Our Message of Living Hope which has been there from the Beginning.

What a strange way to begin a story: *“In the beginning the Word already existed.”* But that statement’s true because that Word is Jesus! When God wanted to tell human beings about himself, when he wanted to give us good news about salvation, when he wanted to give us a message about his love for us, he sent Jesus. Jesus is God’s Word — his Message. And this Word was with the Father all along. In fact, he was *“in very nature God”* **(Philippians 2:6)**. Jesus is God come to us from the depths of eternity, not as conqueror (except over sin), but as Savior, in human flesh. He is God with us, the Messenger **above** of all messengers, Message **above** of all messages.

John 1:1-5, 14 ESV

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life,^[a] and the life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son^[a] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

If you and I want to express ourselves, you and I could use words, actions, or deeds or as they say, “Actions speak louder than words.” You and I can use our words to communicate, convey our thoughts. Actually, the best way would be through both, allowing both our actions and our words to speak to our intent.

This is exactly what God did from the very beginning in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, directly and decisively into the affairs of man. God’s actions and words are tied into the name the Apostle John uses in describing Jesus as “The Word.”

When Jesus Christ walked among us as “The Word,” He expressed what was on God’s mind – An Eternal Hope is now living and walking among us! From His actions (miracles, healing sickness and disease, raising the dead, His death and resurrection), to His words (His Parables, what He communicated, He taught of God’s love, forgiveness, salvation, and God’s kingdom, to His prophetic words of His death, resurrection, and eventual return). The Word Came Among Us!

This is all tied up in the first several verses found in John’s gospel, which is probably one of the most compact statements about Jesus, from his existence from all eternity, to His identity as being God, and then His relationship, His connection, His Koinonia (intimate fellowship) with both God and with man.

John 1:1-5 Amplified Bible

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (^[a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and ^[b]the Word was God Himself. ²He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. ³All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. ⁴In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. ⁵The Light shines on in the ^[c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].

John begins his Gospel the same way the Genesis account begins in the Old Testament, “In the beginning.” (Genesis 1:1) But Jesus achieved what years of law never could and never would, and that is humanity’s salvation, that is, bringing humanity back into a right relationship with God. You might say that after an indeterminate, uncountable number of years, Jesus Came, reset history.

In our passage John says that “The Word,” which we will see is a name for Jesus, is fulfilling the plan God had in mind all along – A Living Hope for All.

So powerful is the truth found in this name the Apostle John uses that he couldn’t help using it again in his first letter to the church 50 + years later.

1 John 1:1-3 (NKJV)

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— ²the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— ³that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

John expresses to us Jesus is the exact representation of who God the Father is, both in His actions and words. Jesus is the exact representation of Living Hope.

The Apostle Paul clearly expressed to the Followers in Colossae these thoughts;

Colossians 1:3-18 Easy to Read Version

³In our prayers we always thank God for you. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴We thank him because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all of God’s people. ⁵Your faith and love continue because you know what is waiting for you in heaven—the hope you have had since you first heard the true message, the Good News ⁶that was told to you. Throughout the world, this Good News is bringing blessings and is spreading. And that’s what has been happening among you since the first time you heard it and understood the truth about God’s grace. ⁷You heard it from Epaphras, our dear friend and co-worker. He is a faithful servant of Christ for us.^[a] ⁸He also told us about the love you have from the Spirit.

⁹Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray:

that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need; ¹⁰that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God^[b]; ¹¹that God will strengthen you with his own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come.

Then you will be happy ¹²and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have what he has promised to give all his holy people, who live in the light. ¹³God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. ¹⁴The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.

The Son of God Is the Same as God

¹⁵No one can see God,
    but the Son is exactly like God.
    He rules over everything that has been made.^[c]
¹⁶Through his power all things were made:
    things in heaven and on earth, seen and not seen—
all spiritual rulers, lords, powers, and authorities.
    Everything was made through him and for him.

¹⁷The Son was there before anything was made.
    And all things continue because of him.
¹⁸He is the head of the body, which is the church.
    He is the beginning of everything else.
And he is the first among all who will be raised from death.^[d]
    So in everything he is most important.

The anonymous author of Hebrews expresses it rather nicely saying that Jesus was the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person.

Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV

God’s Supreme Revelation

1 God, who ^[a]at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ²has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ^[b]worlds; ³who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had ^[c]by Himself ^[d] purged ^[e]our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son Exalted Above Angels

⁵For to which of the angels did He ever say:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?

And again:

“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?

⁶But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

⁷And of the angels He says:

“Who makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a flame of fire.”

⁸But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A ^[f]scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
⁹You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

¹⁰And:

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
¹¹They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
¹²Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”

¹³But to which of the angels has He ever said:

“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the beginning, the Hope already existed. The Hope was with God, and the Hope was God. The Hope came! The Hope lived among us, filled with Grace and Truth and Life in more abundance than we could dare imagine.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, let us now dare Pray;

Thank you, Father in heaven, for expressing a message that I can understand. Thank you for expressing a message that I can see in action. Thank you for Jesus and all he is to me. Thank you for your One and only perfect expression of faith, hope and love, of truest salvation, and grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Today, I’m Pondering the Living Hope of God: The Miracle of Transformation. Jesus Transforms Water Into Wine!

All journeys have a beginning, a middle and an ending. We have been reflecting on the revelation of God. We have been reflecting on the reputation of God and His Son Jesus Christ. All along, we have been trying to decide whether or not we ought to choose God, His Son and the Holy Spirit as having complete command over the long course of our lives. The process of anyone making such a choice as this is immensely transformational. From the beginning, this engagement with this magnitude of “Living Hope” is fraught with many unknowns and pitfalls.

It is a good thing then that when you and I start, we first start at the beginning which we did when we began to plumb the depths of Genesis Chapter 1. Jesus was there from the very beginning as John 1:1-5 very succinctly communicates to readers. To better plumb the depths of this revelation, we begin before Jesus began to make Himself known as someone other than the son of Mary and a Carpenter.

Before Jesus made his official entrance into -public ministry, Jesus performed one sign, one miracle at a wedding. He would then go on to perform nearly 40.

Please open your Bibles to the gospel of John, chapter 2. Today we are beginning a new devotional series I have titled, “This Miracle of Transformation: Jesus the Carpenter, Jesus the Itinerant Master Rabbi, Rabbi Jesus the miracle worker.”

John 2:1-11 NKJV

Water Turned to Wine

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ²Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. ³And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

⁴Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

⁵His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

⁶Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. ⁷Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. ⁹When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. ¹⁰And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

¹¹This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and ^[a]manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Our text tells the story of the beginning of signs. Jesus took an ordinary occasion, a wedding, as an opportunity to act. The need was for wine. He worked a miracle to provide the wine. The miracle was also a sign.

In this devotional message we discuss (1) the occasion of the miracle, (2) the need for a miracle, (3) the performance of the miracle, and (4) the significance of the miracle.

This story, now as then, should challenge us to first, believe that the Lord Jesus is God in the flesh, believe in the ministry, mission and works of the Lord as our Savior, as having total sovereignty over our whole lives and to give Him glory.

What is our need for such knowledge and such a magnitude of conviction?

Whether we are believers or non believers or we are somewhere in the middle of making such a transformational decision, many of us, exactly right now, in this precise moment face difficult circumstances today. Perhaps you and I have said, or are currently saying: “It will take a miracle to get me through my situation.” Without something very miraculous taking place, you and I wonder if you and I will make it. With that in mind, let’s follow Jesus from Judea to Cana of Galilee.

It’s good when you start, to start at the beginning. Before Jesus made his official entrance into public ministry, Jesus performed one miracle. He would then go on to perform nearly 40. Most seem to agree on about 38 that we have record of.

It is important to stop and remember what John said: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for all the books that would be written.” I’m sure there were many other signs and miracles we are simply not aware of.

But this was the first and it is interesting that he chose to perform this miracle at a wedding. Less than a week has now gone by since Jesus had appeared in the desert. John had prophesied that Jesus was coming and when he arrived, John said, “Behold the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world.

There was a system taught in the OT for hundreds of years that on particular days man should bring a sacrifice-often a lamb. The lamb was to be without blemish. The lamb would then be sacrificed on the altar, blood would be shed and man would receive forgiveness. This completed the Scripture that says without shedding of blood there is no remission/forgiveness of sins. Now this lamb has arrived and that system from the OT is about to change completely.

This is the story of the beginning of miracles. We will discuss the wedding as an ordinary occasion which led to a miracle. Then, we will present the need for a miracle, the performance of the miracle, the significance of the miracle. This text, now as then, should challenge us to believe in the Lord, to give Him glory.

Then in just a few days a wedding takes place in Cana. We don’t know how many guests there were but the Scripture does tell us that Jesus and his mother were there and also his disciples. The Scripture gets right to the point-there was a problem-they had run out of wine and so Mary took the need directly to Jesus.

She made him aware. I suppose that it is difficult to know exactly why she told Jesus–after all we have no record of any previous miracle Jesus had performed and later in verse 11 we learn in fact that this was his first. But certainly by this time Mary was fully aware that her son, Jesus was the very Son of God himself.

So she says, ”hey, son, it looks like they don’t have any wine.” His response immediately captures our attention because it sounds so abrupt. Look at it. “What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?” Now that is tense!

Things are now beginning to change. Their relationship is beginning to change. This is likely the first time Mary had asked Jesus for help in a public setting. And what Jesus has to say here in the 2nd part….when He says what does this have to do with me? Seems to be explained in the last part. My hour has not yet come.

So Mary who is apparently expecting this need to be taken care of then speaks to the servants and said, “Do whatever he tells you.” There’s a principle found here that God’s people have attempted to live by for 2000 years and here it is:

• Do whatever he tells you.

Mary knew that her son Jesus could do whatever was necessary to transform a negative situation as long as the servants obeyed. And the same is true today.

• Jesus is more than able to do whatever was necessary/needed in your family

• Jesus is more than able to do whatever is necessary in your personal life.

• Jesus is more than able to do whatever is necessary to heal relationships, to heal people, to heal circumstances.

You see the beginning of the first transformation. You see for the very first time Jesus acting directly and decisively in the affairs of ‘troubled’ man, the public is about to see that in any situation, Jesus the miracle worker can take something that is broken and fix it. He can take something which is old and make it new.

Look at what he does. Verse six. There are six stone jars and each one will hold about 20 gallons. Possibly 30. So we have over 120 gallons of water available.

They are told to take them and fill them to the brim. These pots were used for washing. The Jews had practiced for years that they should not eat until they had washed their hands carefully. We still practice this. “Hey kids wash up it’s time to eat.” These large pots were used because they also had to wash cooking utensils as well; pots and pans. So Mary tells them to fill them and the narrator John reports they filled them up to the brim. Now not sure why we have that particular detail except that it does point out that nothing else was added.

No wine was added. No grapes, no fruits of the vine No Kool-Aid was added. No food coloring was added. Just water from the well-filled directly unto the top.

So now Jesus chooses some of the servants to help again and he tells them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. Not to the waiters, not to the maître d’… Take it to the master. The main guy. Now these would be very heavy. A gallon of water weighs just over 8 pounds so each container could have weighed in excess of 200 pounds and there are six of them. So there were more than just a few men who are carrying these. Because this is over 1200 pounds.

So the host asked for wine and they bring water. It happens sometimes. Hey, I ordered sweet tea you know the stuff dripping and saturated with sugar. This is unsweetened tea. This is terrible. Or I ordered Coke, not Diet Coke or Pepsi.

The host ordered wine— they were bringing out water cause they were just doing what Mary had told them to do-Jesus had told him as well and so they were just following orders. We know it was water when they left the kitchen with it so we kind of have to conclude that the water miraculously transformed into wine somewhere between the kitchen and the head table at the banquet.

It’s like the waiters at a steak house walking out of the kitchen carrying a whole side of beef and he says, because it is a special customer, I need you to become a nice juicy ribeye, medium well by the time we get to serve the guest at the table.

That takes faith and obedience. It’s difficult to do what God tells us to do when we look at the situation. The circumstances. It often looks virtually impossible.

But as much as we desire to ask so many questions, to dot every “I” and cross every “t” and know every single detail. God says just do what I told you to do.

And that is what Mary had said and what Jesus had requested. This is what the master of the banquet, not Jesus, I’m speaking of the master of ceremonies— and told the wedding servants for them to do on behalf of every single guest.

So they discussed it with no one and they marched out with it. They took it over to the master of ceremonies. Since he was responsible-he had to make sure all the food and drink was “Reasonably” acceptable. So, in the regular course of his responsibilities, when he tasted the “new” wine the Text says, something about the wine had been transformed for the better and he knew not whence it came.

The master is obviously surprised because this wine actually tasted better than the wine they had earlier. You see it was customary to serve the best wine first-then when people continued to celebrate and drink, they did not care as much what it taste like you would bring the lesser wine-the one that was not so good.

Just as there is grape juice and wine today there was intoxicating wine and non-intoxicating wine in that day. The word here in the Greek is oinos and it refers to both so that doesn’t help us know which one it was. https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/jhn/2/10/t_conc_999010 https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3631/kjv/tr/0-1/

For me, because I am Diabetic, I made the choice to refrain from alcohol in any form. Champagne, wine, beer, hard liquor-I drink none of it and have not for well over 20 years. I do not know what you choose to do… That is between you, your family, friends and God but if you have problems in this area, if you drink and don’t know when to stop; if there is a history of alcoholism in your family or you have a personal history then I encourage you to completely abstain.

Look now at verse 11. This is an important verse because it reminds us that every miracle Jesus performed had a purpose. It was never simply a display of power. John said Jesus performed this very first sign in Cana. What is a sign?

When we are traveling down the highway and we see a road sign, that sign is always pointing you and I towards something is about to occur. Rough road, Uneven lines. School zone. Deaf Child zone, Slow down. Curve in the road, Ice on the roads and bridges ahead; communicating: Slow down. Trouble is ahead. But signs are not always negative. If you’re traveling down the highway there also positive signs. Motel 6 and Cracker Barrel ahead, likewise Rest stop is ahead.

But, here, Narrator John is referring to the miraculous transformation of the water into wine, but not just any wine, but wine far exceeding all standards of the day, and indeed, far exceeding all standards of any day and any time frame.

Several things happen as a result of this miracle.

(1) Jesus revealed his glory. The glory of God was revealed that day.

(2) His disciples put their faith in him; apparently for the first time. Remember, his brother James did not believe until the resurrection. Their faith was solidified at this moment and now they were ready to follow him anywhere

(3) The law was exchanged for grace. This ceremony washing hands—that’s what these jars had been used for. Now all of this was replaced with something new.

(4) The law of Moses was exchanged for the law of grace. Now we would be cleansed by the blood of the cross.

You know, under the old system of beliefs and traditions, if you have to keep going back time after time and completing this ceremonial washing of hands you are constantly reminded that it is not enough. You just get unclean again. One more animal sacrifice. Again and again. But now we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. And this same Jesus continues to change lives today.

We are living the ordinary life in extraordinary times. The Best is Yet to Come!

We are each confronted by extraordinary challenges. The Best is Yet to Come!

We are “hot wired” by God to overwhelm, to overcome. The Best is Yet to Come!

I am “hot wired” by God, “believe in infinitely more.” The Best is Yet to Come!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, let us now Pray,

Lord, we need a miracle today.
Like Jesus changing water into wine
at the wedding feast in Cana,
we need a water to wine miracle today.
We are tired, Lord, of the hurts of this world.
We are discouraged
in the face of injustice, war, poverty, and indifference.
We need a miracle of water to wine today, Lord.
Your steadfast love, like a mighty mountain,
will not be moved.
Your gifts, as many as the mighty winds,
cannot be counted.
Your glory, like a mighty torch,
will not be put out.
Lord, crown us with your love.
Show us your water to wine glory,
that in you we may be moved
to acts of kindness, love, justice, and mercy.
Lord, we need a miracle today. Alleluia! Amen.

I Am Reflecting on the Sovereignty of God in My Life. Our Troubled Heart, this Troubled Christian Heart Within!

HOW DO YOU BEGIN TO FOLLOW JESUS?

Matthew 22:34-40English Standard Version

The Great Commandment

³⁴But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. ³⁵And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” ³⁷And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

“Be Still My Troubled Heart” “Be Stiller My Troubled Soul!” Is a lament I have heard quite a few people pray to themselves. They pray to God for revelation. They pray to Jesus and the Holy Spirit for resolution to their troubled beings.

What about that phrase reaches your heart and soul right now? You seek release, you seek intercession, divine intervention. Scripture is replete with the promise that God answers our prayers. But have you wondered where God begins? God begins with His hands surrounding a surrendered heart. But can you genuinely say your heart is truly surrendered to Father, Son, Holy Spirit?

Ought not the first utterance of prayer which emanates from your lips:

Psalm 139:23-24 NASB

²³Search me, God, and know my heart;
Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;
²⁴And see if there is any ^[a]hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

When your heart is searched by God, no place is left unsearched, everything about your troubled heart and even more troubled soul is laid bare before God. God starts to act – directly and decisively. Without your awareness, God makes his examination of those areas within which He knows needs to be surrendered. You have no control over what God selects. It becomes a natural feeling, a long sought feeling of revelation and release. which your feet will follow. Biblically speaking, what is the heart? It’s the control center of your personality, will, and emotions. Your heart is essentially at the core of your character, who you are.

I think it’s safe to say that the human heart is one of the most important organs God placed in the human body.

But I think it’s also safe to say that a person’s heart is also one of the most important spiritual organs God has given to us as well. But the heart that I am talking about isn’t the human organ. Rather it is the spiritual part of us where emotions and desires reside.

This spiritual heart is seen from the very beginning when the Bible tells us that we have been made in both the image and likeness of the Lord God Himself, (Genesis 1:26) And so God has a heart. But it’s not the physical organ that resides within the human body, although God created it, but He has a heart, one that can be broken over our sins, and a heart we are to follow. The Lord God is saying to all His Children, “I know the heart, I know exactly what’s in there.”

In fact, it’s this seeking after the heart of God that God commends and is Himself seeking after amongst His people. He is seeking a people whose heart is seeking after His heart. Now, in our natural condition, which is the condition known as sin, the heart of man isn’t even lined up with God’s heart. Instead it’s evil, wicked, filled with deceit and treachery. So wicked and so treacherous is the human heart that we are easily deceived by it, but not so God, He knows it well. In fact, He’s the only one who knows our heart’s true condition.

This was King David’s plea after he was exposed for his adultery with Bathsheba and his conspiracy to commit murder against Uriah the Hittite afterwards;

Psalm 51:10 NASB

¹⁰Create ^[a]in me a clean heart, God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

And the reason we need to pray this is because, as the Apostle Paul tells us, it’s with our hearts that we believe unto righteousness, (Romans 10:9-13). Therefore Solomon tells us to guard our hearts.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

It is for this reason that I’ve decided to look at one of the first qualities of a Christian’s heart. In other words, what should a Christian’s heart look like. This morning in our time together I’m going to give you three aspects that I see right off the bat about what a Christian’s heart is and should be.

A Christian’s Heart is …

1. A Loving Heart

Let’s go back and look again at the condition of the human heart, and that is it is wicked and evil, filled with sin, deception, and treachery. But then we’re told that with this heart we’re to love God. Jesus said,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37 NKJV)

Jesus said that this is the first and greatest commandment, Matthew 22:38.

GOD’S DESIGN AND LOVE The Bible repeatedly communicates to us that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). He is the perfect, glorious, holy, eternal, all-powerful, all knowing, Creator of the universe. He created humanity to live in fellowship with Him. He created you! He loves you and has a plan for your life.

Begin today with that thought today. Then Let God begin His greatest works!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us come to pray,

Dear Father God, I don’t give you the love you deserve. I disobey, act selfishly, and am wholeheartedly foolish. Help me to love you with everything I have. I believe in you, worship you, and love you. I want my love to be endless. I will love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. You gave everything for me, I want to return that love to you, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Loving Father thank You for loving me when I was dead in my sins and for bringing me into Your family, simply because I trusted the Lord Jesus as Saviour – Lord I want to love you with every part of my being. May I live as You would choose and love You with all my heart and soul and strength and mind, in Jesus name I pray, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

We Are Reflecting Upon Our Decision to Believe in God or Not …. Guard Our Hearts in the Way They Should Go!

The Bible is a book of wisdom that God uses to show us how to live our lives. In it, you and I will find the book of Proverbs which shows you and me the right way to deal with the various situations in our lives. It shows you and me how to relate, connect and interact with others, whether they are easy to get along with or difficult. Proverbs 4:23 is a rather simple verse but with a profound message that “circles life’s wagons,” guides your heart, helps us to live a victorious life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 NASB

²³Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life. ²⁴Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth
And keep devious ^[a]speech far from you.
²⁵Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your ^[b]gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
^26 [c]Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be established.
²⁷Do not turn to the right or to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

In our devotion today, we look at the heart, specifically the spiritual heart and five aspects of what a Christian’s heart prayerfully, hopefully, ought to be, a loving, changed, and a heart which makes the difficult decision to follow God.

Today I am going to give you a little taste of a diligent heart as we look at five things I consider to be tantamount to anyone who would come, choose to make their decision to believe in God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, to call themselves Christian, and afterwards, with full conviction in their hearts, live genuine life.

John 14:7-15 NASB

Oneness with the Father

⁷If you ^[a]had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

⁸Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” ⁹Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with ^[b]you for so long a time, and yet ^[c]you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. ¹¹Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. ¹²Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. ¹³And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

¹⁵“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

We reflect upon the revelation of God. We reflect upon the reputation of God. The first place exposed and effected to such a revelation and reflection is our own hearts – our source of life. As Christians, we are to read and meditate on God’s word so that it can dwell in our hearts. When our heart is full of God’s word, we are storing good things, protecting yourself against false doctrine. Putting a guard in the doorway of your heart is a way of protecting yourself from deception, heartbreak, limiting beliefs which steal the joy from our life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 The Message

^23-27Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.

From these verses King Solomon emphasizes “above all else” one is to keep guard over the entrance of their heart. This entrance is the doorway through which things enter and then exits the heart inevitably effecting the whole body.

As the heart goes so does the rest of the body. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly and getting good quality rest betters the chances that plaque build up in the arteries and veins surrounding the muscle of the heart do not become blocked and subject to all manner of cardiovascular insults (MI’s) meaning Myocardial Infarctions or Heart Attacks – our leading cause of death. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

We are to guard our hearts against what comes in and only allow that which edifies, that builds us up versus tear down. What corrupts our hearts is to stay out. Such corruption comes through what we read, watch, text, post, listen to, and do, and sins we commit. If we let in ungodly things, we become ungodly. If we let in godly things, we become more godly. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)

We guard our hearts because good and evil find their way into them and come out through our mouths and not through our bowels whence they are flushed.

Rabbi Jesus comes to the point: what comes out of our hearts is what defiles us:

Mark 7:20-22 NASB

²⁰And He was saying, “That which comes out of the person, that is what defiles the person. ²¹For from within, out of the ^[a]hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, ²²deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, ^[b]envy, slander, ^[c]pride, and foolishness.

From our collection of verses, Proverbs 4:23-27, Guarding our hearts means;

Verse 23:

Being consciously aware of your heart – mindful of its essential role in keeping you and I physically alive. To state the obvious; we are alive as long as it beats. We attend to the matters of life as if the goal of every move we make keeps it so.

Verse 24:

Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Meaning keep our heart and mind intimately in touch with our integrity. Remember the “Golden Rule” does not mean whoever has the gold makes all of the rules and lords their wealth as a means to control and manipulate all others.

The Six Pillars of Character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

The Six Pillars of Character

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Be honest in communications and actions.
Don’t deceive, cheat or steal.
Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do.
Have the courage to do the right thing.
Build a good reputation.
Be loyal to your values.
Keep your promises.

RESPECT

Treat others with respect and follow the Golden Rule.
Be accepting of differences.
Use good manners, not bad language.
Be considerate of the feelings of others.
Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone.
Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.

RESPONSIBILITY

Do what you are supposed to do.
Plan ahead.
Be diligent.
Persevere.
Do your best.
Use self-control.
Be self-disciplined.
Think before you act.
Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes.
Set a good example for others.
Choose a positive attitude.
Make healthy choices.

FAIRNESS

Play by the rules.
Take turns and share.
Be open-minded; listen to others.
Don’t take advantage of others.
Don’t blame others carelessly.
Treat all people fairly.

CARING

Be kind.
Be compassionate and show you care.
Show empathy.
Express gratitude.
Forgive others and show mercy.
Help people in need.
Be charitable and altruistic.

CITIZENSHIP

Do your share to make your home, school, community, and world better.
Cooperate.
Get involved in community affairs.
Stay informed; vote.
Be a good neighbor.
Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
Protect the environment.
Volunteer.

What are the character traits of a Christian? Integrity, honesty, responsibility, respect, compassion, love, joy, peace – all must be in total agreement with the teachings of God’s Word. What is a godly character? You will recognize a godly person when you not only see the person, but you see the character of Jesus in them. It is his transforming power that allows us to be compassionate, to love and respect people, respect the presence and power of God, and live holy lives.

Verse 25:

Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Recall in His confrontation with the Philistine Goliath, David’s sole focus was to do battle only with Goliath, not to focus on trying to defeat every last Philistine there. His focus was on a single rock hurled with a single sling in the Giant’s direction. To focus his whole self on relying upon the hope and strength GOD provided him and letting that hope and strength from God alone to empower him to victory.

The proof of this singular unidirectional focus effectiveness is Goliath’s death, Israel’s complete victory over their numerically superior Philistine enemies.

Verse 26:

Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established.

The real question behind this promise is very simple: How should you and I define success for our “best laid” plans? By what means do we make Paths? Do we or should we always listen to the directions from our MapQuest Apps or our Google map App, or our Garmin’s or our Tom Tom GPS devices in our vehicles?

The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (see Ephesians 1:6,12,14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God’s will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in them (Colossians 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our own steps (Proverbs 16:9).

God longs to bless us and empower us — not for our own temporary selfish ambition (James 3:16), but for our eternal good (Romans 8:28) and God’s glory. Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying, “Not my will, Father, but yours be done!” (Luke 22:40-46)

Verse 27

Do not turn to the right or to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.

When we look at the way of our feet, we need to know not to turn to the right or the left. This is assuming that our feet are on God’s paths and ways and not our own. When we turn to the right or the left, we are making a decision to depart from God’s paths and walk in our own, the world’s ways, or those of the devil. Which ever of these three are true, we will find ourselves in a way that is wrong – and ultimately a way that will hurt and cost us.

The only turn we should make in life is one which leads us far away from evil.

The word “turn” here is a Hebrew word that means to go away from something, to desert it, to quit, to keep far away.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/pro/4/27/t_conc_632027

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5186/kjv/wlc/0-1/

When we see evil we need to remove ourselves from it – depart – honestly – RUN! To hang around evil is to court its greater influence in our lives. When we see evil we should hide ourselves from it. The longer we remain in the presence of evil, more likely we are to participate in it. Thus the wise man runs from evil.

Think about where we are going. It is important to do this – to consider our lives and examine them from time to time. It is too easy to begin to wander from the ways of God – too easy to take a path that leads us away from the Lord.

That is why this passage from Proverb helps us so much – it encourages us to think through where our journey reaches its destination. We think about the beginning of things and the end of things. When we do this – we will see the “big picture” wisdom speaks so eloquently of, of considering God’s Word, of turning away from evil, keeping clear of the its alluring ways. (Proverbs 8)

When I see someone swerving in and out of their lanes of traffic, I immediately go into a defensive driving mode. Whether they are distracted, sleepy, or just “texting or talking on their smart phones” or “putting on lipstick” careless, I know they are dangerous. God wants us all to know the same is true of us when we allow ourselves to wander by and sample every form of temptation available. Let’s just stick to the straight and narrow with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus!

In the name of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit, Let us each now Pray;

Loving God, you’ve taught me to have a heart for you and for my neighbor. Help me to guard the purity of my heart, so that I’m not corrupted by lies or deceived by temptation. I pray that you convict me when I let bad things in my life, so that I keep my heart protected. I want to do your will, Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Loving Father, I want to guard my heart above all things. Search my heart and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked way in me and guide me into the path of righteousness, (Psalm 139:23-24) in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

We are Reflecting Upon Making the Decision to Believe in God or Not. What is Your Christian Worldview?

How do you and I view and react to the world around us? Do you and I have a Biblical worldview? Do you and I see and view the world through the leaves, the ever spreading vines of a carefully grown, well manicured thorn laden rose tree?

Colossians 2:8-12 NASB

⁸See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, ^[a]rather than in accordance with Christ. ⁹For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, ¹⁰and in Him you have been made ^[b]complete, and He is the head ^[c]over every ruler and authority; ¹¹and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, ¹²having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Hot button topics. Politically Incorrect, Aggressively Divisive and Taboo topics. Topics few people are prepared to converse about, have meaningful discussions and debates over without either side being prepared for open vitriolic warfare. The idea of civilized, non judgmental conferences and educational moments? Those topics for which only highly skilled, well reputed mediators dare to tread. Yet these hot plate topics rigorously define nearly every individuals world view.

Immigration, Abortion. Euthanasia. Pornography. Same-sex marriage. Gender, Transgender rights. Embryonic research. Genetic enhancement. You can add to this mix COVID, mandated vaccines, out of control government spending, etc.

Christians and Non Christians who are surveying the cultural landscape in the West have a clear sense that things are headed in a destructive direction. While most believers can easily (readily?) identify the symptoms of decline, few feel competent to diagnose and address the root causes. There are many complex factors, concerns behind these developments, but one invaluable tool for better understanding and engaging with our culture is the concept of worldview.

What is a worldview. The fact is, everyone has a worldview. It is how we see the world around us and we interpret and react to events. A worldview is the core of what we steadfastly truly believe (not just give lip service to), likewise defend.

It answers the basic questions of life:

How did we get here (creation and the universe)?

Where are we going (the meaning of history)?

What is the nature of reality (physical or spiritual or both)?

What is the nature of God, or transcendent reality? (is there a higher power?)

What is the nature of truth (objective or subjective)?

What is the nature of human beings? (who are we and how did we get here?)

What happens to human beings when they die? (is there eternal life?)

What guidelines determine human behavior? (ethics and morals, who decides?)

Where did we (human kind) go wrong? (or have we gone wrong?)

Is there a fix?

How these questions are answered determines our outlook on the world. These are just a few of the questions that define our worldview. For example, if we have a naturalist or humanistic worldview where we are just a comic accident and there is a natural explanation to all that there is, then humans are just highly developed, evolved animals. If that is the case then, so what is the big deal about abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, mandated vaccines, the like?

If we are here by accident, then who are you to tell me what my morals should be, to dare question my ethics, Who are you to tell me what is right and wrong?

The fact is, our worldview matters. It matter in how re react, in a God honoring way to the world around us. The worldviews of others in our culture explains why we as a people, a nation, a culture, is headed in a destructive direction.

Over the course of this devotion, we will explore our worldview, then contrast it with the worldviews of our culture, try to sort out world versus. Christian view.

We genuinely need to critically examine our own view of the world. Paul tells us:

2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB

⁵Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you ^[a] fail the test?

Do we have a true Biblical Worldview? Notice I am no longer saying a Christian worldview. I will now be deliberately changing that term because the very word “Christian” has been so grievously altered, misused, deliberately misapplied, and distorted over time. But I will use the term “Biblical Worldview” meaning, “does our view of the world measure up to what the Word of God tells us, not someone’s concept of what a Christian ought to believe or ought to live?”

1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB

²⁰Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” — ²¹which some have professed and thereby have gone astray ^[a]from the faith.

Here’s the problem. According to recent survey (May 2021) commissioned by the Family Research Council under the direction of George Barna:

Click to access EF21E41.pdf

* 80 percent of born-again Christians claim to have a biblical worldview, but only 19 percent have one.

* 74 percent of conservatives claim to have a biblical worldview, but only 16 percent do.

* 44 percent of millennials (ages 25-40) claim a biblical worldview; only 4 percent have one.

This only represents just a small sample of people who were surveyed. If we were to do this self same sample on a significantly wider and broader scope, how would these results change – would the percentages increase of decrease?

As I further perused the report of the statistics for mainline Protestant churches and evangelical churches, the magnitude of numbers were just about as dire:

* 69% of adults who attend a mainline Protestant church (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc.) claim they have a biblical worldview, but only 8% actually have one.

* 81% who attend an evangelical church (many non-denominational and most Baptist) claim they have a biblical worldview, but only 21% actually have one.

No wonder the church is in trouble today. Most of the so-called “born-again” believers do not know what they believe, or they do not realize that their beliefs are corrupted by the world.

This corruption of beliefs didn’t happen by accident. We are exposed to the philosophies of the world every day, through the culture we live in, through TV shows piped into our living rooms, through our news sources, through the internet and let us not speak about social media and its effect on our world.

Very little of what we are exposed to in the world reflect the Judeo-Christian principles which formed and guided this nation for many years. Since WW2, we have seen a marked moral decline in our culture. America is quickly going the way of Europe, which has virtually been godless for many years, where now most churches and cathedrals there are merely museums of an era gone by.

We do not need to tell or yell at each other how worldview has grown, being very intolerant of anything espousing biblical values. Our Christian foundations are being systematically destroyed. King David asked the question in his day:

Psalm 11:1-3 NASB

11 In the Lord I take refuge;
How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain?
²For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They have ^[a]set their arrow on the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
³If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”

The worldview of those in our modern culture has invaded the church. In our postmodern culture, truth itself has been lost and is now relative. What is true for you may not be what is true for me and vise-versa. Whereas formally a difference of opinion was tolerated, now anything that does not agree with the current worldview, what is considered politically correct, or the current cultural norms, are now labeled as bigoted and intolerant, and other negative adjectives.

In our current “woke” “cancel culture” we can no longer even say 2+2=4. Even the truth of mathematics is now subjective to whatever you want 2+2 to equal.

A young man who had recently graduated from high school, told me about a mathematics teacher who labeled him a “bigot” for thinking it was important to get the right answer. “As long as students worked together in a group and achieved consensus, the teacher insisted, the outcome was also acceptable.”

Here is a fact that we can and must live with.

There is absolute truth in the universe. And He can be known.

John 14:6 NASB

⁶Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus also said that:

John 8:31-32 NASB

The Truth Will Set You Free

³¹So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

But what the world calls the truth and Bible calls the truth are often two different things. When we see the world with spiritual eyes guided by the Holy Spirit, we see the world differently from others.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 NASB

¹²Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, ^[a]combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

¹⁴But ^[b]a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is ^[c]discerned by no one. ¹⁶For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

But the very real, unspoken problem in the church is we are surrounded by the world and are daily being bombarded by the philosophies of the world. There are ultra slick talking politicians and others who can sell a drowning man water. And we, being ignorant of the Scriptures will accept human reasoning and the arguments of why the world is the way it is. This is nothing new. There has always been those who will raise doubt in our minds since the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:1 NASB

The Fall of Mankind

3 Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

Romans 1:25 NASB

²⁵For they exchanged the truth of God for ^[a]falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed ^[b]forever. Amen.

Most of the letters in the New Testament, those of Paul, Peter, James and John, spend a great deal of time warning the early church about the deception of false teachers and about heresies that creep into the fellowship.

Today’s verses are typical of these warnings.

We are warned not be taken captive from “philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition.” Philosophy means the “love of wisdom.” Seeking wisdom is not evil in and of itself, for the book of Proverbs has a fair amount to say about seeking wisdom.

But seeking human wisdom, wisdom that is apart for Jesus is evil.

Colossians 2:1-3 NASB

You Are Built Up In Christ

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not ^[a]personally seen my face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth ^[b]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Seeking after human wisdom and saying that through human reasoning all can be answered, is evil because that is the core of the humanist worldview. Humanist view is the humans are the end of all things intellectually. So we are warned about human reasoning and philosophy, because: human reasoning is “in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.”

The term “elementary principles of the world” has been debated by scholars for years. But those things of the “natural world” like “earth, fire, wind, and water,” what the ancients thought everything was composed of.

Today, our elementary things of the world consist of the “big bang” and the millions and billions of years of random chance (evolution) as the explanation as to why of where we are here today, and this naturalism worldview has been taught in our school for almost 100 years. No wonder the kids today think the things of the Bible are mere fairy tales. None of these things are from Christ, Who is more than the Author of Truth, He is Truth. Paul also warned Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB

We need to hold tight to what we have been given. Paul says to “protect,” other translations has “guard.” This is a command. Hold these close, the truth of the Scriptures. Do we understand it all. No, but our lack of understanding does not change the truth. If anything, it should encourage us to study all the more. We need to avoid “worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments.” This is also a command in the form of a participle. We are to avoid these things.

Paul tells us that many Christians have fallen for these false knowledge (or outright lies) and by doing so “have gone astray from the faith.” The Bible is true in all that is says, whether of history, of science, or of the things and nature of God. If we have a true Biblical worldview, we would be vastly different from the world around us and we need to be ready for the world to “easily” label us as believing backwards, bigoted, homophobic, and a host of other negative terms.

But Jesus is returning soon.

Luke 18:1-8 NASB

Parables on Prayer

18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, ²saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. ³Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my ^[a]opponent.’ ⁴For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, ⁵yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise ^[b]by continually coming she will wear me out.’” ⁶And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; ⁷now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day ^[c]and night, and will He delay long for them? ⁸I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find ^[d]faith on the earth?”

When He returns, will he find us believing Him, obeying Him, reacting to the world based on his truth, or will we be found with the rest the world? Will he find us doing His will or our will and the will of the world? Important questions!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray,

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and that all things were made by Him and for Him. I realize that without Him there is no meaning in life. Keep me from being influenced by the enticing arguments, idle philosophies and crude notions of human traditions, which inevitably look for answers to life, anywhere except to the truth, which is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the Word of God. Thank You that He is the only way, the only truth and the only life. May I grow in grace and in a knowledge of Jesus day by day Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

I Am Reflecting upon Making the Decision to Follow God. A Hope Deferred …. A Longing Fulfilled.

Proverbs 13:12 KJV

¹²Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Hope is a very precious and wonderful thing. Today’s text is a helpful and important proverb, if you will consider it carefully. Without hope, men get desperate and will do most anything to escape their hopelessness. With hope, men can endure most anything, no matter how desperate their conditions become. Wise, prudent, diligent men will appreciate the great value of hope.

As my father would say; “Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today!”

Here are several questions we ought to ask about hope.

Do we know where to look for it?

Do we know where to find it?

Do we know what it looks like or smells like or taste or feels like?

Do we how to keep it?

Do we know how painful it is when others lose it?

Do we know how to give it to others?

Will we receive it for ourselves and freely give it to others?

Wisdom is the power of making well considered, right decisions and exercising right judgment. – knowing what tough choices to make in any given situation. Wisdom includes these making meaningful decisions, learning crucial lessons from what went right and what went wrong and learning about faith and hope.

Hope is expectation of something desired. If the thing we desire is not obtained in the time expected, our hearts and souls are grieved and pained by the delay. But when the desired thing finally arrives, it is for us as a tree of life sprouting from the soils (Matthew 13:18-23): from our working each of the difficult soils and achieving success at each level our hearts and souls are encouraged and revived. These two aspects of hope are true in all matters, spiritual and natural.

Hope can be a pleasant thought, if we are confident of our desires being fulfilled on our timing. But it can also be a painful reminder, if you are disappointed with delays or difficulties in obtaining our desires. Hunger and thirst are example. It makes food and water delightful, when we eat and drink on time. But it can be quite torturous, if we are somehow kept from our eating and drinking on time.

Diabetics know this very well. Their bodies are disciplined to a certain schedule of eating and glucose testing. Fast-acting, and Intermediate-acting and Long-acting insulins each act on different timing on the body and are each given at different times of the day based on an individual’s eating and drinking habits. Over time, the individual will train and discipline their bodies and their bodies will learn how to respond in kind and be ready to maintain a necessary balance. Moving outside those times represents a risk to the diabetic for hypoglycemia.

Hopelessness is one of the most destructive and painful feelings in the human experience. It must be avoided at all costs, because it will destroy a man’s outlook and performance. A wise and prudent man sets his hope on sure things, and he avoids any desires or expectations for the vain things of this world that risk leading to them despair or frustration. He well understands human frailty, avoids setting expectations too high, learns contentment. (Philippians 4:10-14)

Proverbs 13:12 The Message

¹²Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick,
but a sudden good break can turn life around.

Today’s proverb is placing before us a truly timeless truth – that when we hope for something and that hope is indefinitely put off – we can become heart-sick for that thing. When we want something very badly, we begin to set our sights upon it and long for it. If that thing does not come to us – the longing increases to the point where we cannot get it out of our minds. From that point there is an increasing burden being placed upon our hearts for the thing we long for in life.

But if what we long for is not so easily within our grasp – and we ourselves cannot hope to bring it within our grasp – our hearts will grow sick over it. Soon, we find ourselves in a morose and depressed state over this thing – where it slowly dominates our lives. If there is not a relieving of that situation – we will lose hope altogether – which is a sad state to be in as we walk through life.

I am sure we have all met someone who has utterly lost hope – embittered against someone, something, even against God – they live a life defined not by what they have – but by the one “hope” thing they did not get. They are a bitter, resentful, horrid lot – and very difficult for any someone to be around.

We begin our thoughts by taking a look at the general application of our verse.

Proverbs are general statements which teach us wisdom by making pointed observations about life. Because they are short, they come at us fast, but we need to slow down and take the time to reflect on them if we are going to absorb their wisdom. And this proverb makes the accurate observation that: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

The first part of the verse Proverbs 13:12 has to do with waiting. (deferred)

None of us like waiting! Whether we are waiting for a phone call, waiting for a package to arrive, or just waiting for the light to change, none of us like to wait.

Now those are all pretty simple examples of waiting, but sometimes waiting involves more serious circumstances. What if you are unemployed and waiting for a job to come through? What if you are ill and waiting for the doctors to find a solution? What if you are single and waiting to find that special person? I am sure you can think of many examples where waiting is not merely inconvenient but downright difficult and discouraging and potentially worse, depressing.

When you are waiting and hoping for something to come through, and it doesn’t come through, that is what Proverbs 13:12 means by “hope deferred.” The word translated “deferred” in this verse is a word that means something that is indeterminately drawn out or postponed. And when you are hoping for something important, waiting for it, longing for it, and it keeps on getting postponed or pushed further down the road, it makes your heart utterly sick.

There are a whole lot of unfulfilled wishes in this life, and so there are a lot of heartsick people in this world. Perhaps you are one of them. If so, my heart goes out to you, because there is no sickness quite so disheartening as heartsickness. But, we must see there is a second half to this proverb we must look at as well.

Proverbs often work in pairs, and the second part usually balances out the first part. So yes, hope deferred makes the heart sick, “but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” When you’ve been waiting for something for so long, and then it finally comes true, Proverbs 13:12 says it is like a tree of life.

It’s an interesting metaphor, because in the Bible the tree of life first shows up in the book of Genesis in the Garden of Eden. We read in Genesis 2: “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:8-9)

Recall from Genesis 2, Adam was told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and when he and Eve did they were banished from the Garden so that they would not take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever. The wages of sin is death, and in sinning against God, Adam and Eve forfeited their right to eternal life in God’s presence.

So the tree of life shows up at the beginning of the Bible. And guess where it shows up again? In the book of Revelation at the very end of the Bible! In Revelation chapter 22, the very last chapter of the Bible we read: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-12)

Here we see that the tree of life is not only a symbol of eternal life but also a symbol of healing. And I believe that’s the image we are supposed to get from Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, when something is sick it also needs healing. So a longing fulfilled brings healing for the heartsick soul.

Almost immediately I think of Naomi in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Naomi was heartsick after losing her husband and two sons, but then God provided for her desperate needs through her relationship with her daughter-in-law, Ruth.

And when Ruth married Boaz and gave birth to a son, and they brought that son to Naomi, Naomi’s bitterness lifted and she experienced healing as she held and cradled that baby in her lap. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” and healing for the soul.

So we have examined and briefly studied the general application of this proverb. But what is the personal application? Where does this proverb fit or place in our decision to follow God or not to follow God? What relevance in the 21st century?

The personal application I believe is this: Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all our deferred longings. Everything you have ever desired is found in him. He is the Savior. He is the Messiah. He is the answer to our questions. He is the one we have been looking for all your life. (John 14:1-6)

There is, with little doubt, so much heartsickness in our world today. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is good news of great joy that is for all people, and that includes us! When we come to Christ, our whole outlook on life changes. We read these words of David in Psalm 39: “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” (39:7) And when your and mine steadfast hope is in Christ you, I, will not be disappointed.

Referring ourselves back to the text from Jeremiah 29:11-14 God tells those who trust in Christ: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” He works it all out!

The book of Lamentations says: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:19-26)

The Apostle Paul writes in the New Testament book of Romans: “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:1-5)

Every person born into this world is heartsick apart from Christ. Our hearts are literally sick with sin, and we need the healing that only Jesus can bring. He is the tree of life that brings forgiveness and cleanses our hearts from sin. He is the ONLY one who brings eternal salvation and fulfills our deepest longings.

It was St. Augustine of Hippo who prayed these famous words unto God: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in you.” (Confessions, Book 1)

Was your heart restless yesterday?

Is your heart restless exactly right now? Here today?

Will it also be restless tomorrow?

Is your heart sick from disappointment after disappointment in life? Is your heart sick with sin and guilt and in need of cleansing? Then why wait any longer? Come to Christ. He is the Savior. He is the Healer. He is the Giver of Life.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Jesus died on the cross to pay the ultimate penalty for our sin and to give us life. The cross was a tree of death for Jesus, but a tree of eternal life for you and me.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray;

Heavenly Father, thank You that Christ is the Light of the world and in Him is life, and health, and wholeness. Thank You that in Him we find peace with God when we trust Him for our salvation. Thank You that as Your children, we have Your heavenly peace – the peace that passes understanding, which guards the heart and enlivens the soul. Thank You for Your amazing plan of redemption, for the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting, and thank You that the day is coming when we will see Jesus face to face and have full and free access to the living Tree of Life, in the paradise of God. Praise His holy name, AMEN.

I Am Pondering the Revelation of God. What Does it Mean That God Is Able to Do More Than All We Ask?

We have been pondering the revelation of God. We have spent some time considering the questions of “Do I or Do I Not” decide to believe in Him and “Do I or Do I Not” make the decision to accept His Son Jesus as my personal Savior? These are extraordinary choices and decisions to be considering and making. It is very apparent that there is an overwhelming amount of information out there upon which we can utilize, not utilize when making it. It is truly head shaking!

Pondering: “Is God Alive?” or “Is God Dead?” “Is God Real? or “Is God a Myth?”

So, we went back to the beginning yesterday with but the briefest examination of Genesis 1:1-5. We get a introduction to God’s awesome creative efforts on our behalf. God speaks! And God creates literally everything from literally nothing! What is so hard about grasping such a magnitude of that Biblical Passage, it that we, as mankind, cannot even begin to imagine what depth of nothing quite literally everything which we survey right in this exact moment of this day. We quite literally cannot survey it all – this universe – because there is too much of it to survey, quite literally we can never travel to these expanses in any lifetime.

Sometimes, after we consider a passage like Genesis 1, there is nothing left for us to do except praise “someone” for starting and completing such a magnitude of work. So, why not praise God even if we do not know a nickels worth of info!

Consider this, mankind dreams of doing a lot for the earth. and maybe, just maybe sometimes dream of doing great things for God and his Kingdom, the dreams we have are not and can never be as big as God’s plans. While we may be richly talented, influential, powerful, or ultra rich, they would still never be enough! These are merely tools in God’s hands, not symbols of our sufficiency.

“God is able” has to be one of the best and most accurate phrases in the Bible. But this time, it’s said about his work in you in me. He is able much more than we imagine to work through and in us. What can we say to that? Hallelujah!

Ephesians 3:20-21 AKJV

²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Amplified

²⁰Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

What Does Paul Mean when he writes to the followers at Ephesus by ‘God Is Able to Do Immeasurably More Than All We Ask’?

Paul had just previously written of “God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles,” Ephesians 1:11-14

The key verses we are learning about today are included in the prayer that followed. “God’s love for us goes farther than even time itself,” (3:14-21)

We need to ponder exactly how His love for us is a love that does not hold back.

We need to ponder exactly how His love gives everything, to the point of sacrificing his very own Son …This is unquantifiable, immeasurable love.

We need to ponder the revelation of God, who He is and what He does, will do, and has done is immeasurable. We can only see and know the slightest slice of the whole pie in the sky. And we can know a lot about God! As we are deciding the role or roles He will have in our lives, we need to remember He is not afraid of our questions, frustrations, and the weight of all of the empty promises we have suffered, experienced. When we seek Him with all of our hearts, we’ll find Him.

Gerald Peterman, Professor of Bible and Director of the Master of Arts, Biblical and Theological Studies at Moody Bible Institute explains;

“The closing doxology encourages readers and praises God, First, with language reminiscent of Ephesians 1:19 they are reminded that He has the power to grand such bold requests and more still. Second, glory is given to Him, who alone deserves it”

Ephesians 1:7-10 NIV

⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹he^[a] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

All we ask of God isn’t all He intends to do through us. The more time spent with God in His Word, the Bible, and in prayer and worship, the more we begin to see through His perspective. But no matter how much we grow in our faith, our hope and in our love, we still can’t see the next day, or always understand fully why certain things happen to us and the ones we love in this life.

The Lord is able to transform hopeless, loveless angry people into peaceful ones; sad people into content believers; despairing individuals into his own hopeful children who are confident that they are a bigger and better story.

What Kinds of Things Does God Do That We Don’t Think to Ask For?

Ephesians 3:20-21 The Message

^20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

God’s purposes are greater than ours. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He is God; we are not. So, there are infinite ways He does things we don’t know to ask for. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

When I held the woman who would become my wife for the first time, I could not believe God would bless me in such a way after too many wayward years I had previously stumbled out of. I remember the way God provided for my new family when I answered His call to spread the Gospel, to Pastor a legacy church to God’s desired end and the blessing of becoming a Grand Father. I remember the miraculous way He is covering a disease within my body in a healing I knew He was capable of and I hoped for allot, but did not expect the way that it came.

Time after time in our lives, He is there to blow us away with beautiful sunrises and blessings beyond anything we could imagine. Life comes with hardships, and we can’t just explain away our pain even when we know God works all things for good. It’s too hard. But in peering back at what we’ve come through, we can see His hand on our lives. God’s mercies and blessings line our lives in the places we least expect or know to ask for them. Do we dare to imagine them?

What Does ‘God Is Able to Do Immeasurably More’ Teach Us about God as Infinite vs. Man as Finite?

Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

²⁰Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

God is all-knowing, everywhere and unchanging. The earth and everything in it began with Him, and all things lie under His sovereign control. In the beginning of Paul’s prayer to end this passage, he wrote,

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives it’s name….” Ephesians 3:14-16

We are limited in our knowledge of God, even in close relationship with Him as we grow and are sacrificed in our faith. There is no way for us to know what lies ahead, but God can. He goes before us, and prepares the way.

Paul wrote, “to him be glory.” The NIV Study Bible explains glorifying God is, “The ultimate goal of our existence.” Faith is trusting in God’s plan over our agenda because we recognize He is infinite, and we are finite.

Ephesians 3:20-21 brings to light there are things we cannot even imagine which God already knows will come to fruition. We can trust in the unknown details of our lives because God is good. He is love. We are created in His image to bring glory and honor to our Father.

What Should We Be Asking God For?

Ephesians 3:20-21 The Voice

“Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine though the power at work in us, to Him be all glory in the church and in Jesus the Anointed from this generation to the next, forever and ever. Amen.”

Everything, and all of the things we can’t imagine. We can pray big prayers to God. He is God! He may not answer every prayer to the tune and timing of our desires, but He hears every single one and does answer according to His will.

Take some quality time to reflect on God promises to provide for us in time of need, You can rest assured as a child of God that if He leads you to it in life, God will provide the strength and hope and unconditional love that we all do need.

Pondering: “Is God Alive?” or “Is God Dead?” “Is God Real? or “Is God a Myth?”

Dare to imagine the limitless magnitude of that which God is able to do for you.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us imagine God, Let us enter into a time of Prayer and thanksgiving for His unyielding creativity.

Father God, You are our good Father.

Your love and goodness are responsible for every good and beautiful thing in our lives and that which surrounds us. Thank You for lacing our lives with blessings. We pray You point them out to us when we are rushing through our days and on to the next prayer request. Slow us to seek more of You, God.

We want to believe in and grasp and experience more than we can ask for or imagine to come to fruition in our lives. Help us to learn how to walk with You daily, through Christ Jesus, fill us with the power of Your Holy Spirit, Father, so we can experience Your unimaginable life to the full as Jesus died to give to us.

We want to know what comes next, Father. We want to plan and predict. You call us to work hard with the talents You’ve given us, to trust our lives in Your caring hands, and expect You will do great and good things through us.

Father, we pray the Living Water running through our souls always directs our paths. We pray for previously unimaginable boldness and courage to follow You when You ask us to do the unimaginably hard things, trusting Your plans for us are immeasurably more than we can ask for or imagine. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

So, I Am Pondering the Revelation of God. Guess What? Even from the Very Beginning of All Things, God Attracts

Yesterday, we took a brief glimpse at chapter 5 of The Book of Revelation, the last book of the Biblical Canon. To try to encourage individual thought, give an answer to those who have been asking the question: “Is Jesus Worthy of being my Lord and Savior?” An important question with eternal implications. “What If I were to confess His worthiness to be # 1 with my whole heart, soul?” It is an incredibly hopeful, impactful life transforming decision with big implications!

But to make such an impactful decision simply based on one chapter of the last book of the biblical canon, leaves us with a vast chasm of complete emptiness. We do not have begun to build that necessary foundational context upon which such decisions are, and must by greatest necessity, be permanently grounded. Our faith, our hopes and our love must be built up over time to stay steadfast. No one should have to say to another person, life is a rose bush with big thorns.

So, today, we will begin from the beginning – the Book of Genesis, to hopefully, prayerfully begin to edify ourselves, each other “Jesus Christ is our ONLY #1!” We will begin to sort out just what makes God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit so much more attractive to us than the vast temptations from the world around us. If I am deciding whom I am willingly giving my life to, I want to know: “WHY?”

Genesis 1:1-5 HCSB

The Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.^[a]

²Now the earth was^[b] formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. ³Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵God called the light “day,” and He called the darkness “night.” Evening came and then morning: the first day.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Each of us began life as a baby, and we were unaware of what was going on around us or what the world was like. But as we grew older, we started to take note of the world—the sky, the sea, the winds, the birds, the flowers, the animals, the trees, and all of life around us. As we became aware of the world, we inevitably asked some questions about it. Those questions are the ones answered for us in brief compass here in the opening words of Genesis 1:1.

What are the questions? First, we ask ourselves, What is the attraction of all this? Driven by an insatiable curiosity, humans have been attempting to answer that question ever since they first appeared on earth. They seek to explore the limitless depths of the universe, finite depths of the world in which they live.

Second, we ask, How did it begin? This question is the emphasis of science. Then we ask, When did it all start? How long has the world been going on like this? Finally, we come to the great philosophical question, Who is behind it? Who is back of these strange and remarkable processes? These questions are answered in this verse, and thus it serves as a tremendous introduction to the great themes of the Bible.

Take the first question, the one most obvious to us—the wonder of the universe itself. In the beginning, we read, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Someone has said that this phrase is the beginning of true science, because a fundamental part of the task of science is to observe and study and research and classify all that can be observed in the makeup of the world of nature. Here is an early attempt at classification. What do you see around you? You see two great classes of things—the heavens and the earth.

One of the marvels of the Bible is that it uses language that communicates with people of the most primitive and limited understanding, while at the same time it still has significance and inexhaustible meaning for the most erudite and learned scholars. It addresses itself with equal ease to all classes of humanity. That is the beauty of Bible language. Now, it seems we are losing our regard for what it says and what it teaches, how it inspires, how it empowers all our lives.

The popular teaching is that we can disregard, refuse, or reject God because we make a decision, we think, we say, we declare it to be so and just choose to do it.

Is it right to say, then, that our human freedom to choose would move us to prefer not to minimize value or shun away what we know to be so admirable?

God’s Word shows, however, that those who are not attracted to God had failed actually to behold fully His Excellence! They are actually ignorant of Him.

Because of the erroneous concept of God, or ignorance of His Glory, men perceive sin to be more pleasurable than God, the ways of Satan or of this world are more attractive, and personal ambition is more desirable to be cherished.

The design of the Bible is not to tell us how the heavens go, but rather how to go to heaven.

Our physical eyes and other human faculties tend to perceive only the wonder of the physical creation or what could be appreciated by our physical senses. But, even from the beginning, if we have the spiritual eyes to see, we can already admire so much the Splendour of God!

What is the beauty and the attraction of Biblical Language which makes it so -inspiring, so thoroughly encompassing drawing the most insatiably curious?

The opening sentence in God’s Word states:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

God can create.

He created the heavens and the earth, as we also read In Isaiah 45:18,

“For thus says the LORD,

Who created the heavens,

Who is God,

Who formed the earth and made it,

Who has established it,

Who did not create it in vain,

Who formed it to be inhabited:

‘I am the LORD, and there is no other.’”

Should our interest or attention would not be caught by Him who can make something out of nothing?

Should we not be in awe of God and admire Him exceedingly?

And He could also create a new heaven and a new earth.

We read in Isaiah 65:17-18

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;

And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;

For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,

And her people a joy.”

God created not only the heavens and the earth.

We read in Amos 4:13,

“For behold,

He who forms mountains,

And creates the wind,

Who declares to man what his thought is,

And makes the morning darkness,

Who treads the high places of the earth —

The LORD God of hosts is His name.“

Also, He declared in Isaiah 45:7,

“I form the light and create darkness,

I make peace and create calamity;

I, the LORD, do all these things.“

In fact, He created all things, as we read:

“You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

What overwhelming Power He has!

And if we are not attracted to Him, He can give us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) or even create a clean heart in us – a heart that can appreciate Divine Beauty!

David prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Let’s proceed to the next verse of Genesis chapter 1:

“The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).

Should not this verse make God also attractive to us?

Why?

Could we not realize though our life seemed “without form, and void” – we are not really alone? Though we are in the “seemingly endless tunnel of darkness” – we could also say confidently, like David:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

God is also watching over us. He does not leave us all alone.

If His Spirit “was hovering over…” us before, He is now dwelling in the believers today.

You could also admire God in Genesis 1:3. It says, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.”

Notice that what God had said became a reality! He “said…” and “there was…”

We read also in Genesis 1:6, “Then God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.’”

Notice very well the following verse: “Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; AND IT WAS SO” (verse 7).

You will notice the same sequence in verses 9, 11, 14-15 and 24 — “God said… and it was so.” When God would say something, it could be made or created.

So awesome and attractive is God, even in His Words! He declared:

“As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-12).

And consider what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Should we not be attracted to Him, because of His Words?

Unless, we are spiritually deaf or spiritually unconscious, our respond to God’s Call would be just like what Peter did: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Besides, His work is beyond reproach.

Those who find fault with His work are those who measure His Goodness with human standard. They could not grasp His Divine Goodness.

But we read in the first part of verse:4, “And God saw the light, that it was good…”

After God created the light, God’s Word states, He “saw the light, that it was good…” His Word declared repeatedly, whatever He had created “God saw that it was good” (verses 10, 12, 18, 21 & 25).

And it was emphasized in verse 31: “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…”

Not only what He did is good, He Himself is Good. David said in Psalm 119:68:

“You are good, and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.”

In fact, according to God’s Word, “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). And the goodness of what He made transcends the excellence of any human accomplishment!

Now, let’s focus on the last part of Genesis 1:4, “… God divided the light from the darkness.”

Other translations render it, “God SEPARATED the light from the darkness” as we read also in the New International Version.

God divides or separates. He does not mix the light with darkness. John 1:1-5

In Genesis 1:5, we read:

“God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”

After God separated the light from the darkness, He did not just stop there.

He distinguished them by naming them. He called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night.”

We also read in verse 7 and early part of verse 8:

“Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. God called the firmament Heaven…”

And verse 10 tells us that “God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas.”

But apart from His Glorious Name, God called the believers the wonderful name:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1).

He called them His children.

Contrary to the teaching of others, God did not call everyone His children. As we read in John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

God “gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

Should we not be so thankful to God and draw closer to Him in admiration for calling us “Children of God”?

If Creator God will make Himself known to us, we will surely admire Him and be hopelessly attracted to Him, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, then no one would ever need to convince or force us even to worship and to follow Him.

For He is Supremely Attractive even in the beginning… He can make things out of nothing. Bring everything from nothing, Bring order from chaos. He does not only hover over, but even dwells in His people. His Word has Life and Power. He is echelons beyond Good and He excels in exactly everything. He separates the “light” from the “darkness.” He called sinners out, and believers His children.

And this is just the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, the very Beginning!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray,

Creator and Creating God,
As we are made in Your image, we give You thanks for the seed of creativity You planted within each person. We thank you for creating order from chaos and then telling us the story that we should, through it, be attracted only to You!

Thank you for giving us Your Holy Scriptures. Help us surely, truly, to live in a deepening appreciative awe of the creativity that you have planted within. Give us the patience and courage to nourish, from beginning to end, that creativity, and the strength and persistence to express it. In Your name we pray, Amen

So, I Am Pondering the Revelation of God. I Am Deciding if Jesus is Worthy.

How many times in a single day, do we just wish that we knew the ‘right’ thing to do? We might be faced with a decision on where to shop for food, what is most healthy for us to eat and drink, what career paths do we follow, where to go to school, who to date, or which sport to play this year. All of these decisions have consequences and you wish that someone would just tell you what to do.

When it comes to making decisions, it’s often easy to ignore what relevant Bible verses tells us about seeking a wisdom greater than our own. It says the Bible is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. This verse tells us that when we do not know what the right first choice is, we should rely on God’s word for our help. God’s word can be the answer to your questions. It can be the light to show you which path to take. The key is to spend time in God’s word and get to know what God says. God’s word will bring light and help you make the right decision.

If we spend time reading the Bible and getting to know Jesus, we find that often the decision we are to make seems much clearer. So the next time we are faced with a tough decision, do what this Bible verse says. Spend some time in God’s word, let them reveal Jesus to you. let it guide you into making good decisions. The revelation of Jesus, the image of that revelation, is what is most impactful.

But, what about the revelation, the vision of Jesus, will help us make the final decision to follow him with the entirety of our lives, If we are to be choosing what we hope and pray are the right career paths, the right relational paths, the healthiest paths, what image or vision of Jesus projected upon our hearts and our souls will “click on the light at the end of our tunnels,” illuminating paths of worthiness, towards steadfastly believing; “I’m on exactly the right track?”

Revelation 5:1-14 (NKJV)

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

5 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ²Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” ³And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

⁴So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open ^[a]and read the scroll, or to look at it. ⁵But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and ^[b]to loose its seven seals.”

⁶And I looked, ^[c]and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Worthy Is the Lamb

⁸Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
¹⁰And have made ^[d]us kings^[e] and priests to our God;
And ^[f]we shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, ¹²saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ^[g]ever!”

¹⁴Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the ^[h]twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped ^[i]Him who lives forever and ever.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

A preacher was showing a child a painting of Jesus. Trying to explain that we didn’t really know what Jesus looked like he said: “It’s not really Jesus. It’s just an artist’s conception of him.”

The child looked long and hard at the picture and said; “Well, it sure looks like him,”

(Dick Van Dyke Readers Digest 2/71 p. 232)

Most people already have a picture or a vision in their mind of what Jesus is supposed to have looked like. But – if they saw a picture of what John describes Jesus to be in Revelation 5 – that wouldn’t be precisely what they’d imagine.

At the beginning of this chapter, John is weeping because it seemed no one could be found who was worthy to open the mighty book. Then one of the elders said to him,

“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5

Now I can get into Jesus being the Lion of Judah.

Lions are regal, powerful, majestic. They’re cool!

But when John looks around… he doesn’t see a Lion does he?

What does John see? (a lamb)

“… between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6

Now take a look at the lamb in the image above.

Notice anything different about the image from what you would usually expect to see in any farmers field?

That Lamb doesn’t look in the least bit normal does it?

It doesn’t look in the least like how I would picture Jesus.

So… is this really how Jesus looks?

Well… yes.

And no.

You see, Revelation is a book of imagery.

Most of what it tells us is not meant to be taken literally.

Now there are scholars, teachers of Revelation who try to teach that practically everything in Revelation is literal. And if you were to suggest to them that some part of Revelation should be seen as a spiritual picture God was painting… those prophetic teachers would try to ridicule, criticize you before “correcting” you.

But this is definitely not a literal snapshot of how Jesus actually would look in heaven. For no such snapshot exists or is ever likely to exist absent photoshop.

This is a spiritual portrait of WHO Jesus is.

How many of you have ever been to the fair and seen one of those artists who will make a drawing of you for $5 or so. Have you ever had your portrait done?

Does it look exactly like you?

No, it doesn’t does it?

It’s called a “Caricature .”

What the artist does is take one of your physical characteristics, magnifing it.

If you have bushy eyebrows… they are larger than life.

If you have a strong chin… they give you a BIG chin.

If you have toothy smile… they give LOTS of teeth.

And it’s all in the spirit of family and fun and almost everybody will take it home, frame it and put it on the wall someplace and later boast like crazy .

Now, what we have here in Revelation 5 is a portrait of Christ where the artist is essentially making the TRUTHS about Jesus to be larger than life.

Notice – He is the Lamb that was slain.

This is a repeated image of Christ in the Scriptures

In John 1:29 we’re told that John the Baptist “…saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the LAMB of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

In Isaiah 53:7 which goes into great detail describing the coming Messiah, we’re told:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a LAMB before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.”

And throughout Revelation… Jesus is repeatedly referred to as THE LAMB

• Revelation 7:10 “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

• Revelation 7:17 “… the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd…

• Revelation 12:11 “… (Christians) have conquered (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb…”

• Revelation 19:7 “…the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready”

• Revelation 21:27 tells us that the only ones who will enter heaven will be “… those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

This is the IMAGE that God wants to BURN into our minds when we are trying to make a deeply personal decision – “Is Jesus worthy to be my Lord and Savior?”

When we see Jesus in heaven he’s NOT going to be a literal LAMB.

But that is the picture of WHO Jesus really is to us.

He is the Lamb of God who took away our sins.

Now I can grasp that.

But then we get to this 7 horns and 7 eyes thing… that’s a little too much like mega-super duper-ultra overload to wrap my all too finite mind around.

Look at the image of the Lamb again.

What’s this all about?

Well, let’s take this one step at a time.

First, Let us consider the horns.

Most scholars will teach you that a HORN in the pages of scripture stands for divine kingly power or authority.

Several times in prophecy a King and his power is symbolized by a horn.

So the horns on the lamb symbolize the power and authority that Jesus has.

Then there’s the EYES.

We’re told that these are “…the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”

Now, I am not seminary trained and I’m going to be honest with you… I have not got a clue what that “7 spirits” thing is all about/ what it means. And most of the commentaries I’ve read didn’t seem have a good explanation of it either.

This is the best I can do right now to give some study material for Verse 6: https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/rev/5/6/t_conc_1172006

I encourage you to break it down for yourselves to see what God reveals.

But I do know what an EYE does.

Do you know what an eye does? (it lets you see)

And this Lamb doesn’t just have just 1 or 2 eyes… He has 7 over them.

That would seem to symbolize the fact that Jesus can see much more than you or I can.

Then there’s the consistent mention of the NUMBER 7,

There are SEVEN horns and SEVEN eyes.

Most scholars tell you SEVEN is one of the numbers that’s tied to who God is

ILLUS: SIX is considered the number of MAN because man was created on 6th day. But SEVEN seems to be God’s number because God rested created the world in 6 days and then rested… on the 7TH DAY.

SEVEN is also considered to be the number of completeness and perfection

So essentially – the 7 horns and the 7 eyes on the Lamb of God are meant to symbolize the divinity, the power and omniscience of our King, Savior Jesus.

This Lamb Is All About Who Jesus Is.

He is the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins.

He is God in the flesh.

He is ALL POWERFUL.

And He is ALL SEEING.

But it does not stop there.

This picture is of Jesus is that He is WORTHY of our worship and praise.

We’re told that the 24 elders and the 4 Living Creatures who stood around the throne all fell down before Jesus … and they sang a new song,

“WORTHY are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “WORTHY is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:9-13

Everybody in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and in the seas…

Men and Angels, and Creatures of every kind …

are singing and shouting praises to the Lamb of God.

Everywhere you look there is worship and rejoicing OF Jesus!

HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE!!!

HE IS WORTHY TO BE OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen?

Now, why is that important?

Revelation 5 focuses on Jesus, because Jesus is the focus of Revelation.

He is the pivot point of everything else that’s going on here.

Revelation is all about Jesus.

Later in Revelation we find there’s a beast and there’s a whore of Babylon, and there is also all kinds of enemies and villains that will attempt to destroy God’s church.

This is an echo of what Jesus told His disciples:

“In this world you will have trouble…”

But do you remember the rest of what Jesus said:

“But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

That’s essentially what Revelation is saying to every church, in every age, in every nation.

You and I will absolutely have trouble of every manner, every conceivable kind .

There will be circumstances too much for you and me to overcome alone.

There will be forces in this world you and I will NOT be able to control.

You and I will face persecution.

You and I might spend some time in prison.

You and I might even lose your possessions – or even our lives – because you and I belong to Jesus.

There’s pictures in Revelation of Christians who become martyrs for their faith.

God is not pulling any punches in painting this picture for us.

But before God introduces us to the difficulties we will face, He takes us into His throne room and introduces you to the Lamb who was slain for our sins.

Why?

Because Revelation is declaring: TAKE HEART!

God is on His throne.

Jesus has stepped up.

And all the forces of Heaven are in play on our behalf.

We are NOT on the losing side – even though there will be times it will seem that way.

The problem is… too many Christians think that Jesus came into their lives so that they’d be assured of a “good” life where they’d have all the money they need in their 401K, a beautiful family, a wonderful home, and that great car.

But it doesn’t always work out that way.

Revelation says that life may not always been easy and comfortable.

In fact, Revelation’s message is that: this isn’t about having an easy life.

This is all about being part of something that’s bigger than you are

You see – there’s a spiritual war going on for our hearts and our souls, folks.

And war is never pleasant.

We are called to be the soldiers of the King.

And we have an enemy – his name is Satan.

We have a task at hand – storming the gates of Hell – we are taking back the people Satan has enslaved to do his will.

If you think Satan is going to roll over play dead for you… you got another thing coming.

But the promise is this:

Revelation 12:10-12 NKJV

¹⁰Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. ¹¹And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. ¹²Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Satan is the big bad bully on the block.

His intention is to take you out, beat you up, and then demand your lunch money.

But Revelation’s message is that no matter how big and bad Satan may be.

Revelation’s vision of Jesus is echelons beyond bigger, and better and bolder.

And you are on the winning team.

No matter what happens to you in this earthly life you will come away the winner in this contest because YOU HAVE JESUS FOREVER on your side!

And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.— Revelation 5:9

Worthy! What a beautiful word! For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, we know of only one who is truly worthy. He is worthy to open the scroll and reveal the future. He is worthy of praise and adoration. Why? Because even though he was holy, perfect and heavenly, his death on the cross to purchase our pardon, forgiveness, and salvation made him worthy. And he did it not just for us, but also for people of all races and languages and cultures. Jesus, you are worthy!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, let us come and Pray;

Holy Lamb of God, you are worthy! You are worthy of my adoration and love. You are worthy of my worship and my devotion. And Holy Father, I thank you for your plan to send him to save me. Because of your grace in Jesus, I want to live my life in devotion to you and your will. Please forgive me for the times I’ve gotten side tracked. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to return to you. In the name of Jesus, your holy Lamb slain for my sins, I offer my love. Amen.

I Am Pondering the Promises of God! I Am Pondering the reputation of The Lion, The Lamb, The Throne Room!

Premise for Today: In these contemporary days, what about the importance of understanding how our actions, attitudes reflect upon the character of God, how our actions reflect back upon His reputation affecting the world at large.

Throughout history, there have been a proliferation of sports scandals at the amateur and professional levels. Most recently the “sign stealing” scandal in professional baseball. In most, if not all of these situations, there was a key moment of decision when the decision was made to cheat and when allegations inevitably surfaced. The cheaters choice was between character and reputation.

Ideally, each of us would like to have both – both a strong character and a good reputation. However, circumstances often force us to choose one or the other. If I choose character, then my integrity will lead me to do the right thing, perhaps even at the expense of the reputation of my organization, family or myself. If I allow the most important issue to be how something will look to others, then I will immediately go into damage control and take actions to limit any news getting out. This can easily lead to a delay or absence of proper accountability.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” –Late UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden (1910 – 2010).

You and I will have opportunities throughout our lives to uphold both our reputations and our characters. Sometimes we might have to choose one. May you and I always desire to please God and make the choice that honors Him.

But, what of God’s reputation? God has given His children many promises to hold on to. Jesus relied exclusively on His Fathers reputation when ministering to the people of His day. Jesus Implicitly trusted His Father’s reputation and His Character. This implicit trust never even minimally wavered. This measure of trust in His Heavenly Father was such that He willingly chose Death at Calvary! Considering the intervening years between Calvary and 2021, Is this where our measure and degree of trust in the reputation of God and Jesus Christ remains?

The question of whether or not we choose to accept God’s free offer of salvation rests squarely upon our own degree and measure of trust in the one giving the promise in the first place. Because the great and final issue of redemption is to be the reputation of God and His Son and Holy Spirit too. That’s the goal of all spiritual achievements. That’s the glorious climax of all things. Father God, His Son Jesus Christ will have a universal and glorious and everlasting reputation!

I know there are uncountable numbers of individuals across the great expanse of the earth who likewise have questions about the worthiness of God and the reputation and character of His Son, Jesus Christ. These questions and concerns are definitely righteous ones to be asked and worthy of being given a response. I do not know if anything I write may change your minds about God and/or His Son, Jesus, to which I only respond, changing your mind is out of my pay grade.

What matters more to you: the opinion of others or the opinion of God?
When you do wrong, are you more focused on the wrongdoing or on getting caught?
Could you be satisfied if God were pleased with you but everyone in the world was displeased?
What if everyone in the world was pleased with you, but God was displeased?

So, what does the Word of God say and teach us about the Reputation of God?

Ezekiel 36:16-28 HCSB

Restoration of Israel’s People

¹⁶The word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁷“Son of man, while the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it with their conduct and actions. Their behavior before Me was like menstrual impurity. ¹⁸So I poured out My wrath on them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols. ¹⁹I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered among the countries. I judged them according to their conduct and actions. ²⁰When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.’ ²¹Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went.

²²“Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. ²³I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh”—the declaration of the Lord God—“when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight.

²⁴“For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. ²⁵I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. ²⁶I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone^[a] and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances. ²⁸Then you will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Ezekiel 36:22 Amplified

Israel to Be Renewed for His Name’s Sake

²²“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/eze/36/22/t_conc_838022

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8034/kjv/wlc/0-1/

Here in Ezekiel 36:22, the term “name” speaks of God’s reputation. We often say, “That man has a great name.” What we really mean is that his character results in a far-reaching reputation. O we might hear it said that someone’s name has been dragged through the mud—scandalized, tarnished, or soiled.

Webster says that a reputation is “an estimation, favorably or unfavorably, in which a person or thing is held.”

Think of some names with me. What reputation(s) do they conjure up in your mind? What does history tell us about their character as they lived their days?

– Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler: Genocidal evil

– Albert Einstein: Scientific genius

– Moses: deliverer

– Joshua: Leadership

– Michelangelo: art

– The Carnegies and the Rockefellers: Titans of Industry and Philanthropy

– Pope John Paul 2, Mother Teresa: Saintly compassion

– Thomas Stephen Monaghan: American entrepreneur who founded Domino’s Pizza in 1960.

– God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – Genesis 1-2, John 1:1-5, Acts 2

Where does God derive His reputation from?

– His creation

– His mighty acts on behalf of mankind

– His Word

– His spokesmen

– His people

– His enemies

We find God’s reputation described by the term “name” in many places in the Bible. One impressive instance occurs in the record of Joshua. When Israel was defeated by the men of Ai, Joshua pleaded with the Lord. He said, “O Lord, what am I to do now that Israel has fled from her enemies? For when the Canaanites and the nations hear about it, they will wipe us out. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name? (Joshua 7:8-9).

Joshua dreaded that God’s reputation might be ruined. And so should we!

Let’s consider some features of God’s reputation.

1. GOD MUST HAVE A NAME

It’s an absolute necessity, for His own sake, for His people’s sake, and for the world’s sake.

We hear much these days about the rights of the individual. What about God’s rights? Is He not entitled to a name, a reputation? He is declared to be the Creator of all that is. He is the Author of Life. He is perfect in all His ways. His love knows no limits. He is the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Surely He is deserving of a reputation that is above all reputations.

God is not impassive. He has feelings. He has personal desires. And He desires a reputation widespread and splendid. But He doesn’t desire it for His own sake alone. He desires it for His people’s sake.

One of the greatest blessings is to know what the character of God is like. We need to study the attributes of God. We need to become more and more familiar with His desires and goals so that we might understand His will for our lives.

It’s also necessary that God have a perfect reputation for the world’s sake. Man, considered as separated from God by sin, needs to know His redeeming name. Give God a name! The world needs to hear of His reputation as the Lover of our souls!

2. GOD’S DELIVERANCES GIVE HIM A NAME

– He delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage

– He delivered Daniel from the lion’s jaws

– He delivered Jonah from a sea monster

– He delivers sinners from condemnation

– He delivers us from fear, evil habits and Satan’s control

– He delivers us from sorrow and depression and a feeling of worthlessness

Again and again He has done it! Spread His fame abroad. Proclaim it everywhere. He deserves it. We owe it to Him.

3. THE CHARACTERSITICS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

GIVE HIM A NAME

It can be truthfully said that we, as believers help shape the reputation of God in the minds of others by the way we live. God’s reputation as an “Enabler” is enhanced or tarnished, depending on how well we manifest the fruits of the Spirit.

Men always think more highly of God when they see the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and self-control in His people. Our lives are the only theology most people will read. We should make it our aim to give the world an adequate and lovely impression of God.

A pious long standing church member, who thought himself to be a truly great Christian, visited a junior department of the Sunday school. The Superintendent asked him to say a few word to the boys and girls. He stood pompously before them and asked, “Why do you think people call me a Christian?” There was an embarrassing silence. Then a small voice from the back of the room said,

“Is it Because they don’t know you?”

The story is also told of a soldier in the army of Alexander the Great, who was brought before the great world-conqueror for court martial. When the emperor had listened to the charges and the evidence, he turned to the soldier facing condemnation and said, “What is your name?” “Alexander!” was the reply.

Again the emperor questioned, “What is your name?” And the second time the soldier answered, “Alexander.” With a cry of rage, the emperor roared, “I say, what is your name?” And when the soldier answered for the third time as he had before, the great general angrily replied, “You say your name is Alexander? You are found guilty of your crime as charged and now you must truly pay the penalty. Either change your conduct or change your name, for no man can bear the name of Alexander, my name, and do any of the things that you have done.”

4. TRANSFORMATIONS GIVE GOD A NAME

The crowning work of God is the transformation of a soul—from a sinner to a saint—from self-centeredness to God and neighbors-centeredness—from darkness to light—from wickedness to righteousness—from fear to faith—from bondage to freedom.

And who else could do it but God? Nothing gives God greater fame in all the world than a regenerated individual! Men may argue theology and doctrine but not a changed life.

When the Lord wanted to make an impression on this old world that men or devils, time or eternity could not erase, he met Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road and pulled him off of his little donkey, blinded him and put him to praying. True transformation of the soul leads to a life of service, sacrifice, and praise. These qualities will not go unnoticed by the unbelieving world. They will serve to remind them of the nature of God, reputation of Jesus. (Galatians 2:19-21)

The apostles and other 1st century Christians lived such consecrated lives that people from all walks of life sat up and took notice (Acts 2 – 3). Many of them were drawn to Christ because they were amazed and astounded when they asked themselves, “What kind of a God must this Jesus Christ be that He could command such unyielding loyalty, such willing sacrifice, such total service?”

5. PRAISE GIVES GOD A NAME

This involves not only gratitude, but also speaking up whenever God’s name is blasphemed or brought into question. We must not be ashamed to testify as to His greatness and grandeur.

Our steadfast praise and devotion speaks of and decisively to God’s goodness, faithfulness, and unchanging devotion to His children. We especially enhance the reputation of God when we praise God during severe trials and suffering. His grace and strength are testimonies to His enduring love and undying hope.

Worthy! What a beautiful word! For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, we know of only one who is truly worthy. He is worthy to open the scroll and reveal the future. He is worthy of praise and adoration. Why? Because even though he was holy, perfect and heavenly, his death on the cross to purchase our pardon, forgiveness, and salvation made him worthy. And he did it not just for us, but also for people of all races and languages and cultures. Jesus, you are worthy!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray!

The Reputation of Love
has its source in you
Creator God
flows from you like an ocean
into a world as unyielding
as any shoreline cliff And like the ocean
which batters
erodes
and wears away
even the hardest stone
your love persists
finds cracks and inlets
in hardened hearts
flows inside and works a miracle. Who would think that water
was more powerful than granite
love mightier
than the hardest heart
Thank you, Creator God
for the power of your love and reputation of your name!

In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen!

John 1:1-5, 14 ESV

The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-5 Amplified Bible

The Deity of Jesus Christ

The Son of God Is the Same as God

God’s Supreme Revelation

The Son Exalted Above Angels

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Water Turned to Wine

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HOW DO YOU BEGIN TO FOLLOW JESUS?

Matthew 22:34-40English Standard Version

The Great Commandment

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Psalm 139:23-24 NASB

Psalm 51:10 NASB

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TRUSTWORTHINESS

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

FAIRNESS

CARING

CITIZENSHIP

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Restoration of Israel’s People

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