumcised heart and is replaced with baptism in the New Testament.

Vs.15-16 “God also said to Abraham, as for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah, I will give you a son by her, she will be the mother of nations…” She was equally blessed along with Abraham. She starts to fulfill the Mother Promise, Ge. 3:15.

Vs.17-18 Abraham fell down and laughed, Abraham asked God to accept Ishmael, he doubted given their age, understandable, but our God is a God of miracles. God heard Abraham, Yes, I will bless Ismael, but my covenant will be with Isaac.

Vs. 19-22 “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac”, by the way that name means laughter. God made His covenant with Isaac, not yet born, and God makes His covenant with us, not yet born, all who call upon the name of the Lord. Praise be to God!

Vs.23-24 On that day Abraham did all God commanded him, thanks be to God! Today, are we still walking faithfully with God?

# 01 2023 Dev. Prov.5:7. Sound Instruction! Read all of chapter five first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 5:7 “Now my sons (and daughters), listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say”

Proverbs 5 is a warning against adultery, it comes at it from the perspective of sons but today we include the daughters, it is a problem with both genders today. We must also think about other vices, drugs, alcohol, gambling, and porn. The same warnings apply.

Vs.1-6 Pay attention to wisdom, words of insight, perceive knowledge, stolen bread is sweet, lips drip honey, speech is smooth. But it is a double edge sword, bitter as gall, it leads to death straight to the grave and leads to a purposeless life.

Vs.7-14 Listen, or you lose your honor, your dignity. Your labor is in vain, your wealth is wasted, your strength is wasted. You hate discipline and reject instruction and soon you are in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.

Vs.15-19 Here the Psalmist uses the metaphor of one’s own well, “should your springs overflow into the streets?” You should know who your offspring is, may they be yours alone, so your offspring is blessed. “Rejoice in the wife of your youth, may her breasts satisfy you, may you be intoxicated with her love.” This works both ways in marriage and blessed is the couple who practice daily love.

V. 20 Why go to someone who belongs to someone else? Really!

Vs.21-23 This says it all: “For your ways are in full view of the Lord and He examines all your paths.” The wicked ensnare themselves, their sins hold them fast. Do not follow their folly! We thank God for His instructions, Amen.

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# 52 2022 Dev. Ge.16:1. Impatience, or lack of faith? Read all of Ch.16 first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge.16:1 “Now Sarai, Abrams wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar.”

Chapter 16 is a chapter that gives us some insight into the culture of that day. To be barren was considered by many as a curse from God, also, it was unacceptable for a man not to have an heir. Hammurapi’s’ code allowed for a surrogate as a legal means to acquire an heir.  None of this is an excuse for Abram to whom God had promised an heir from his own flesh. More than likely Sarai was past the age of child baring, both Abram and Sarai faced the reality of their situation, humanly speaking. Certainly this situation is impatience with God’s promise, and a lack of faith that had serious implications for them and for us.

Vs.1- 6 Abram’s and Sarai’s decision soon turned their domestic life upside down. Bad decisions tend to do that.  What was Abram thinking? Sarai, “May the Lord judge between you and me” an accusatory statement. This conflict did not cease until Abram listened to Sarai again, “put this woman and her son away from us.” God told Abram to listen to her.

Vs.7-10 Sarai retaliated, with Abram’s permission, to Hagar’s indolence to the point that she ran away. “The angel of the Lord”, traditionally, that statement is often considered to be the pre-incarnate Christ, he finds her near a spring in the desert. He tells her to return to Sarai, and to submit to her. Further, he tells her that her offspring will be uncountable. This is what God promised to Abram, that is surprising! Did God promise that because Ishmael was Abram’s son? Or, are Ishmael’s offspring to be a counterfoil to Abram’s offspring to test them and form them? I believe it to be the latter.

Vs.11-13 What the Angel said to her was a little like what the Angel told Mary. “You are pregnant, will have a son, name him Ishmael, (Who he is, what he will do) he will be a wild donkey of a man, and will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” This is being played out in the Middle East today.

Vs.15 “So Hagar bore Abram a son, it does not appear that he was ever Sarai’s son as she had hoped. God is in control in spite of our short comings, but God’s ways are not our ways. He is faithful even if we are not. Praise Him!