Autism Reinvented

Clang! Down crashed the chairs. He flopped to the floor, punching himself.

“No!” His violent yells puffed his little chest.

As a new behavior technician, I felt what most of us feel when we observe such behavioral outbursts: helplessness. That day, however, I observed with amazement as my supervisor calmly guided the child to de-escalate and then happily make appropriate requests.

I stepped into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy) to make an impact on precious children, but I didn’t foresee the impact ABA would have on me.

ABA operates by two functions.

Analysis

• Children with autism perform behaviors for a reason.
• Are his yells indicative of being overwhelmed by the current environment? Wanting to hear loud noises? Needing attention? Being hungry?
• Analysis ensures that in the end, the child’s needs are met, and through a better way.

Application

• Human behavior is triggered by cues and maintained by rewards. By modifying these cues and rewards, new behaviors can be taught and old behaviors can be changed.
• If a child is throwing chairs and yelling because he is hungry, then he can be taught to make verbal requests. He is ignored when engaging in maladaptive behavior, but rewarded with yogurt whenever he says “I’m hungry”. This results in only using appropriate methods of communication.

ABA showed me that problem behaviors are remediable and that learning is possible for anyone. Miracles are happening for this group of tenacious, gifted children.

Christmas and All

It was Holiday Season 2015.

The party went long and hard into the night. Me, Myself, and I - we were all present and faithfully stuck around though nothing of a festive nature appeared. 

That was right; I could see nothing that even came close to resembling Christmas.

No cheery gatherings surrounded with relatives. No icy windowpanes. No lovely carols floating through a crisp, cold winter's night.

Far, far away from home, a pity party entertained me as I drifted off to sleep on Christmas Eve. 

Oh, don't get me wrong, mission trips are great and all, but we'd been traveling long and hard for weeks already. Yes, God was indeed so good to our family as we took this mission together. Come to think of it, we really did seen His hand at work in such marvelous ways.

However, the greatness of God's mercy wasn't exactly in the forefront of my thoughts at that moment.

It so happened that country A, where we lived, had Christmas as its designated major holiday. Of course, we were not in country A on December 25, but country B, which observed not Christmas. Country B, however, had a different date for its own major holiday, which when that took place, we were obviously back in country A.

"Why?" I had thought. "Why? Can't we get to celebrate anything? As in, have something special that we could look forward to annually?"

During a time when many were hoping for white Christmases, I was walking around in a tropical field, adorned with banana trees. Despite taking a recent shower, I was drenched in sticky sweat when I decided to return to my metaphysical party. I thought of my surroundings. Instead of pine tree studded with shiny objects, I beheld a gangly plant with swollen papayas protruding forthwith. Completely devoid of Christmas lights, festive music, and anything Christmas-y, I sunk deeper and deeper into the Pit of Pity.

All this time, a thought came back to me. Quite a while ago, our family had written a Christmas tract starting with something along the lines of "Is Christmas about Santa? Is Christmas about cookies? Is Christmas about gifts? No, Christmas is about the greatest Gift given - Jesus."
And now, that same concept came back to me. I obviously didn't have the regular Christmas fare, but if I really believed that He is all, and He was enough, the lack of holiday decor wouldn't matter at all. For both theoretic and practical, my trust that Jesus is all would negate all need for outward traditions.

Yet those things obviously mattered to me. A lot. The sweltering weather played a large role in fueling my dear pity party. Christmas ought to be cold! And wonderfully festive, with delightful gatherings amongst relatives and dear friends. And that is what Christmas ought to be.

Or was it?

Of course not. As Christians, we know that. but deep down, that's what my painting of the perfect Christmas.

And reality didn't even come close. We were living out of backpacks, sitting on trains, exerting all our effort into serving, far away from all known relatives and hints of Christmas cheer as the holidays ran their course in lands elsewhere. Running to and fro everywhere for a month straight, my nerves were not in the state of carefree bliss.

This party, the only holiday party I participated in, lasted a long time. I continued to wallow in the depths of self pity for months to follow. Of course, I didn't attend it every minute of every waking hour, but whenever I saw the door to the party and was reminded of my own pathetic Christmas, I would again join the miserable partying.

But without ceasing, Jesus would come to me invite me into His presence - where fullness of joy abode. But to my dismay, I did not dwell in His place of refuge, joy, and cheer continually.  But praise Him, He performs the good work He begins to the very end (Phil. 1:6). Slowly I begun to realize that those special holiday traditions I clung onto had been taken away for a special reason - to remove distractions from before me and draw me close to Him.

Today is Christmas Eve once again. I'm in country A, enjoying one of the best holiday seasons I can recall. We spent the morning caroling in the chill weather and are now enjoying the warm fellowship of the holidays with relatives. There are no lack of lights, wrapping paper, or sumptuous fare.

But those things don't hold such a dear place in my heart anymore.

I'm far from finishing this lesson on turning from the room where pity parties run rampant to go to presence, or party, if you will, of my Jesus my Savior, my All in All. ALL.

But I'm starting to realize that the "miserable, pathetic Christmas" last year wasn't so bad at all. Our family was together, enjoying a beautiful, somewhat more relaxed time together in the warm weather. We had the encouragement of other believers. That season of intense ministry was extremely sweet and very rewarding. We grew so much closer as a family, as a team. We experienced God in a new way.
And those earthly, temporal treasures of the holidays that I valued so deeply are faded away.

He's all that matters. It definitely hurt to see those Christmas traditions go. But it's worth it. Because He is ALL.

These past couple weeks have been full of His goodness. When I see the frost sparkling at me through the window and taste the peppermint-y goodness of candy canes once again, all I can do is thank Him.

Jesus - 'Tis the reason... for everything.

We Are of God | 1 John 5:13-21 Meditations

1 John 5:13-21
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

It's almost Nationals.

That thought sends me a wave of sudden panic with glimmers of excitement dissolved therein.
Why am I panicking? Why? What is the reason I am doing the Bible Bee anyway?
Of course there is the right answer. To know God. To know Him more deeply.
But why then am I panicking?

I know the last post was about this, but then sometimes God brings to my attention that I'm not as awesome as I think I am. In other words, some lessons need to be learned everyday.
Such is the case with this one.

While I was looking up cross-references for verse 21, I came across Psalm 115, which describes how idols of silver and gold, although possessing eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and the like, cannot see, hear, speak, smell, and the like (which I'm just realizing is also a great CR for 1 John 1:1-3...).
"They that make them are like unto them;" it continues, "so is every one that trusteth in them."

Well, that's a great passage, but to my knowledge, I've never had idols made of silver and gold! That is just plain superstitious and weird.

But immediately, God convicted me of a different category of silver and gold idols than I had in mind.
It was almost as if He were asking me again, "What is your heart set on for the Bible Bee competition this year? 1st place? 2nd? Semis? Good scores? Perfect orals?"

Wow. Ahem. That was convicting.

Especially since I'd thought that I'd dealt it with all those "treasures" and everything was good.

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." That's what the last verse in 1 John says.

But to keep myself from idols means that I'm kept somewhere else. And that place is in Him (1 John 5:20).

He calls me to believe in the true God. To believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).

In Revelation 22:4, it says of the servants of God in heaven that "[God's] name shall be in their foreheads."
Quite obviously, I'm not in heaven yet.
However, while I'm here on earth, why shouldn't His Name be in my forehead, in the forefront of my thoughts?
So I decided I'd start by simply praising His Name whenever I passed by a certain place.

It was a great reminder to myself of Who God is and where my trust should be in. But God also used that to speak to me. He is my Sustainer. He is my Lord. And He, at that time, wanted me to assist with the high calling of preparing nourishment for body (a.k.a. preparing meals).

"But, I was just finally going to get to work on my verse cards!"

You can't argue with God. Besides, He does everything for my good, anyways. So, I spent the next couple minutes dicing tomatoes and all the other activities associated with making salsa. Thankfully, it didn't take all that long, and I was soon back working on my passages. It was really such a little thing, and I didn't think it would be much help (salsa can only fill so much of one's stomach, you know). Later, though, the supposed-to-cook-person told me how tired she was and how it was blessing for the salsa to be already made.
It was such an encouragement for me to know that God is so great, and that He can use the smallest things for His glory.

And as He draws me to Him, He keeps me away from idols.
But is perfection attained yet?
Absolutely not!

How wonderful it is, though, to know that "we are of God" and can say with Philippians 1:6 that we are "...confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

This is the last post for the 1 John Meditations! I've learned so much through this. Thank you all so much for bearing with me and leaving encouraging notes here! The thoughts, notes, lists, and such are below. Disclaimer's still somewhere in here.

Attributes of the Father:

• True

Attributes of the Son:

• Has Name
• If we ask anything according to his will, He hears us
• Given us an understanding

Cross-References:

vs 13 --> Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
vs 14 --> 1 John 3:2-22  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
vs 14 --> John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
vs 14-15 --> John 14:13-14  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

vs 15 --> Matt. 18:19  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 

vs 16 --> John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

vs 17 --> Psalm 14:2-3  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 

vs 18 --> John 10:28-30  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. 

vs 19 --> John 17:6  I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 

vs 20 --> Eph. 1:18-19  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
vs 20 --> 2 Cor. 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
vs 20 --> Jer. 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
vs 21 --> Psalm 115:4-8  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

Thoughts

God has given me an understanding - an understanding of Him.
And that's my goal in life - to know God. To experience, to be found in, to understand Him (Phil. 3:8-10).

That's what I am called to glory in - that I understand and know Him! That He is the Lord Who exercises loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things He delights (Jer. 9:23).

He calls me to trust in Him - He is my help and my shield!
He is mindful of me; He will bless me.
(Psalm 115:11-12)
He cares for me, unlike idols.
Idols are unknowable, un-understandable, un-ginosko-able.

But He has given me an understanding.

I know Him that is true, and I am in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life.
(1 John 5:20)

Mini Study - Attributes of God's Names

What are God's Names compared to/described as?

• Glorious (Deut. 28:58, Psalm 72:19)
• Fearful (Deut. 28:58)
• Worthy of glory (1 Chron. 16:29, Psalm 29:2))
• Excellent (Psalm 8:1, 148:13)
• Holy (Psalm 33:21, 99:3, 111:9)
• "Good before thy saints" (Psalm 52:9)
• Great in Israel (Psalm 76:1)
• Near (Psalm 75:1)
• Great and terrible (Psalm 99:3)
• Our help is in it (Psalm 124:8)
• Pleasant (Psalm 135:3)
• Endures forever (Psalm 135:13)
• A strong tower (Pro. 18:10)
• Shall be known by His people (Isa. 52:6)
• Great in might (Jer. 10:6)
• One (Zec. 14:9)
• Shall be great among the Gentiles (Mal. 1:11)

What are we to do with God's Names?

• Not take in vain (Ex. 20:7, Deut. 6:13)
• Not profane (Lev. 18:21, 19:12)
• Not swear by it falsely (Lev. 19:12)
• Swear by it (Deut. 6:13, 10:20, Jer. 12:16)
• Publish it (Deut. 32:3)
• Magnify it forever (2 Sam. 7:26)
• Sing praises unto it (2 Sam. 22:50, Psalm 7:17, 9:2, 18:49, 54:6, 61:8)
• Call upon it (1 Chron. 16:8)
• Glory in it (1 Chron. 16:10)
• Praise it (1 Chron. 29:13, Psalm 44:48, 74:21, 113:3, Isa. 2:5)
• Set up our banners in it (Psalm 20:5)
• Remember it (Psalm 20:7, 119:55)
• Declare it unto brethren (Psalm 22:22)
• Trust in it (Psalm 33:21, Mat. 12:21)
• Exalt it (Psalm 34:3)
• Make it to be remembered in all generations (Psalm 45:17)
• Wait on it (Psalm 52:9)
• Fear it (Psalm 61:5)
• Lift hands up in it (Psalm 63:4)
• Sing forth the honor of it (Psalm 66:2)
• Love it (Psalm 69:36
• Seek it (Psalm 83:16)
• Rejoice in it (Psalm 89:16)
• Know it (Psalm 91:14)
• Bless it (Psalm 96:2, 100:4)
• Do everything that is done in word or deed in Jesus' name (Col. 3:17)
• Depart from iniquity - "...Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. 2:19)
• Believe on it (1 John 3:23, 5:13)

What do God's Names do?

• Causes Him not the forsake His people (1 Sam. 12:22)
• Defends us (Psalm 20:1)
• Causes Him to lead me in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3)
• Protects the righteous, who run into it (Pro. 18:10)
• Causes Him to defer His anger (Isa. 48:9)
• His name, through faith in His name, made "this man" strong (Acts 3:16)
• Saves - only name whereby we much be saved/makes those who believe in Jesus to receive remission of sins/those who call upon the name of Lord shall be saved (Acts 4:12, Acts 10:43, Rom. 10:13)

What is pleaded "[for God's name's sake]'?

• Pardoning of iniquity/purging away of sins (Psalm 25:11, 79:9)
• Lead me, and guide me (Psalm 31:3)
• Help (Psalm 79:9)
• Deliverance (Psalm 79:9)
• Quickening (Psalm 143:11)

What is done in the God's name?

• Jesus comes in His Father's name (John 5:43, 12:31)
• Jesus does works in His Father's name (John 10:25)
• Whatever - when asked in Jesus name (John 14:14, 15:16, 16:23)
• Father will send Holy Spirit in Jesus' name (John 14:26)
• Our sins are forgiven for His Name's sake (1 John 2:12)

Other

• His people and His city are called by His name (Dan. 9:19)
• Pray: "Hallowed be thy name." (Mat. 6:9, Luke 11:12)
• "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Mat. 10:22)
• "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Mat. 19:29)
• "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." (John 17:6)
• At Jesus' name, ever knee shall bow (Phil. 2:10)
• "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." (Rev. 22:4)

What Life Consists Of | 1 John 5:1-12 Meditations

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 6:20

1 John 5:1-12
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The Bible Bee has been such an incredible blessing, and I feel that especially this year God has used it to draw me closer to Him. It is such a glorious, marvelous thing to come to know Him more and more.

But if I'm entirely honest, I must admit that especially during the last couple weeks, the competition aspect of the program has been consuming much of my thoughts.

I want to achieve something great. I want to have recognition. I want the praise of men.

Of course, I didn't say that to myself in my conscious mind. It was just a subtle desire that I unintentionally made a hobby of contemplating.

Then I was reading through 1 John 5:1-12.
It struck me how God had given me life.

Life.

What does that actually mean?

While I was looking up cross-references for zōē (life), Luke 12:15 stood out to me.

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Life does not consist of the abundance of things I possess. 

I suppose that also means that life does not consist of the abundance of recognition I garner. 

Ouch.

Ahhh... What should I do then? I mean, I actually kind of like being recognized... 

Continuing to read through Luke 12, I came to verse 34.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Aha. My treasure was in the possibility of semis and beyond (semis is the "level" in Bible Bee where the top 15 contestants advance to). So that's where my heart was.

And try as hard as I can to "move" the focus of my heart, it won't work.
My treasure has to go.

But how? Treasures don't go very easy. They're a treasure, after all.

The verse before 34 seems to confirm that, but it also gives the solution.

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

He calls me to seek first His kingdom. (Matt. 6:33)
To love Him. (1 John 5:1-3)

To sell what I have.
To store up treasure in heaven.

Now, I really don't have much to sell at this point, but what do I have?
I have time.

That's not to say that my time is free, by any means. But it's there.

Will I give that to God?
Will I allow Him to turn that into heavenly riches?

I was mulling over those thoughts and being preoccupied with tasks I deem important when an Anonymous came to request my help in studying.

"Not now - don't have time." I immediately responded.

Time.
What was it about time? The message of Luke 12:33 started to ring in my ears again.
Will I allow God to turn that into treasure in heaven?

Anonymous broke into my thoughts. "Then... who will help me?"

I was convicted enough.

"I'll help you." I took the book and began to explain for Anonymous.

I began to realize the message of Philippians 3:14. God has given me a high calling. That is my prize. That is what I press toward. My prize is not in Bible Bee rankings and scores. My prize is not in the praise of men.

My prize is the high calling God has given me in Christ Jesus.

That high calling may take the form of relentlessly reviewing verse cards, tireless study, and constant memorizing. Or it may take the form of reading books to little ones when I have no such passion. But whether it looks like the glamorous portrayal I expect a high calling to be or not, it doesn't matter. I just follow Him.

For "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith". (1 John 5:4)

I may not know what the big picture is, but He gives me faith. Through that, I overcome the world.

He has given me life.

Life consists not of the abundance of things, but it consists of Him.

He is life. (John 14:6)

Thoughts, Notes, Lists, and such. Disclaimer somewhere in here.

Attributes of the Father:

• Has children
• Has commandments
• One with the Word and the Holy Ghost
• His witness is greater than men's witness
• Testified of His Son
• Gave us eternal life in His Son

Attributes of the Son:

• Born of God
• the Son of God
• Came by water and blood
• One with the Father and the Holy Ghost
• The Father testified of Him
• Eternal life is in Him

Attributes of the Spirit:

• Bears witness
• Truth
• One with the Father and the Word
• Agrees with the water and the blood

Cross-References:

vs 1 --> John 15:23  He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

vs 2 --> John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

vs 3 --> Deut. 5:10  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

vs 3 --> Pro. 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

vs 4 --> Rom. 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

vs 6 --> Tit. 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

vs 6 --> Lev. 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

vs 6 --> Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

vs 10 --> Col. 3:3-4  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

vs 11 --> Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Mini Study - Blood and Water and Leprosy and Us

While I was studying, I came across Leviticus 14, which contains the instructions for the cleansing of leper when he is healed. This chapter struck me as an incredible picture of what Jesus did for us. 

*The italicized notes below mean they have been taken from Matthew Henry's Commentary.

Leviticus 14:6-7 starts describing the process of the ceremony conducted when pronouncing a leper clean: 
"Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field."

Henry summarizes: A preparation was to be made of blood and water, with which the leper must be sprinkled. 

Here we see a couple key elements. 

There are

• The two birds, one killed, and the other freed
• Cedar wood
• Scarlet
• Hyssop

The Birds

One of the birds (and the Jews say, if there was any difference, it must be the larger and better of the two) was to be killed over an earthen cup of spring water, so that the blood of the bird might discolour the water.

This (as some other types) had its accomplishment in the death of Christ, when out of his pierced side there came water and blood (John 19:34). Thus Christ comes into the soul for its cure and cleansing, not by water only, but by water and blood (1 John 5:6). 

 The living bird was then dipped in the blood and water mixture with the wood, scarlet, and hyssop, then released. 

Some make the slain bird to typify Christ dying for our sins, and the living bird Christ rising again for our justification.

Cedar wood

Henry comments that cedar wood "signified the restoring of the leper to his strength and soundness, for that is a sort of wood not apt to putrefy."

Though I couldn't find it explicitly written in the Bible, the commentaries I've come across seem to agree that when the living bird was dipped in the blood and water, it was tied to the cedar wood. 

If we were to compare the birds to Christ, picture starts to bring Galatians 3:13 to mind - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

The curse, whether of leprosy or of sin and death, is nailed to the cross. We bear it no more. 

Scarlet

This can be compared to so much. The scarlet robe was put on Jesus, just as it is thought that a scarlet ribbon was tied to the bird, wood, and hyssop. Regarding the leper, Henry adds that "the scarlet wool signified his recovering a florid colour again, for the leprosy made him white as snow."

 Isaiah 53:5 says that "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Jesus shed His blood so that we could live. We can live - healed, clean.

Hyssop

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7)

Regarding the cleansing of leprosy, the hyssop intimated the removing of the disagreeable scent which commonly attended the leprosy.

John 19:29-30 mentions hyssop again when it describes Jesus' crucifixion:
"Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

It is a beautiful thing to see hyssop, an antiseptic herb, appearing again and again, reminding us of the righteousness, the purity of those that believe on Jesus! 

Then comes the part of the ceremony where the leper is sprinkled with the blood and water from the birds.
Then, he is pronounced clean.

Clean.

It reminds me of the latter part of Isaiah 54:17, where the heritage of the servants of the Lord is proclaimed. "Their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."

Righteous. Pure. Clean.

As the blood and water, which the killed bird has contributed to and the living bird has been dipped in, is sprinkled over the leper, it forms a beautiful analogy.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)

And also in Romans 6:3-5: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, I can live.

Just as the healing of the leper means restoration back into society, salvation by faith in Jesus brings us into fellowship - with God, and with the body of Christ. 

The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-21 Meditations

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!

1 John 4:7-21
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

A while back I had the opportunity to listen to an older Christian gentleman share about leadership in the business world. I cannot remember all he said, but one thing stood out to me.

The impression it left was a little too deep for my liking, and I almost wished I would forget it. However, the more I tried to dismiss the thought, the more I had to ponder it. And the more I pondered it, the more agonized I became.

He had been sharing how he, early in his Christian walk, had made the decision to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit immediately.
Naturally then, he challenged us to do the same.

Nothing wrong there; it was all very good.

But I wasn't exactly ready to say to God that I would do just that. What if He told me to do [fill in the blank with whatever I might not like]? Could I do that immediately?

Then again, I know that would be the right thing, but what if? What if?

What if?

I feared what God was going to "make me do". Soon, I started to experience the truth of 1 John 4:18 when it says "...fear hath torment..." Mental turmoil and all!

If you have a choice of what truths in the Bible you'd like to be an example of, do not pick the above mentioned one. It. is. torment. It really is.

I had almost reached to point of forgetting what the guy had challenged us when I started meditating on this section of 1 John. What a rich passage of the love of God!

But then came verse 18. And then God began to convict me of "the challenge".

Not again!

It seems like often when God calls me to surrender, I start thinking of worst possible scenarios. Maybe God wants me to do this so He can get me into doing something I abhor. Or He wants me to never have any pleasure in whatsoever I enjoy. Or He'll make me...

That, of course, is utterly ludicrous thinking, That is not the nature of God!

God is love.

There is no fear in love.

But, perfect love casts out fear.

Because fear has torment.

So for the past couple days I have to come face to face with the issue. Again. Will I say that I'll obey His every prompting immediately, or will I continue to cling to fear and dwell in torment?

He says He is love. Do I trust Him?

Yes, but well.... It's just that, ummm..., kind of.
(Which translated means "no".)

But there must come a point when I must choose to look to Him, the One Whose love is perfect, past my fears, and say that I'll obey Him.

He IS love anyway! He casts out fear.

Therefore I say to Him Whose mercy endures forever, "By your grace, I'll obey you. Immediately at Your prompting."

And guess what?
God didn't make me to shut myself up into some terrible cloistered lifestyle.

His commandments are not grievous!

He calls me to abide in Him. To abide in His love.

Because He wants the best for me.
No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly! (Psalm 84:11b)

And if that means taking a bit of time to read a book to one of the little ones, I'll do it!

He's not trying to torture me! No siree!
He is inviting me into His love.

His is Love.
No fear there.

Thoughts, Notes, Lists, and such. Disclaimer somewhere in here.

Attributes of the Father:

• Love
• Know-able
• Sent His only begotten Son into the world
• Loves us
• Never seen before
• Can dwell in us
• Gave us His Spirit
• Sent the Son to be the Savior of the world
• Has no fear
• First loved us

Attributes of the Son:

• We live through Him
• The propitiation for our sins
• Sent to be the Savior of the world
• Son of God

Attributes of the Spirit:

• Given to us

Cross-References:

vs 7 --> John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
vs 9 --> Rom. 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
vs 17 --> Isaiah 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
vs 18 --> 2 Tim. 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Mini Study - Perfect

Perfect (1 John 4:17) Gr. teleioō

 1. to make perfect, complete

    A. to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
 2. to complete (perfect)

    A. to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full

    B. to be found perfect

 3. to bring to the end (goal) proposed

 4. to accomplish

    A. bring to a close or fulfillment by event

        i. of the prophecies of the scriptures

Definition above taken from Outline of Biblical Usage

When I keep God's Word, the love of God is perfected in me. (1 John 2:5)

If I love one another, God dwells in me and His love is perfected in me. (1 John 4:12)

As He is, so am I in this world.

Perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:17)

He calls me to be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect. (Mat. 5:48)

God's work is perfect. (Deut. 32:4)

God's law is perfect. (Psalm 19:7) It converts the soul - it changes me. 

He causes the righteousness of the law to be fulfilled in me. (Rom. 8:4)

He gives me His word so that I may be perfect. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

God's way is perfect. And it is He that makes my way perfect. (Psalm 18:30, 32)

He, not me.

I may try very hard, but not I, but Christ.

He makes my way perfect.

He says to me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness". 

What can I do then? The verse continues, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9)

His strength made perfect in my weakness.

The exhortation continues in James 1:4 - "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

And where does patience come from?

Tribulation works patience. (Rom. 5:3)

The trying of my faith works patience. (James 1:3)

And love is described as patient. Or in other words, it "suffers long". (1 Cor. 13:4)

What happens after I suffer a while? He makes me perfect. (1 Pet. 5:10)

In Col. 3:14, I am called to "put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

I love the cry in Psalm 138:8 - The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands

His mercy to me endures forever.

He will perform and not forsake the work He has begun in me (Phil. 1:6). 

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. 

I Am an Overcomer | 1 John 4:1-6 Meditations

1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

I don't know if anyone else really relates to the concept of overcoming the spirit of antichrist, but I surely didn't.

I couldn't exactly put my finger on what it really was, and well.... I just couldn't understand it.

The other day, though, I was reading through definitions, and came across the meaning of the word antichrist - quite simply, it means "the adversary/opponent of Christ." In other words, he that is "anti" Christ.
So that's every spirit that is not of Christ. How very simple! Should've known that earlier.

This brought to mind a verse from John that described the devil- "...[h]e was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44)

Satan = the father of lies. He abode not in the truth.
On the other hand, as the child of God, Who is The Truth, I am called to abide in The Truth.

So, I asked God to show me the lies I was believing and replace them with His Truth.

I think elusive would be a good description of lies. They look so right and so good and so almost-like-truth. The day soon passed and I still haven't identified any lies I was believing. Desperation starting to sink in, I begged God to show me the areas where I was listening to the world. (I have a blog post to write soon, and I got to write about something!)

I'm so grateful that God is a good Father and cares for His children. He does answer prayer!

I was working on my verses (again! Forgive me for being so redundant, but everything does seem to happen when I work on my verse cards...), which were yet again falling behind schedule, when a certain Anonymous requested my help in preparing meals.

Now, preparing meals means time consumed, which is not good for working on verse cards. Therefore, I, being very logical, refused. Well, almost refused.

You see, God started to convict me of how much I trusted Him.

Thus began the "Inner Dialogue".

I may have asked Him to make me a blessing, but did I let Him? 

Why don't I?

Ahhh... ummm... Well, I just need to be in control. If I had complete control of my schedule, then everything would be great and on schedule. 

Really? Do I really believe that God does everything well?
If I really did believe, then would I worry about following God's call (i.e. cooking for Anonymous)?

Well, then maybe I suppose I might be struggling with that a bit. 

I started to ponder what I had been learning and what I had just been thinking.
By then it was getting obvious what lie I was believing, but I started to realize I had a deeper problem - trust in Who God is.

The last 1 John "chunk" I had meditated on mentioned doing things that were pleasing in God's sight. As I had studied that, it became quite apparent that "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb. 11:6).

Faith.  The "Inner Dialogue" resumed. 

Did I have faith that The Truth is Who He says He is? 

Of course I ought to.
He says He's good, so regardless of what I feel now, I'm going to choose to trust Him.

So if I really trusted the fact that He's good, what would I do? 

Help Anonymous cook, of course. 

Down went the verse cards and up went spatulas, pots, and pans.

It's an incredible thing that communion with God is possible even when one is processing beef. Such a revelation!

I may struggle with lies that the spirit of antichrist tries to feed me with, but in Him, who am I? What does He call me?

An overcomer (1 John 4:4). 

One who gets the victory.

Always victorious (2 Cor. 2:14).

Because He has won the victory.

Because GREATER is HE THAT IS IN ME than he that is in the world.

(1 John 4:4)

I have no need to fear. Just to choose faith. Faith in the Greatest, Most High One. Who loves me.

He cares for me so much. In fact, those verse cards that were set down in order to help with cooking actually got perfected by the time we ate. No kidding.  And I don't think I've gotten so many verses "done" in such a little time before.

In Him, I am an overcomer. 

Thoughts, Notes, Lists, and such. Disclaimer somewhere in here.

Attributes of the Father:

• Has Spirit
• Has children

Attributes of the Son:

• Come in the flesh

Attributes of the Spirit:

• Greater than he that is in the world 

Cross-References:

vs 1 --> Matt. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

vs 3 --> 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

vs 4 --> Rev. 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 

vs 4 --> Rev. 21:7-8  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Mini Study - To Overcome

Overcome (1 John 4:4) Gr. nikaō

 1. to conquer

    A. to carry off the victory, come off victorious

        i. of Christ, victorious over all His foes

        ii. of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and                   temptations and persecutions

        iii. when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one's cause

Definition above taken from Outline of Biblical Usage

Who can overcome/is an overcomer?

• The Lord (Ex. 14:14)
• Jesus (John 16:33, Rev. 5:5, 6:2, 17:14)
• Young men (1 John 2:13-14)
• Little children (1 John 4:4)
• Whatsoever is born of God (1 John 5:4)
• He that believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5)

What is to be overcome?

• Evil (Rom. 12:21)
• The wicked one (1 John 2:13-14)
• The spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:3-4)
• The world (1 John 5:4-5)
• The beast (Rev. 15:2)
• The beast's image (Rev. 15:2)
• The beast's mark (Rev. 15:2)
• The number of the beast's name (Rev. 15:2)

How can one overcome?

• When the LORD fights for us - and our job is not to fear, but to be strong and of good courage, and to hold our peace (Ex. 14:14, Deut. 1:30, 3:22, Josh. 10:14, 10:25, 23:3, 10, 2 Chron. 20:29, 32:8, Jer. 1:19)
• [overcome evil] with good (Rom. 12:21)
• By our faith (1 John 5:4)
• By the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)
• By the word of "their" testimony (Rev. 12:11)

What are the rewards of an overcomer?

• To be given to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7)
• Not to be hurt of the second death (Rev. 2:11)
• To be given to eat of the hidden manna (Rev. 2:17)
• To be given a white stone that has a new name written in it, which only the recipient knows (Rev. 2:17)
• To be given power over the nations (Rev. 2:26)
• To be clothed in white raiment (Rev. 3:5)
• To have name in the book of life (Rev. 3:5)
• To have name confessed by Jesus before the Father and His angels (Rev. 3:5)
• Pillar in the temple of God (Rev. 3:12)
• To have the name of God, the name of the city of God, and Jesus' new name written upon the overcomer (Rev. 3:12)
• To sit with Jesus in His throne (Rev. 3:21)
• To inherit all things (Rev. 21:7)

Notes: 

2 Chron. 13:12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
Rev. 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

To Lay Down My Life | 1 John 3:11-24 Meditations

1 John 3:11-24
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

I don't think I've ever had to place my life in jeopardy for the sake of anyone else.
Thankful for that fact, definitely.

But, how am I supposed to "lay down my life for the brethren (paraphrased part of 1 John 3:16)"?
What does that mean?

I was meditating on this a while back and came across the definition of the word psychē (the Greek word for life in 1 John 3:16).

Not only does life encompass the physical life, but also the soul, which includes "the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)."

Feelings.

Desires.

Affections.

Aversions.

This is "life"? Jesus is calling me to lay those down for the brethren?

Then again, what has He done for me?
He laid down His life. His feelings. His desires. His affections. His aversions.

Absurd.

Is that really how much He loves me?

Yes, yes indeed.

And He's called me to do the same.

Absurd.

Only possible with Him.

A couple days ago, I was finally settling down to study. Finally!
It had so happened that I was cooking dinner that day, and we had all just finished eating. A very kind person was already cleaning up the kitchen, and ventured to ask for a little help with clearing tables.

You must know that there was also an anonymous person sitting and studying beside me, who, take note, did not prepare dinner. However, Anonymous had the nerve to strongly suggest/ask/command me to go clear the table!

That is absurd, my friends.

People who have already "done their duty" by preparing meals ought not to be required to be on KP duty!

Nevertheless, because of the holiness and righteousness possessed by yours truly, off the kitchen I went. Fuming with "righteous indignation", I probably had enough passion to kick start a campaign for the non-existent Association for the Just Treatment of the Righteous.


Ahem.


"Come into My presence now."

That still small "feeling". It had to come again!

"Love as I have loved."

Well... It was probably a good thing that "feeling" is there, though. I knew it was right, but oh! Do you know how hard it is to lay down your life?

Feelings, desires, affections, aversions, all!

But I want! I want to have a right to peaceful, undisturbed study! I want to have a right to seethe about Anonymous! I want to have a right to anger!

Finally, though, I gave in.

"Lord, I come in Your presence. I choose joy and peace in You."

It really is a choice to lay down my life.
Satan tries so hard to deceive me that no, it's not a choice. Just being victimized by circumstances. It just happens, you know?

However, praise God Who has made me His! For He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. He has already won the victory. And He works in me.

When at length I decided to go into His presence, He had fullness of joy and rest there for me (Psalm 16:11, Matt. 11:28).

Why He invites His unruly, infuriated children to dwell in His presence, I don't know.

That is love.

In Hebrews 12, it exhorts us to look to Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

'For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

After all, what's the big deal? It's just clearing tables, after all.

He laid down His life for me.

Should I do any less?

Thoughts, Notes, Lists, and such. Disclaimer somewhere in here.

Attributes of the Father:

• Has love
• Greater than our heart
• Knows all things
• Can be pleased
• Has commandment
• Gave us His Spirit

Attributes of the Son:

• Laid down life
• We should believe on Him

Cross-References:

vs 12/15 --> Matt. 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

vs 13 --> John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

vs 13 --> Matt. 24:4-14 [Too long to put here:)]

vs 16 --> Luke 10:26-37 [Too long to put here, too:) This is the answer of the question "Who is my neighbor?", which is similar to asking "Who is my brother" of 1 John 3:16.]

vs 16 --> John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
vs 19 --> 2 Tim. 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
vs 22 --> Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Thoughts

1 John 3:23 outlines His commandment: To believe on the name of His Son + love one another.

I know that believing on the name of the Son results in salvation (John 1:12) - what glorious news - but as a Christian, what further implications does it have to my behavior?

Pisteuō denotes having faith in, entrusting. Am I entrusting myself to God every daily, every hour, even every minute?

My physical welfare? Spiritual? Emotional? My past? My present? My future? Myself? My surroundings?

Paul was not afraid of suffering, because he knew Whom he believed.

He was peithō, he was assured/persuaded/convinced that "He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)

Do I know Whom I have believed?

Am I peithō?

He says that without pistis it is impossible to please Him.

Do I do those things that are pleasing in His sight?

Do I have confidence toward Him?

Do I have faith in Him? Constant faith?

Mini Study - Pleasing to God

What is pleasing to God?

• "To make you His people" (1 Sam. 12:22)
• That Solomon asked for an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:10)
• Uprightness (1 Chro. 29:17)
• The prosperity of His servant (Psalm 35:27)
• Sacrifices of praise - "the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15)
• Children obeying parents (Col. 3:20)
• To give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32)
• To "by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21)
• That all fullness should dwell in Jesus (Col. 1:19)

Who pleases God?

• Those who fear Him (Psalm 147:11)
• Those who hope in His mercy (Psalm 147:11)
• His people (Psalm 149:4)
• Jesus (John 8:29)
• Enoch (Heb. 11:5)

Who/what cannot please God?

• Wickedness (Psalm 5:4)
• Those who are in the flesh (Rom. 8:8)
• Those who "both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us" (1 Thes. 2:15)
• Those who entangle themselves with the affairs of this life (1 Tim. 2:4)
• Those without faith (Heb. 11:5)

Benefits of pleasing God

• Our enemies will be at peace with us (Pro. 16:7)
• We will prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2)

Notes: God has revealed what is pleasing to Him through His Word (1 Thes. 4:1, also CR Deut. 12:28)! 

In 1 John 3:22, the Greek word for pleasing is arestos, meaning pleasing/agreeable. 

To do those things that are pleasing in His sight.