Saying Goodbye to Ishmael

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Abraham to say goodbye to his first son, Ishmael? Ishmael was still a young lad. And for thirteen years he was Abraham's only child. A son Abraham thought God had intended for him. He watched his child grow, learn to walk and talk; he believed that one day Ishmael would become a mighty nation. Abraham also taught him how to worship and about his experiences with God, also about the promises God had made to him. Abraham loved Ishmael very much and was looking forward to building a future with him at his side. And for thirteen years Abraham thought he had fulfilled God's will.

Then one day God told Abraham that Ishmael was not the son he had planned for him. The promised son would come through his wife Sarah, and not through the bondslave leased to him by his wife. Ouch, that must have really hurt, but God didn't condemn him. The pain he felt was nothing in comparison to what he would go through a few years later.

One day Sarah saw something about Ishmael that upset her. And so she complained to Abraham about "your son" Ishmael and his mother, and told him to get rid of them. She didn't want Ishmael to have any part in her son's inheritance. (Genesis 21:9-14.) This distressed Abraham greatly, but that night God indicated to him that it was time for Abraham to say goodbye to Ishmael. I'm sure the Patriarch thought somehow his two sons would grow up together, then sometime in the future they would go their separate ways; but not now. However, God told him to do whatever his wife told him.

Abraham's next step could have been as hard as leaving his household in Haran. He was cutting off his own flesh and blood, his first born son. He was also cutting off any dreams they might have shared together. In fact those events seemed huge, almost drastic if not for the promises of God. The actions the next morning were unthinkable, and the emotions between father and son were unimaginable. But, Abraham obeyed God.

Ishmael was rejected by God because he was the work of Abraham's flesh, and not of the will of God. There have always been people who have built their dreams on sheer human effort. Some use their gifts, talents, money, muscles or brainpower to build their dreams and castles. And for the most part much of what they have built appears to be successful. This lifestyle is normal for people who don't know Christ.

It's unfortunate that this also applies to many Christians and ministers, past and present, who have mostly, through ignorance, given birth to "Ishmaels." Many careers, possessions, ministries and even some marriages have been "birthed" by human effort, and not faith. Many Christians mistakenly eat from the good side of the Tree of Knowledge, because they're not listening or obeying God. They want something or they do something for God, all with good intentions and sincere hearts, believing God approves of their actions. (I've done the same thing.) They often proceed prematurely into a profession, a calling or even a relationship, without waiting on God. And they usually end up with everything from "burn-outs," false kingdoms, and sometimes even broken marriages. It comes down to a matter of human desire verses the will of God.

Just because a Christian has a successful job or business, an expensive house and car, or a big church or ministry, doesn't mean that it was the will of God. Most of what we have seen in Christianity today has come from human striving and efforts to achieve them, and not from works of faith and feasting from the Tree of Life. The works of the flesh will always benefit someone, sometimes even the public.

We are to trust and obey God by faith, waiting on his timing. Then we will see the fruit of His promises. He will also tell us when it's time to move or let go, at least if our hearts are toward Him. The outcome will be beyond anything we could imagine. Our visions and goals should come from what God can do. What people think is important is often vain or minuscule compared to God's plans, because He thinks in terms of eternity and so should we.

Every one of us has made choices we thought were right, just like Abraham did with the birth of Ishmael; choices that seemed logical at the time, even thinking it was the will of God because of circumstances, but it wasn't at all the will of God. It is true that only time will tell whether our works will pass the test of God's fire. (I Cor.3:10-14). And other times we will see it come to ruin by people's own devices. My desire is to follow God's heart and do what He wants by waiting on his timing and not mine.

A year and nine months ago I left Eastern Washington to follow God. I went another direction than I had ever thought possible. Last month I told my wife that it was not God's plan for me to move back to our house. It was now part of the past and not the future. A few days ago I took another step and called my son-in-law. I told him that we would not be moving back to our house, which they are now living in since we are in an apartment in Vancouver, Washington. Then I added that they could live in the house as long as they wanted. I also stated that following Jesus Christ can sometimes be inconvenient and other times it can be very costly. But, I'm going to follow him, no matter what the cost, and he understood. I don't know where we will live or go after this, but I believe we'll be ready.

As I write this article I hope you understand that I wasn't only leaving material things, but was leaving close family ties, also my hopes and dreams that I once thought were God's. For many years I thought we would minister to the people in our city and county from our home and a large art studio both built by faith. Our house and studio could be seen from the freeway. We named of our place Shiloh. I painted a large Shiloh sign on the front of the studio that was visible to those who drove by. The name Shiloh means, "to whom it belongs." And so it does, our family and everything we have belongs to Him. It's time for us to move on, and maybe our family will be the ones to minister from there. Whatever happens, our sacrifice will be worth it.

I'm not doing this to impress people or for the rewards promised in Mark 10:29-30, but for Jesus and for seeing others set free. There are costs and crosses in serving our Lord that have been demonstrated by all disciples of Jesus. My desire is to encourage all my brothers and sisters not to hold on to things, hopes or dreams that God might want to change, but instead to follow Jesus. Ask Him to reveal to you any possible Ishmael you may have, then be willing to say goodbye to them. Sometimes even what may have been the will of God in the beginning can change or be for just for a season. However, such a thing can become an Ishmael if we don't let go of it when God prompts us to do so. Such I believe was our situation; it was time to let go and reach for a bigger vision and dream. God wants to take us all to higher levels of faith, possibly different directions from what we once thought. You won't regret it. However, if it's not painful when you leave or let go of it, it was probably not an Ishmael.

Money Changers

Why did Jesus overturn the tables of money changers? The reason is as Jesus said, they had made the House of God a marketplace, a den of thieves. There have been many sermons preached regarding this passage. The outcome from their interpretations has lead to more severe holiness mindsets in some churches, with no business transactions at all. Others churches have turned to book sales, rummage sales, espresso bars (and the crazy report of the church that offered free beer on Super Bowl Sunday).

Today organized churches run like corporations with their CEO's back at their Bible-Belt headquarters, and their satellite-store managers standing behind the pulpits of their organization's small, medium, and large sized church facilities. Even the independent churches run pretty much the same. However, I believe there is a bigger issue at stake than organized religion, an issue that is the heart of the problem.

The "money changers" in the Bible were businessmen who operated small booths (trading posts) around and even in the Temple Court. They did business with the Israelite travelers coming from long distances to offer sacrifices at The Temple. And like any business today, location is paramount, the closer to the action the better. Most of the people probably didn't mind, because it made everything convenient. However, there was a service fee for this, of which the purchaser had little control. And like most people they grumbled; yet they would go along with the demands. They could not come before the Lord empty handed. But one day, Jesus rudely disrupted their business practices and abruptly stated that His Father's House was to be a place of prayer.

Remember, a House of Prayer. Jesus wasn't interested in animal sacrifices but something more. Any substitution for God's ways and intended purposes, is the robbing of God; even if the outward appearance seems right, but the heart is not right. This incident that displayed Jesus' anger is recorded two separate times in His ministry (this only goes to show they didn't learn from or understand his first reprimand). These money changers were stubborn and more interested in their money and their beliefs than in honoring God with a sacrifice from the heart. In Psalm 51, King David stated that God did not delight in animal sacrifices but with the sacrifices of "a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart."

Most organized churches today have become trading posts; you give them money and they provide you a service with entertainment, a since of security, and some fellowship. They enjoy seeing you and keeping you as a satisfied customers. They will give you every opportunity to serve and trade (do business) with them, every time the offering plate is passed for your participation. But, the Bible's examples and teachings emphasize that we are to tithe to godly people (Abraham gave this example) and give to the poor and needy with our tithes and offerings.

Many church buildings have become a "place of worship" in title alone. They are places that try to do business with God, some seem do better than others. But Jesus taught that we are His temple.

It is not the organized churches or the TV evangelists or the pastors that are the problem. The real problem is people and their hearts. We are the "money changers" if we support the system. We're the ones who try to negotiate a deal with God on what we are willing to do or give. We're the ones who resist the Holy Spirit's leading by not being led by him or obeying Him. We're the ones who compromise and shirk our responsibilities. We're the ones who refuse to humble ourselves and pray. We're the ones who usually follow people instead of Jesus. But, we're also the ones who can change all that. Unfortunately, most people don't want to change, just like the money changers in the Bible. It's our tables (our mindsets) that Jesus wants to overturn, so that we can see and hear Him correctly. Some of us have been like the servant in the Parable who went and buried his money out of fear. And others take the easy way out and let someone else make the decisions or do the work for them by simply putting money in an offering plate.

Most organized churches are just giving people what they think people want to hear. Something quick, but not very nutritional, something that doesn't cost much. Organized churches are a type of fast food restaurant or TV vending machine—something that is not very personal or sacrificial. For the most part, people are encouraged to put some money in and select what they want. And if enough people like what they get, they will stay in business. But, we don't have to be that way. We can change the way things are done by setting our eyes on Jesus. God has given each one of His children a choice, also something to invest their money, time and talents into, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. We can be responsible money changers and be pleasing to the Lord. We can change things—by repentance, humility and obedience. We can also invest our money, our love and our time the way God chooses. By listening to His voice and following Him we can be good and faithful money changers.

Note—In the next move of God we will see vast growth, "hot spots," where God's Spirit is moving; some of this will even spill into organized churches because there are many people there who love Jesus and are hungry for Him. However, there will always be limitations and controls that will hinder. These churches are often a great place for fellowship and worship, but they're not the pattern as seen in the New Testament.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad (wrong focus), your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 16: 19-23)

Happy Valentine?

Will you be my Valentine? This cute little phrase is being introduced to school children and is written in some form on a variety of greeting cards and gift items this time of year, to celebrate Valentine's Day. Where did this event originate and why is it so popular?

Roman Roots: The history of Valentine's Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends. The holiday's roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration founded by witchcraft, commemorated annually on February 15th, with human, goat and dog sacrifices. Eventually the Romans couldn't remember the Greek god's name so they changed it to one of theirs, Lupercalia, a she-wolf who was said to have suckled the twins Romulus and Remus. Then Pope Gelasius I, recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast-day circa 496, declaring February 14th to be Saint Valentine's Day, after several possible saint candidates by the name of Valentine. The pagan festival celebrated EROS love and the Christian feast celebrated AGAPE love.

Eros n. Greek Mythology —1: the Greek god of erotic love, son of Aphrodite— CUPID 2: the aggregate of life-preserving instincts that are manifested as to gratify basic needs (as sex) yearning, love, or desire

Unlike our English word "love," agape is not used in the Bible to refer to romantic or sexual love. Agape love is unique and is distinguished by its nature and character.

Now that we have answered my first question and a little more, let's deal with the second question: Why is Valentine's Day so poplar? Many people see it as something fun, emotional and sentimental, the giving of a card or small gifts expressing love to another person; but what kind of love?

Let's remember the origin of the festival. Nothing has changed its origins, just because people want to cover it up with sentimental ideas, change the name of it, or change the meaning to something else. There are hidden dangers that are spiritual, even when done in ignorance; things and habits that are contrary to the ways of God. The appeal also has to do more with the desires of the carnal nature; this is seen on two levels. The first is sex; the second is money. I realize that sex might seem to be a bit too harsh when some one's talking to children about Valentine's day. But, innocent children have always been the prey of perverse people and perverse minds. Something as simple as a card or candy has lured many children into harmful ways. And it all begins somewhere; and their little minds don't comprehend the complete implications of the practice or holiday. Their minds are fertile ground for seeds of perversion and lust that over the years will eventually blossom at the wrong times, bearing fruit in the wrong ways—as can be seen in our society. Unfortunately, sex and romance are also strong selling points through advertising and entertainment companies. Which lead us to the second level: money.

Most man-made holidays pander to the pocket books of the public, some more than others. The more "hip," the more money they will make off people, and it seems more people are willing and even glad to oblige. More engagement rings are sold in February, as to be given on Valentine's Day, than any other holiday—not to mention red roses, chocolates, and candlelight dinners. People often feel obligated to the other person because of some expectation of the other person or because of society. All this has little to do with true love.

If your boyfriend or husband doesn't do something for you on February 14th, this doesn't necessarily mean he loves you less or not at all. At least it shouldn't. Love should be demonstrated every day, sometimes in ways that are not even seen; the giving and the sacrifice that some make to maintain a relationships is often difficult.

One should live out of relational commitment, and not from the emotions or the pressures of traditions from man-made events as to create a false sense of security. Many of those feelings are here today and gone tomorrow. And often the only thing left are vain and sad memories, faded photographs and some wilted roses (perhaps some weight gain too, because you might not feel loved the way you want to be loved, or you're unable to forgive when you feel used, cheated or robbed). Love needs to be stronger than any of that, or it isn't really love at all. And if your partner's only recourse is, "If you love me, you will do this or that," well, I guess it isn't love they're really looking for, but a false sense of security or power that will never be satisfied.

A husband should not feel obligated to meet every expectation or say yes to everything a wife wants or feels she needs. The husband should be in an vibrant and real relationship with Jesus, and should be sensitive to the wife's true needs and desires. The wife should look to Jesus, yet be humble enough and honorable enough to see Jesus in her husband. Both should have their eyes on Jesus. There should never be fears or jealousy between each other because their trust is to be in God to meet their needs, even the emotional ones that seem forgotten at times. Jesus is all we really need at any time, not just on special days.

There are those who see nothing wrong with celebrating Valentine's Day, just as they seen nothing wrong with Christmas or Easter. One should feel giddy and privileged to show and demonstrate how much they enjoy one another. I don't disagree with those actions, but not because of a pagan festival! Again, the Bible forbids mixture and the worship of foreign gods and man-made traditions. Our focus as Christian should be on Jesus Christ and His Holy Days, and not on one another. Many people don't realize that much of their emotions are carnal, founded on the world system's dictation and exploitation of them. A spouse should never feel obligated to demonstrate their love on special days established by man or the world-system.

In the Kingdom of God, love flows naturally from pure hearts. Jesus never went around and told people that he loved them; He showed love by the faithfulness and commitment to God first and then to others; He also taught his disciples to do the same. In the New Testament, many women loved Jesus and he loved them too; but not the same as carnal men would. He never told any of them to come back and see him privately. Yes, he was a bachelor, but he never let his human desires and emotions rule His life. Even though he laughed and wept at times, his heart was always tied to the heart of the Father (including the Father's emotions). Our heart should also embrace His heart. Again, Jesus is all we really need at any time, not just on special days.

Many women and men have been deceived by carnal holidays, just as Eve was deceived in the Garden of Eden, with Adam following. They both believed the lies, and as a result they both lost sight of their one true love; and that relationship was broken—it was never the same after that. Oh, how that must of hurt both them and God. I look foreword to the day when all hearts will be restored, all being taught by the Lord again. He alone is God, and all mankind will have to forsake all their shameful gods along with their holidays.

God has put within the heart of mankind the desire for worship, adventure, romance and partying—and especially partying. That is why He established many celebratory Feast and Holy Days. People were meant to get together out of love for God and love for one another, having fun playing, camping, eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, singing, praying, and worshiping. Even as couples, friends, and family, we are meant to demonstrate our love in many ways, including the giving of gifts. These gifts can be simple, lavish or sacrificial, but they should never be conditional or given expecting something in return. It is also best if not done out of some obligation or because of some man-made reason. However, we should never feel limited to just Bible Holy Days, but allow the Holy Spirit to guide your heart to do special things for those you love. You can even make plans together or make it a surprise, just as God does with us.