FOOD IN THE NEW AND OLD TESTAMENT

When our thirteen-year-old granddaughter mentioned her taste for octopus, my eyes widened. “Wait a minute, Lilly,” I warned, “The Old Testament food laws command that seafood should have fins and scales, otherwise it is unclean.” She showed disappointment. I had disapproved.

She is adventurous; part of her influences are her mother’s parents: one from India and one from Africa originally. So, our adorable granddaughter innocently taught me an important lesson.

What happened a few weeks later, “changed my religion;” my health nut tendencies had neared unchanging views. Only the Bible had an important broadening for me now. I was reading it one night and happened on New Testament verses about food that had eluded me. Here are the few I discovered that night. My favorite Version of the Bible is the King James, though my husband and I read others too.

The New Testament on Food Changed from the Old...

From the Law in Leviticus: “This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.” Lev.3:17. After the Flood, God told Noah and his family when they emerged from the Ark, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.” Genesis 9:3.

There is guidance in the New Testament: “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.” Romans14:14. There is freedom in the Bible to develop a personal preference about food, worship, rest days and other convictions as you read Scripture. Consider the denominations and differences in understanding. That is exciting for me. I am amazed at how the Bible speaks through the Holy Spirit to every Believer in Jesus. Be careful about the belief of another Christian, “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.” Romans 14:20. My grandfather forbad his family to play ball on Sunday, but my father allowed his eight children to play ball games on Sunday. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” 1 Corinthians10:23. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Colossians 2:16. Some make up non Biblical teachiing or deceive others about truth. “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:4.

An endlessly exciting Book, the Bible, through the Holy Spirit will make you wise and strong and good and kind...if you let it.

[PapaJ's Blog] THE LIGHTED PATH

Lizzie here: The Blog posted here is by my husband, Eric. To his daughters in law and grandkids he is PapaJ). I was reading my email and came across this wisdom I had not yet seen:

The Lighted Path...by Permission:

Proverbs eleven shows that righteous people shall live through troublesome times, but the wicked will perish in them. Righteousness and wickedness start from within. It starts from how each of us deals with the sin nature that dwells within us. Yet for the righteous, what is rightly dealt with within will preserve him when the trouble comes, when the outward, uncontrollable, hurtful situation occurs. They must choose the right path.

Character and righteousness do not just happen, they are built up step by step on a daily basis. It is not an "unchangeable" part of our character - something like our body type that has been given to us at birth. If we haven't been working on it when we need it will not be there.

The righteous would have been doing good acts, gaining a reputation for it perhaps. Maybe the good acts condition them toward salvation. Right internal corrections result in the right outward responses during the time of trouble. It might be the righteous have developed righteous friends when the wicked have not (at least not the good type of friends).

By contrast what is internal to the wicked will have no worth for delivery to others, except to others who are like them. They have chosen to develop inwardly the opposite way. Proverbs 4:16, 17 says: "For they [the wicked] cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence".

Proverbs 4: speaks a lot of following the right path. The admonition is to keep on the right path. By contrast, the wrong path of the wicked leads to a downfall. To be doing wrong is to not be doing right. Everything that is not on the righteous path leads into the area of wickedness. When you do mischief, you are knowingly working against some God-established ways. And if it were not good enough to be there themselves, the wicked attempt to trip others on the path of righteousness.

Righteousness follows the path of light, whereas there is darkness everywhere on the path of the wicked. It is very important to keep on the lighted path.


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Posted By PapaJ to PapaJ's Blog at Aug 19, 2023, 4:52 PM 

MY BODY, A TEMPLE

When I was about five, I remember, I was lying on the bottom bunk bed, my older sister on the top. I was afraid, "Was I saved?" Dad and Mom were serious Bible readers, and they read it to us every day. We lived in a small, old house with an outside toilet. Five children were born then, of the eight who finally arrived. It was late at night, I crawled out of bed, went into the living room that doubled as my parents’ bedroom and into my father’s arms. I told him I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. His arms around me, he led me in a simple prayer, and I went back to my bed.

It was then that the Holy Spirit entered my life and I also became the hallowed shrine of the Holy Spirit; "...for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." 2 Co.6:16.

To take that truth to heart and understand what happened and from then on grow with this holy privilege was only to happen over years.

Now, at eighty-one, the truth of it is still growing in me.

WE CAN EASILY LOSE OUR FOCUS

Last year, at eighty, my yearly physical exam was good. At eighty-one, this month, it still was. Why? I cannot take credit. If my health does continue to be good, for how long? You see, God holds our souls in life. But I have a part. I am still learning to take seriously this fact: my body belongs to God. I am a temple of the Holy Spirit because the Bible says that I am. It is because I belong to God by faith in Jesus.

How do I know? The evidence of my faith is that the Bible is guiding me. It works for the good of all who believe and take it by faith. But faith has substance: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen."Heb.11:1. “Does not even nature itself teach you…;” I Co.11:14. Where does life come from? Why does nature regenerate and grow? What is the mind, the soul and consciousness? What is gravity? How do you define these mysteries!

If I live or die this year, at eighty-one it is in the Hands of my Redeemer and Friend.

But I will continue to learn how to live, and eat, and exercise, and have faith, hope, and love.

IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE!

 In Scripture, the people chosen by God to be His own, wandered away time after time, so much so that the sad accounts in the Old Testament arrest your conscience. Jesus said, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Mark 12:30. 

Why does God demand so much of us? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3; “...and ye shall not fear other gods...But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and He shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.” 2Ki 17:32-39.

A good answer is: He created us.

Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15.

Though lies and manufactured philosophies are “shouted from the housetops,” or the internet or the media: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." I John 4:1.

"Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him." Deuteronomy 13:4. This is why I read the Old Testament as well as the New.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3.

If my husband were flirtatious with other women, if he insulted or ignored me, I would say similarly, “No other woman before me.”” (For the LORD, thy God is a jealous God among you)” ...Deuteronomy 6:15. He deserves our awe because He has All Power in Heaven and in earth.

When God created everything as the Bible says, this means our intricate bodies, spirits, souls, minds and nature. If we know this, why would he share His Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent power with a "god" made with hands? Think about it. "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 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 everyone that trusts in them." Psalm 115:3-8.

It is our decision: I have chosen to serve the LORD.

WHY READ THE OLD TESTAMENT!

The importance of the Old Testament is confirmed every time we read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Eric and I, after our three sons grew up still read aloud together every day.

So, the Old and New Testaments stay fresh and relevant – reminding, inspiring, teaching and warning us. Sure, some chapters, even whole Books take faith to “read all of” – it is wondrous. “Why did God put this in His Word?” By now, though, it comes clearer.

The Old Testament also has power, knowledge you find nowhere else. It is written by an All wise Creator; the final Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4.

 

In the Old Testament is Creation, Sin and Death, Prophecies of Jesus, The Ten Commandments, the hearts of mankind revealed. The problem of false prophets. There is profound Wisdom. There are heartfelt Prayers and Songs, Major and Minor Prophets who “spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Stories of good leaders and righteous kings and evil leaders and evil kings. In it is the true history of all mankind; within this documented history is the accurate age of the earth with the ages of men given from father to son; from Adam to Jesus. The genealogies are repeated in Matthew and Luke.

 

Amazing Truth (all that we need for a successful life) is at our fingertips: The whole Bible can be downloaded on our cell phones. I have five complete Bibles on my cell phone.

 

As my husband and I are doing – stay in the Word of God. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” I Peter 1:23.

 

In case you wonder I love the King James Version. Growing up with a dedicated father and mother who read the Bible with us, their eight children, after each meal for thirty minutes: they may not have had another version back then. By the time I was twenty, my life was powerfully informed by this habit.

WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED…THE CHURCH

 My husband, Eric and I have not signed onto a Church Denomination.  At the same time, we have gathered with Christians almost every week for all our marriage. The search for a true to Scripture gathering of Christians has taken us around.  

It has taught us a lot. As we attended weekly in several denominational Churches, as soon as we knew we could not support the theology, we began a weekly search all over again. But what is a Church? More specifically what is a true Church? How can we tell?

It is simply a gathering of people in the Name of Jesus, where the Scriptures are read and followed. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20. When we gather in Jesus’ Name it is powerful and life changing. It’s not that hard, because the LORD is interested in helping to enlighten us along this Way.

When the truth from the Bible is carefully and courageously adhered to you will know sooner or later. Sadly a “falling away” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) will come. Watch for it. Be aware. "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." 2 John 1:7.

The truth is obvious if you are reading the Bible every day, all of it. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man (human being) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

Joash, (also called “Jehoash”) in the Old Testament left the Temple, the place God ordained to put His Name there.

Today it is not a certain place, but the Church, The Body of Christ, Christians who have the Holy Spirit. He indwells every one of us who are believers in Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world. Jesus Himself said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32. (From the New Testament). In the Old Testament: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13.

It is simple: The Body of Christ is the Church. We gather to uplift, encourage, strengthen and edify each other. Maybe a good reminder for being the Church: "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." I Corinthians 14:26.

 

WHEN KING JOASH LEFT THE HOUSE OF GOD

HERE IS THE WORD: DON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Joash, seven-year-old son of King Ahaziah was crowned King of Israel because the wicked Queen Athaliah had killed all the descendants of the royal family.  “But Jehosheba, … sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.” "And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land." (The father of Joash, a wicked King, had been killed by Jehu.)

The powerful Priest Jehoiada, strengthened himself, had Athaliah killed and with the elders crowned seven-year-old Joash King.

Having a good beginning, he repaired the House of The LORD which had been broken up and brought the people back to their righteous heritage.

“Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. 

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.”

We should pay attention to the end of this story of King Joash:

 

“And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. 

And they conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. 

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.”

 

God did require it. 

 

“And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. 

For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. 

And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchers of the kings.”

 

2Ki_11:2; 2Ch_22:12; 2 Ch.24:17-19; 2Ch 24:20-22; 2Ch 24:23-25