Righteousness

δικαιοσύνη dikaiosynē

Romans 4:3 - "What does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'”

A lot of people wonder how the people of the Old Testament times, prior to Jesus coming to Earth, were able to obtain salvation in order to get to heaven. The simple answer is that they had faith. Just as today we look back to the sacrifice of and work of the Messiah, the Old Testament people in faith looked forward to what the Messiah would do, and they lived their lives and adjusted their behavior according to that faith.

I remember sitting with a student at a retreat and listening as she poured her heart out, weeping and telling me of her frustration over not serving the Lord enough, not scoring enough "brownie points" in order to feel that she had pleased Him enough. Her faith was a true faith, to be sure, but her subsequent Christian walk was based upon working slavishly in order to feel like she measured up to God's pleasure. I was able to assure her that her service was indeed pleasing to God but she didn't need to enter every day with the burden that Jesus was holding a spiritual clipboard and marking whether she did enough to measure up to acceptable Christianity. Abraham did many a great thing, but it was his belief that put him in the category of righteous and gave him a pleasing walk with God.

The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosynē and means "the condition acceptable to God;a state approved of God."

Revelation 21:1 ...new

οὐρανός ouranos ("heaven")
καινός kainos ("new")
γῆ gē ("earth")

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth..."

This little phrase that starts the 21st chapter of Revelation stuns me every time I read it. John writes that he sees a ge and ouranos that are kainos..."an earth and its heavens that are new." This change of heaven (referring to 'blue sky' and 'cosmos surrounding the earth' ) and earth had been predicted numerous times in the Bible:

Isaiah 65:17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."

Psalm 102:25-27 " In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

2 Peter 3:12 "as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat."

This Greek word for new means fresh, and new in the sense of quality - this will not be a simple remake of earth. In the Isaiah 65 passage the Hebrew word for create ("bara") means "create out of nothing."

This is a whole new creation. I'll take a deeper look at this in future posts.

A grand Christmas day

Yesterday was a fantastic day. Robert and Marlene, Jill's parents, spent the whole day with us along with Nicholas and Alexis. Nicholas has finished up his schooling in Biloxi with the Air Force but must spend a few more weeks there before coming back up to East Tennessee. Peter got a video game which practically cemented him to the screen for the remainder of the day, so we'd see him come up and grab some food, josh with us for a while, and then head back down for his next round of "testing out " the new gift. Jill and her mom kept the kitchen humming with tons of excellent footstuffs, while Robert did most of the gift assembly. I say most - and I meant a lion's share - because I was in a forced sedentary mode due to the remaining effects of the flu. Was it swine flu? No, I didn't have some of the violent symptoms that many people talked about, but it did last the entire week, fatiguing me with almost mono-like weariness. This morning is my first day without massive congestion, and I'm thankful for that.

Julianne spent the day playing with her new additions to her dollhouse while chattering to us about Santa being on the roof on Christmas Eve (it was Peter who climbed up on the roof with a handful of sleigh bells; this is a tradition at the Zockoll household, and it's a wonder nobody's fallen off the house yet.) We had an entertaining evening playing some board games which nearly broke down into non-rules anarchy - also a Zockoll tradition.

It was a very, very good day. We had a busy yet intimate household time of being together in laughter, banter, and consuming food by the platefuls. I do believe this was one of the most enjoyable Christmases I've had - not for the gifts or because there was a high-pitched mania (there wasn't) but because we honestly had a comforting time of fun and family.

P.S. And also because I got a very cool Koine Greek/English Lexicon. Yessssssss.

On this Christmas Eve I praise Him

Thank you, Lord for the many blessings of the year.

Thank you that our home has been a haven for a number of people who needed a place to stay in difficult times.

Thank you for the joy that we have every Sunday night when the college students come over for the Bible study.

Thank you for Jill, who has faced trials this year and has been able to still honor and thank you each day.

Thank you for Peter and his being part of our family. May he see You especially powerful this year.

Thank you for Nicholas and Alexis and the new Christian home they start in their first year of marriage.

Thank you for Julianne and the increasing, honest love she has for You.

Thank you for the hard times I faced this year and the fact that without You I could not have made it. Thank you for Christian friends who were an example of Your love in time of need, who were there to listen and assist. May I learn from that example.

Thank you for healing me in more ways than one, again proving that You indeed are Jehovah Rophe, "Our Lord Who Heals."

Thank you for being in our household, in our car, in our church, in our conversations, in our business decisions, in our times of need and in our times of joy. You truly are Jehovah Shammah, "The Lord is Present."

Thank you for guiding me in decisions I could not have made myself. Thank you for leading me into spiritual matters where I could not find a way. There is no doubt You are Jehovah Rohi, "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Thank you for taking care of us as I continue to write and gather work during these difficult economic times, further showing that You are "Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord who will Provide."

And thank you, thank you for bringing me peace in times that I needed it most, and when I didn't even know that I needed it, reminding me that You are rightly called Jehovah Shalom, "The Lord our Peace."

It's all You, Lord, and all praise and glory goes to You in Your holy domain.

wait it out

Apekdechomai (Phil. 3:20) "eagerly wait for Jesus"...compare our English expression "wait it out"...three words put together:“to receive,” (dechomai) as a welcoming reception for a friend; the word “off,” (apo) the withdrawal of one’s attention from other objects, and the word “out,” (ek) to intensify the already existing meaning of the word.

Lyrics

Little Julie was walking around the house singing "Joy to the World" with great enthusiasm, but I noticed a bit of a change in the lyrics. I walked over to my office door and leaned into the hallway to hear her version:

Joy to the world!

The Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart repair in truth...

She repeated the song at dinner and Jill and I fought to keep from laughing while she sang with great gusto. But then I realized the actual depth of her 'mis-speak' and turned to Jill. "She's actually got it right," I said and Jill smiled, agreeing.

"Repair in truth". In seeing so many souls in anguish and spiritual wandering right now, I feel that a great healing would take place if hurting ones would allow Jesus to "repair their hearts in Truth." We don't need a fight over the title of Christmas in this season. Making a political agenda to Christianize the nation won't do it either. Over-socializing at church is not the answer. It can be as simple as coming to Jesus and letting him "repair our hearts in truth."

Out of the mouths of babes...

We're His children

This is a lean time of the year for my writing. I've been battling it out, running around and getting assignments and writing jobs wherever and whenever I can. Sometimes it gets frustrating, but I can see that many businesses are suffering greatly in this economy. I wonder if Congress will pass a stimulus package for writers? Naaaah.

The joy is in being above the worries of the world. In the midst of all of the lean times, Jesus is still there, taking care of our family.

"huiothesia"... (from huios = son + tithemi = place) literally means "to place one as a son". Huiothesia thus speaks of adoption or being placed in a position and rights as one’s own child. Gal. 4:5, Romans 8:15 .... awwwesome

1 Peter 3:15

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts... (NASB)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord... (NIV)

but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy... (ESV)

but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord... (RSV)

The Bible scholar Matthew Henry says: "We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are [full of awe] and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages others to glorify and honour him..."

In the midst of all my writing assignments, husband and fatherly duties, teaching work, and other daily responsibilities, I still can have a place in my heart where I can follow 1 Peter 3:15 and sanctify the Lord Jesus... set Him apart... enjoy Him...and this worship and honor is much like the furnace of a building or a ship. It will heat and energize each far-reaching area of my decisions and walk.

NOTES:

The Zockoll family eagerly looks forward to Nicholas and Alexis coming home for Christmas from Biloxi MS where Nicholas is stationed with the Air Force.

Peter's new job at Chik Fil A starts this week and we trust the plentiful hours will help him save up for college this coming year. He's a diligent worker, and can enjoy the scholarship the company gives as well.

Jill is not feeling well... could be the freezing cold front that came in over the weekend. Her fibro myaglia is at its worst in months. Pray that we could get the medical and financial assistance necessary.

Julianne was in the Children's play at church. She was in the Angel Choir. The whole production was fantastic.

truth

My brother Brent reminded me of my newspaper editor days while at Delmar High School back in the 70s. Not content with the sterile environment of the school's newspaper, the Wildcat, because much was left out of many articles, I launched into an underground newspaper which I proudly called Cry from the Dungeon with all the usual arrogance of a ninth grader. I soon realized, as I gathered a "staff", that we could print the while truth without offending anyone (why is it that so many reporters believe that true news must be offensive and gutter-level?) and have a great time doing so. I added a Q & A column to a cartoon figure ("Fred Peaky"), a weekly vote on favorite sports stars and current events, and serialized fiction, among other things. Before two months were out, we were outselling the school newspaper!

I wanted to be able to tell the truth. We all want to hear the truth, especially whe it comes to spiritual matters. John 1:9 tells us that Jesus was - and still is - the True Light.

alēthinos

part of Biblical definition: opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended

b) it contrasts realities with their semblances

c) opposite to what is imperfect defective, frail, uncertain

2) true, veracious, sincere

Note: opposite of simulated. You can't make up what Jesus is. You cannot add to Him or take away. He is what He is. And I believe more Christians would have dynamic spiritual lives if they would get back into the Word and simply see who Jesus is, and follow Him.

Communication

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

My professional career has been centered around communication. I've worked in radio stations in Ohio, North Carolina and Tennessee; I've written nine novels and have been an author of textbooks, press releases, online adventure series and even animated cartoons. Communication is a big part of my corporate life.

I can recall one time when I hosted a midnight call-in radio program and we had a guest who claimed to be a Christian and yet disavowed the validity of the Bible and denounced the deity of Christ, merely calling him a "super-scientist" in order to explain His miracles. The phone lines were flooded and some people even wanted to come to the station and confront this man on some of the blaspheming statements he was making - at 2:30 in the morning! You see, communication - good or bad- can stir people into action.

I'm committing my speech to emphasize thanksgiving more. The word in Ephesians 5:4 is eucharistia ...it simply means to have a mouth that gives thanks. It is a speech that uplifts and does not tear down. With some of my professional writing assignments this past year I have faced people who have skipped without paying me, others wanting to short-change me in other ways, and I end up griping and grousing about it - surely a justifiable action! But I find out it trains my speech to travel down that avenue in other areas. I want to complain about the car, my dinner, a TV show, the neighbor's dog, a late assignment... and on and on. Yet when I start to train my tongue in thanksgiving, I find the habit both enjoyable and refreshing for me and those around me. And I feel that God is pleased as well.

ADVENT ADVENTURE STORY BEGINS TODAY

Dear friends,

I want to wish you a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving. My gift to you is the chapter-a-day family adventure story STAMPEDE CHRISTMAS that starts today and continues through to Christmas Day. I've designed this to be a read-aloud to your children, with Christ being the central theme as you draw nearer to December 25th.

Please go to

http://www.stampedestorytown.com/

and read the first chapter or the prequel story ("Mr. Kauffman's Bright Idea") tonight as everyone is together.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you greatly today!

Debates: Does God Exist?

If you have some time - and you should make time for this - then click on this link and read the debate between Quentin Smith and William Lane Craig on the existence of God. This debate took place at Harvard University on April of 2003.

Well worth the time to read:

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/craig-smith_harvard00.html

500th blog

This post marks the 500th post since I started blogging back in December of 2005. I've written about some pretty exciting experiences during that time. I've also written about some of the darkest days of my life. In looking back through the scores of entries, I've been able to say that in my mountain top experiences as well as the very shadowy days of grief, that Jesus Christ has been there to guide and comfort me.

During my college days I played fraternity soccer - wasn't very good at it, but enough to start on good ol' Chi Alpha - and in an on-field accident I ripped the tendons in my right knee, an accident that still affects me today.

I can recall that first night in the hospital, lying in the bed and sweating profusely from the pain, wondering how I would ever make it through the first night. The medications did no good whatsoever, and I prayed and groaned as each minute passed by on the clock, asking the Lord to help me handle the agony as I watched my knee swell o the size of a watermelon.

It may seem strange to you, but that was a very profound time for me - in pain, alone and in prayer. Nobody else around, and no distractions. I think it was the beginning of my finding out how solitude can intensify prayer.

Through the years I have discovered that the power of being alone and in total focus with the Lord makes prayers much, much more real.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:and he shall hear my voice. - Psalm 55:17

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears. - Psalm 18:6

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. - Matthew 21:22

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Prayer for the Zockolls:

Nicholas Zockoll - stationed in Biloxi with the Air Force and newly married to Alexis, pray that he might be able to complete his studies successfully.

Peter Zockoll - pray for his walk toward the Lord and that Jesus would become amazingly real to him.

Julianne Zockoll - pray for her continued growth in the Lord at our new church in Oak Ridge.

Jill Zockoll - pray for new friends and for a possible ministry opportunity.

Brad Zockoll - pray for new writing assignments and new ministries through writing.

quotes on prayer

"Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different." - Henry Drummond

"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." - S.D. Gordon

"The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray." - Chuck Smith

"Prayer - secret, fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness." - William Carey

"If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word - prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell."
- Charles Spurgeon

"Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father." - Andrew Murray

Service to Jesus

Sometimes we are not satisfied with the responsibilities God has given us, thinking we are fitted for a larger ministry. Looking enviously at the size or scope of another believer's calling, we think less of our own work and begin to neglect it.

In his book Be Faithful, Warren W. Wiersbe told how C. H. Spurgeon, the famous Baptist preacher, handled that problem. "A young preacher once complained to Spurgeon that he did not have as big a church as he deserved. `How many do you preach to?' Spurgeon asked. 'Oh, about a hundred,' the man replied. Solemnly, Spurgeon said, `That will be enough to give account for on the day of judgment.

The truth of Spurgeon's statement is borne out in Paul's reminder to "fulfill your ministry." The apostle was telling his young friend in the faith to do all that God had called him to do. But this did not mean that Timothy was to do the same things as Paul. Nor did it mean that he would accomplish as much as the apostle would. Rather, it meant that whether Timothy's task was large or small, in the limelight or behind the scenes, he was to fulfill his ministry in a diligent and commendable manner. —D. C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. All rights reserved)

Brad Zockoll wishes you to pray for our family as we take steps to dedicate our home - every square foot of it - to the whole and active service of the Lord. It's not the Zockoll house - it's God's home.

"Poor in spirit" - what does it mean?

Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Read this passage in the different translations to get a better meaning of the deep truth that Jesus was relaying:

God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. (New Living Translation)

Spiritually prosperous are the destitute and helpless in the realm of the spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Wuest)

How happy are the humble-minded, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs! (New Testament in Modern English)

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! (Amplified Bible - Lockman)

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The Zockoll family asks for your prayer for our very dear friend Oscar Hyde as he continues his studies at Princeton and continues his growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love is patient

E agape makrothumei - 1 Cor. 13:4

Love is patient. The word makrothumei, according to dictionary sources, means to be patient and not lose heart. One translation puts it like this: "Love is never tired of waiting." This form of the word is passive - it means that love doesn't want to strike out, retaliate. Jesus had every right to retaliate as He went through the trial. He was blindsided, spit upon and constantly mocked. These things strike home with me, coming from a Zockoll ancestry that carries with it a fearful streak of anger. I've heard stories and even seen first-hand my relatives' tempers flare, with regrettable results. There are times when it is hardest to keep my anger, and that's when I feel it is justified. Yes, there are times to be angry, but not in the sense of losing control or lashing out, and that's the challenge I've faced for numerous years. I see that Jesus was justified to respond in anger and even violence - but He didn't.

You face a dorm roommate who just wears your patience, and tries you just about every day of the school year. You work under a boss who seems either unduly vicious or amazingly incompetent. You find out that you were the target of gossip. All of these things ought to be responded to with a quick stroke of anger, but there is a higher response, such as found in this passage... you respond in love.

I write this because I'm encountering some situations this week where I must use this very verse as I step into meetings and encounters where I will need to rely upon the words of the Lord in order to guard my steps and my mouth.

Brad Zockoll and his family want you to pray for son Peter Zockoll who is winding down his senior year at high school and is making some serious plans for college and his career. Please pray for God's guidance in Peter's life.

Mark 15:34

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus was on the cross, suffering not only physically but spiritually as well. He cries out a sorrowful wail: "Why do you forsake me, Father?"

I am familiar with the feelings of being forsaken, having endured a painful childhood after my parents' divorce. Truly, only child of divorce can understand the utter loneliness of the ending of parent/child bond. The one you loved and held in esteem has said "No, my interests are more important than you." Parents who read this can use any excuse they wish, but they'll never be able to explain away the devastation of a child realizing the close-knit love relationship will never return. It's a loneliness that will never leave. The child has been forsaken.

Jesus was forsaken. It was necessary for the ultimate sacrifice to be paid. If there is one part of the crucifixion to which I can say I identify, it is this forsaking. I have never been tortured nor forced to face a hostile, violent mob ... but I have been forsaken. And in that little way I can begin to see the gnawing emptiness Jesus felt. It makes His love for me all the more real, because He chose to face this for my sake.

David Guzik brings some amazing truths to this lesson:

There was a significant sense in which Jesus rightly felt forsaken by God the Father at this moment.

i. How? Because God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

ii. Jesus not only endured the withdrawal of the Father’s fellowship, but also the actual outpouring of the Father’swrath upon Him as a substitute for sinful humanity.

iii. Horrible as this was, it fulfilled God’s good and loving plan of redemption. Therefore, Isaiah can say Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Isaiah 53:10).

iv. At the same time, we cannot say that the separation between the Father and the Son at the cross was complete, because as 2 Corinthians 5:19 says, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself at the cross.

v. It rarely grieves man to be separated from God, or to consider that he is a worthy object of God’s wrath; yet this was the true agony of Jesus on the cross.

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Mark 15." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006.2009. 21 Oct 2009.
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Brad Zockoll and his family welcome your responses and insight on the entries of this blog. Please understand, though, this blog is not about debate or argument. We're looking for spiritual truths and insight, so your additions and reflections are most welcome. Thank you to the many people who contact me and let me know that they read this blog - it's an encouragement to me.

John 16:12-15

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."

We're all interested in the future; in fact, the upcoming movie about the Mayan prophecies of 2012 are taking advantage of the fact that people like to hear and read about things to come. The Holy Spirit, as explained by Jesus, will make known the things of the future to us, but not in a fortune-telling, crystal ball way. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to guide us to the truth in Christ Jesus. It's not the ministry of us. I don't work in the ministry of me. God help us if we ever fall into the selfish pursuit of ego-building. Things to come include the revelation of Jesus Christ as Judge and Sovereign. Future revealings tell of the Kingdom of God and the glory that outshines anything here on earth. That is what the Holy Spirit aims to do. We are to tell of the glory of eternity, not the quick-rich-schemes of the present day.

I recall the loving service of one of the men of the church I now attend. He has been instrumental in helping us purchase houses as he would walk through places we sought to buy, using his years of experience as a realtor to help me avoid pitfalls - and he never would take a penny from me. He was, and is, my financial mentor as well as a guide to help me grow in Christ. This man is very wealthy, but he lives in modest means, preferring to use his wealth to further the Kingdom. He has the Holy Spirit leading his eyes to look to the future.

Tuesday note: The blessings of the Zockoll household include the friendship of the John and Lori Huffman family. Lori has suffered a continuing fight with cancer but has shown an incredible Godly strength through all of the trials. They'll be with us during the Halloween festivities for an evening of fellowship.