Dr H Reflections

Where’s the beef? ∙∙

Where’s the beef? ∙∙

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:18

James 2:17-20

17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

“Where’s the beef?” emerged as a famous catchphrase in the United States and Canada in 1984, serving as a memorable slogan for Wendy’s, a fast-food chain.

In the original commercial, three elderly ladies visit the “Home of the Big Bun,” a fictional competitor of Wendy’s. Clara Peller received a burger with an oversized bun. The other two ladies poked at it, exchanging bemused comments, “It certainly is a big bun. It’s a very big bun. It’s a big fluffy bun. It’s a very big fluffy bun.”

However, upon lifting the bun, they discover a comically minuscule hamburger with cheese and a pickle, leading Peller to angrily exclaim, “Where’s the beef?”

This iconic phrase transcended the commercial realm, making its way into various forms of media, including television shows, films, and magazines. During the 1984 presidential primaries, Walter Mondale, a Democratic candidate, used this phrase to criticize his rival Gary Hart’s policies’ perceived lack of substance.

As time passed, “Where’s the beef?” became a flexible expression questioning the credibility or significance of ideas, events, or products.

Throughout the centuries, theologians and individuals have discussed the correlation between faith and works. If we claim to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, how can we be sure we have been saved? Is our faith genuine and sufficient? Where is the evidence to support our beliefs? Where’s the beef?

REFLECT & PRAY

“For James, ‘faith alone’ means a bogus kind of faith, mere intellectual agreement without a genuine personal trust in Christ that bears fruit in one’s life” (ESV notes).

Father, thank You for providing salvation by faith alone. Encourage and strengthen me to live out the fruit of my faith.

INSIGHT

The apostle Paul unequivocally stated that salvation comes by grace through faith, and it is not the result of any effort on our part.

Ephesians 2:8-9 [NLT]

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 [NAS]

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, so no one may boast.

Salvation is the Father’s gracious response to our faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Before Christ’s birth, life, and death, the children of the King believed in the Father’s promises in the Old Testament. One of the most notable examples of this faith is found in Abraham.

Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

The Father made promises, and Abraham believed them. When Abraham accepted the Father’s promises, he became a child of the King (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6). However, how did he demonstrate his faith was genuine?

When asked to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, Abraham displayed the genuineness of his faith by preparing to obey the seemingly over-the-top, incomprehensible command. However, just as he was on the brink of carrying out the Father’s request, an angelic messenger intervened and prevented him from doing so

Genesis 22:12 He said, “Don’t lay a hand on the boy! “Do not hurt him in any way, for now, I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Abraham’s works, good deeds, efforts, and willingness to carry out the Father’s command demonstrated that his faith was real.

Works are the outward demonstration of the inner reality of faith.

But there is more. The Father provides an inner awareness through the work of the Holy Spirit to confirm that our faith is genuine and that we are His children.

Romans 8:16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

The mere verbal profession of faith is insufficient; true faith is validated by actions and the inner confirmation provided by the indwelling Spirit.

James 2:20-24

20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.

23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.

24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

James asserts that a person’s faith in God is rendered useless and ineffective without good works. The Greek word translated as useless or vain is argos. Argos literally means without work, thus ineffectual, useless, unproductive, unprofitable, worthless (cf. Matthew 20:3-6).

A Christian who ceases to live by faith daily is like an organ of the body that has lost its function. Just as a lifeless organ serves no purpose, it is useless; dead faith is also useless. James then elaborated on what he meant by “useless” in verses James 2:21-23, emphasizing that his concern was with the futility of faith that is not accompanied by works, rather than the absence of faith without works (James 1:26; 2:14, 16, 20) (Constable).

Our actions do not justify us before the Father. Instead, they demonstrate and serve as evidence of our righteousness in His eyes.

Genuine, impactful, and transformative faith is often referred to as dynamic faith.

Yet, there is a crucial aspect to consider.

The quality of faith is intrinsically linked to the object of its trust. While an individual in the wilderness may have faith in a stone idol to provide aid, the efficacy of their faith remains limited. The pivotal question lies not solely in one’s belief but in the object or entity one trusts. We are not saved by faith in faith but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word.

Dynamic faith is based on God’s Word and involves the entire person. Dead faith affects only the intellect, while demonic faith affects the mind and emotions. Dynamic faith, on the other hand, involves the will (Wiersbe).

Genuine saving faith involves all aspects of an individual. The mind comprehends the truth, the heart longs for the truth, and the will executes based on the truth. The men and women of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 were not just listeners but also doers of the Word. They demonstrated their obedience to God’s commands by taking action upon hearing His voice.

“Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; faith is obeying in spite of consequence” (Wiersbe).

Genuine faith that brings salvation results in action. Dynamic faith transcends mere intellectual reflection or emotional distress; it motivates obedience from the will. This obedience is not a one-time occurrence but a continuous journey throughout life, manifesting in tangible works (Wiersbe).

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Do you have an undiagnosed heart condition? ∙∙

Do you have an undiagnosed heart condition? ∙∙

The LORD does not see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7

Ezekiel 36:26-27

26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.

Samantha Edwards, a former Miss North Dakota USA, passed away unexpectedly in the summer of 2016 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Her autopsy showed that she had a genetic condition called right ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, which, if detected earlier, could have potentially saved her life. This begs the question: How can you determine if you have an undiagnosed heart condition that could be potentially harmful?

Numerous individuals on Earth are born with genetic or physical anomalies, deficiencies, or defects. However, regrettably, the entire human population has a deadly spiritual heart condition. The Father has identified it and prescribed a course of treatment available to anyone who chooses to take it.

When the Father looks at our hearts, what is His diagnosis?

Jeremiah 17:9-10

9 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

10 But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.

“President Calvin Coolidge came home from church one Sunday, and his wife asked, ‘What did the preacher preach about?’ ‘Sin,’ the President said in his usual concise manner. ‘What did he say about it?’ Mrs. Coolidge further inquired, and the President replied, ‘He was against it’” (Wiersbe).

The Father is also “against” deadly spiritual heart irregularities. In light of the Father’s diagnosis, He desires to conduct a spiritual heart surgery. The human heart in its natural state is irreparably damaged, and the only viable option is a new heart – a transplant fashioned in the laboratories of heaven. The Father alone is capable of spiritual heart transplant surgery.

However, people themselves are often totally unaware of this fact. “The human heart is deceptive; we may think we know why we do something, but really, we may be doing it for another reason. It is naturally sick, really totally depraved, and in need of healing. No one really understands his or her own heart, nor do we understand why our hearts behave as they do” (Constable).

REFLECT & PRAY

Do you have a previously undiagnosed heart condition? The Father knows your heart thoroughly. He is aware of all of its secrets and intrigues.

Father, thank You for giving me a new heart. I desire to submit willfully to Your guidance and direction.

INSIGHT

William Carey, born in the 18th century, faced health challenges in his formative years. Considering the circumstances, his success in life was uncertain. His future was shrouded in doubt. But the Father had plans for him. He was called to serve as a pastor and missionary in India, where he flourished as an educator, translator, social reformer, and cultural anthropologist. Carey’s pioneering work laid the foundation for modern missionary endeavors, influencing countless Christian organizations ever since.

David, the son of Jesse, appeared to be an ordinary young man. Being the youngest among his siblings, he mostly tended to sheep near his home in Bethlehem. From the outside, he was seemingly unremarkable, being overshadowed by his older siblings. However, something extraordinary occurred. The Father sent the prophet Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. All of his older brothers were rejected. This young, insignificant shepherd lad was the one. The Father saw David’s heart. David had a heart for God. The Father told Samuel to anoint David as king. And Samuel did so.

At that moment, the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on (1 Samuel 16:13). The insignificant shepherd had become the next king of Israel. Not only did he have a heart for God, but now he had a heart from God. And he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was supernaturally empowered to be king. “The ‘heart’ in Scripture refers to a person’s inward moral and spiritual life, including the emotions, will, and reason” (ESV notes).

A person’s exterior appearance does not indicate who they are on the inside. Their outward appearance is purely superficial. The heart is the most essential part of any human. That is what matters most to the Father.

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Take a moment to reflect on the notion of being a person after God’s heart. Such an individual is deeply aligned and in sync with the Father, driven primarily by a desire to please Him. What mattered to the Father would matter to them. What the Father disapproves of, they would also.

As children of the King, such individuals willingly submit themselves to the Father’s guidance and direction. They obediently follow his instructions, adjusting their lives according to his will. “When He says, ‘Go to the right,’ you go to the right. When He says, ‘Stop that in your life,’ you stop it. When He says, ‘This is wrong, and I want you to change,’ you come to terms with it because you have a heart for God” (Swindoll).

All children of Adam and Eve struggle with spiritual heart conditions. Their hearts are by nature stony, stubborn, and willful. The Father’s treatment plan involves a profound transformation via spiritual heart surgery. He provides a new, transplanted heart that is tender and responsive to Him. The Father places His spirit within every child of the King. As a result, our prognosis is drastically altered (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

We have the privilege and ability to walk in the spirit.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you will not be doing what your sinful nature craves.

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Are they coming for you? ∙∙

Are they coming for you? ∙∙

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this? – Esther 4:14

Esther 3:1-11

1 Sometime later, King Xerxes promoted Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire.

2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.

3 Then the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”

4 They spoke to him day after day, but he still refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.

6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

7 So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in Haman’s presence (the lots were called Purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later.

8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.

9 If it pleases the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.”

10 The king agreed, confirming his decision by removing his signet ring from his finger and giving it to Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

11 The king said, “The money and the people are both yours to do with as you see fit.”

“First they came . . . ” is the poetic form of post-war confessional prose by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). It is about the cowardice of German intellectuals and some clergy, including, by his own admission, Niemöller himself. They did not make a stand following the Nazis’ rise to power and subsequent incremental purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

“First, they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Niemöller emerged as a vocal opponent of Hitler’s regime. In 1937, he was apprehended and subsequently imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. His liberation came in 1945 at the hands of the Allies.

These few succinct lines have garnered the moniker “the bystanders’ creed.”

Bystanders are individuals who are not the target of persecution and are not directly impacted by it. They are passive, stand by, and do nothing. Instead, they should stand tall and stand up for persecuted people, even when they disagree with their views. It is the right and courageous thing to do, demonstrating integrity and bravery.

REFLECT & PRAY

“If we fear God, we will not be afraid of any man” (Stanley).

Father, prepare me to do all I can to stand firm and then stand firm.

INSIGHT

The Book of Esther is unique in the Bible as the sole book that does not explicitly mention God’s name. Yet, the Father’s unseen hand is behind the scenes, unmistakably orchestrating events and circumstances to fulfill His divine will. Brimming with irony, suspense, unforeseen twists, cliffhangers, reversals, and ultimate deliverance, the narrative unfolds to safeguard the main characters and preserve the Jewish nation.

Throughout history, the nation of Israel has faced numerous threats of annihilation. Such peril loomed in ancient Persia during the fifth century B.C., where a decree was issued to annihilate all Jews and seize their possessions. The book of Esther describes how this crisis was averted due to Esther’s heroic actions, Mordecai’s shrewd sagacity, and the solidarity of the Jewish community. “If anyone ever had reason to fudge on what he knew was right, it was Mordecai. Mordecai had a choice: either bow before a powerful Persian official or lose his life. Mordecai stood strong, however, and refused to disobey God’s commandment against bowing in worship to anyone but Him (Exodus 20:3)” (Stanley).

In every era, evil and corrupt individuals exist who, for one reason or another, harbor intentions of humiliating, harming, or even destroying others. In the story of Esther, pride, fury, and greed fueled such motives. Mordecai remained steadfast in his worship of the Father alone, refusing to bow before any other. Those aligned with the living God are frequently targeted and subjected to discrimination and harassment due to their unwavering devotion solely to Him and Him alone.

Esther shows us how to navigate life in a hostile world. In 2006, Dr. Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, delivered a lecture titled “Living as a biblical people in a secular age,” outlining a blueprint that children of the King can adopt in our contemporary, post-Christian society. Dr. Sacks underscored the significance of rest, education, communal bonds, faith in times of insecurity and ambiguity, and upholding a sense of purpose (our role in the eternal narrative) as crucial elements to embrace (Debra Reid).

This ancient story is relevant for all children of the King in the coming days.

Luke 21:10-17

12 Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom.

11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

12 But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors, for My name’s sake.

13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,

15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

16 Even those closest to you – your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends – will betray you. They will even kill some of you.

17 and you will be hated by all because of My name.

Taking the time to read the story of Esther in a single sitting is truly valuable. The Father is always at work. He is the unseen God who orchestrates all things. It is easy to forget this when we are caught up in the maelstrom of our personal difficulties and fears. The narrative inspires and challenges us, offering hope and a solid footing to build our lives upon.

1 Samuel 2:30 I will honor those who honor me.

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Should the godless govern people of faith? ∙

Should the godless govern people of faith? ∙

Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the LORD had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land. – 2 Chronicles 33:9

2 Kings 21:1-16

1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.

2 He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.

3 He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them.

4 He built pagan altars in the Temple of the LORD.

5 He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the LORD’s Temple.

6 Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He did much that was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics.

7 Manasseh even made a carved image of Asherah and set it up in the Temple.

10 Then the LORD said through his servants the prophets:

11 “King Manasseh of Judah has done many detestable things. He is even more wicked than the Amorites, who lived in this land before Israel. He has caused the people of Judah to sin with his idols.”

12 So this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “I will bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of those who hear about it will tingle with horror.”

13 “I will judge Jerusalem by the same standard I used for Samaria and the same measure I used for the family of Ahab. I will wipe away the people of Jerusalem as one wipes a dish and turns it upside down.”

16 Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the LORD’s sight.

In the United States, constitutional law concerning religion can be broadly categorized into two main areas.

The first area addresses religious liberty cases, focusing on how individuals are free to practice their religion, even when such practices might conflict with universally applicable laws or regulations.

The second area involves church-state cases, determining the circumstances and extent of government involvement with specific religious groups. The courts play a pivotal role in deciding when such interactions are permissible and when they are not.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has expressed concern that religious liberty is threatened by an “increasingly secular society” and its “new moral code.” He suggests that many Americans view religion as “not all that important” or deserving of “special protection.”

Alito remarked, “For many today, religious liberty is not cherished. It’s often just an excuse for bigotry and can’t be tolerated, even when there is no evidence that anybody has been harmed . . .. The question we face is whether our society will be inclusive enough to tolerate people with unpopular religious beliefs.”

Alito argued that some recent Supreme Court decisions, including the landmark ruling upholding a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, fueled intolerance of those who believe marriage should be limited to unions between one man and one woman.

He wants to empower fellow believers to govern the godless. At the other end of the continuum, the godless want to empower fellow unbelievers to govern people of faith.

Considering that the population in America is neither all godless nor godly, the question becomes who should govern whom?

REFLECT & PRAY

“As the leader goes, so goes the nation” (John Maxwell).

Father, as it is written, “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The children of the King are called to be the light and salt in a darkening and flavorless world. Strengthen and encourage us to lead godly and righteous lives.

INSIGHT

The term “godless” is not frequently employed in scholarly discussions regarding the kings of Israel. However, several monarchs in Israel’s history were notorious for their wickedness and blatant disregard for God’s laws.

One of the most infamous was King Manasseh, who ruled Judah in the 7th century BC. Despite being the son of the devout King Hezekiah, Manasseh is described in the Bible as having committed egregious sins and “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:2). He is often regarded as the worst of Judah’s kings. Manasseh reversed his father’s reforms by rebuilding altars to false gods that Hezekiah had destroyed and introducing the worship of Baal. He even exceeded the wickedness of the Amorites, a nation infamous for its brutality and corruption.

Manasseh’s reign was characterized by rampant idolatry and bloodshed. He was held responsible for the downfall of the Southern Kingdom (2 Kings 24:3; Jeremiah 15:1-4). Despite his great wickedness, he had the longest reign of any Jewish king, lasting 55 years. This raises the question of whether the Father had lifted His protective hand from the nation, allowing sin to flourish unchecked. Manasseh practiced the abhorrent religion of Molech, even sacrificing his own sons by burning them on the altar. He also consulted spiritists and mediums, embodying godlessness and tarnishing the legacy of Judah’s kings.

Nevertheless, the Father demonstrates His ability to accomplish what may seem impossible. As recounted in 2 Chronicles, King Manasseh faced captivity in Babylon as a consequence of his transgressions (2 Chronicles 33:11). Yet, during his time in exile, Manasseh repented, leading to God extending mercy and grace by permitting his return to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:12-13; 2 Chronicles 33:18-19).

After being reinstated, Manasseh took significant steps to rid Judah of the idolatry that had plagued the land (2 Chronicles 33:15-17). Regrettably, the damage caused by his sins had already deeply permeated the nation. The profound spiritual impairment caused by Manasseh’s wickedness left a lasting mark on Judah, hindering their complete recovery. Even the subsequent reforms initiated under King Josiah proved insufficient to prevent God’s impending judgment (2 Kings 23:26).

The quote by Jack “ASLAN” Hornsby emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in the success of a nation. “Leadership ability is the lid on the success of a nation . . .. When Israel or Judah lived under good kings, things went well. Under bad kings, things went sour. The heart and skill of a leader will always tremendously affect the life of the people under his direction. This is a law, both timeless and universal” (Hornsby).

When governance is entrusted to the godless, the consequences are severe. The populace experiences moral decay and degradation, emphasizing the profound influence of leadership on society’s well-being.

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Amazing hospitality

Amazing hospitality

Don’t forget to show strangers hospitality; some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! – Hebrews 13:2

Genesis 18:1-5

1 The LORD appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day, Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day.

2 He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.

3 “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.”

4 “Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet.”

5 “And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.” “All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”

The microwave oven’s invention was a happy accident, not the result of research aimed at finding a faster way to cook. During World War II, scientists created the magnetron, a device that produces microwaves. These were installed in Britain’s radar system to detect Nazi warplanes on their way to bomb the British Isles.

Years later, Percy L. Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon, experienced an unexpected discovery. While walking through a radar test room with a peanut cluster bar in his pocket, he noticed the candy had melted after he passed too close to a running magnetron tube. Upon reaching into his pocket, he found a gooey, sticky mess. Never underestimate the power of serendipitous candy (even if it is not chocolate).

Experiments soon revealed that microwave heating could raise the internal temperature of foods much more rapidly than conventional ovens. As microwaves do not detach charged particles, they safely produce heat without making food radioactive.

Thus, the concept of cooking with microwave energy was born. Raytheon introduced the first commercial microwave in 1954, but it was so large and expensive that it was only practical for restaurants and institutions. In 1967, Amana launched the $500 countertop Amana Radarange, making microwaves more accessible to households.

Despite his formal education ending in grade school, Spencer demonstrated extraordinary inventiveness and curiosity. His accidental discovery turned a melted candy mess into the forefront of high-speed food preparation by just bumbling along.

Spencer’s experience perfectly illustrates serendipity, the phenomenon of making desirable discoveries unexpectedly. The term comes from the Persian fairy tale “The Three Princes of Serendip,” in which the princes repeatedly made significant, unintentional discoveries by accident and sagacity. Serendip is the classical Persian name for Sri Lanka.

Unexpected things happen, and you never know what you might find. When in Serendip, prepare for surprises and delightful discoveries. Serendipitous moments await you at every turn.

It’s always best to be kind to everyone you meet, as you never know when you might be pleasantly surprised by an encounter with an angel. Conversely, treating strangers poorly could lead to unpleasant consequences. Facing angelic wrath would not be desirable. You don’t want to make them angry and be Hulked.

Children of the King should be concerned for the needs of others. They should show both “brotherly love” (philadelphia) and “hospitality” (philoxenia) (Hebrews 13:1-2). Why? Because in times past, hospitable people welcomed angels without knowing they were angels. Yet, the Scriptures are not advocating hospitality because of angels, but instead because of the Father. It pleases the Father when His children are hospitable.

REFLECT & PRAY

Potential guests might be undercover angels.

Father being loving to total strangers does not seem normal. But You never asked me to live a natural, normal life.

INSIGHT

Showing hospitality and unwittingly entertaining angels is rare, but it has happened. Abraham experienced this in Genesis 18, as did Lot in Genesis 19. The angel of the Lord also appeared to Gideon in Judges 6:11-24 and to Manoah and his wife, the parents of Samson, in Judges 13:3-24. The author of Hebrews assumes his audience is familiar with these Old Testament events.

Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

The English phrase “show hospitality to strangers” is translated from the Greek word philoxenia. Philoxenia combines philos(love) and xenos (stranger, foreigner, alien), meaning “love for strangers or foreigners” or “receive a stranger as a guest,” hence hospitality. It could also be translated as “Be sure to welcome strangers in your homes” (UBS).

The impact and significance of this passage are better understood within its historical context. In the first century A.D., only a small remnant of the nation of Israel believed that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Messiah. The book of Hebrews was written to these Jewish believers, who faced significant persecution and ostracism for their faith.

Jesus predicted that Jewish people who believed in Him would be expelled from synagogues, highlighting the social and religious pressures they faced.

John 16:2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.

The Greek word translated as expelled from synagogues is aposunagogos. Aposunagogos means to be separated from the synagogue, that is, excommunicated. Aposunagogos comes from apó – from and sunagoge – synagogue.

In first-century Judaism, excommunication was a severe consequence for those who left the faith. Early Jewish believers who accepted Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah of Israel were subjected to ostracism. There were typically three degrees of excommunication: Niddui (Temporary Exclusion), Cherem (Indefinite Exclusion), and Shammata (Perpetual Exclusion).

Many first-century Jews for Jesus were rejected by their friends and families. They were driven out not only from synagogues but also from their homes and communities. For Jewish people, to believe in Christ as the Messiah carried significant personal risk. Hospitality became a crucial way for early believers to support one another.

The book of Hebrews encourages the children of the King to practice hospitality. This act is a personal and tangible way to express the Father’s love, especially to those who can offer nothing in return. Inviting strangers into your home or offering them a meal provides friendship and fellowship. It is also an opportunity to share the Father’s love through words and actions. Hospitality is the practical manifestation of the spiritual reality within those who are children of the King. Wiersbe noted, “Where there is true Christian love, there will also be hospitality.”

In the first century, the pagan world was amazed by the compassion and hospitality shown by the followers of Christ. Twenty centuries have passed. Has anything changed in the 21st century?

Have you entertained any angels lately?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯12-16-2

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