I find this to be an almost funny thing, because of what I see going on around me, and because I know that God's got a sense of humor. I don't mean that there's anything funny or fun about struggling. After all, I just went through some heavy rainfall myself.

However, what is funny is when I start admitting my shortcomings; when I start talking about my failures; God starts pulling rabbits out of hats all of a sudden.

For instance, I said that I usually don't let much of anything phase me. I don't freak out over much, and basically, I tend to be fairly nonchalant about most things people get upset about. I don't tend to take too much too seriously, but there are a handful of exceptions.

So here I am, going through one of the worse bouts of "hell" I can remember, and at the same time, I get a reality check in the area of my finances, and a fee that exceeds $100 at my bank.

I was just disgusted that this had occurred; more mad at myself than anything, because the miscalculation was my own fault. I was just too tied up in my son's situation to pay rapt attention to every little expenditure. In times such as we are now in, such carelessness is not beneficial and can really set one back.

Needless to say, I was really annoyed when I saw this issue in my bank account, but it didn't last long because my focus was elsewhere. I just resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be in a hole for the week.

Yet, when I wrote last week's TFTW, admitting that I trust God with everything in my life but my son; and meaning that I trust God more with everything else; suddenly I get a check in the mail for $20, and two electronic deposits credited to my account. The total amount of these deposits?

Remember the amount I lost was exactly $105. The amount credited to my account was $103. The amazing thing about it? I had no idea where any of this money came from at first, so it was quite the surprise to discover this money. But the point was, the money arrived from unexpected sources from which there was no guarantee of anything arriving.

Yet in a matter of 1 day, nay, a few hours, it was almost all restored in my account. Praise God.

I've been going through a lot of stress lately and for this reason, I have been unable to update weekly as you all are accustomed to me doing, so this one will be long.

Thing is, I am normally a cool cucumber; meaning that most things don't stress me out. At least, it's been a long time since I've allowed something to bother me to that point. I don't worry about much of anything because I know without a doubt, that God's got me.

However, this is not just any thing. This stress is over the most important thing...my son. Nothing else can worry me to the point of tears, or even anger me to that point, yet he can.

I realize that I'm looking at this from a human perspective, but I wonder about the emotional turmoil God the Father went through, knowing what would happen to his Son on this earth; seeing, through foresight and foreknowledge, what He was about to go through.

I mean, it's not as if God does not have or express emotions and feelings. He is a person after all, just not in human form with flesh and blood.

And not that I'm trying to fit God into a human box, or place limits on Him in any way, but I wonder if one could quantify the pain God had to have experienced in withholding His forces and allowing the execution of His only Son, as "stress."

I mean it is obvious that Jesus, Himself experienced some measure of "stress" in the garden of Gethsemane. He sweat droplets of blood. That is pretty high stress.

I've had high enough stress that precipitated a mass on my liver several years ago that doctors couldn't explain. It was benign, but it caused me a lot of pain at the time whenever I suffered from high stress levels. I'm feeling that pain again, but sweating drops of blood?!? I can't even imagine having stress on that level.

God saw everything His Son was experiencing on a human level, all the fear and the pain that He suffered, and in accordance with "the plan," the Father's hands were tied.

It's one thing to have the ability to help and be unable; in this case due to His own integrity and plan to save us all. This was a necessary part of that plan, yet I'm sure it caused the Father a lot of pain.

It's another thing to be utterly helpless in helping your child; not knowing what resources might be available or even how to access them.

When you have to question the sincerity and the words of people who have authority and knowledge of the law over the rights of those requesting services or resources; it becomes that much more difficult to know who you can trust to assist you, or how you can help your child.

But the Father has access to everything. He knew what would happen to his son. Isn't funny how we still have the audacity to question God? Here, clearly, He could have stepped in and intervened, but He didn't because He knew. He had a purpose in allowing it in the first place.

It is the same with us. Sometimes we pray and don't feel like our prayers are being answered because we don't see the manifestation of our request immediately. Yet God always has a purpose for allowing us to suffer.

As I write this, I am actually reminding myself that despite the fact that this situation I'm dealing with has been up on that extreme level of stress that can actually break me down; I am now remembering that God has a purpose and a plan for everything and everyone.

The frightening thing is to watch your kid going through a trial; and you, the parent are also put on trial trying to resolve the situation for your kid. The thing is, God is the only one with an aerial view. Our ground view is limited by shrubbery etc; especially with this sort of situation.

All this is reminding me of the fact that God is "I am," so when you or I are faced with a difficult situation, we can call on "I am," because He is the answer.

What we have to remember is:

1. He won't necessarily give us our answer immediately, although He's got an answer for us.
2. We may not know it or understand it, but He does have a purpose in our struggle.
3. Adverse situations cause us to grow closer to Him because pain and discomfort eventually cause us to seek Him. He is the answer, and if we are truly seeking answers, we will always turn (back) to Him.
4. It may be time for a level increase, which means a promotion is coming spiritually, economically, financially, or in some other area of our lives. It's always darkest before the dawn.
5. Ultimately, it's all about trust, and God is trying to teach you to trust Him on a different level. It's always a test of your faith.

Apparently, I've been failing the test. I've been pretty torn apart about this situation. What I have discovered is that apparently, I trust God with everything else in my life, but my son.

I really think that this is the reason I'm so nonchalant about everything else; I don't worry about the whole "economic" thing. Not to say that I don't get somewhat annoyed when my money is not right, but I just don't worry about it; I just adjust, albeit sometimes uncomfortably.

However, my son is so much closer to my heart. We are so close, it's like our bodies are in tune with each other. For example, he was at school; I was at work; yet both of us had stomach discomfort that started that day with a headache, and ended with several trips to the restroom.

Despite the more angst ridden communication between us as he enters the teen years, he still wakes up within minutes of me waking up. He still can't stand to be separated from me for more than a few hours or a day.

It's far more comfortable; far easier to be nonchalant about the fact that I am confident in my provider. I know God's got me, so it's easy to look at things that happen to me personally, and not be concerned.

But with my son, who doesn't know his purpose; who feels like no one likes him; who struggles with socialization and is withdrawn because he lacks confidence; I would love to be able to confidently say that I know that God's got him the same way He's got me, but I don't know that for sure.

My son struggles to have enough faith to even maintain belief; to understand having a relationship with God; to understand how prayer works and how to get answers.

He is struggling in so many ways, and at the same time, has become defiant and defensive when he doesn't understand the reason for something he's being told, or for something happening.

Aside from this, he has additional needs that have to be addressed, and I am struggling to get help and find resources that don't cost an arm and a leg. (More on this on my website).

So now, it's come down to prayer. There's only so much I can do, and I'm struggling through it. I'm neglecting everyone and everything else, and even my job was at risk at one point.

God has since restored that situation, and allowed me to get a promotion that will take effect next month, not only increasing my bottom line a little bit, but one which allows me to have a more flexible schedule-not having to work as many evenings. So I will be able to spend more time with my son.

However, I do have one request of those of my readers who believe in the power of prayer. My son needs to be motivated. I've grown tired of the catch phrase of the past few years..."I'm bored." I need cost effective resources that will satisfy his need for fun, yet also help motivate him to fulfill his responsibilities.

I also need an answer and confirmation about utilizing a specific resource that I personally am not comfortable with; that I don't find as healthy or natural, but that may help my son. Your prayers are greatly appreciated, as is your support.

First, let me thank all of my readers who kept coming back during the last month. I've been going through some changes, and it has interfered with my ability to write here and communicate elsewhere online as well. Let me clarify. It has not affected my ability, but it has affected my time as well as my peace of mind to some degree.

The only thing in my life that could demand that much of my attention; the only concern that could disrupt my life and/or peace is my son. Nothing else bothers me. Nothing else would cause me to even consider worrying about it, because I know that God's got me. And it's not like I don't trust God with regard to my son. Quite the opposite is true. However, this is just one of those things where I am just too close to the person and situation, not to be affected.

The Prodigal Son Returns

Luk 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luk 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luk 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet:
Luk 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Obviously, I do see some comparisons in my son and the son of this parable. Now, to be sure, my son has not spent an inheritance on riotous living. However, there are areas in which he has "spent" opportunities afforded to him by making some impulsive choices.

Teenagers tend to be somewhat impulsive, but in my son's case, it may be something that he cannot directly control. So I am in a period of discovery right now, trying to get an accurate assessment of what exactly is going on with my child.

In the interim of my discovery of both legal and medical information, my son has been away. I was blessed to get him into a program called Outward Bound, which he had to volunteer for, and/or agree to go. This program helps teens that are struggling with different issues.

I'm hoping that despite missing me fiercely, he did take advantage of the opportunity afforded for him in this program, which was free for 21 days. Like the prodigal, he's joined himself to a citizen of a "foreign country", in the form of his counselors out there, and in being out in the Keys camping and canoeing in this cool weather we've been having.

He's in a state of want because of the famine of my presence. The fact that I'm not there with him, and this is the longest period of time we've ever been separated, has been hard on him.

It took the experience of getting dirty; it took some measure of extremes, like having to root around among pigs looking to be fed for the prodigal to come to his senses. It took this low point of separation from his father and all that was familiar to him, for him to appreciate it, and accept some accountability for his poor decisions.

Likewise, part of the training that my son is getting involves accountability and responsibility. Yes, he's out there for three weeks with 10 other boys, and no showers, so in essence, they are probably smelling like pigs, or worse, although I must say that the cool weather has probably been beneficial in lessening the effects of the hygiene issue.

Now, he's at the point where he has to rise and come back to me. He has to take the skills he's learned out there, like teamwork and so forth, and utilize them to get back to the main road from the Gulf of Mexico, through the Everglades. In order to get back to me, he has to work with his teammates, because they can't get back to their families if they don't find their way back to the pickup point.

I've been to 2 of the parent meetings, and I have been doing my homework, in an effort to make the home environment more conducive to the principles he's learning, so that he can continue to move forward in them when he returns.

Making these changes and doing this homework has been quite stressful, because there's so much I need to do both at home, getting his school straight, as well as other services he may need to properly assist him in moving forward.

Nevertheless, like the prodigal's father, I welcome him home with open arms, holding nothing in the past against him. I am ready to celebrate because he succeeded in getting through this program, when it didn't appear, at first report, that he'd make it through.

So I am happy, because he has succeeded in this; whether or not he achieved every objective. The fact that he made it all the way through 21 days without me is pretty major for him, because we are so close, and he barely made it through 1 week away from me in scouts 3 years ago.

I am so thankful to God that he had this opportunity; that he's learned some new things, and most of all, for all the new information I have learned, which is actually solving some riddles and questions from the past as well as present. It took some seemingly unfavorable incidents to begin the flow of information, understanding and assistance, but I'm thinking now that it was worth it.

Because of those situations, which stressed me out so much before; my understanding has increased and I am enabled to parent better, and help my son to see himself succeeding. It has allowed me to see a way to give my son hope about himself and his future.

The first thing I heard as I read this was a praise song from verse 3:

So let me rewrite this the way I saw it, not just in light of his circumstance, but my own as well, and maybe many others that might be dealing with some difficult adjustments as a result of the economy.

There were a lot of meanings for the words "bring forth," but the ones that stood out to me were these: to be the authors of, the cause, to produce, to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self, to make a thing out of something, to act rightly, do well, to carry out, to execute, to perform.

In other words, let your "fruit be something that will reap an eternal harvest which is used or produced of those who by their labors have fitted souls to obtain eternal life. Make sure that this fruit has weight or value and is worthwhile or of benefit to someone.

There is one more part to this.

Repentance is a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done. It contains or is demonstrated by deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like, and regret for any past action.

There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb _metamelomai_ is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun _metanoia_, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps. 51:4, 9), of pollution (51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps. 51:1; 130:4).

Now, as an example of this, I am bringing forth two ideas about service that many churches involve themselves in; and I am bringing forth these service examples with questions.

First, there are many churches that do some sort of feeding program for the homeless. In such programs, they conduct a church service first, making those who have gathered to be fed, wait so they can be fed spiritually prior to being fed physically.

On the surface, I understand the ideology behind this, and I agree that it is good to be fed spiritually prior to physically. I also realize that the thought behind this is that the people will not stay to hear the church service if they are fed first. However, I do question this practice for this reason.

Is the spiritual feeding a forced feeding? Isn't this practice somewhat manipulative? In other words, are the homeless being forced, by having to wait through a church service prior to getting their physical food, which is what they came there for in the first place?

Are they being forced into being spiritually fed against their will simply because they are homeless and therefore forced by circumstance into this necessity of coming to the feeding center? I mean, if we are truly reaching out, why aren't we doing so without strings attached?

I'm not saying don't offer the spiritual food, but the manner in which it is offered indicates manipulation or an agenda, doesn't it? Shouldn't the people be lured to the spiritual by the spirit in which the food is given or their needs are being met, as opposed to being manipulated into a spiritual feeding that they weren't initially seeking? Shouldn't they have the option and respect to make that choice for themselves as opposed to  being "led" into it because they have come to have a physical need met?

The reason I ask this question is that a friend of mine, who was once homeless, told me that he was forced to sit through a church service "just to get some food." This is one of the reasons why his opinion of the church is that it is hypocritical.

In the course of waiting for this food, a well-meaning Christian brother approached him and inadvertently passed judgment on him by assuming that he was in need of salvation because of his external condition of being homeless.

When he did not respond to this conversation the way this Christian brother desired, ie: responding favorably to his invitation to salvation; the brother told him he would pray for him. My friend said he was insulted because the guy assumed by his condition of being homeless at that point, that he was without salvation, and in need of prayer. He said he told this guy not to bother; that he didn't need his prayers.

Now I know that some people who read this will automatically jump to the conclusion that this friend of mine definitely is in need of salvation if he said that, but again, that is still an idea from a position of judgment.

I'm trying to get you to see this from a perspective outside your own Christian one...the perspective of someone in a position of need, whether saved at some point in their life, or unsaved, and how they might receive and perceive this as assistance with an agenda.

Some might feel that it doesn't matter; that what's important is that they get the message out. However, I have to wonder how effective that message can be if people are having this sort of perception about how the message is being presented and whether or not they had a choice in hearing it.

I think if the brother had asked him, "Can I pray for you?" instead of just assuming that he needed prayer, it would have gone over better. However, the question about the methodology of the service still remains.

Secondly, a previous church I used to belong to years ago went out into the community to do an outreach. We went to a large indoor flea market and the goal was to extend invitations to the people to come to the church. We were given flyers and told to walk around handing them out and inviting people to come.

I had, at that point, never been on an outreach before, so I basically was doing more observing than anything else. After the group had gone through the entire building and gathered again outside, they spotted a homeless man pushing a cart full of cans.

It was clear that he had been out in the streets for quite some time, and they immediately targeted him as the ultimate candidate in need of what they were offering.

They rushed this man, surrounding him and telling him about how he needed God, the church and salvation. I can only imagine that from his point of view, these people were just bombarding him with a lot of noise, which was apparently not getting through, because he seemed to be in a complete daze.

After 10-15 minutes of this useless onslaught, they finally gave up and moved away from the man. None of them had managed to get him to take the flyer from the church.

After observing this, I walked over to him and spoke real low next to his ear and said, "You can get the best wine you've ever tasted." Immediately, he said, "Where?!?" I handed him the flyer, and told him to go to the church, and God would give it to him.

Did he go? I have no idea, but at the very least, I didn't come at him with judgment, but just attempted to identify with him where he was. That identification of what he physically desired allowed me to give him a spiritual option to get what he needed, as I was referring to getting the wine of the Spirit, which would satisfy any thirst.

Whether or not he took the option is up to him. He is still a human being with his own ability to reason on whatever level. I didn't dismiss that or disrespect it. I just offered an option he was unaware of. For me, this is the way to really reach out and bear fruit that can lead to repentance. Judgment, no matter how subtle, is not the way. What do you think?

In theory, I know who the Pharisees and Sadducees are. I'm aware that they were the religious leaders of the time. However, I decided that I needed more info, because I wanted to know the reason why they were called a brood of vipers.

The word Pharisee comes from a Hebrew word meaning separate. A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fasting, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works.

They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; and they cherished the hope that the dead, after a preliminary experience either of reward or of penalty in Hades, would be recalled to life by him, and be requited each according to his individual deeds.

In opposition to the usurped dominion of the Herods and the rule of the Romans, they stoutly upheld the theocracy and their country's cause, and possessed great influence with the common people. According to Josephus they numbered more than 6000. They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity.

Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mar 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
Mar 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It is] Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [he shall be free].
Mar 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And here, Paul was talking about himself as a former Pharisee:

Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

The Pharisees were strictly a sect. A member was chaber (united) and was obligated to remain true to the principles of Pharisaism.

Jdg 20:11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.

They were moral, zealous, and self-denying, but self-righteous and destitute of the sense of sin and need.

Luk 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Sadducees = "the righteous"
1) a religious party at the time of Christ among the Jews, who denied that the oral law was a revelation of God to the Israelites, and who deemed the written law alone to be obligatory on the nation, as the divine authority. They denied the following doctrines:
a) resurrection of the body
b) immortality of the soul
c) existence of spirits and angels
d) divine predestination, affirmed free will

They were the religious rationalizers of the time.

Mar 12:18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
Mar 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave [his] wife [behind him], and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Mar 12:20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
Mar 12:21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
Mar 12:22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
Mar 12:23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

They were strongly entrenched in the Sanhedrin priesthood.

Act 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
Act 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

The Sadducees are identified with no affirmative doctrine, but were mere deniers of the supernatural.

John the baptizer, who's name means  "Jehovah is a gracious giver," was preaching in the wilderness of Judea. I wondered why he started preaching in a wilderness, and specifically, the wilderness of Judea. Knowing that God is specific for a reason, I looked this up.

So Jehovah is a gracious giver, came making a public proclamation to the solitary, lonely and desolate; to the bereft: that he shall be praised.

Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Repent/Repentance in the Greek is metanoeo; which means lit., "to perceive afterwards" (meta, "after," implying "change," noeo, "to perceive;" nous, "the mind, the seat of moral reflection"), in contrast to pronoeo, "to perceive beforehand," hence signifies "to change one's mind or purpose," always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment, and always, except in Luk 17:3, 4, of "repentance" from sin.

Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The King James version lists the name as Esaias, but when I looked it up, I found that Isaiah means "Jehovah's help."

Mat 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Again, knowing that God gives specifics for a reason, I wondered about this verse, and the reason God wanted us to know this information. This is what I found:

Camel:
from a Hebrew word signifying "a bearer, carrier," is used in proverbs to indicate

(a) "something almost or altogether impossible," Mat 19:24, and parallel passages,

(b) "the acts of a person who is careful not to sin in trivial details, but pays no heed to more important matters," Mat 23:24.

Hair:
denotes the "hair," whether of beast, as of the camel's "hair" which formed the raiment of John the Baptist, Mat 3:4; Mar 1:6; or of man. Regarding the latter

(a) it is used to signify the minutest detail, as that which illustrates the exceeding care and protection bestowed by God upon His children, Mat 10:30; Luk 12:7; 21:18; Act 27:34;
There was a lot of information about locusts; what they do, their devastating effect; how they move without direction. However, out of all the meanings for the word locust, the one that applies here is ‘arbeh from the root rabhah, "to increase."

"Wild honey" (Mat 3:4) may have been the vegetable honey distilled from trees, but rather was honey stored by bees in rocks or in trees (Deu 32:13; Psa 81:16; 1Sa 14:25-29).
Canaan was a "land flowing with milk and honey" (Exd 3:8). Milk and honey were among the chief dainties in the earlier ages, as they are now among the Bedawin; and butter and honey are also mentioned among articles of food (Isa 7:15). The ancients used honey instead of sugar (Psa 119:103; Pro 24:13); but when taken in great quantities it caused nausea, a fact referred to in Pro 25:16, 17 to inculcate moderation in pleasures. Honey and milk also are put for sweet discourse (Sgs 4:11).

Mat 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
Mat 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Then went out to him "set ye double peace," and all "he shall be praised," and all the region round about "the descender," and were baptized of him in "the descender," confessing their sins.

I formerly thought that they all had converged in the same place at the same time, but coming from 3 different locations and time via travelling distance. This is how it has been depicted, but this is not what Matthew is indicating here.

According to the way this is written, the Magi did not get there until about one year after he was born. This is why Herod went after baby boys 2 years old and younger.

Now, from past studies, I have found that the word "Egypt" means 'land of copts,' or 'land of the dead.' Thus I found that the idea of Jesus having to escape as a babe into the land of the dead and interesting one, being that basically, His presence there proverbially, was one of bringing life or light to the dead.

However, when I looked up Egypt this time, I found the meaning to be "double straits." Unsure of what that meant, I looked up the word 'strait' in dictionary.com, and found that it means a position of difficulty, distress, or need.

Coming back to the word Egypt, it means "double" straits. This means they were in a doubly dire situation. Yet God told them to escape or flee there.

This made me think that sometimes when people believe they are going through hardship, and questioning within themselves as to "Where is God?" they need to recognize that sometimes the dire situation they find themselves in, is an escape from a worse situation.

Sometimes they need to just wait on God without whining, to adjust the circumstance and situation and restore them, because it could be much worse than it is.

Someone told me the other day that none of us should ever think we have it hard, no matter what is going on, because none of us ever had to deal with what He went through for us. THAT was hard. We can't even begin, in our minor troubles or issues, to compete with that, so NONE of us have it hard.

Mat 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Aside from all I said above, this was done for the fulfillment of prophesy as well, a double purpose. I dare say a triple one, because I see an example to us in the fact that 'Out of Egypt have I called my son,'
or out of double straits; out of the land of the dead; out of trouble, I called my son. I see an example to us; an assurance even in this, of God's saving grace and of our salvation.

Mat 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:     
Mat 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

When Joseph heard that Archelaus, whose name means "prince of the people," was reigning in the place of "heroic," which was Herod, his father, he was afraid to go there. Rightfully so, considering the lineage, and the intent of these people. Also considering the fact that he was a "prince of the people," not "prince of the Lord."

Being warned in a dream, Joseph takes the family to a place that offers some protection. He takes them to Galilee, which means "Circuit." When I looked up this word I found several meanings, but the one that struck me as applicable here is this one: the line going around or bounding any area or object; the distance about an area or object.

He took this special child and his mother to a place that was encircled with protection. Nazareth means "the guarded one," so the purpose of this place was to ensure Jesus' safety as he grew up; until such time as He was ready to step into His ministry.

It's also interesting to note that this double barrier of protection is because as a Nazarene or Nazarite, He is "one separated," and this is why He had to come from that particular place.

In all of this, I see a parallel for us. Jesus was in the land of the dead/copts or was in double straits; a very dire situation. As a people lost without a savior; so were we. He was brought out from this dire situation or the land of the dead, and brought into a guarded situation within a circuit of protection as "one separated." So were we. Merry Christmas.

Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Bethlehem is a village about six miles (10 km) south of Jerusalem. It means "house of bread." I found this fact interesting in light of this:

Luk 22:19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Even his birth place foretold of his body being broken for us.

Judaea means "he shall be praised."

So he was born in the house of bread; 'to be broken,' and 'he shall be praised.'

Despite the fact that Jesus is also called Emmanuel, he was not named that because it means God with us; which is more of a characterization of who he was. The word Emmanuel is a description of Christ.

This happened during the time of king "heroic," which is the meaning of Herod. I found a lot of information on Herod and his battles and how he alienated the Jews by his cruelty. However, there is another interesting thing I also discovered about Herod.

My pastor recently was talking about the differences between Jacob and his twin Esau, and the fact that because of these differences, Esau fell outside the blessings of God. In the course of recognizing his regret, Esau blamed Jacob and wanted to kill him.

Esau's lineage birthed the Amelekites, the Horites, and the Edomites. The Edomites were wiped out, but I find it interesting that Esau's lineage all carried the same murderous desire towards Jacob's lineage all the way through the old testament, and subsequently, into the new testament as well. There were many exchanges and battles that Jacob's descendants had with Esau's descendants.

What does this have to do with Matthew 2:1? In looking at king Herod, I discovered that he is also from Esau's lineage, and here in this chapter of Matthew, he is attempting to get information so as to destroy Jesus, who is of the lineage of Jacob. Talk about an example of attitude transfer; this is it.

I recently read something about the star that the wise men followed. It was in the Good News newspaper we get here. The information indicated that at that time period, two stars came together to create this one unbelievably bright and large star. Allegedly, this is historically recorded that this astronomical event happened.

The other thing I noted was this:

Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Now remember that Jesus was born in a manger. But this says that the wise men, who were not kings, but astrologers, came to a house. Here are the definitions for wise men:

1) a magus
a) the name given by the Babylonians (Chaldeans), Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers etc.
b) the oriental wise men (astrologers) who, having discovered by the rising of a remarkable star that the Messiah had just been born, came to Jerusalem to worship him
c) a false prophet and sorcerer

These guys were astrologers. They had been studying the stars and knew of the foretold coming of Christ. How do we know this?

Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

There's a pattern here. It's hidden in the fruit trees. Let me help you. There are 3 types of fruit mentioned in scripture. I'm not talking about kinds of fruit, but types of fruit.

Now, I'm hoping that by this time, you have recognized the presence of the number 3, which is the number of God. For those that have been following me for a while, you should have picked up the 3 symmetry immediately, because I've brought it up before. Here we have 3 types of fruit, and within the organization of this "fruit system," we have 3 descriptions that tell us a lot about the concept of "fruit."

At first, I thought it strange that this is "tree yielding fruit," as opposed to "fruit yielding trees," which is how we most likely would view this or say this in this day and age. But fruit cannot yield itself. It has to come from a tree. The tree has the action in bearing the fruit.

Jhn 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Why is this relevant? Remember that there are 3 types of fruit, yet all 3 of them have the same pattern of action. All 3 types have the same job, but they work that job in different arenas or environments.

Jhn 15:5  I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Christ calls himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into his followers his own divine strength and life. This is the basis for this pattern of 3 in the fruit.

If I were to attempt to sum up what the 3 types do, I'd have to say they are illustrative, demonstrative and actualized. Let me explain.

First, we are His offspring, the work of His hands. Second, we also follow the pattern of the fruit. In this way, we are "tree yielding fruit," because we birth offspring.

Third, this "fruit system" is actualized in our actions which can have, and most of the time do have, a long term reproductive effect on "life" in general. Every thought we have has potential action that could be dangerous or prosperous for us. This actualization is activated by our given ability of choice.

That choice is the "fruit" of our spirits, which is why abiding in the vine, "Christ," is so important, because then our choices will be better directed by His Spirit instead of ours.

Psa 1:1  Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2  But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Now, let me bring you back again to the commonality between these 3 types as shown in the actual verse. These were "tree yielding fruit" first, "whose seed was in itself," second, "after his kind" third.

Let's go back for just a minute, to that idea of actualization (fruit). The second part of this 3 part description, is "whose seed was in itself." In other words, this fruit, whether good or bad, destructive or productive, has the potential to spread because it has it's seed within itself. "It's seed," is the important issue here, because this fruit is not carrying the seeds of "ideals," but that of intentions. Very important.

Just like in a court of law, people get convicted for their actions when their intentions are proven by those actions. Our intentions birth our thoughts, because remember, the battleground is our minds.

If the Spirit is not in control of a certain area of our hearts, then the intent of our heart in that area can birth thoughts that are not beneficial. Subsequent action based on those thoughts not only have seed to birth more non-beneficial actions in our surroundings, but also prove what our thoughts were.

Here we see the "fruit system" in action with repercussive (my word) seed, meaning there are repercussions of whatever the intent was in that reproducing seed. That seed is reproducing "after his kind," which is the third description of this "fruit yielding system."

In other words, whatever the intentions behind that fruit were initially, once that tree bears that fruit and its ripe, it's too late to stop the seeds. They have already been produced in the fruit after the fruit's kind, or after the intentions behind that fruit.

The only way that seed does not then reproduce, is if the fruit is cut from the tree, and the seed never make it to fertile ground, but once the fruit is cut away, who knows where it will go.

It will certainly move or be moved away from the tree and outside its sphere of influence. Once that happens, it's "out of our hands, and is basically like a snowball on a mountaintop cliff heading down. You just never know who will gain access to that fruit and the potential action of the seed it bears inside it.

Again, this is the pattern hidden within the design of God's fruit system, illustrated in Genesis 1, actualized in our actions, and finally, demonstrated in man. To see the entire picture clearly, we need some details that were written into the second chapter of Genesis...