Tag: christianity

God’s name should be treated with highest reverence and not used in a casual or foolish, disrespectful way. Exodus 20:7

Exodus 20:7 Amplified Bible

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who [a]takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power].

Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The Third Commandment states: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7.”

God’s Name is special because it carries the personality of God.

The Name in Bible times was more than a personal identification.

It represented the whole person, with his personality, will, gifts, ideas, etc.

This is why some people had their names changed when they went to a transforming experience. The person changed, so the name changed.

Matthew 16:13-20 Amplified Bible

Peter’s Confession of Christ

13 Now when Jesus went into the [a]region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  16  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”  17 Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to you that you are [b]Peter, and on this [c]rock I will build My church; and the [d]gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. 19 I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth [e]will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth [f]will have [already] been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

The Name of God here in the third commandment involves the whole Trinity, God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Let us see what this Commandment teaches us.

What if we were to take a poll asking people which of the Ten Commandments they regard as the least significant, I wonder if the “winner” would be the third.

When compared to false gods and graven images, the third command doesn’t seem like such a serious offense. But if the one who wrongly uses the name of God incurs guilt, then it must be important—and we need to understand why.

Scripture is crystal clear that God’s name is most precious and most powerful.

One place where we see this is in the encounters between God and Moses.

In Exodus 33, Moses asks God to reveal His glory.

His request invites a death sentence because it is not possible to see God’s glory and live.

But God graciously grants the request in a way that prevents Moses’ demise, for He demonstrates His glory not by a physical manifestation but by revealing His name:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious” (Exodus 34:6; emphasis added).

His name reveals His character, which in turn reveals His glory.

Earlier, in Exodus 3, God had revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush.

Moses had been tasked with a weighty mission and wanted to know what to say when people asked who had sent him.

God told Moses to say, “I AM has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14).

By using a form of the verb to be to name Himself, God declared that He is self-existent, self-sufficient, and sovereign, depending on no one and nothing. Who else can claim such a name?

In declaring and disclosing Himself, God does not merely identify Himself; He reveals the wonder of who He is.

So to misuse God’s name is to misunderstand His greatness and glory.

Only when we grasp this can we understand why the third commandment is so significant.

In what ways, then, might we break this commandment?

For one, we break it every time we use God’s name to strengthen our vows and promises, bringing down the name of divinity in order to make ourselves sound more believable (James 5:12).

We also blaspheme God when we use His name in anger, in arrogance, or in defiance of who He is.

We misuse His name when we utter falsehoods and use it to back them up.

Perhaps closer to home, in every worship service we attend where we worship God with our lips only and not from our heart, we break the likewise third commandment.

Only when we see the glory of God’s name and when we use it in praise, love, prayer, obedience, and gratitude do we gain more insight, understand why our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9, KJV, emphasis added).

His name is to be forever hallowed because it proclaims who He is, reveals His character, and is a strong refuge for all who call on it (Proverbs 18:10).

And it is to be forever hallowed in the lives of His people—including in your life, as you bear the name of Christ and take it on your lips with reverence and love.

In the name of God, the father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Pray,

Psalm 20 Authorized (King James) Version

Psalm 20

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble;
the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 send thee help from the sanctuary,
and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 remember all thy offerings,
and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart,
and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation,
and in the name of our God we will set up our banners:
the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.

6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed;
he will hear him from his holy heaven
with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen:
but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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You shall have no other gods before Me But the hearts of men and women aren’t so easily instructed nowadays. Exodus 20:1–3

Exodus 20:1-3 Revised Standard Version

The Ten Commandments

20 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Perhaps the most basic truth about the God of Scripture is He is the only one.

There is no other.

This truth ought to simplify things for us because it teaches us that there is only one who is the worthy object of our love, loyalty, and devotion. But the hearts of men and women are not so easily instructed.

And so it is necessary for God to give us the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” The danger is not that there are actual other gods for us to worship but that we have a proclivity for making them.

On first glance, this first command is straightforward.

To live for a god other than the true God would be like taking a second spouse while your first spouse is still alive and still happy to be your spouse.

Worse, it would be like taking a second spouse who is in truth a figment of your imagination. It would be a breach of an exclusive relationship.

We must not kid ourselves that we are immune from the possibility of breaking this commandment.

Many of us read it and picture people bowing down before statues or going through elaborate rituals, and those mental images assure us that we’re not in danger of violating it.

Yet the commandments are not restricted to outward actions but also relate to the disposition of our minds and hearts.

From this perspective, we may not be as far from those mental images as we assume. We may not have statues to which we bow down, but maybe we have segments of our lives that we keep away from God, preserving them under the authority of some other little “deity”—ourselves, perhaps.

Ask yourself: “Do I joyfully acknowledge God’s comprehensive claim on my life? Is God in charge of my family, my work, my relationships, my money, my dating, my use of time?” Take a close and honest look to see if there are portions of life you try to keep from Him.

In addition to keeping things away from God, another form of danger is functionally replacing Him.

When we put our family, our job, our hobbies, or anything else in the place that is God’s alone, we violate the first commandment.

To the degree that we allow anyone or anything besides obedience to God to direct our course day to day, we defy His law.

So we are not so safe from the possibility of breaking this commandment as we may think!

While we must acknowledge the truth that there is one God, we must also beware our own ability to put things in His place.

If we do not daily submit ourselves to Him and entrust the entirety of our lives to Him, something will take His place.

We are made to worship.

The question is, are you going to worship the living God or are you going to pretend there is another?

In the name of God, the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Pray,

Psalm 23 Revised Standard Version

The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2     he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;[a]
3     he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in paths of righteousness[c]
    for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[d]
    I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
    thy rod and thy staff,
    they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[e] goodness and mercy[f] shall follow me
    all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.[g]

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Is the Church Itself an Impassable Barrier? “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge.” Luke 11:52-54

Luke 11:37-54 New King James Version

Woe to the Pharisees and Lawyers

37 And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of [a]greed and wickedness. 40 Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But rather give alms of [b]such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the [c]best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you, [d]scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

45 Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”

46 And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

53 [e]And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, 54 lying in wait for Him, [f]and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, [g]that they might accuse Him.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The religious leaders’ role was to explain the Scriptures to those with limited access and literacy.

However, they made Scripture difficult to understand and impossible to apply.

The Amplified Bible adds, “by your flawed interpretation of God’s word and your man-made tradition.”

The critical role of Clergy, Pastors and Teachers is to diligently study the Holy Scriptures, to make God’s Word easy to understand and apply without adding unnecessary traditions and using complex jargon that isn’t so widely known.

In our Gospel Narrative from Luke, Jesus spoke pointedly and critically against the leaders of God’s people in that day. Instead of helping their people to draw near to God and enjoy his blessings, the leaders put up significant, erroneous barriers through their traditional legalistic, self-serving practices.

Sadly, throughout history, some churches and church leaders, Seminaries have taken liberties with their interpretation, translation, instruction of the Word of God, and blocked access to spiritual life for people and have even abused people.

End-Times and Woke Institutions

As we approach the end of the ages, we know from Scripture that faith will grow cold (Matthew. 24:2) and that there will also be an increasing number of false teachers saying what our itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy. 4:3).

In that regard, if we believe we are truly in the end-times, then logically one should be extra cautious about the latest views on Biblical Christian theology.

Are seminaries, like other educational institutions, becoming more radical and extreme in their views? Are some of the esoteric discussions centered around a culturally based reinterpretation of Scripture resulting in a weakening of its relevance or application in today’s deteriorating society? Are seminaries prone to the same “wokeness” that is infecting other institutions of higher learning? 

We often hear of such cases in the news today. Corrupt leaders put big cultural barriers instead of biblical bridges in front of people. As God’s people who make up the church today, we must stay diligent educated in the Word if God, teach and admonish and correct each other, repent of these errors and sins, being sure we have measures in place to prevent them from happening again, and be agents of reconciliation, prayer and healing unto people who have been hurt.

Know someone? Have you been hurt by the church or its leaders? If so, you may be big time hesitant to participate in the life of a church. That’s understandable.

What can you do?

Here are some suggestions:

2 Timothy 2:14-19 Amplified Bible

An Unashamed Workman

14 Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. 15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 16 But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”

(1) Keep your focus on God, Jesus Holy Spirit himself, especially through prayer and Bible reading.

(2) Ask God to provide a few caring Christians with whom you can fellowship and grow spiritually; they can be a helpful bridge.

(3) Through a Christian counselor, seek healing and strength to forgive.

(4) Remain open to a time when you can fully participate in a healthy church again.

(5) Study … Study …. Study …. Study ….

Unfortunately, some who are new to Christianity have the genuineness of their faith squelched, watered down by a group desire to be religiously superior.

Rather than encouraging, helping, and blessing those who are newer in the faith, these folks seeking superiority turn faith into legalism and corrupt the Good News message of Jesus. The way they live their religion on their college background drives away people who are seeking God and breaks the Good News message of those who are new to the faith or corrupts the faith of the matured.

Let’s always make sure that we don’t impose demands God doesn’t require.

Even more, when folks have areas where they need to grow in their obedience to God, let’s be there to help, not to criticize.

In the name of God, the father, and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Pray together …

Psalm 119:1-16 English Standard Version

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

119 [a] Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
8 I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!

Beth

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
    all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Searched, Transformed By Truth: For is anything worth more than our own souls? Am I ashamed of the Gospel? Mark 8:34-38

Mark 8:34-38 New King James Version

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them,  “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

In Mark 8:38, after sharply rebuking Peter, Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him. He warns those in listening distance that if we deny Him, if we are embarrassed by Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be crucified there. And Peter had rebuked him, earning Jesus’ harsh reprimand: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33).

Now Jesus had gathered a crowd along with his disciples, and he challenged everyone to self-denial, to “take up their cross” and follow him.

For to have full life, he explained, we need to give our whole life to God. This means not simply letting go of all we’re tempted to hold on to, but also giving over 100% oneself cheerfully to others and for others in our gratitude to God.

I read about a French soldier who was so seriously wounded in World War I that his left arm had to be amputated. The surgeon was utterly grieved that this young man would have to go through the rest of his life maimed.

He wanted to break the news personally, so he made sure to be at the man’s bedside when he awoke.

“I’m so sorry,” the doctor said, “but you’ve lost your arm.” The soldier’s response was startling: “I did not lose my arm, doctor; I gave it for France.”

A Bold Unashamed Faith in the Gospel – in a Broken World

Today, we are focusing on a powerful and, quite frankly, sobering verse in Mark’s gospel. Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him.

He warns that if we deny Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.

This is a call to live a life that’s bold, unwavering, and unashamed of our Savior.

Together, we will explore what it means to stand for Christ in a world that often stands against Him.

1. Understanding the Call:

Being Unashamed of Christ and His Message (Mark 8:38)

In Mark 8:38, Jesus says, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

The Greek word used here for “ashamed” (epaischynomai) means to experience a sense of shame or embarrassment.

https://biblehub.com/greek/1870.htm

Jesus places this warning in the context of the “adulterous and sinful” days—meaning times filled with rampant spiritual unfaithfulness and sin.

Jesus is calling us to a life that’s different from the world, one where we openly live our faith and share His truth without embarrassment or fear.

This is echoed in Romans 1:16 (NLT), where Paul boldly declares,

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” Here, Paul reminds us that the gospel is mightily transformative; it’s not something to hide but something to proclaim.

Think of a tall lighthouse that stands tall against the crashing waves, its light shining for for miles around for all to see. Like that lighthouse, we are meant to brightly shine, not to be hidden or ashamed, regardless of the pressure we face.

“We are not called to blend in but to stand out for Christ. When we understand the power of the gospel, there is no room for embarrassment.” – Rev. Francis Chan

2. The Consequences of Denying Christ (Mark 8:38; Matthew 10:33)

The second part of Mark 8:38 is challenging: “…the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Jesus is referring to His second coming, where He will return as Judge.

He warns that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us on that day.

This parallels Matthew 10:33 (NLT), “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

The warning is crystal clear:

our relationship with Christ should be public and vocal and steadfast.

Mark 4:21-25 New King James Version

Light Under a Basket

21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

If we reject or hide Him now, we risk being separated from Him for eternity.

This is not a call to perfection but to commitment—to live as His followers, even when it’s challenging.

If there are areas in your life where you’ve been reluctant to share your faith or to live boldly for Christ, now is the time to seek courage.

Pray for strength to be a witness. Embrace every opportunity to reflect Christ in your actions and words.

Imagine standing before a crowd and being asked, “Are you with Him?”

In that moment, our answer reflects where our hearts truly lie—are we proud to stand with our Savior, or are we too ashamed, too fearful to proclaim His name?

“To deny Jesus with our words or actions is to deny the One who gave His life for us. We must choose daily to stand for Him.” – David Platt

3. Living Boldly in a World Opposed to Christ (Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:27)

Living unashamed means standing out. Romans 12:2 (NLT) reminds us, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

As believers, we’re called to be different—not conformed to the world but transformed by the Word.

Philippians 1:27 (NLT) tells us, “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”

Our citizenship is not of this world, and our lives should reflect our heavenly home.

As ambassadors for Christ, we have the privilege and responsibility of representing Him.

This boldness isn’t just about words; it’s about how we live.

It’s showing integrity when no one else is.

It’s choosing love when the world chooses hate.

Living unashamed of Christ is as much about actions as it is about proclamations.

Think about soldiers who represent their nation.

They stand tall and proud, bearing their country’s emblem with honour. As Christians, we bear the name of Christ—let’s wear it with courage and integrity.

“Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequence.” – Dr. John MacArthur

Conclusion: The Reward of a Life Lived Unashamed

Jesus doesn’t call us to a safe or easy faith but a courageous one. 

Mark 8:38 reminds us of the weight and beauty of this call—to live unashamed for Him, knowing that one day soon, we will stand before Him. The rewards of faithful obedience far outweigh any worldly consequence.

Call to Action:

Let’s commit to living boldly, embracing the gospel in every area of our lives. Let’s share it openly, love without fear, and live unashamed of our Savior.

Invitation:

If you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus, today is the day to start. He invites you into a relationship that is eternal and unbreakable.

Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, live a life marked by His courage and love.

In the Name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Let’s Pray,

Psalm 119:105-112 Authorized (King James) Version

נ  Nun

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Breaking Bridges, Building Barriers; Envy, Mixed Up Motives, proclaiming Christ from those selfish ambitions. Philippians 1:15–18

Philippians 1:15-18 New Living Translation

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The March of the Gospel

In this missionary letter to the Philippian church, Paul gets real. Though he shares encouraging news, the whole picture is not all rosy. The motivations some people had for sharing the gospel were downright bad—were driven not by good will so much as by rivalry and a desire to stir up trouble for the apostle.

The wrong motives of other people didn’t become the determining element in Paul’s attitude, however. Their selfishly motivated preaching did not keep him awake at night nor mar his true commitment to seeing the kingdom advance.

He passionately wanted the true gospel to be preached, so he wasn’t primarily concerned about the reasons others had for preaching, as long as they were still preaching Christ. His concern was for the Lord’s glory to be paramount, not for his own stature or even for his safety.

Perhaps we find ourselves relating to Paul, surrounded by those who share God’s Word, who share stories, their witness, their faith, out of false motives.

Then we will spend a ridiculous amount of time and effort and resources trying to debate, nit pick, critique, criticize whether or not their Christianity is valid.

But if we allow these failings to determine our own attitude or actions, we will risk spiritually crippling ourselves.

We will spend too much of our time and energy either constantly questioning the intentions of others or continually refuting, rebutting what they’re doing.

That would be to give the devil a great gain, in that we would then be distracted from our own covenant summons to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

It’s a huge temptation!

But Paul didn’t fall into that trap.

It is true that “where God sends reformation, Satan works deformation.”

What God builds, Satan seeks to destroy.

When God leads people forward in his grace, Satan tries to push them back into misery.

Yet this truth also remains: The forward march of the gospel cannot be stopped!

The assaults against the gospel are many.

For Paul, they included his imprisonment, and envy and rivalry among fellow missionaries, and the use of Jesus’ name for self-promotion.

For us, it may be the rejection of Christ as the only true Savior, or it may be a matter of giving in to the mixed-up moralities of our time.

But there is good news. The forward march of the gospel cannot be stopped!

Satan’s goal is to push us back into the cesspool of shame, the dungeon of guilt, the prison of fear.

But, to paraphrase a line from a Hollywood movie, that’s a “whole lot of ugly coming from a parade of stupid.”

The forward march of the gospel announces that Jesus bore our human shame, removed our guilt, and freed us from sin’s punishment.

He daily parades his love in order to nourish life.

Nothing can ultimately stop the forward march of the gospel.

There is great joy, then, for all who keep in step with Jesus.

Alternatively, you and I may wrestle with our own wrong motives for sharing the gospel.

One of the most significant challenges we all face is the potential for dreadful self-centeredness and pride.

Even in hard core, hot button, contentious matters of our faith, we will often wrongly want others to recognize us, and so we do the right thing but for all of the wrong motives, reasons (or, more usually, a mix of right, wrong reasons).

At the same time, we would find that envy prevents us from rejoicing in the fruitfulness of another’s life and ministry. But thanks be to God: He still uses broken vessels like us to carry forth the great gift of His Gospel message.

So, like Paul, fix your eyes on the goodness of Jesus and the advancement of His gospel, no matter the circumstances surrounding you or the flawed motives you suspect in others or see in yourself.

Seek to set aside your own pride and ambition so that your greatest concern will be the Lord’s glory—and as you do so, continue to share Him with those around you. What matters most is that Christ is preached, and in that we can all rejoice.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 119:105-112 The Message

105-112 By your words I can see where I’m going;
    they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back
    from living by your righteous order.
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
    put me together again with your Word.
Adorn me with your finest sayings, God;
    teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
    but I don’t forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
    but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—
    what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
    I always have and always will.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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‘It feels like it has been an Eternity!’ Praying to better Trust God’s Timing during our LONG seasons of waiting. Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 Complete Jewish Bible

11 He has made everything suited to its time; also, he has given human beings an awareness of eternity; but in such a way that they can’t fully comprehend, from beginning to end, the things God does. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them to do than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. 13 Still, the fact that everyone can eat and drink and enjoy the good that results from all his work, is a gift of God.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

There are so many profound truths throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, and Ecclesiastes 3:11 is a great reminder of God’s perfect timing. So often in life, we put a prayer in motion for exactly how we want and envision things to work out.

We think we’ve got things figured out, like we know what’s best for our future.

We pray and we pray!

We wait and we wait!

We are good and pious Christians and we believe we have a strong relationship, a strong connection to God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Except … How long are we actively, patiently, genuinely ‘waiting for the Lord’ before our prayers begin to sound like: “Lord, exactly how long is eternity?”

In our frail humanity, it’s easy to forget that God’s perfect timing for our lives can turn out to be completely different from what we imagine as being right.

In Isaiah 55:8-9, we’re told,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Our thoughts and ways are always vastly different from our Lord’s, aren’t they?

I also really like how Ecclesiastes 11:5 talks about the wonders of God: “Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

How many times have you and I been in a fluid situation, prayed and prayed, anticipated how circumstances would work out, as though we were in control?

How many times do you and I think that we are the one who’s in control, that we can climb any mountain with your own joy and our own strength, that we can persevere better and change someone’s heart through your own actions?

Faith Under Pressure

2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

9-11 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.

12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

13-15 Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.

16-18 So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. (The Message)

The reality is, if we are 1% patient enough to accept that God is in control, it’s a real reality check for us that only through Him we accomplish anything at all!

In Matthew Henry’s commentary, he says the following about Ecclesiastes 3:11:

“Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God’s hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the true beauty of God’s works.”

When I find myself getting impatient or experiencing disappointment, or when things don’t work out as I think they should, it’s a great reminder to look at verses such as Ecclesiastes 3:11 about God’s promise of His perfect timing.

It may not make sense right now, but try praying, believing, God’s got a reason.

Our task, like Job, is to continue praising Him even when things don’t make sense, and to continue trusting Him and growing our Faith. “Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number.” [Job 5:9]

Job experienced more echelons beyond hardcore testing circumstances and situations throughout his life, yet he never once questioned what God was doing. He knew God had a plan and would work every thing out in His timing.

Job 19:13-29 The Message

I Know That God Lives

13-20 “God alienated my family from me;
    everyone who knows me avoids me.
My relatives and friends have all left;
    houseguests forget I ever existed.
The servant girls treat me like a deadbeat off the street,
    look at me like they’ve never seen me before.
I call my attendant and he ignores me,
    ignores me even though I plead with him.
My wife can’t stand to be around me anymore.
    I’m repulsive to my family.
Even street urchins despise me;
    when I come out, they taunt and jeer.
Everyone I’ve ever been close to abhors me;
    my dearest loved ones reject me.
I’m nothing but a bag of bones;
    my life hangs by a thread.

21-22 “Oh, friends, dear friends, take pity on me.
    God has come down hard on me!
Do you have to be hard on me, too?
    Don’t you ever tire of abusing me?

23-27 “If only my words were written in a book—
    better yet, chiseled in stone!
Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life—
    and eventually he’ll take his stand on earth.
And I’ll see him—even though I get skinned alive!—
    see God myself, with my very own eyes.
    Oh, how I long for that day!

28-29 “If you’re thinking, ‘How can we get through to him,
    get him to see that his trouble is all his own fault?’
Forget it. Start worrying about yourselves.
    Worry about your own sins and God’s coming judgment,
    for judgment is most certainly on the way.”

Wherever you are today, however like Job you feel like, whether you’re waiting, wondering, or worrying, or anxious take heart. God’s perfect timing is worth the wait! God is in control, and He hath made every thing beautiful in His time.

Restoration will come to you …

An over and above abundance of Blessings will shower down upon your life … (Job 42:7-17)

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 27 New King James Version

An Exuberant Declaration of Faith

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat[a] up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the [b]beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be [c]lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of [d]joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait[e] on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: The Importance of our acknowledging HIS story as being everyone’s story. Deuteronomy 4:7-10

Deuteronomy 4:7-10 Complete Jewish Bible

7 For what great nation is there that has God as close to them as Adonai our God is, whenever we call on him? 8 What great nation is there that has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah which I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves diligently as long as you live, so that you won’t forget what you saw with your own eyes, so that these things won’t vanish from your hearts. Rather, make them known to your children and grandchildren — 10 the day you stood before Adonai your God at Horev, when Adonai said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, and I will make them hear my very words, so that they will learn to hold me in awe as long as they live on earth, and so that they will teach their children.’

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The title of my devotion today is “Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: The critical Importance of acknowledging HIS story (God’s story) as everyone’s story.”

This effort is my contribution toward the celebration of Black History Month.

In the US of America, February is the month when we celebrate Black History.

This celebration originally began as Negro History Week in 1926 and took place during the second week of February as it coincided with the birthdates of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

In 1976, the bicentennial of the United States, former President Gerald R. Ford expanded the week into a full month.

In doing so he said the country needed to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout history.”

While Black History Month has been heavily criticized by both black people and people of other races for its unfairness in devoting an entire month to a single group of people, there are significant lessons to be learned from remembering our history, especially as it relates to everyone’s faith, hope and love in God.

During this celebratory month we have the opportunity to share stories, reflect on our rich history (good and bad and devastating) and remember the highest of prices paid by others for us to have the privileges of community that we have.

Celebrating this month gives us the opportunity to remember the best of our history and culture while remembering that it is HIS Story and OUR history.

The remainder of This month I pray that you to really take some time and think about what we have and the rather ugly road travelled and how we all got here.

Talk to some older folks and listen to their stories as they tell you what was available to them sixty years ago, hear the stories they were told by their parents and grandparents and what “life” they had experienced “back then.”

When we hear and understand their stories we can hopefully, prayerfully and humbly, appreciate their sacrifices so we would have more what we have today.

As I said, history is first and foremost HIS (God’s) story we have a long history of active participation and it cannot be remembered if we do not talk about it.

So today, we are going to examine active passive hindsight, and insight and foresight, how our acknowledgement and understanding of HIS story impacts our own story as we try to learn how we live in community today and tomorrow.

Let’s start with a review of the definitions of hindsight, insight and foresight.

Hindsight is “the ability to understand a situation or event after it has already happened or developed.”

It’s our ability to remember what has happened previously which gives us the opportunity to learn from those past experiences.

An example of this is someone learning from a past mistake.

They experience the failure, look back on it and learn from it.

The process and learning from past experiences give us what we call insight.

Insight is discernment; “the ability to see clearly and intuitively into the nature of a complex person, situation or subject.”

Insight actually encompasses both hindsight and foresight. Foresight is “the action of predicting what will happen or what needs to happen in the future.”

It’s the ability to see what is coming.

Foresight moves us forward into taking an action and it makes sure we do not get too complacent, comfortable about taking that action. It demands we move.

Working together, hindsight, insight and foresight allows us to learn from the past, adapt to the present and plan for our future.

Think of it like this, a person with no foresight, hindsight or insight goes for a walk in the street. They see a car coming. They stay in the street. The car keeps coming and they remain in the street. The car runs over them. They had no foresight, hindsight or insight which led them to get out of the way of the car.

When they get out of the hospital, they decide to go for another walk.

This time, however, after getting run over by a car, they learned some things.

First they have foresight. They know that cars move on the streets and they should really anticipate seeing them. Secondly, they have hindsight as they reflect on getting run over by a car previously and take precautions to ensure it does not happen again. Lastly, they have insight as they decide the best way to go for the walk is to stay on the sidewalk, being more aware of their fragility.

Now, these three working instantaneously together, keeps the person safe.

But let me be clear, there are many people walking on this earth with no sight.

These people see the car coming; get run over by the car; forget what it felt like the first time to get run over; and continues to walk in the middle of the street only to be run over again. If not learning from out past we are like this person walking down the middle of the street repeatedly getting run over by cars.

Having hindsight, insight and foresight keeps us from constantly getting run over by life’s circumstances.

I want to share with you why the understanding of our history is so important.

Turn to Deuteronomy 4:7-10.

“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

Now turn over to Deuteronomy chapter six and let’s begin with verse six.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-12)

Moses brought the people together to give them the laws of God, with clarity and a conviction that spoke to the hearts of everyone.

In chapter four Moses told the people to remember and to teach their children otherwise they would forget.

In chapter six he goes a step farther.

He tells them to diligently teach their children.

That word diligently means to show persistence and hard word work in doing something.

In other words, Moses was telling the people to make teaching their kids about everything God had done for them as an “daily at every opportunity” priority.

He told them to talk about what God had done and His laws when they sat in their homes, when they walked down the street, when they went to bed and when they got up.

The image that he was painting was that they should always (persistently) be teaching their children and their children’s children about God and everything He had done for them. They were to always be talking about it. Finally he told them that they should write the words on the doorposts of their homes and on their gates. This was to ensure that the words were forever before their eyes.

We need to teach our history so that those who are enjoying the fruits of those who went before them understand the price that was paid.

You see, there are many making good money and we never once picked cotton.

We live in nice homes in mixed subdivisions (not on the other side of the railroad tracks as the old people used to say) and we are treated as equals.

We don’t recall those times when many people were not allowed to own homes.

We can eat at any restaurant that we choose (as long as we are willing to pay for it) don’t remember the signs that said go around to the back door to be served.

There are many of us who go shopping wherever we want and try on all the clothes in the stores and do not remember the times when many were not allowed to try on clothes unless it was purchased from a black owned store on the farthest outskirts of town stocked with out of date second hand fashions.

There were many who never voted because they never had the equal right to vote or because of Jim Crowe laws, they (ballots) were segregated, tainted.

Because voting was something already available to some of us when we reach the appropriate age, the high importance of equal access was utterly lost on us.

There are many of us who approach learning as if learning is a chore because we do not remember a time when blacks were not allowed to go to the same schools as white children to learn – do we recall when President Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to enforce school desegregation?

There are some of us who to this day who dislike other races because we do not remember those of other races who stood, marched and died with us during the Civil Rights movement so we could all have everything we have access to today.

Mark 3:31-35 Amplified Bible

31 Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called for Him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Look! Your mother and Your brothers are outside asking for You.” 33 And He replied, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” 34 Looking at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For [a] whoever does the will of God [by believing in Me, and following Me], he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Galatians 3:28-29 Amplified Bible

28 There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. 29 And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.

https://blackhistorymonth.gov/

https://www.history.com/news/little-rock-nine-brown-v-board-eisenhower-101-airborne

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month

The Origins of Black History Month

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 133 Amplified Bible

The Excellency of Brotherly Unity.

A Song of [a]Ascents. Of David.

133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 
It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head,
Coming down on the beard,
Even the beard of Aaron,
Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body].
3 
It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon
Coming down on the hills of Zion;
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Compelled by a Life of Urgency: so I may finish my task with Joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify unto the Good News of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

Acts 20:22-24 Common English Bible

22 Now, compelled by the Spirit, I’m going to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen to me there. 23 What I do know is that the Holy Spirit testifies to me from city to city that prisons and troubles await me. 24 But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission. This is nothing other than the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus: to testify about the good news of God’s grace.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Compelled to Count My Life as Nothing?

Acts 20:24 Amplified Bible

24 But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].

What an incredible 180 degree we are witnessing with Paul!

Earlier in Acts 9, Luke wrote that a young Pharisee named Saul had made it his only life’s mission to utterly eradicate all those who believed in Jesus as God.

Now, here in Acts 20:22-24 we read where he now counts his only life mission to be his freely going into harm’s way – not to arrest anyone, but, at all costs, up to and including his own arrest, even his own death, to be a faithful and true and overly joyful minister and preacher and a teacher of the Gospel of Christ.

As many times as I have studied this passage, for the first time I find myself as being in genuine awe of Paul’s transformation – 180 degree change is awesome.

Have you thought about what can hold people back from a deep sense of awe?

We could answer that question in a general way by saying that sin is what keeps us from enjoying a deeply compelling , full life of ministry and mission with God. But have you also wondered about how compelling, how subtle sin can be?

Sometimes we don’t realize how much our sinful tendencies can deceive us.

For example, I’ve noticed one thing that has a strong hold on many, many people, myself included: individualism. If you live in the West, you know that this frequently shows up in a phrase like “Do whatever makes you happy.”

I’m all for being happy, but what happens when that “happy” is taken too far?

We end up putting ourselves first in everything we do.

One of the hardest addictions to recover from is the selfie life.

Paul taught that he counted his life as nothing in comparison to what he had gained by following Jesus.

His deep sense of awe was grounded in setting aside his own plans, dreams, and desires so he could devote 100% of himself to God’s greater purpose for his life.

Paul was not consumed with creature comforts or conveniences, and he found contentment in fo­cus­ing on the life Jesus had in store for him.

The greatest battle we might be drawn into fighting in developing, maturing our faith can be against holding back from giving Jesus everything in our life.

For Paul, this was not masochism—some strange hatred of happiness, health, or physical life.

So what, then, did Paul mean by declaring his life valueless? Simply this: that he did not regard his life as so precious a possession as to be held on to at all costs.

People will too often say, “Well, as long as you’ve got your health, that’s all that matters!”

But that is not all that matters! Our bodies are passing away.

We’re crumbling even as we live and breathe.

We may have our health today, but a day will come when we do or will not.

Unless we’re able to say with Paul, “To live is Christ,” we cannot legitimately affirm with him, “and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

The only way that death can be gain is if Christ is everything.

And if Christ is everything, as Paul says He is, then we can declare with him, 

My life is not ultimate. I don’t need to protect it as the most precious thing I have. I want to spend it for the most precious person I know.

What mattered most to Paul was that he finished his life trusting Christ and carried out to the best of his abilities the ministry Christ had given him.

He felt a compelling resolve to complete the task of testifying to “the gospel of the grace of God” everywhere he could reach. 

There’s a God sized task! 

There’s a God sized purpose, significance, an agenda, a God sized calling!

And this is a task that has been entrusted to all of us—the Great Commission to let everyone we meet to learn, to know the good news of God’s amazing grace.

In today’s context, how are any of us, like Paul, to live a life of urgency so that you might keep going until the end?

You must run your race with all your might, with the finish line in view.

Don’t look for an opportunity to bow out or slow down before the final lap is over. Run with all of your strength and run right through the tape, gripped by Christ’s compelling love, energized by God’s Spirit, and guided by God’s word.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Praying,

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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It’s just the same with our tongues! It’s a small muscle, capable of such marvelous and Fiery undertakings. James 3:3-6

James 3:3-6 New King James Version

3 [a]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [b] iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [c]nature; and it is set on fire by [d]hell.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Have you ever seen a roast?

I’m talking about the comedy performance, not the cut of beef.

A roast is when several comedians and celebrities “pay tribute” to a featured guest. The way they pay tribute is through insults.

The tradition started over a century ago at the Friars Club in New York City.

In the 1970s, Actor, Singer Comedian Dean Martin hosted several celebrity hosts as part of his television show. In recent years, however, celebrity roasts have gained notoriety for their quite literally anything-goes atmosphere.

It seems that nothing is sacred anymore, not when there’s roasting to be done.

No topic is off-limits.

No insult is too vile.

The further you push the envelope, the more memorable you are as a roaster.

Some comedians have become famous because of their funny, rather off beat, obnoxious no holds barred, barbs barred, tongues clamped roasting routines.

It makes you wonder why someone would volunteer to be roasted.

Those who do are praised as good sports and being able to take a joke.

Because, after all, it’s all in good fun.

Everything is said in jest.

So there’s no reason for anyone to get offended or take things personally.

But, of course, that’s not reality.

And in recent years, roast participants have talked about how they couldn’t really laugh off some of the things that were said about them. How a single comment had wrecked their self-confidence and even their mental health.

Their experiences highlight the truth of what James says in James 3:5:

“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire” (NLT).

People will come back and snidely say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

But, from personal experience that is so not true.

You can probably remember words that hurt you deeply.

Maybe someone said you would never amount to anything. Or that there is something very wrong with your appearance. Those things are hard to forget.

The good news is, so are heartfelt compliments and words of encouragement.

Think of some of the beautiful things your spouse—or your family members or other loved ones—said that still resonate with you today.

That’s the point Proverbs 18:21 makes: “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” (NLT).

The choice is always going to be our own – what is said, what is heard, believed.

Proverbs 25:11 says, “The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver” (CEV).

Saying the right thing at the right time is a gift whose value will increase over time. Your words and my words have the greatest potential to change lives. Ask God, cry out, plead with God, for the wisdom to use them to the best advantage. 

Your tongue can leave a wide path of destruction in its wake—or it can leave a cherished legacy of encouragement, healing, confidence-building, and love.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Lets Pray,

Glory from Heaven and Torah

Psalm 19

1 For the music director, a psalm of David.

2 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky shows His handiwork.
3 Day to day they speak,
night to night they reveal knowledge.
4 There is no speech, no words,
where their voice goes unheard.
5 Their voice has gone out to all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.[a]
In the heavens He pitched a tent for the sun.
6 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his bridal chamber.
It is like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
7 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other end.
Nothing is hidden from its heat.

8 The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
    restoring the soul.
The testimony of Adonai is trustworthy,
    making the simple wise.
9 The precepts of Adonai are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The mitzvot of Adonai are pure,
    giving light to the eyes.
10 The fear of Adonai is clean,
    enduring forever.
The judgments of Adonai are true
    and altogether righteous.

11 They are more desirable than gold,
    yes, more than much pure gold!
They are sweeter than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
12 Moreover by them Your servant is warned.
In keeping them there is great reward.
13 Who can discern his errors?
Cleanse me of hidden faults.
14 Also keep Your servant from willful sins.
May they not have dominion over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    free from great transgression.
15 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable before You,
Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Like Father, Like Children? if all you hard-hearted, sinful men know how to give good gifts to your children. Matthew 7:7-11

Matthew 7:7-11 Revised Standard Version

Ask, Search, Knock

7 “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Word God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Truth be Told, being around considerate people is nice and very refreshing.

They seem to know what you’re going through, and they gently offer help and comfort to make your path easier.

They see how tired you are, and they offer to cook or buy a meal and some rest, even putting a blanket over you so you won’t get chilly as you lie down to rest.

Is it that they’re not just thinking about themselves all the time? Not exactly. They know what would make them rest comfortably, so they do it to you! As Jesus commanded, they do to others what they would like done to themselves.

Apostle Paul elsewhere describes another example:

“Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29).

But let’s slow down, not get Jesus and Paul wrong.

They’re not telling us to be considerate just because it benefits us.

We are called to love others without conditions, with no strings attached.

If we stop being considerate to someone because they aren’t considerate in return, our motives probably are selfish.

In a world of what I would call malignant selfishness, being truly considerate is a great big breath of fresh air. It up warms the heart and ties us together in love.

When someone is born again, they begin a new life and are adopted into the family of God. This new child of God, in whom the Holy Spirit now dwells, begins increasingly to display characteristics of God the Father. In other words, over time God’s children should grow to resemble their heavenly Father.

One prominent feature of who God is—an aspect of His character displayed throughout Scripture—is His constant indescribably radical generosity.

James says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).

Paul makes a similar point with a rhetorical question:

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). 

Our Father is generous, and it is the assumption of Scripture that God’s people will be too. This applies to all of our lives—including, of course, our finances.

God-honoring generosity is displayed in response to God’s grace.

This is important, because so much talk of and thinking about finances goes awry at this very point.

Any attempt to encourage ourselves to give to gospel work that doesn’t begin with the grace of God is flawed from the start.

It almost always results in the kind of giving in which God has no interest: the joyless type. If we give because we’ve been coaxed into it, we will be giving not with gladness but with a grudge.

Begrudging giving says, “I have to.” Dutiful giving says, “I need to.” But thankful giving says, “I want to.” That is the approach we should aim to take.

Growing in this kind of generosity requires growing in gratitude for God’s grace. If you want to be more Christlike in your giving, you need to understand that you have absolutely nothing that you did not receive, from your physical existence to your faith in God and everything in between (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Matthew 13:44-50 Revised Standard Version

Three Parables

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.

It is all of grace.

Knowing it, how could you and I respond with anything but joyful generosity?

This means that if we are stingy with our investment in gospel ministry, it may reflect a glaringly shallow effectual grasp of God’s character and goodness.

The what, where, when, why, and how of our giving says something about our relationship with God and our commitment to Jesus Christ.

Our “banking habits” records can speak volumes.

Ask yourself, then: What do my “financial, stewardship” habits say about my “treasured above all else” commitment to Christ and my grasp of God’s grace?

What will change if my giving is an overflow of my gratitude to God for all He has given me?

God is a giver of every good and perfect Gift.

He gives His children the calling and the joy of being like Him.

Like Father like Children?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 100 Revised Standard Version

All Lands Summoned to Praise God

A Psalm for the thank offering.

100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands![a]
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord is God!
    It is he that made us, and we are his;[b]
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him, bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures for ever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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