Rahab’s Lie. A Great Blessing. Making America Healthy Again.

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Rahab’s Lie

“When the spies approached Jericho Rahab and the Canaanites had already heard stories of the Red Sea crossing 40 years before. The Israelites had also completely destroyed the Amorites just east of the Jordan (Joshua 2:10) and now they were camped on Jericho's doorstep.

'When the soldiers arrived she did not betray them. ‘There were two men here but I did not know who they were,’ she explained, ‘at dusk before the city gate was closed they left and I don’t know where they are heading.’ (freebibleimages.org)

While most of the people of Jericho were faint with fear, Rahab recognized who was behind the Israelite successes: “I know that the Lord has given you the land...for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9 and 11). Rahab hid the Israelite spies and lied to the king of Jericho (Joshua 2:4-5). Joshua then spared her and her household “because she hid the messengers…” (Joshua 6:25). God also miraculously kept her walls from tumbling down when the other walls surrounding Jericho were reduced to ruble.

Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, tells us the reason why Rahab did this: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who do not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (verse 31). But was it OK for her to lie in those circumstances?

The Nelson Study Bible states: "A lie is a lie, and...Rahab's action was wrong.... Rahab sinned no matter how noble her intentions. Of course, in her case, her sin is understandable because she lacked complete knowledge of the living God. That is, what she did was wrong, but she did not know any better. We must be careful to make a distinction between Rahab's faith and the way Rahab expressed it. The Bible praises Rahab because of her faith in God, not because of her lying. That is, her actions would have been more noble had she protected the spies in some other fashion…" ("In Depth: Lying").

The United Church of God’s Bible Commentary (see the link below) explains it clearly: “Some view the Bible’s praise of Rahab as an endorsement of her lying…. Based on this, they argue that it is okay to lie when it is ‘for a good cause.’ However, that is simply not the case—ever….”

The Israelites accepted Rahab and her family into the nation of Israel (Joshua 6:25). Over time, she would have learned the laws of God and come to serve Him more completely, repudiating the mistakes of her past. She eventually married Salmon, a prominent member of the tribe of Judah. King David would descend from them and eventually Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:20-21).

Lying is never a trivial matter for a Christian: “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies" (Psalm 24:3-4 NLT). God's law makes it clear that lying is never acceptable (Proverbs 12:22), and we are told God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). We should bear in mind that Rahab is commended for her faith (Hebrews 11:31) not her lying and realize that she would grow in faith and the knowledge of God’s way of life.

• Source:  United News (Mar-Apr 2025)   https://www.ucg.org/members/united-news/united-news-march-april-2025/it-ever-okay-lie

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A Great Blessing

“The desire for revenge, retaliation and mudslinging is reflected in our entertainment and society in general. In spite of the fact we are told to forgive, many seek an active or passive form of revenge against their real or perceived enemies.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ paid the death penalty earned by mankind as a result of sin. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.... when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son..." (Romans 5:8-10). God expects us to develop this same attitude of mercy, graciousness and forgiveness. He will not forgive our sins if we are unforgiving toward others.

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.... For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:12,14-15). II Timothy 3:1-4 includes being unforgiving in the list of characteristics people will exhibit in the “perilous times” prevalent in the “last days” just before Jesus Christ returns to earth.

When a woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus the Scribes and Pharisees demanded: “'Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery...Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?'  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.”  Jesus’s response was, “'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' And…those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one…When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers ... .Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more'" (John 8:1-11).

Another example showing Christ expects us to develop a forgiving attitude occurred when Peter asked, “‘…how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, “…up to seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18:21-22). The Apostles were stunned at this statement and answered, “‘Increase our faith.’” (Luke 17:5).

The parable in Matthew 18:23-35 illustrates the consequences of being unforgiving. The account of the forgiven servant persecuting someone who owed him a pittance in comparison with the amount he had just received forgiveness for is a lesson for us. Christ warned the unforgiving servant his attitude was unacceptable, pointing out: "Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' (verse 33).

This is not to say we cannot make a judgment regarding other people's actions as to whether or not we should follow their example, but we cannot read minds and hearts. Christ instructs us not to judge others: "Judge not, that you be not judged... First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:1 and 5). Luke 6:36-37 reinforces this admonition: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).

Proverbs 19:11 states, “it is his [our] glory to pass over a transgression” (King James Version). Jesus' example just before His death sets the standard for us as far as forgiveness is concerned: "When Jesus was being crucified and in agony He prayed: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). When we forgive, we reflect the Father’s love, giving us the opportunity to extend to others the great blessing God has extended to us.

Source: United News (May 2001)   From: https://www.ucg.org/members/united-news/united-news-may-2001/where-do-you-draw-line-sand

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Here’s My 2 Cents: "Making America Healthy Again"

Dr. Eric Berg says:

“Robert F. Kennedy is receiving a lot of pushback for his ideas on health and reform. As secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, his ideas would radically change the US healthcare system. In this video, I’m going to share some of the changes I would make to address the current healthcare crisis and improve America’s health.

RFK has the following goals for healthcare reform in America: RFK healthcare policy 1:22 Institutional foods 2:35 Subsidized foods 3:54 Vote for me! 4:25 GRAS 5:00 Food fortification 5:35 Tax money and drugs 6:55 End the rounding rule 7:47 Sun phobia

He will be actively working against big food companies, big chemical companies, and big pharma, so naturally, he’s getting a lot of pushback. The U. S. spends over 4.1 trillion dollars each year on healthcare, yet we’re at the bottom as far as health. Why? Here's what I think can improve America’s health! 

1. Change the institutional foods.  Prepackaged foods are given to people in nursing homes, prisons, schools, hospitals, and other public institutions. These institutional foods are very low-quality, highly processed foods. The health of the people in these institutions would quickly improve by simply removing the refined sugars, starches, and oils from their diets.

2. Address the subsidized foods.  Subsidized foods are paid for by taxpayers. Corn, soy, wheat, sugar, and rice are the most highly subsidized foods. Changing the types of foods that are subsidized and investing in small farmers can significantly improve this problem.

3. Changing GRAS.  “Generally Recognized As Safe” is a term used by the FDA for products that have been safety tested by their own manufacturers. To avoid conflict of interest, these tests should be conducted by third-party independent companies.

4. Change food fortification.  Synthetic folic acid and iron fortification of food can cause serious problems for many people.

5. Disallow tax dollars from being used for drugs.  Every year, 40 billion dollars of taxpayer money is used to pay for medical research to develop new drugs.

6. The rounding rule. If a product contains less than .5 grams of an ingredient, it can be rounded down to 0. This is misleading and should be eliminated. People need to be more aware of what's really in their food. Companies also need to be forced to raise the quality of the ingredients in their products.

7. End sun phobia Sun phobia paired with low RDAs for vitamin D is contributing to massive vitamin D deficiency in the population, putting people at risk for disease.”  More at: https://www.drberg.com/blog/heres-my-2-cents-making-america-healthy-again

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What Are These Stones, Sep 11, 2013. Throwing Stones. Not Only a Matter of Diet.

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What Are These Stones?    Sep 11, 2013

“The twelve-year old SUV is still with me. The day I registered it for the plates was the day America was attacked in New York and Washington by terrorists. 9/11. The day we all remember.

I had purchased the car three weeks earlier and decided that morning was the time to go to the motor vehicle bureau and finish the registration process. When I returned home my wife met me at the door with the news about the attacks. In between phone calls from family and friends who wanted to discuss it I was glued to my television the remainder of the day.

This year's anniversary was almost forgotten. The passage of time has a way of removing significance from a day or an event. Had I not looked at the news alert in my inbox I might have forgotten this day. But I look out my window and see my SUV and remember the event. An aging motor vehicle reminds me of an event that took nearly three thousand lives and shocked a nation. In a pathetic way it is a memorial, and memorials are important since they help us remember.

In the book of Joshua, God told the people to erect a memorial of twelve stones to remember how they crossed over the dry land of the Jordan River by His grace. Whenever, they or their children looked upon and asked about their purpose they were to say, "Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land" (Joshua 4:21-22). A pile of rocks were to remind them God acts in history and among nations. Whatever it takes.

Maybe that's another reason to keep my twelve-year old SUV around. It is still giving good service and function. And it acts as a reminder of a day and an event with deep meaning and significance in American history. We should not forget.”

10 year anniversary 9/11   From: https://www.ucg.org/learn/blogs/what-are-these-stones

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Throwing Stones

“We all have a responsibility to use our words wisely. The Bible contains clear warnings about the dangers of gossip, and emphasizes it should be avoided. Gossip and listening to gossip has the power to shape false perceptions and destroy lives.

When the author of this article, Robert Berendt, visited a friend he was reminded of the importance of not slandering and gossiping about others. During their conversation his friend showed him a smooth stone he carried all the time. He explained he carried it to remind himself not to throw stones at others. Robert thought it was a great idea and has been carrying his own little stone ever since.

John 8:1-11 relates the instance of the woman who was caught in adultery. She was brought before Jesus Christ by those who wanted to stone her to death for her sin (Deuteronomy 22:22). Although Jesus knew she was guilty, it must have been an enormous relief to her when He said He did not condemn her, and her accusers left. When Jesus wrote in the dust and announced he who was without sin could cast the first stone, her accusers realized they had also sinned and needed to be forgiven.

Robert went on to explain he had decided to keep a stone in his pocket because he realized he had also sinned, and that Jesus had died for his sins when He could have just as easily condemned him. All of us seem to be ready to give advice or tell people how things should be done long before we are asked. We also often deflect criticism of ourselves by judging others. It seems to make us feel better when we can find flaws in another person. Perhaps our own flaws seem smaller then. Jesus spoke to this in Matthew 7:3-4 when He stated we should be sure our own eyes are clear before we reach out to remove a speck from someone else’s eye.

Words can destroy lives just as surely as the biggest rock thrown at them. One often hears of young people who have been bullied and pushed aside to the point that they despair of life. Proverbs 25:18 speaks to the damage words can do, comparing our words to a club, sword or sharp arrow. While Proverbs 16:27-28 tells us words have the power to separate the closest friends and that ungodly men dig up evil about others.

In Genesis we read that although Adam and Eve both sinned, they could not admit they were to blame. Eve blamed the serpent, Adam blamed Eve and, in a way, both blamed God. Nowhere in the account is the self-examination and repentance seen that God seeks.

By looking into what is taught in the Bible we should learn to curb our often wayward tongues in our interactions with others. Proverbs 16:21-24 outlines the goals we should have in order to add “health to the bones” of others. God’s Word is His mirror, which when we study it reveals our true selves and should motivate us to change (James 1:23-24).”

From:  https://www.ucg.org/watch/beyond-today/virtual-christian-magazine-june-2008/throwing-stones

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Not Only a Matter of Diet

“From cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation, nowhere in the Bible do we find an example of a servant of God or follower of Jesus Christ eating the flesh of an unclean animal.

If at any time the distinctions between clean and unclean meats had ceased to exist, shouldn’t that have been made clear in the Bible through the example of God’s servants?

On the contrary, well into the time of the early Church we find Christ’s followers scrupulously avoiding eating animal flesh that God had revealed as being unclean (Acts 10:14; 11:8). Prophecies of the time of the end make the same distinctions (Revelation 18:2; Isaiah 66:15-17).

But there’s more to the matter than diet. A thorough study of the Bible helps us understand other dimensions to the significance of the distinctions between clean and unclean meats.

God’s Word describes the flesh of unclean animals as an “abomination” (Leviticus 11:10-13, 20, 23, 41-42) and “detestable” (Deuteronomy 14:3)—and in that light we are warned against consuming such meat (Leviticus 11:43). Strong language, but the lesson is that we need to accept all aspects of the Bible, including the basic food laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

In instituting the sacrificial system for ancient Israel, God commanded many specific sacrifices involving animals. Nowhere, however, does He command or allow the sacrifice of an unclean animal, nor is there a record of any of God’s servants ever sacrificing such an animal to Him.

Such a sacrifice would have joined the holy with that which God had designated unclean and defiled. It would have been simply unthinkable to a true servant of God because it would have been an affront to the Creator Himself.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/learn/bible-study-aids/what-does-bible-teach-about-clean-and-unclean-meats/what-does-bible-teach-6

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Danger, Fake News. Heeding an Alarm: The Texas Tragedy Still Haunts Us. The Same Diet That’s Anti-Cancer Is Also Anti-Heart Disease And Anti-Lung Disease.

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Fake News in the Church? It Started in a Garden...

“Fake news isn’t new.

In fact, the very first fake news story was broadcast in the Garden of Eden when Satan told Eve:
“You will not surely die...” (Genesis 3:4)

That was a lie — and it’s been spreading ever since.

Christ called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44), and to this day, he remains the invisible broadcaster behind every slander, whisper, distortion, and deception — including many that make their way right into the Church of God.

In a world trained to doubt everything and mock everyone, the spirit of fake news has crept in among God’s people — not just through media, but in our conversations, our comments, our posts, and even our fellowship.

Let’s be real:
Gossip, rumors, harsh opinions, character assassinations — these are all modern forms of false witness, and they violate the Ninth Commandment:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)

Even if something is “technically” true, if it’s told with the intent to damage, divide, or discourage — it becomes spiritual fake news.

God hates it.

“A lying tongue… a false witness who speaks lies… and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16–19)

It’s easy to fall into it.
We’ve all heard it — maybe we’ve even spread it.

That’s why we must wake up and take spiritual inventory.

Christ didn’t just speak truth — He was the Truth (John 14:6).
As His followers, we must reflect that same Spirit of truth — in our words, our tone, our posts, and even in our private conversations.

So ask yourself:

Do I speak negatively about others?

Do I pass on things I haven’t personally confirmed?

Do I allow cynicism or distrust to shape my attitude in the Church?

Cynicism isn’t harmless. It damages your faith and erodes others’. It causes stumbling — and Christ warned that causing a brother to stumble is no small thing (Matthew 18:6).

This isn’t about being naïve. It’s about being spiritually responsible.
We must not become the carriers of a spiritual virus that Satan uses to weaken the Church from within.

So here’s the challenge:

▸ Don’t engage in or pass along gossip
▸Speak well of others when possible — and stay silent when it’s not
▸Change the subject when others veer negative
▸Choose your words — and your thoughts — carefully

“Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

You were called to truth — not just to know it, but to live it.

Let’s overcome the spirit of fake news — and be vessels of faith, clarity, and peace.

With sincerity and encouragement in Christ,
Bob Schenfield”

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Heeding an Alarm: The Texas Tragedy Still Haunts Us

“Have you ever heard an emergency alarm sound and ignored it?  I have.
I remember the alarm system when I was young in my hometown. A weather alert would come on the television or the radio. Those were the only two systems we had. Because my mother had once experienced a tornado, and we had a next-door neighbor who took the alarms seriously and came knocking on our door, we took it seriously. We would go to our basement until the alarm passed.

Recently, I visited my hometown. One night, storms came through, spawning tornadoes, and the tornado alarms went off. The town now has a system of very loud alarms. When the alarms sounded my wife and I did nothing. We turned over and went back to sleep. Fortunately, nothing occurred. I am alive to write this piece.

I am still digesting the recent flooding tragedy in south Texas along the Guadalupe River. Every time I think of the young girls who were swept away in the dark of night, I grieve for their families. The whole incident haunts us. The region will take a long time to recover. Parents and family of the dead will never fully recover.

Could the devastating loss of life have been prevented? Had it occurred in daylight, rather than the early hours of morning when all were asleep, the number of casualties would certainly have been reduced. It happened when it did, when people were sleeping and evidently the only alarm system was on people’s cell phones. When you are asleep it is difficult to hear and heed an alarm.

I read that Kerr County, Texas, where this occurred is about the size of the state of Rhode Island (1,107 square miles) and only has 54,000 inhabitants. Rhode Island has more than a million people. Emergency services were likely tailored to the size and resources of the population. They proved inadequate.

What do we learn from this tragedy?

I will pay more attention to the sounding of an alarm, whether it is a tornado, fire or other emergency. It is the right thing to do. One day danger will strike. If we prepare even a small amount, it can save a life.

I have thought about the biblical references to the coming of the Lord as a “thief in the night.”  This phrase is used in four locations in the New Testament. Revelation 16:15 says, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Luke 21:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3).

The metaphor is striking—“a thief in the night.”  While we sleep—when we are least able to hear and respond to danger.
These scriptures refer to spiritual watchfulness.
The events of the Day of the Lord will begin suddenly. Spiritual deception is high. World events suddenly shift. These biblical references speak to preparedness, alertness and righteous works.
My lack of reaction to a local alarm tells me I may need to study these scriptures again.
There is much to learn.” From: https://mailchi.mp/ucg/heeding-an-alarm-texas-tragedy?e=72c729d811

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The same diet that’s anti-cancer is also anti-heart disease and anti-lung disease.

“Following cancer prevention guidelines for lifestyle and diet may increase longevity.

Adherence to cancer prevention recommendations isn’t just associated with higher survival in cancer patients and lower risk of dying from cancer, but lower risk of dying overall. That’s the beauty of eating a more plant-based diet.

Thirty to 50 percent of common cancers are preventable with diet and lifestyle. We have the power to change our health destiny.

A healthy lifestyle that includes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes may help reduce the number of breast cancer incidences, for example.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommendations include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and eating a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans, while limiting fast food, processed junk, meats, soda, and alcohol.

Specific to breast cancer, those who met most of those recommendations only had half the risk, compared to individuals who only met a couple. If you could only do one of those recommendations, limiting animal foods seems most protective. Adherence to the recommendations is also associated with higher survival in people who already have cancer.

Higher dietary fiber consumption was associated with a 37 percent lower risk of dying from all causes put together and a 28 percent lower risk of dying specifically from breast cancer among breast cancer survivors––and it didn’t take much. There was about a 10 percent drop in death risk for every increment of 5 daily grams of dietary fiber. That’s like a cup of oatmeal or broccoli, or just a third of a cup of beans.

Watch the video “Diet and Lifestyle for Cancer Prevention and Survival” at see.nf/3O4GyAa

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