Author: Hannah Kramer

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

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“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify” (1st Corinthians 10:23)

Have you ever heard this song? “Oh be care little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see, for your Father up above is watching down with love, oh be careful little eyes what you see”.

We warn children about what they watch and what they do. We are very careful not to let them watch scary movies or movies with “dirty” words, and we avoid discussing or watching certain things when “little ears” are around. We are concerned that no “junk” or “harmful” matter would enter their eyes or ears.

Why do we warn children, but when we are “all grown up”, it is suddenly okay to watch horror movies or play games that have murder with blood and body parts splatting all over the screen? Are we now less affected because we are “all grown up”?

What we see and hear enters our minds and gets mulled over in our thoughts. Same thing with what we read. I remember reading books that would suck me into the story in such a way that I would try to analyse every thing that happened and I would think about it for days afterwards. Regarding movies. I would think about them and play the scenes through my mind over and over again. If I watched a scary movie, or one that had a lot of violence, I would have a difficult time sleeping. That is why I am very careful now about what I watch.

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1). This verse can apply to both men and women. It is not just about staying away from pornography, but can also mean to be careful about what we watch. It is difficult today to find a movie that does not have profanity, negative connotations about Bible and spiritual matters, violence and sexual content, none of which are honouring to God. We probably would not gaze at a half naked man or woman on the street, but if they are undressed on the screen, somehow it becomes “socially acceptable”. Why? We wouldn’t allow vulgar and coarse language in our home, but when it appears on the t.v., we willingly invite it into our living room. Somehow this, too, becomes an “acceptable norm”. I recall one occasion when my brother and I took our youngest brother and some of his friends to the cinema to watch a “kid’s” movie. I felt uncomfortable almost from the beginning when the actors were mocking God. Within minutes, we decided to leave and to take our youngest brother out with us. We explained to our brother and to his friends why we were leaving, particularly that by remaining and exposing ourselves to the garbage on the screen, we would not be honouring God. We gave his friends the option to stay or leave. They paid for their own tickets and were old enough to decide for themselves. In less than five minutes, they all followed us out. We knew we did the right thing and regretted going to the movie in the first place. Our youngest brother learned from that experience and did the same on his own initiative when he went to a different movie with someone else.

Making “a covenant with our eyes” also has to do with not only how we look at other people, but how we look to other people. Men have a tendency to look where they shouldn’t, while women have a tendency to dress to be seen. Both of these can also apply to the opposite sex. Are we looking lustfully at our brothers or sisters in Christ or are we causing them to look lustfully at us? Each of us is responsible for how we dress, but we all have a responsibility for keeping our eyes pure. We can inadvertently cause our brother to stumble by how we dress. We should try to make sure that our eyes don’t wander off to places they shouldn’t be going.

If we acknowledge that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we dedicate our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, we need to remember that our eyes are part of the package. I’ve heard some argue, “There is nothing else to watch, because all the movies are like that!”. I believe there are some clean movies that are fun and good. But, if we can’t find any, then maybe we should look for something else to do with our time that will be more honouring to the Lord. Job made a covenant with his eyes! How amazing is that? Are we ready to do the same?

May God help us keep our eyes, our thoughts and our hearts pure, so that our speech and behaviour will follow accordingly.

© Hannah Kramer

What’s in a word?

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“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving”. (Ephesians 5:4)

I love to laugh and hear good jokes, as well as tell them (although they may not always be as funny as I intend them to be). Most people like to laugh, right? But…is there a line when it comes to what we should or should not say? When does a joke become “out of place” and when is it “foolish talk” or “coarse jesting”?

It’s amazing to me that my family and I have been learning relatively similar things throughout the week, each in a different way and through a different set of circumstances. My mom and I discussed Romans 12 this week as she was preparing a lesson for a women’s group. We discussed the first two verses mainly. I had already heard a number of messages about what it means to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice and to be transformed in our mind. But I never gave serious thought about the practical applications…until this week. So what does it mean “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1)?

It is clear we need to give God control of our bodies and many examples can be given for what we should not do, such as: we should not do drugs or get drunk or have relations out of marriage. Inasmuch as these are true, there is so much more to these verses. I have been thinking about the application of this verse to a part of our bodies that we use a lot, sometimes more than we should…our mouths.

There are quite a few verses that talk about the tongue (for example James 1:26, 3:5) and the words we say (Mattew 12:36). The verse at the opening of this post talks about what we should and should not say. Some may interpret this to mean that no jokes or even laughter are allowed. Yet, from what I understand, that is not the case. God created laughter and humor and, therefore, there is nothing wrong with them, by themselves. On the contrary, God wants us to laugh and sing and take pleasure in many things. So then, what is this verse telling us?

I looked up the Greek word for obscenity. It means filthiness, things which are shameful or deformed. The word for foolish talking means that which is senseless, foolish, which is not suited to edify or profit. Coarse joking (or coarse jesting) means using words that can easily be turned to other meanings,double meaning, words that can convey an obscene or offensive meaning, depending upon the context in which they are used. All three of these words in Greek appear only here in the New Testament. In short, we are instructed not to speak words which “are out of place” and, therefore, improper and inappropriate for us as believers.

This verse should be understood not only in the context of all of chapter 5, but the whole book of Ephesians. The first three chapters talk about what The Messiah Yeshua has done for us and our position in Him, being being seated together with The Lord in the heavenly places. Chapter 4 starts the practical part of the epistle: how we should live, walking in unity and walking in purity. The begininig in chapter 5 encourages us to be “followers of God, as dear children”, in that we should continually be imitators of God. We are told to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell” (verse 2). Christ gave Himself in our place and took the punishment we deserved. This is the kind of love we should be showing, a sacrificial type of love, as The Lord Yeshua did for us. Verse 3 starts the contrast of what we should not do. It talks about things that should not be mentioned among those who are saints – all who have been born again and profess their faith in The Lord Yeshua. Things such as fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness are viewed by the world as acceptable, even appropriate, in certain political, social or business settings. Yet, the exhortation here is that things such as these should not exist among us!

The opening verse to this post appears is in the context of things that are unbecoming to believers. Foul words or joking in a manner which can offend or have a double meaning, is dishonoring to God. It is not only improper for us to do, but we should also encourage one another not to be involved with such speech. There is nothing wrong with asking others not to joke improperly in our presence. At first, they may think us strange, but with time, others may come to honor our request.

Am I exaggerating? I don’t think so. It all goes back to the opening verse, being imitators of God. How then should we be speaking? We should be expressly thanks. The idea is to get together for praising God, giving Him thanks for all that He is and all that He has done, is doing and still will do. We should be using our words to edify and build up, rather than for coarse joking, which more often than not results in putting someone else down, rather than building up.

As I thought of the passage in Romans 12:1-2, I realized how often we compromise by what we say. May The Lord, the Holy One of Israel, help us to truly be imitators of God and be a sweet smelling savor to Him, not only by what we do, but also in our speech. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in season” (Proverbs 25:11).
© Hannah Kramer

Seasons

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“All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.” (Isaiah 28:29).

In the third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes, we are told by the wisest of men that there is a time for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). It is probably the best-known chapter in the Book of Ecclesiastes, and is as relevant to us today, as when it was written.

As seasons come and go, we experience changes in nature. Yet despite the recurring seasons every year, no season is like another that year, or even like the season the previous year. Nor will the following year be exactly the same in its seasons, although the names for the different seasons remain.

So it is in the seasons of life. We have our Summers, Winters, Springs and Falls, yet each season is different. Spring this year may be completely different from spring of last year. And it is definitely not the same as winter.

As humans,  we have no control over the changing of the seasons and times, yet sometimes we wish we did. “If only I could fast forward to a certain time”, or “If only I could press ‘pause’ on the present”, or “If only I could rewind, just once”, and the like. We yearn to change things, either that were or will be.

We all have these moments, don’t we? We may be going through a rough time and wishing the cold blizzard would just pass and the newness of Spring would arrive, bringing with it sweet smells of fresh flowers – the change from April showers to May flowers. Or, we may be sweating in the blazing summer sun, working hard and wishing for a break, a change of some sort.

What about making the most and best of where we are now? Why not live in the season we’re experiencing, while preparing for future season?

Seasons are varied and I will address but a few.

Singleness. All too often, believers tend to relate to singles as being poor and miserable, just because they are single, especially if they reach a certain age. I think singles contribute to that quite a bit by the attitude they have towards the subject of marriage and singleness, especially if they are depressed by it or show desperation.

This could be a fruitful season in our lives to serve God and the brethren. Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 7:32-36 that an unmarried person is concerned about the things of the Lord and how to serve him. This is a unique opportunity to serve where married people sometimes can’t. We should pray to use this time wisely, and not just wait for another season.

It’s time for believers to encourage the single people to serve, to show them that they are welcome as they are, that there is nothing wrong with them for being single, because there isn’t! It’s time to involve them as full citizens of the Kingdom and not as second-class citizens. God knows our hearts. He knows our desires, longings and dreams. He does have the perfect plan for each of us. We need to accept this season as a gift until he chooses to give us another gift.
God controls everything. It’s either we believe it or we don’t and how we relate to God’s sovereignty in this matter will determine us attitude in all seasons.

The gift of old age. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness”.(Proverbs 16:31). Young people don’t always appreciate their elders. I don’t mean the leaders in our congregations, but rather those who are of older age and are mature in their thinking. We put so much emphasis on age. Why? It is not a factor of anything but of how long a person lived.

A common attitude, even among older people, is that the world belongs to the young. Does it really? Do our elders have no room or say anymore? Have they nothing to contribute? I believe they have much to give, much wisdom to impart, much love to show, if only given the chance. If only the young of age would seek it. We should not underestimate or judge older age, or any age, for that matter. A Titus 2 woman is an older and wiser woman, who is seasoned in life and can teach younger ones better than, perhaps, their own peers.

If you are young, do not despise old age or view it poorly. You have a lifetime of experiences to learn from. If you are older, you have a lifetime of experiences to share.

Loss and need for a friend. Going through a time of loss is difficult, particularly if it is experienced alone. Perhaps someone special is far from you and you long for the close friendship you had. This too is a season and it will pass. It’s not easy, but you do have one friend who does not change. He goes through all the seasons with you and is the same then and now. The Lord Yeshua. He is a friend that time and distance cannot overcome. Trust him. He can give you another human friend as well in time. Maybe now He wants you to learn to rely on Him first.

Whatever season we may be in now, we need to live in it and do our best to glorify God in it. We shouldn’t try to live in another season. But we can prepare for it, as the farmer plants seeds in anticipation of rain. After the rain, he reaps the harvest.

If you’re single, prepare yourself for marriage, yet serve as you can where God placed you today.

If you need a friend, pray for someone that both of you will be able to encourage and build one another. And ask God to show you if there is someone else who needs a friend. Maybe you can be that person.

If you’re older in age and feel out of the loop, pray to see where you can help others, perhaps who are younger, who need guidance. Be a Titus 2 woman (or Titus 1 man) and be a guide.

Try not to compare seasons. Every season in life, like each of us, is different. Try to encourage and build up others in the circumstances that they are in now. Encourage them keep to their eyes on The Lord and not on themselves. It will help us all to value the time we have now.

Be thankful in all seasons.

© Hannah Kramer

Where has the love gone?

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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

A friend of mine published her first album, featuring songs written and arranged by her, accompanied by a few more friends, who sang and played. One of her songs especially touched my heart. As my friend introduced that song, she mentioned she hadn’t seen many songs (at least in Hebrew) that spoke about love. There are, of course, songs about the Father’s love for us and our love for Him, but there are very few songs about brotherly love, if at all. What she said struck me and I suddenly realized that she was right. I have been pondering this issue for a while now, even before she introduced her song. I was at an event where we sang some worship songs at the beginning of the event, and one song was how we love the Lord Yeshua, because He first loved us. Then this thought came to mind: We can’t love each other, brother and sisters in Messiah Yeshua, unless we first love Him.

Seems kind of obvious, right? We are commanded to love one another, as the Lord Yeshua loves us. Easier said than done. Why is it then that there aren’t many songs about brotherly love? Is it perhaps because our brotherly love may be lacking? Maybe it’s easier to say we love the Lord than to say we love our brothers. In both instances, love would need to be demonstrated. We know we often fail the Lord, but He is always ready to forgive. Not so with the brethren. Perhaps, it’s easier to love those who are closer to us, or those who are easier to love. Why is it that we don’t greet every believer warmly, with brotherly affection? Why is it we can walk by people we fellowship with, serve with and even grow up with, and not say ‘hello’, and genuinely inquire how they are doing? Where has all the love gone? Did it ever really exist in the first place?

It is very disturbing to see such incidents. Yes, I, too, at times greet only those with whom I am close and those whom I know better. But, I do try my best to greet everyone, even if we have differences of opinion, or theology or if we just aren’t the best of friends. I am troubled when believers gossip and put down fellow believers. I am saddened at seeing people being regarded so highly that it creates a form of elite amongst us. Where has the love gone?

My friend’s song about brotherly love mentions “If any of us stumbles, we will restore him with the spirit of meekness.” (@aperfectheart). How often do we do that?

In order to raise each other up, in order to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galations 6:2), we must first rid ourselves of pride. The following verse reads “for if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (verse 3). Are we too proud to do that?

There is a song that I grew up with, which I remember always. It’s from “Psalty the singing song book”. Some of you may know it. Here is a clip of the song –

Make me a servant – Kids Praise 4:  

It’s so easy to talk about passages like 1st Corinthians 13 and emphasize again and again that this is what love is and that we should love each other. Yes, it is a great description of what love is and yes, we should love like that. But, saying it is not enough. I believe that the love we are supposed to demonstrate towards one another has gotten cold. And, in some instances, it’s cold, it’s almost freezing. Oh, we know how to love when it comes to our friends, particularly to those who us love in return. Or, to those who are beneficial for us. We can care, help and be warm and friendly. But, when we have no particular need of someone, yes, no need, we often have a tendency to disregard them. Just like any object we might have and don’t need. Instead of treating our brethren like humans, we tend to treat them as objects; we either need them or we don’t. And our attitude towards them reflects that and it changes along with that. Instead of warmth and help and love, we get, or give, a cold shoulder and demonstrate apathy.

As those called by and who believe in the God of love, who loved us while we were yet sinners, we cannot and must not be this way. When we truly love the Lord Yeshua, His life and love in us are enable us to love one another. God cares deeply about our relations as brothers and sisters. So much so, that a man cannot bring his sacrifice before Him until he has made peace with his brother (Matthew 5:21-26).

The Lord Yeshua humbled himself and washed the feet of His deciples, even the feet of Judah, whom His knew was going to betray Him. What a love He had and demonstrated in real time! We are commanded to follow His example. Can we wash the feet of those we dislike, don’t get along with, even – hate? Once we take the towel and start washing sore, dirty, filthy feet, and tending to wounds, we learn humility pretty fast. Imagine cleaning those feet with love. How tender and caring the cleaning would be, and how precious to the one receiving. Imagine how you would feel if someone you didn’t get along with and maybe can’t stand the sight of, took a towel and washed your feet, treating them with love and care, until all the wounds were gone and they were soft and clean.

The attitude with which I come to wash my brothers feet is important. If I have resentment towards him, my face will show disgust and repulse at washing his feet, especially if they are full of blisters. But when I love my brother, through the love of Messiah Who is in me, though there may be blisters, I will want to tend to them. Here lies the difference. Lest we tend to think in a box, the washing of feet is not only physical. It also has to do with helping to remove the filth of the world which affects all of us daily, whether we are conscious of it or not. A hand on a shoulder, a word in season, a smile and an offer to come alongside, a telephone call or email saying “the Lord brought you to mind and I just prayed for you and want to know how you are” can be as much of a healing and comforting blessing as a physical foot-washing.

Love is part of fruit of the spirit (Galations 5:22). Notice the rest of the passage – “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (23-26, emphasis added).

Godly love does not seek its own glory and is not competitive. It helps us encourage one another to run the race with diligence and not to give up. When we truly love, we pray for one another and seek the other’s good. When we truly love, we reflect the presence of the  Lord Yeshua in us. He is not ashamed to call us brothers. Are we?

I want to leave today you with this poem by Ruth Harms Calkin, called “I Wonder”. It touched my heart and pray that it will yours.

© Hannah Kramer

I Wonder – by Ruth Harms Calkin

You know, Lord, how I serve You 
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.

You know how eagerly I speak for You
At a women’s club.

You know how effervesce when I promote
A fellowship group.

You know my genuine enthusiasm
At a Bible study.

But how would I react, I wonder…
If You pointed me to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the calloused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman

Day after day
Month after month
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew

When pride kicks in

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“But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 09:24)

Whenever I hear people share about their ministry or give testimonies, I start to pray that they will not mention themselves too much, so that a resonating “me, me, me” will not fill the room. I enjoy hearing people share these things, but at times there is a tendency to focus on ourselves, accompanied by saying “it is for God” every so often. The focus changes and then without notice, the words that come out from our mouth are “I did”, “I accomplished”, as if all that has been done was by our own wisdom and strength.

Not too long ago, I came across a situation like that, And then it hit me. I felt disgusted by the blatant pride that others were exhibiting. But, more than that, I was disgusted with myself. Why? Because all of a sudden I had a close look at my very own Pride. I will not get into detail, but I did realize my pride in thinking I knew more and that I could do better. Imagine looking at yourself in the mirror, truly seeing yourself … thoughts, feelings, emotions and everything on display before your eyes. I had to realize and perhaps feel for myself how God hates pride once I saw it myself and felt the disgust.

Usually, it is just the opposite. We can’t stand pride when we see it in others. But, somehow, we seem to tolerate it when it comes to ourselves. We think we deserve it and, therefore, it is acceptable.

Pride and envy often seem to go hand in hand. What do I have to be proud of? Have I accomplished anything by my own strength? Have I saved anyone? Have I a position and status achieved by none other than – me? Have I a right to say “I am an example for you”? No. All that has been accomplished in my life is by God’s grace and that alone. All that I am is by his grace alone. If I have shared the Gospel with someone and that person believed, it is God that saved. Not me. Any role or position that I or you may have is, again, by God’s grace. Paul said “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). I hope to be such an example that others could see Christ in me as they look at me. Yet even then, will I boast? “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).

James wrote that Elijah was a man like us and we see by his life that, indeed, he had feelings like us. Perhaps the most famous story about him is the miracle om Mt. Carmel. Yet what happened after that? Elijah ran for his life and even asked God to take it. When he arrived to the cave (1 Kings 18), he told God that there were no more people left who worshipped God, only him. Had he forgotten that Obediah hid prophets and told him so before the miracle on the mountain? Maybe, just maybe, mixed up with his depression, there was a touch of pride there, that God had to show Elijah in order to prepare him for the future. God spoke to Elijah in the still small voice, not in fire or wind or storm. And then, He reminded him that He left 7,000 knees which did not bow to Ba’al. Elijah was a prophet that was chosen for that time in the history of the Jewish people, yet he was not the only one. Do we sometimes feel as though we are so special that no one else can do what we do? Yes, God called Elijah especially for the job, but it was not because of who he was or what he has done, but because God chose him to do so. Elijah learned humility in a cave, in order to go to the bottom of the mountain. He would later be placed on the top of another mountain in a special time in history. Elijah was on Mt. Hermon along with Moses, the most humble person and with our Lord Yeshua, Who humbled Himself even to death on the cross. Pride could not stand in the Lord Yeshua’s presence.

Unfortunately, there are those who take pride in themselves for many reasons. We like the flattery and compliments from those around us. It is so important to us that everyone knows that was my idea, my doing, the credit should go to me. Even when we are right and the “credit” does go to us, will we boast about it? Is our name so important to us? My dad always tells me “when you take care of God’s name, He will take care of yours”. Status, positions, money, academic degrees and being part of the right “clique” are only some of the things people pride themselves in. And when pride kicks in, love is kicked out. Pride becomes an obstacle to prevent us from truly loving the Lord Yeshua and our brethren (more on that in the next post).

Pride is one of the things God despises (Proverbs 8:13). We should remember to give God the glory and honor, and not only say it in words, but to confirm it in our hearts first and turn in our actions.

What have we to boast in but in our Lord Yeshua? “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galations 6:14).

© Hannah Kramer

Keep your eyes on God

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“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness”. (Psalm 147:10-11)

How easy it is to look to man, to view some people as perfect, wishing we were like them, at times idolizing them and then being disappointed with ourselves for not being like them, How easy it is to expect people to be perfect. And then, when we see their flaws, we become disappointed with them, for not meeting up to the standards we think they should stand up to, or the standards that we set up.

I went mith my mom to a women’s meeting, where she was asked to speak on “Parenting and raising up children”. Among some of the things that came up as she taught was the dire need to teach the children and youth to know in Whom they believe in and why, and to realize the importance of fellowship. The women shared that the youth in that particular congregation was almost none existent. The members of that fellowship have teenage children, but the problem is that they no longer want to come to fellowship. This poses a serious concern for the future of that congregation. The women shared that it wasn’t always this way. It is only in recent years, after this generation saw conflicts and inconsistencies between what the people said and what they did that the problems began to arise there. The parents and friends that they trusted and followed for so long, left them broken, upset, confused and doubting.

Disappontment from people! I’m sure everyone has experienced it at one time or another. I certainly have. We see people behave in ways we don’t understand and we become upset at them, sometimes even very upset. It can even result in our becoming upset with God. Why? Is it because deep down, we expect them to be perfect? Maybe. Perhaps we have an expectation that believers should be perfect. Well, that’s not the case. Our faith doesn’t make us perfect and flawless. We err, we make mistakes, we don’t always do things right. But, for the most part, we’re trying to do what is right. As human beings, we won’t be perfect until we meet the only One who is perfect, our savior, the Lord Yeshua. We are still in the process of being conformed to His image and likeness. But, this transformation cannot done by us in our own wisdom, or by our own strength. It can and will be accomplished only by the Holy Spirit working in us.

So why do we still become disappointed from people? Maybe the question should be, “Why do we look to people?” I have expectations from people. I expect that when they need to do something, they’ll do it. I expect that when something needs to be dealt with and taken care of, that the right thing will be done by the right people and in the right way – regardless of circumstances or what people say or do.

Being disappointed is natural. There is nothing wrong with it in and of itself. However, the problem lies deeper, in where we set our eyes. I have heard of people whose disappointment in people resulted in them leaving the fellowship of believers and then turning away from the faith. Disappointment can come from how believers talk, how they relate to one another, judge one another, patronize one another and because they gather in exclusive “clicks”. I recently heard of a young man who is still in high school and dating non-believers. When he went to a youth camp once, he was so repulsed by the behavior of the youth, he decided to look to the world for friendships. He said that the girls he dated behaved more civilized than those who claimed to be believers. Do you see the danger of setting your eyes on man? It can make you decide that because believers act a certain way, they reflect what God is like and then anger and frustration are turned against God.

It is okay to have expectations. But we need to set our eyes on God and keep them there. We need to push forward and fight the good fight of faith for God. He will never disappoint you. The teenagers from the beginning of this post have set their eyes on people. They were hurt and they had a right to feel upset and disappointed. But, if the basis for their coming to fellowship was people, then the basis was wrong and unstable to begin with. Congregation fellowship should bring about growth in faith, hope and love (Heb. 10:22-24). That’s why we should encourage one another not to forsake being in fellowship.

Keeping our eyes on God can also help us in our behavior towards others. Do we seek to please man, do we want others to see “how good we are”, or “how talented”, or do we want to be “part of the group”? Or, is my motivation to please God, to revere Him, and wait for His lovingkindness? In both situations, when people are the ones we look to, what eventually happens is comparison. I compare myself to someone else, either because I want to be like them – or I want to be better than them. Both are wrong, since the only one we should desire to be like is Messiah Yeshua. And we need to be like Him. We need to be careful not to compromise on Biblical principles and to conform to what the world tries to mould us into. God doesn’t accept us because you’re popular, successful or good looking. He accepts us because of our faith in the blood of the Lord Yeshua that was shed for us. We are His workmanship and He made us for His glory.

If we are still looking to people today instead of looking to God, we need to change the focus of our attention and the direction of our eyes. As the prophet Micah said: “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me”. (Micah 7:7).

© Hannah Kramer

Dreams on the altar

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“Behold, the bondslave of The Lord; may it be done to me according to your word”. (Luke 1:38)

I have given much thought to the verse above over the past weeks, especially after seeing a play done by believers about the birth of The Lord Yeshua. I have always liked what Miriam said and the attitude she had when she received the amazing news that she would give birth to the Messiah. Truly remarkable. At a time when it was considered a shame and disgrace to be found pregnant out of wedlock, and especially at a time where such a thing could result in the death of the woman (which are probably some of the reasons Joseph wanted to send her away secretly) Miriam had completely surrendered both herself and circumstances to God, despite the fact that she was probably still in her teens at that time.

Another verse that caught my attention was what the angel told her: “Do not be afraid Mary; for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30).  Wow! How I wish that I would be told that I find favor with God! I’m reminded of the passage in Matthew, where the servants who were diligent in their work, while waiting for their master’s return, were told “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). Miriam found favor with God and considered herself a bond slave. Shouldn’t we as believers not be bond slaves also? I believe we should be, though I think it matters how we understand what it means to be a bond slave. I mean, by being saved and surrendering our lives to God is absolutely necessary, but have we willingly surrendered ourselves to His Lordship over our lives? I wonder how Miriam and Joseph felt, what their dreams were and how they changed, when hearing of God’s plan for them.

Being a bond slave means that we willingly forfeit our freedom, our wills and desires, to our master, who is The Lord Yeshua. We say “no longer my will, but yours”. A person might say he is a bond slave, but his actions can show otherwise. We are saved, but don’t really trust God to have His will done in us, but, instead we still try to live our lives as the masters instead of God. That is what I mean by being a bond slave in heart. Our willingness to submit and to commit all things to His sovereignty is reflected in our attitudes, thoughts and behavior.

A slave or servant can do all that his master asks him to, and it can be done exactly the way it should be. But, if it is not done willingly and with the right attitude, the joy and satisfaction of doing what the master asks is not there. If what the master requests is done with joy and a desire to please the master, can you imagine what the result will be? Miriam found favor with God. I pray to be that kind of woman, who finds favor with God and is truly a bond slave of Christ.

However, it’s easier said than done. I have my dreams, my desires and longings, and I have my stubborn will that I need to continually surrender to God.

I work as an E.S.L. teacher in a community center. I love what I do and am very grateful to have this job. However, it’s not what I studied for. I have a B.A. in Educational Counseling and Political Science and afterwards, I received a teaching certificate in Civics. I had a plan to study and become a counselor. That changed a few times and eventually I went to a teachers’ school to get my certificate in Civics. Again, I had a plan. I thought I was going to finish my studies and find an apprenticeship quickly and start working in a school. Well, that didn’t work out. I couldn’t find an apprenticeship and after a long time, by God’s grace, I found this teaching job in the community center. Did I pray about my studies and job options? Yes, I did. But I had my plan. I wanted things to go my way, on my terms. I am learning that I have my plans, but God’s plans and ways are greater (Isaiah 55:8-9). I need to surrender my will to His will for me. I know He led me in my studies and in finding this new job. And I know that though my plans didn’t work out the way I planned, God will still use the certificate I have and my studies for His glory. I may not see it now, but I’m learning to just trust and obey. I’m learning to put my desires on the altar, so that God may receive a sweet fragrance from my life.

Are we willing to give God our dreams and desires to have his will be done? It’s not easy. There are things I wish to control and do my way. But, my prayer is that I will be like Miriam, a bond slave of Messiah Yeshua, finding favor in His sight, and that God’s will be done in me.

© Hannah Kramer

On wings of Eagles

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“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:4)

I was on my way to a conference along with my two brothers and two friends. One brother drove and the other brother sat near him in the front seat. I sat in the back with my friends. The conference was about two hours drive away and the road was one we took many times before.

As we drove, we talked and laughed and listened to music, not suspecting that soon we would experience the most frightening experience we ever had. For a brief moment, everything was quiet in the car until we heard a boom and the car began to veer out of control. The next few seconds were the longest we ever had, as the car started sliding quickly down the road, turning and hitting a wall on the road twice. I can’t recall how many times we turned around, everyone keeps saying something different. When the car finally stopped, it stood blocking a lane and a half.

At that moment, we all turned around to look at everyone else in the car, wanting to see if we are all okay. With fear, I saw the front glass broken, smashed, and my youngest brother not moving. I didn’t know what to do. Then, he turned his head towards my brother, and I saw he was okay. I breathed sigh of relief. My other brother, who drove the car, shouted to everyone to get out immediately, because the engine was smoking and he was concerned that it may may explode.. We got out so fast, I felt dizzy and had to sit down on the road. The car was a wreck. But miraculously, none of us was seriously injured.

A man who saw what happened, and was driving not too far behind, stopped near us to help and called the police and an ambulance. The whole accident, though very frightening and shaking, was nothing less than a series of miracles. We were driving on a highway, where thousands of cars drive every day. The moment of the accident, no car was near us, not in front and not in the back. If any car were nearby at the time, the results of the accident would have been terrible. One of the girls did not have her seatbelt on, and she sat in the middle, which means she could have flown to the front of the car.

The following events were miracles too. Even though the man who stopped near us called an ambulance and the police, within minutes, both arrived, but not the ones that were called. A detective and an off duty policemen saw us on the road and came to help and check us. A doctor who drove there also came to help and an ambulance that was carrying some gear, took us girls, who sat in the back, to the hospital. We had chest pain and some bruises and pain in other parts of our bodies.

It’s hard not to see God’s hand and protection in the event. Things could have ended a lot differently. The bruises we had were small and I had a fracture in the sternum. Okay, that’s not small, it’s actually very painfull. But I’m doing much better now. We were pretty shaken up, but through the whole thing, we could see God’s sovereignty and prtotection. It was a wake up call in a way. All of a sudden, I realized how things I do daily, were hard to do because of the injury. I was so grateful to be able to go to bed and wake up, having another day to live. God truly protected us, in so many ways.

We found out that a large nail that was in the road caused the punctured tire, which made the car turn quickly to the ditch. A nail. Stuck in the tire. Such a small thing caused such a mess, nearly costing lives. When thinking of this more in connection to our spiritual lives, how often do we let “nails” get in the way of our walk with God? Things that hinder our walk, don’t seem that big or problematic, get in the way sometimes unnoticed, just like that nail, that somehow got in the tire. We need to watch out for the way we walk and what we let in our lives, filtering things that try to force their way in our lives.

Talking with my friends, we know God has shown us much grace, and we need to be thankfull for all we have, never taking anything for granted, needing to examine our lives to make sure there are no “nails” hindering our walk.

A psalm that really encouraged me this week following the accident was psalm 91, telling of God’s sovereignty:

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

To God be the glory!

Feeling God’s heart

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“…my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together” (Hosea 11:8).

I recently watched a movie called “Time Changer”. Although it is not a Hollywood quality production, it was well made and very moving. It dealt with the changing times, how society has changed for worse, morals are no longer rooted in God’s word, and believers are living in apathy. The plot, in short, so as not to spoil it for whoever wants to watch, is about a professor who writes a book in which he claims morals do not need to be explained according to God’s word. Meaning, stealing is wrong just because it’s wrong, but no need to say it’s wrong because God says so. A colleague of his sees a problem in such education, and sends him over a hundred years into the future. There, this professor sees the deteriorating society, how believers compromise over the truth, and more than that – when he is invited to go to a movie with a group from a church he visited, he is shocked when the name of The Lord is blasphemed on the screen. He runs out to try to stop the screening of the film and is viewed as crazy. When he conveys his feelings to the people from the church, they think he is legalistic and say they could have gone to worse movies. “It’s not that big a deal, it is only a movie”, they said. The movie goes on and the man is seen praying and feeling deep sadness over what his culture has become.

This man’s feelings, depict on the screen, what many prophets have said throughout the Bible, especially what Hosea said and felt.

Hosea was told by God to marry a harlot. Now this woman might have already been one when Hosea married her, or she might have become one after their marriage. Either way, Hosea suffered much from her behavior. He had a child from her, and then she conceived and gave birth twice more. Some scholars say it is possible the last two were not Hosea’s children, but a result of her prostitution. The Bible does not specifically say if that is the case. However, we can imagine that he might have wondered at times if they were, particularly if she conceived at the times she was out in the streets, betraying him.

How did Hosea feel? In the rest of the book, God describes the nation of Israel as one that had betrayed him, hurt him and turned her back on him. He has reached out many times with loving arms, yet Israel has chosen the idols and other gods instead. Hosea knew all too well the feeling God was conveying – a husband longing for his wife to return to him, willing to forgive her, hurting when others mock her, and wishing to wipe away her tears and disgrace.

Hosea felt God’s heart and his own heart was aching. In chapter 11, verse 8, we read God says “my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together”. Here, God plainly shows His aching heart.

Our Lord Yeshua called out to the Jews of the time in Matthew 23:37-39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’.” The Lord Yeshua’s heart was going out towards his people, full of compassion. Praise God for never leaving the nation of Israel and for loving the people whom He called with an everlasting love!

Do we feel God’s heart? I don’t know how many of us can say we know how Hosea felt. But do we care about what God cares? Do we love what he loves and hate what he hates? I know I still have a way to go to fully understand and feel as God does about things around me. I compromise, saying at times “it’s only a movie”, or “there isn’t anything we can do to change that”, or “it’s just a show”. But, what if we as believers stopped compromising and being apathetic and started acting as salt should act? Stopping corruption and deterioration. What if we said blaspheming on the screen is wrong and we didn’t go to see a movie just because that is in it, if we didn’t watch a show with homosexuals, even if it’s a reality show, because it is giving them a platform and showing it is okay and normal to do what they do? What if a movie is about other gods – is it still just a movie? What if we stopped compromising on the way we dress, the language we use, the attitude we have towards one another, the way we interact with each other? What if we showed more love, compassion and reflected God’s love to our brothers and sisters in Messiah Yeshua?

What if we were different and started to make an impact? I’m not perfect, and do not claim to be. I am a work in progress. But, for a long time, I have had this feeling – what if I felt God’s heart? What would change first of all in me? And then, what can I do to change society around me? Do I ache as I see mockery on the streets, in schools, on screen? Do I long for my people to return to the loving hands of God, who’s heart is turning within him?

The man in the movie was called legalistic. That is not the question here. It is whether or not we follow God’s word. Period. I pray that I will feel God’s heart. That requires drawing closer and closer to him. I want that. And I hope that we as a nation, the nation of Israel, will return to the loving arms who raised them, and call out to our Lord Yeshua and that the church will strive to keep itself as a pure bride, without blemish, waiting for her groom.

© Hannah Kramer

Giving our best and most precious

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“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with fragrance of the perfume”. (John 12:3-4)

So often it is easy to look at this passage and truly admire Mary for what she did, willing to use such costly perfume, that was all gone within minutes. However, do we look at what it cost her beyond the money? Pure nard was very expensive in those days, it came from the areas of India, China and Japan and it is still one of the most expensive oils today.  This special perfume was worth almost a year’s wages, and it is likely to presume that it took Mary a long time to save money towards buying it.

Do you remember that time when you got something you were longing for, for SO long? You worked and saved your money and kept your eyes on that goal, and then…you finally got it. That precious item is now yours, it is in your room, in your possession and you know exactly what to do with it. Amazing feeling, isn’t it? Try to imagine what Mary must have felt, having that precious perfume. Not only was it expensive, but it was saved for a very special purpose. Her wedding day. Just like our days, when we girls save things for our wedding day, whatever it may be for each one, like items…or ourselves.

What do I mean? we read that Mary had to break the bottle in order to let the perfume out. Notice what happened right after – the room was filled with the odor of the ointment. Sometimes God allows hardships and difficulties in our lives in order to bring out what we store within. To bring out a sweet savor that otherwise would have been kept in. 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9 says this – “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”. Though there may be hard times, God uses those times to refine us and never leaves us alone. If Mary hadn’t broken the bottle, the fragrance would not have filled the room. Sometimes we have to take those precious things and start using them.

Mary kept the perfume for her husband but eventually used it for her king. Do we use our talents and gifts for our king? Are there times in our lives that we say “I will start using my gifts only when I’m married”? do we let God use us now, where we are?

When I wrote this, I didn’t give much thought to what Martha did that day. I always focused on what her sister did. I always saw Martha as a tough woman, who worked all day and never took time to rest. I hadn’t thought that perhaps this woman enjoyed what she did, and served with all her heart. Both sisters were different, each served in her own way and it could be asked of both whether their actions were meant to be seen so as to be appreciated. Others might have seen their actions as extravagant, they might have been criticized each in what she did, but they both served whole heartedly. They both gave their best, whether it was perfume saved for a wedding…or silverware fit for a king.

Yeshua’s response to what Mary did was that people will remember her and what she did. He also said on another occasion that she has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42). If we truly love our Lord, we should be willing to lay down what we hold dearest and best for him, even if others see what we do as strange or senseless.

I don’t know if Mary knew that Yeshua was going to die and rise up. She must have known when he had risen, since she did not go to the grave with the disciples. What I do know, is that she did what she did out of love and deep appreciation for her King. I want to be able to show my king, the king of love, my appreciation and love, with my best and dearest.

Let’s be willing to sit at his feet and pour out our best, in our homes and in our fellowship.

© Hannah Kramer