Have you every had eye floaters? You know, the little black dots that sort of drift through the periphery of you field of vision. You seem to get used to them and are somehow able to function while ignoring them. This week I realized that we also have brain floaters, those thoughts that intrude on the thinking process when you are trying to focus on important ideas. They just fly in and out, sort of on the periphery just like eye floaters.
Did I pay that bill? Why didn’t he call back? Where are my keys? Is there still a bit of ice cream in the fridge? Is it already time for another haircut. Who won the game last night?
Now you are probably thinking that I have lost it, but there is a real point here. Especially with the introduction of smart phones, our ability to focus is seriously threatened. We have never had more information at our fingertips, yet we find it more and more difficult to focus on the truly important issues. Our attention span is about five seconds, tops.
Our culture is in a major “dumbing down” mode. More dangerous than the rise of the information age is the explosion of entertainment, sports, “me time” and a zillion other distractions. Why is this a problem? Who cares? The next time someone tells you about a good movie or good anything, ask them: “Do you mean good in the sense of Godly?”
Maybe we should have loftier goals in life. Let me answer with a few directives (of many) from the Bible. You know, that old book that used to be in schools, motels, people’s homes, and yes, even in churches! Can you imagine that? I am not joking. Major denominations abandoned the Bible long ago as the actual foundation of character, behavior and believing faith. I joke about living in the Bible Belt, like you have a little holster with a Bible in it, but you don’t actually use it!
So here are just a few verses:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (perfect peace in Hebrew is shalom, shalom)
Commit your works to Yehovah, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1-2
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
We need to focus on what God is thinking: like Israel, salvation, His Kingdom, and His heart; to name a few. That’s why I end my blogs this way: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.
Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
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ASK for Shalom from Jerusalem
6 06 2020Rabbi Yehuda Glick – Jerusalem
One of the most famous prayers in the Bible is found in Psalm 122:6, but do you know what happens when you invoke that prayer? I just learned something this week that is brand new to me.
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM. MAY THEY PROSPER WHO LOVE YOU.
Rabbi Yehuda Glick (aka: the red-headed Rabbi) led live prayers and Psalms from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Thursday. He enlisted about a dozen pastors from the U.S. (via ZOOM) to pray for America, including my friend Keith Johnson. He walked around the Temple Mount on a beautiful day in Jerusalem giving a mini-tour during the prayers. You can watch it at this link. They each read a Psalm from the Songs of Ascent, Psalms 120-134.
Rabbi Glick explained that we can ask for the “peace of Jerusalem” to come to us, for our nation, for our family. I always thought of the prayer being directed to Jerusalem, but rather, the peace is given by Yehovah to us from Jerusalem, when we ask!
In fact, a simple Hebrew word study shows that the word translated “pray” in English is really “ask.” What a major difference that makes!
If you still doubt, look up the word for “prosper.” Prosperity is not the primary meaning. In the Strong’s Concordance entry, “prosper” is only part of the meaning of the Hebrew word: שָׁלָה shalah: to be at rest, prosper, be quiet, be at ease
So, the verse starts with asking and ends with the petitioner receiving rest. What a great prayer to ask for our country with the virus and the riots. It also applies personally to all who are in fear and panic. When we ask for the peace of Jerusalem, God brings His peace, His shalom to us. It is the same formula in Genesis.
Ironically, Rabbi Glick was attacked within three hours of that prayer from the Temple Mount. It was the second time someone attempted to assassinate him. The first in 2014, was a miraculous deliverance from being shot four times at close range, but surviving. Why is he a target? He has fought for years for the Temple Mount to be a house of prayer for all nations. Currently, only Muslims are allowed to pray there, even though Israel has freedom of religion, just not on the location of the the Temple. Pray protection and courage for him. Reporting after the attack, he said he will never stop.
Now when you “Ask” for Jerusalem, you are praying for Jerusalem to be blessed and for Jerusalem to BE a blessing to the world. Hallelujah! May that eternal peace of Jerusalem, which will be manifest when the Messiah comes, be in the hearts of all who believe in Him.
Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists
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Tags: Jerusalem, Jerusalem peace, shalom, Temple Mount, Yehuda Glick
Categories : Israel Commentary