Tag: faith

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us … He Revealed the Father to Us … He Extended God’s Kindness onto Us! Titus 3:1 – 8

Titus 3:3-8 Amplified Bible

3 For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful  desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ], 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,  7 so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee). 8 This is a faithful  and trustworthy saying; and concerning these things I want you to speak with great confidence, so that those who have believed God [that is, those who have trusted in, relied on, and accepted Christ Jesus as Savior,] will be careful to participate in doing good and honorable things. These things are excellent [in themselves] and profitable for the people.

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.

While doing my morning studies I discovered The Greek word that is translated as “kindness” in Galatians 5:22 sounds similar to the Greek word for “Christ.”

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/gal/5/22/s_1096022

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5544/esv/mgnt/0-1/

chrēstotēs 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/gal/5/24/s_1096024

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5547/esv/mgnt/0-1/

christos

In the days of the early 1st Century church, that sometimes led to confusion among unbelievers. They weren’t always sure if Christians actually believed in a person called Christ, or if they practiced a religion that focused on kindness.

When one sets their mind to it, when you think about it, that confusion was actually quite a compliment to the first Christians!

How wonderful it would be if the Spiritual Gift kindness stood out as the predominant impression that we Christians gave to unbelievers today.

Unfortunately, kindness may not always be the first impression that comes to mind when people think of Christians being Christians daily and the church.

This is why we must be diligent in our prayers that the Holy Spirit produce the fruit of kindness in us.

As Paul writes in today’s Scripture reading, the kindness of God was the only thing strong enough to conquer our foolishness, disobedience, and bondage to sin, spending and wasting our life in malice, envy, hateful, hating one another.

The  Bible verse Titus 3:4-5 from the King James Version (KJV) states, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

This verse is taken from the book of Titus, which is one of the pastoral epistles written by the apostle Paul.

In this letter, Paul addresses Titus, a trusted co-worker, and fellow missionary, giving him instructions for overseeing the churches in Crete and encouraging the believers there to live godly lives.

In Titus 3:4-5, Paul specifically emphasizes the kindness and love of God our Savior, and how it is not by our own works of righteousness that we are saved, but according to His mercy. This passage is packed with profound theological truths that speak to the heart of the Christian faith.

The first part of the verse highlights the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man. This demonstrates God’s surest loving and compassionate nature towards humanity. Despite our sin, malice and rebellion, God freely extends His kindness and love to us, ultimately through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

This is a central theme in the Christian message, emphasizing God’s love and grace are still freely extended to all people, regardless of their past or present circumstances.

Titus 3:4-5 is a powerful and profound passage that captures the heart of the Christian gospel. It specifically emphasizes the kindness and love of God our Savior, the centrality of His mercy in our salvation, and the transformative ever-ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, unbelievers too.

These truths are foundational to the Christian faith, and they remind us of the amazing grace and love that God has shown toward us, despite our disgusting sinfulness, ultimately leading us to respond in humble obedience and gratitude.

We must pray that the power of God’s kindness that saved us will also be the power that is revealing Jesus Christ, continually transforming our character.

This is what the ministry of the Holy Spirit is all about.

He wants to make kindness flourish, like the trillions of stars of heaven in our lives so when others notice our abundance, they will naturally think of Christ.

The Kindness of God Saved Us (Titus 3:4-6)

God Saved Us!

Those Three, uncomplicated easy to understand but not accept, words.

That’s what we should take away from this passage.

Three simple words that form the grand slam summary of what it means that God’s goodness and loving kindness have appeared. Three words: He saved us.

God showed up in grace. This isn’t a new line, it’s a new act. The lock box of our condemnation was invaded with the light of God’s glory. The radiance of His majesty has beamed forth onto the stage of history in the Person of Jesus Christ our Savior and things are not the same anymore. God came. And God saved us.

God: the one and only true God, the Sovereign of all things, holy beyond our comprehension, righteous in unapproachable purity.

And then us: creatures with open malice against our Maker, our own neighbors, hyper valuing our goods more than our God, degrading, diminishing, devaluing our neighbors, thereby ourselves, serving our cravings instead of our Creator.

That God would save us. Save. Not disintegrate. Not damn. Not punish. But save.

He saved us.

He saved us.

We cannot fathom the wonder here.

We conspired against him.

We took money to betray him.

We openly, publicly, humiliated him.

We openly, publicly put him on trial, a sham trial that would only lead to one outcome – by deliberately perjuring ourselves against him, to his crucifixion.

This is His action towards us:

An Empty Tomb!

for us …

His Resurrection!

for us …

His Ascension!

for us …

He was still incomprehensively kind to us.

He saved us.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 8 Amplified Bible

The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.

To the Chief Musician; set to [a]a Philistine lute [or perhaps to a particular Hittite tune]. A Psalm of David.

8 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth!
You have displayed Your splendor above the heavens.
2 
Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
That You might silence the enemy and make the revengeful cease.

3 
When I see and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have established,
4 
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?
5 
Yet You have made him a little lower than [b]God,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 
You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 
All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
8 
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth!

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.

https://translate.google.com/



Standing? Sitting? Lounging? Asleep? Vacationing? Arguing? Getting Drunk Humming? Behind the Message are all the ‘beautiful?’ Lazy? messengers themselves. Romans 10:14-17  

Romans 10:14-17 The Message

14-17 But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away!
Grand processions of people
    telling all the good things of God!

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.

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 one of the most beautiful, yet simple, and universal declarations of the good news of the gospel of grace, is found in Chapter 2 book of the Prophet Joel: “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord, will be delivered.”

Joel 2:32 English Standard Version

32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the  Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Originally, this was an ancient prophetic proclamation made to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament which was subsequently reiterated to the men of Israel in the book of Acts… following Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.

Acts 4:8-12 English Standard Version

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus[a] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.”

And then this good news of greatest joy was repeated to the Gentile nations in the epistle to the Romans, where we, who were dead in our sins, discover the beautiful truth that: “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord, will be saved.”

When God speaks, we should listen, but when He repeats an important truth, it should be received with our laser focused undivided attention.

But then comes the devastating reality from Romans 10:14-17 unless someone is prepared to go and tell lost sinners that “whoever will call on the name of the Lord, will be saved,” they will never hear: “For how can they call on the Lord, in Whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him, Whom they have not heard? And how will they hear about Him without a preacher?”

No matter how amazing the gospel of Christ may be, unless lost souls are told the truth about sin and salvation… and unless the good news of the gospel of grace is proclaimed universally, men and women, boys and girls, rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles alike, will remain dead in their trespasses and sins.

Not all of us may be called into the office of evangelist or preacher, but every one of God’s children has a Great Commission to be THE light in this darkened realm, salt in a putrefying world, God’s witnesses to those that are lost in their sins, a walking talking testimony of God’s grace to those who are dead in their trespasses, and messenger of hope to those that are without hope in the world.

God has long promised to hear the cries of all who call upon Him – but first they must believe in Him… and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent. How shocking then to realize unless the gospel is preached to a world of unsaved people, they will neither hear the truth, nor be able to call out to the only One Who can save them from their sins and a lost eternity – but how will they hear without a preacher?

A deliberately silent gospel and a purposely hidden witness will not minister to anyone at anytime for those wandering in, stumbling in, the valley of decisions.

Matthew 9:35-38 English Standard Version

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Let us pray that God would send out His diligent, vigilant messengers, laborer’s into the ever expanding, ever present harvest-fields of all the souls that need to be saved by grace through their faith in Jesus Christ, and let us ask God to bring His whispers into our lives people, with whom we can share the good news that:

“Whoever will call on the name of the Lord, will be delivered – for how can they call on the Lord, in Whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him, Whom they have not heard? And how will they hear about His message of salvation without a preacher?”

As we assume whatever our “regularly scheduled” bodily or spiritual posture will be for the moment, for all of the live long days, and the longest darkest of nights, let us take careful consideration of what Romans 10:14-17 means to us.

Or not…just go about our regularly scheduled days with our governing attitudes.

Somebody else will surely come along eventually – maybe, perhaps, some day?

Heavenly Father, I guess that there are multitudes of souls in the world today that remain dead in their trespasses and sins. I gratefully, not so gratefully thank You(?) wondering if You have given me all I need for life and godliness.

Should I dare ask that You would use me to share the good news of Christ with others, and pray that You would send more laborer’s into the harvest-fields of the world and bring many souls to saving faith in Jesus, in Whose name I pray? Or should I not pray one prayer, nor utter even one syllable of even one word? or just cry out to be left alone under any all known circumstances? Hallelujah?

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 91 Complete Jewish Bible

91 You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon,
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!” —
3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.

5 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand;
but it won’t come near you.
8 Only keep your eyes open,
and you will see how the wicked are punished.

9 For you have made Adonai, the Most High,
who is my refuge, your dwelling-place.
10 No disaster will happen to you,
no calamity will come near your tent;
11 for he will order his angels to care for you
and guard you wherever you go.
12 They will carry you in their hands,
so that you won’t trip on a stone.
13 You will tread down lions and snakes,
young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation.”

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.

https://translate.google.com/

Personal Truth? Impersonal Truth? If Jesus said to Me, If you hold onto my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free? John 8:31-32

John 8:31-32 Amplified Bible

The Truth Will Make You Free

31 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”

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.

Sometimes the Bible is described as a telescope. A tele­scope is not something to look at but an instrument to look through, to bring that which is too distant for us to see closer. When we do what is far away, hard to see becomes clearer to us.

When we look at our life and history through the lens of the Bible, what once seemed distant, hard to understand – God – slowly comes into focus. Through Scripture we are brought close to God. Through Scripture we are brought near to events that happened thousands of years ago. We zoom in, for example, on the life of Christ, who be­came human and came to live among us (John 1:14).

John 1:14 The Message

14 The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish.

God, unexpectedly, abruptly but gently, intruded into mankind’s experience.

Jesus walked among us. Jesus wanted the people of his day to believe in him as the One who reveals the truth about God and what God is doing in this world.

But instead they were slow to catch on, they wanted to hang on to old legalisms, refusing to admit to anyone that they were slaves to sin and could not keep the law perfectly. Jesus urged them to accept him as the eternal truth and life who could bring them out of this slavery and give them new life forever with God.

Are we any different?

As we daily encounter the Word of God, how challenging, how utterly complex is to accept God on his terms, not ours, moving from our world to His Kingdom?

Even those who profess hardcore belief, are we fully relying on the Spirit’s help?

Are we authentically listening, are we authentically hearing, as God speaks to us and breathes into us his life and truth? And believing the truth sets us free-free to serve him in our daily work, play, relationships, and every other facet of life?

Why is the Truth of Jesus even .01% Relevant Today?

The Book of John remains profoundly relevant today, offering readers profound insights into the deeper nature of faith, of hope and love, and eternal life also.

Its emphasis on the divinity of Christ and the transformative power of belief provides a foundation for personal spiritual growth. In a world seeking truth and meaning, John’s Gospel invites us readers to encounter Jesus in a deeply personal way, encouraging them to live out their faith with love and integrity.

John 8:31 New American Standard Bible 1995

The Truth Will Make You Free

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

In this moment, Jesus speaks to those who have already shown belief in Him, urging them to deepen their faith through committing to actual visible action.

He underscores that true discipleship is characterized by our adherence to His teachings. This means that belief is not merely an intellectual agreement but a transformative process that involves living out His words in our everyday life.

The call to “hold to my teaching” suggests that Jesus had in mind a continuous, active effort to align one’s life with the principles that Jesus was teaching, such as love, mercy, forgiveness, a life grounded in genuine sacrifice and humility.

This passage from John invites believers to reflect on the nature of their faith.

In that moment, it is quite the confrontational statement, challenging them to consider whether their transitional actions now reflect the teachings of Jesus.

By doing so, by trying to shift their mindsets from their world to the Kingdom, they not only affirm their transitioning, transforming identity as His disciples but also committing themselves to experience a deeper relationship with Him.

This commitment to His teachings is a journey of growth and transformation, prayerfully leading to a more profound understanding of His truth and love.

John 8:32 New American Standard Bible 1995

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

The idea of truth in this context is deeply connected to the teachings of Jesus and the gospel.

It implies that through reading, studying and understanding and accepting these teachings, one can move towards achieving a profound sense of freedom.

This sense of freedom is not merely physical or political but is spiritual and emotional, liberating individuals from the chains of sin, guilt, and ignorance.

The truth referred to here by Jesus is the truth of God’s love, grace, and the salvation offered exclusively through their confession of Jesus Christ Savior.

By embracing this truth, by bear hugging this truth, believers are then set free from the burdens that would otherwise hang a thousand pound millstone on their necks, weigh them down, such as fear, doubt, the pressures of the world.

This freedom allows for a life lived in alignment with God’s will, characterized by hope, peace, joy, and a sense of purpose. Moreover, it invites believers to live authentically, in harmony with their true selves as originally created by God.

The verse calls for a sure commitment to seeking and living by the truth, which in turn guides, leads, to a transformative experience of liberation, fulfillment.

Job 9:1-13 The Message

Job Continues

How Can Mere Mortals Get Right with God?

9 1-13 Job continued by saying:

“So what’s new? I know all this.
    The question is, ‘How can mere mortals get right with God?’
If we wanted to bring our case before him,
    what chance would we have? Not one in a thousand!
God’s wisdom is so deep, God’s power so immense,
    who could take him on and come out in one piece?
He moves mountains before they know what’s happened,
    flips them on their heads on a whim.
He gives the earth a good shaking up,
    rocks it down to its very foundations.
He tells the sun, ‘Don’t shine,’ and it doesn’t;
    he pulls the blinds on the stars.
All by himself he stretches out the heavens
    and strides on the waves of the sea.
He designed the Big Dipper and Orion,
    the Pleiades and Alpha Centauri.
We’ll never comprehend all the great things he does;
    his miracle-surprises can’t be counted.
Somehow, though he moves right in front of me, I don’t see him;
    quietly but surely he’s active, and I miss it.
If he steals you blind, who can stop him?
    Who’s going to say, ‘Hey, what are you doing?’
God doesn’t hold back on his anger;
    even dragon-bred monsters cringe before him.

Psalm 31:3-5 New American Standard Bible 1995

3 For You are my [a]rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
4 You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of [b]truth.

Psalm 40:9-11 New American Standard Bible 1995

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

11 You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
[a]Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.

Psalm 51:5-11 New American Standard Bible 1995

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the [a]innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
7 [b]Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
[c]Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 [d]Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create [e]in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew [f]a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

What or who is “the truth” that “will set you free” (John 8:32)?

What is the condition for being set free by “the truth”?

What qualifies as “the truth?”

What do you understand about the phrase “will set you free?”

When you see that word “freedom” what thoughts, feelings arise?

What qualifies people as Jesus’ disciples?

What is the flip side of what Jesus said in John 8:31?

What does John 8 32 us teach about?

What does it mean to worship him in spirit and truth?

What did Jesus mean when he said “I am the truth”?

What is the meaning of truth biblically?

Christ Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). That’s a wonderful promise that can be taken seriously, especially when you and I feel the need for some sort of healing – whether the difficulty is injury, illness, financial hardship, a troubled relationship, or anything else.

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

Let us Pray,

25 (0) By David:

(1) I lift my inner being to you, Adonai;
2 I trust you, my God.
Don’t let me be disgraced,
don’t let my enemies gloat over me.
3 No one waiting for you will be disgraced;
disgrace awaits those who break faith for no reason.

4 Make me know your ways, Adonai,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God who saves me,
my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember your compassion and grace, Adonai;
for these are ages old.
7 Don’t remember my youthful sins or transgressions;
but remember me according to your grace
for the sake of your goodness, Adonai.

8 Adonai is good, and he is fair;
this is why he teaches sinners the way [to live],
9 leads the humble to do what is right
and teaches the humble [to live] his way.
10 All Adonai’s paths are grace and truth
to those who keep his covenant and instructions.
11 For the sake of your name, Adonai,
forgive my wickedness, great though it is.

12 Who is the person who fears Adonai?
He will teach him the way to choose.
13 He will remain prosperous,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 Adonai relates intimately with those who fear him;
he makes them know his covenant.

15 My eyes are always directed toward Adonai,
for he will free my feet from the net.
16 Turn to me, and show me your favor;
for I am alone and oppressed.
17 The troubles of my heart are growing and growing;
bring me out of my distress.
18 See my affliction and suffering,
and take all my sins away.

19 Consider my enemies, how many there are
and how cruelly they hate me.
20 Protect me and rescue me;
don’t let me be disgraced,
for I take refuge in you.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
because my hope is in you.

22 God! Redeem Isra’el
from all their troubles!

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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Come home, come home; you who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinners, just come home! Job 8:5-7

Job 8:5-7 Complete Jewish Bible

5 “If you will earnestly seek God
and plead for Shaddai’s favor,
6 if you are pure and upright;
then he will rouse himself for you
and fulfill your needs.
7 Then, although your beginnings were small,
your future will be very great indeed.

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.

Job 8:5-7 Christian Standard Bible

5 But if you earnestly seek God
and ask the Almighty for mercy,
6 if you are pure and upright,
then he will move even now on your behalf
and restore the home where your righteousness dwells.
7 Then, even if your beginnings were modest,
your final days will be full of prosperity.

What great, unsearchable, marvelous things has God earnestly done in your life? What great, unsearchable, marvelous things might God have done in your life, or would have been more aware of as having already been accomplished if…

5 “If you will earnestly seek God
and plead for Shaddai’s favor,
6 if you are pure and upright;
then he will rouse himself for you
and fulfill your needs.

The verses emphasizes the importance of earnestly seeking God and pleading with Him, which is a call to earnestly approach God with sincerity and humility.

Earnestly seeking involves a deep, genuine desire to connect with God, fully acknowledging our complete total dependence on His wisdom and strength.

Pleading with the Almighty suggests a heartfelt, persistent prayer, reflecting a deep trust in God’s power and compassion.

This act of seeking and pleading is not just about asking for help, but too about building a connectional relationship with God, recognizing Him alone, as the only source of all wisdom and strength.

In the context of the Book of Job, this verse is part of Bildad’s response to Job, encouraging him to turn to God in his time of suffering.

It serves as a reminder that, regardless of our circumstances, God is always ready to listen and respond to those who approach Him with a sincere heart.

This message is universal, admonishing, encouraging believers to maintain a posture of humility and trust in their relationship with God, knowing that He is always present, will always be present, and willing to guide and support them.

Job 8:5 In today’s context – in a far more complex time, with more people tech savvy than God savvy.

I believe that untold tens, if not hundreds of millions of Christians, all over the world, would give anything to have the religious freedoms we have in America.

Not only to hold the Living Word in their hands, but to read and share it freely, would be like winning the greatest single lottery jackpot of all time to them.

Here, in our westernized culture, with Bibles gathering dust on bookshelves, and Bible apps stored away on our phones, and Bibles gathering mounds and pounds of dust long hidden away from us sinners somewhere in a church pew.

I’m so very afraid we’ve lost our fervor for the precious and holy Word of God.

John 1:29-34 English Standard Version

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[a] of God.”

Let me now introduce to you our new Senior Rabbi Dr. Earnest Lamb of God.

Meet your new Senior Rabbi Earnest—the Lamb of God who is so well known for his eagerness and wholeheartedness to reveal God, to share God too—that seemingly long forgotten, so seldom acknowledged virtue of the Christian faith.

Do we possess the earnestness (once a week for an hour or too) to get up each day, meet with God in worship thereby replacing our to-do lists and agendas?

An earnestness to share not just the neighborhood gossip or sports, the Gospel within our circle of influence now badly hindered by tolerance, complacency?

Ergo, I am now writing these things to myself as well, sadly realizing how much earnestness has escaped my busy, daily life; how the zeal I once had for Christ has been severely overshadowed by worldly desires and restless temptations.

But now, more than ever before, we have an amazing opportunity to rekindle an earnestness for the Word of God; to read and to study, to share and uphold, and earnestly pray to shine the light of God’s truths in dark places. For the Word of God truly is living and active, able to penetrate the deepest intents of the heart.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Meet Earnest—the attribute that ushers in an excitement for the things of God—rekindling our tiny smoldering flame of faith into a raging fire of conviction and motivation – to run in every which direction of the compass to declare God?

Luke 24:28-35 English Standard Version

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. [and sharing of the Word!]

My prayer for Christians everywhere, dust off their Bibles, that we will awaken anew to the life-giving truths of the Bible and yearn for them as for daily bread.

I ask, in the precious name of Jesus, that we will pick up that Bible, dust it off, and open it as often as we can. I ask for the Holy Spirit to continue His work in us to reach a hurting and confused world, with the only absolute truth there is.

And, lastly, I pray for an earnestness, to once again declare God’s Word—a lamp for our feet and light for our path. (Psalm 119:105)

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 40 English Standard Version

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who makes
    the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.[a]
Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance[b]
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
    your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
    ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
    beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
    and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
    my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
    O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
    who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
    who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
    say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
    but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    do not delay, O my 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.

https://translate.google.com/

God’s Final Word on all Matters: his Son, whom he himself appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-4

Hebrews 1:1-4 Amplified

God’s Final Word in His Son

1 God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways, 2 has in these last days spoken [with finality] to us in [the person of One who is by His character and nature] His Son [namely Jesus], whom He appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, through whom also He created the universe [that is, the universe as a space-time-matter continuum]. 3 The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our awesome] God [reflecting God’s [a]Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father’s] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. When He [Himself and no other] had [by offering Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin] accomplished purification from sins and established our freedom from guilt, He sat down [revealing His completed work] at the right hand of the Majesty on high [revealing His Divine authority], 4 having become as much superior to angels, since He has inherited a more excellent and glorious [b]name than they [that is, Son—the name above all names].

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.

Hebrews begins by making some big statements in its first three verses. Each day we are reminded, that we will focus on one of those primary statements and we refresh ourselves, refresh our spirits, what “supremacy of Christ” means for us.

Christ is the “heir of all things.”

Prophets were sent to speak to God’s people.

They ancient people brought important news and teachings from God, but they were merely His messengers. Now God has come into the works of man, and has spoken, to his people, directly through his Son, who is the “heir of all things.”

This reference points back to Psalm 2:7-8, which says,

“He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.’”

In Jesus, God fulfills this amazing promise.

Jesus is the heir who receives all that the Father has.

Peter says that this inheritance “can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).

So what does this mean for us in these 21st century times of disastrous, divisive, upheaval, people openly mocking God with their positions on ‘living for Jesus.’

God is a fairy tale, a fable, made up by those abusing some mind altering drugs.

The bible is a book of wild delusions, hallucinations penned by the drug addled.

There is “no such thing as God,” “no such a thing as a Resurrection, no such a thing as salvation,” “no such thing as sin.” “such a thing as salvation from sin.

As followers of Christ, we are graciously adopted into God’s family as his own children, and we are “co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).

As co-heirs with Christ, we are set to inherit all that Christ inherits—namely, salvation from sin and eternal life with him.

The Writings to the Hebrews starts out by laying the unshakeable foundation to debunk those who chose to spread erroneous teachings, man’s erroneous use of words like “sovereignty, supremacy” that they held man had an ironclad grip.

The Word which now comes to us in Jesus Christ, both by what he said and what he was, is a significantly stronger, more comprehensive, far more intimate and inclusive word than God ever originally spoke through those ancient prophets .

When you are studying the Old Testament, you are studying the Word of God.

The voice of God is heard through various forms and circumstances. (Psalm 19)

All of it is of God, but all of it is incomplete.

It never brings us to ultimate’s and absolutes.

But when you open the pages of the New Testament, read and study the fourfold picture of Jesus Christ, you find all the Old Testament writings merges into one voice, life, ministry, mission, works, His Passion, by the true voice of His Son.

The words by which God spoke in the Old Testament are merged into one complete discourse in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, God’s word to man has been fully, finally, uttered in the Son.

There is nothing more to be said. Jesus Christ is God’s own final Word to man.

Therefore, the word through the Son is greater than that through the prophets because it includes and surpasses theirs.

It is also greater because the Son created, established, the boundaries of history.

The writer says Jesus has been appointed the heir of all things, and through him God made the universe.

Further, his Word has greater power than the prophets’ because he sustains the matter of the universe.

He reflects the Shekinah glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power.

In the hills behind Stanford University there is a linear accelerator, some two miles long, a gigantic instrument.

Scientists built it to be a great lever by which they can pry the lid off the secrets that lie behind matter.

They are trying to find what makes the universe tick, what holds it together.

And as man probes deeper into the secrets of the universe around him, he discovers more and more that he is confronting the mystery of an untouchable, unfathomable force; that he Himself stands face to face with His pure force.

What is that force?

Scientists never name it, in fact they cannot name it, but the Scripture does. (Psalm 29)

The Scripture says that force is Jesus Christ, that he holds everything in place, whether it be large or small.

The reason we can sit or stand, though our earth is whirling at a furious rate, and not being randomly, sporadically, hurled off into space, is simply because he sustains the universe. Jesus Himself is the ultimate, the final spoken secret behind everything that exists. (John 1:1-5, Colossians 1:15-23, 1John 1:1-9)

The book of Hebrews is a part of the New Testament and is filled with rich theological teachings and insights.

The authorship of the book is not definitively known, but it is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul.

The specific audience and historical context of Hebrews are also somewhat uncertain, but it was likely written to a group of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and considering reverting back to the ways of Judaism.

We live in a culture which is always force feeding, pitching us all manner of stuff which is better, greater, more superior than anything that’s come before. It turns out that “far better” is one of the Book of Hebrews’ favorite words.

Right from the start, the author is trying to convince us that Jesus is better.

Overall, this passage from Hebrews serves to exalt Jesus Christ as the supreme revelation of God to humanity.

By emphasizing His role in creation, His divine nature, and His redemptive work, the author establishes the unmatched significance and authority of Jesus.

The theological themes of Christ’s divinity, His role as Savior, and His infinite superiority over all other beings are central to the passage, and they continue to be foundational to Christian beliefs.

Ultimately, this passage serves to deepen our understanding, appreciation, of the person and work of Jesus Christ, inviting us to respond in faith and worship.

What is our response …

How can our response be more impactful, magnified, beyond God’s Kingdom?

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 24

A psalm by David.

1 The earth and everything it contains are Yahweh’s.
    The world and all who live in it are his.
2 He laid its foundation on the seas
    and set it firmly on the rivers.

3 Who may go up Yahweh’s mountain?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart
    and does not long for what is false[a]
        or lie when he is under oath.
5 This person will receive a blessing from Yahweh
    and righteousness from Elohim, his savior.
6 This is the person who seeks him,
    who searches for the face of the El of Jacob.[b] Selah

7 Lift your heads, you gates.
    Be lifted, you ancient doors,
    so that the Melek of glory may come in.

8 Who is this Melek of glory?
    Yahweh, strong and mighty!
    Yahweh, heroic in battle!

9 Lift your heads, you gates.
    Be lifted, you ancient doors,
    so that the Melek of glory may come in.

10 Who, then, is this Melek of glory?
    Yahweh Tsebaoth is the Melek of glory! Selah

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.

https://translate.google.com/

We have a Future in God’s Kingdom: Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded. 1 Peter 1:13-16

1 Peter 1:13-16 The Message

A Future in God

13-16 So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

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.

Training to become a pilot involves hours and hours of intense preparation.

Some of this training takes place in flight simulators where the intensity is high enough to induce sweating and stress. Why are pilots subjected to such rigorous training? So they can learn to make the right decisions when it really matters!

When it comes to our Christian purity, it is too often the case that people will fall into sin because they try to make vital decisions in the heat of the moment.

That, under no circumstances, just won’t cut it. If we are going to maintain purity, we need to pray for choices in advance and on the basis of God’s word.

This is why Peter tells us to prepare our “minds for action … being sober-minded.”

The King James Version translates this verse, “Gird up the loins of your mind.”

In other words, we are to prepare ourselves to keep control of our minds—to get a grip of our thought processes—figure out what Paul calls – Self Control so that we’re able to run wisely after what is good and flee, far from what is evil.

If we do not prepare our minds for action, then we will be easily seducible and prone to highly questionable impulse control, poor decision making, tragedy.

We will tend to make difficult, life-altering decisions in the heat of the moment when our emotions are engaged, our lustful worldly desires are shouting at us.

But a life of purity does not happen by accident; it is a conscious act of absolute determination prompted by God’s Spirit, guided by His word, prayed for over and over again, being patient with the Holy Spirit, then enabled by His power.

We need to make a commitment to purity, as the psalmist did when he said,

“I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules” (Psalm 119:106).

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.

I sincerely pray that you will make your commitment before it’s too late.

And here’s a suggestion for the kind of commitment to make: determine to live in the center of the narrow way, not on the edge.

The young man in Proverbs 7 who fell prey to the temptation of a “forbidden woman” was living on the edge; he was “passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight” (Proverbs 7:5, 8-9).

Proverbs 7:5-12 The Message

Dressed to Seduce

7 1-5 Dear friend, do what I tell you;
    treasure my careful instructions.
Do what I say and you’ll live well.
    My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it!
Write it out on the back of your hands;
    etch it on the chambers of your heart.
Talk to Wisdom as to a sister.
    Treat Insight as your companion.
They’ll be with you to fend off the Temptress—
    that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress.

6-12 As I stood at the window of my house
    looking out through the shutters,
Watching the mindless crowd stroll by,
    I spotted a young man without any sense
Arriving at the corner of the street where she lived,
    then turning up the path to her house.
It was dusk, the evening coming on,
    the darkness thickening into night.
Just then, a woman met him—
    she’d been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce him.
Brazen and brash she was,
    restless and roaming, never at home,
Walking the streets, loitering in the mall,
    hanging out at every corner in town.

The Bible’s lesson is clear:

yield not to the obvious temptation

don’t get yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There is nothing to be gained from living on the edge when it comes to purity.

Make your commitment before the temptation confronts you, so that when the evil day comes, you will be ready to say, “No, I already made that decision.”

Keep your life in the center of the narrow way and determine to stay there.

On the day when Christ Jesus returns and by grace His people stand around His throne, none of us will say that the pursuit of holiness was not worth the effort.

Transformation Takes Our Effort and Perseverance

Romans 5:4-5 The Message

3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

We often prize the wonders of ability.

The decathlon, marathon and triathlon athlete have amazing physical abilities.

The Ivy League scholars have phenomenal capacities, learning, mental abilities.

But if they don’t stick to it, put abilities to work, they won’t accomplish much.

If we want change, we have to be willing to work hard, harder, hardest hardcore for it. If we don’t put in enough effort, we won’t bring any truly positive change.

Authors who have written a stack of books will tell you that the very top secret ingredient was the effort it took for them to get up earlier each day to write.

Great inventors will boast of, relate to, the failed efforts it took to bring an idea to its finished product. Sports figures will tell you to practice, practice, practice.

The Christian life is 100 percent God’s work. The resurrection of Savior Christ runs through our veins. But the Christian life is also 100 percent human effort.

Peter urges us to first gird ourselves, prepare our minds for action. The Greek expression here literally means to pull up one’s robe and get ready for action.

Then Peter instructs us to persevere all the way to the end through self-control.

We have to set aside very strongest of armor that does not, and never will fit us, set our prayers upon Jesus, continue to be obedient through responsible effort.

The Christian life is absolute hard work from beginning to end.

Transformation takes our disciplined mental powers, willpower, and our steadfast and authentic and genuine commitment 100 octane to our bibles.

Galatians 5:22-24 The Message

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

But thankfully even our best finite, temporary, human efforts, are a gift of God.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 1 The Message

1 How well God must like you—
    you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
    you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
    you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.

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.

https://translate.google.com/

Since ‘Bible’ ought to be a Christians “middle” name, are we making any kingdom impact living, teaching and chained unto the Living Word of God? 2 Timothy 2:8-15

2 Timothy 2:8-15 New American Standard Bible 1995

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 [a]for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we [b]deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Workman

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

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.

Way back, just before I graduated from Senior High School, I remember an old saying from my final meeting with my guidance counselor about mentoring and being mentored, then mentoring and apprenticeships goes something like this:

“first we meet, then I do, you watch; I do, you help; You do, I help; You do, I watch.”

Rabbi Jesus called, trained his disciples in much the same way as this, and they passed along to others what they learned from him. An apprentice commits to learning from a master and then becomes experienced and able to teach others.

In our Scripture reading for today, Apostle Paul urges Timothy to remember his training and to teach it, pass it along, to reliable people who can teach others.

By his grace, God wants to be in relationship with us in Christ, to fill us with his Holy Spirit, and to show us how to live fully, lie impactfully, edifyingly, so that we share all this with generations of others. God wants us to be his apprentices.

A powerful image in The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis illustrates this well.

This un­usual book is written from the perspective of a demon (or devil) who is attempting to explain God’s great plan for humankind:

“One must face the fact that all the talk about [God’s] love for men, and His service being perfect freedom, is not (as one would just gladly believe) mere propaganda, but an appalling truth. [God] really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself—creatures whose life, on its miniature scale, will be qualitatively like His own . . . because their wills freely conform to His.”

What does 2 Timothy 2:9 mean?

8 Remember Jesus Christ [the ever-living Lord who has] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David [king of Israel], according to my gospel [the good news that I preach], 9 for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or neither is it imprisoned! [Amplified Version]

Verse 9 continues Paul’s sentence from verse 8, noting that it is the gospel “for which I am suffering.” He had done nothing illegal except to proclaim Christ. Yet he was “bound with chains as a criminal.”

Paul has already mentioned his chains (2 Timothy 1:16).

In this particular case, this likely means literal chains on his hands and/or feet, similar to Peter in Acts 12:6.

Unlike Paul’s 1st Roman imprisonment, in which he lived in his own apartment for two years under house arrest, this imprisonment was much more serious.

Paul expected he would not live much longer, that at any time Emperor Nero will summarily remove his head, but rather would suffer till the end for Christ.

In contrast to Paul’s situation, he expresses his joy in knowing that the truth of the gospel, under no circumstances could not be restrained! Even from his cell and in heavy chains, Paul communicated God’s truth that influenced Timothy, his congregation, other early churches, and became part of the New Testament.

Today, If we were the one’s bound by the heaviest chains, being imprisoned in the most inescapable of prisons, would we be able to say Paul’s message here is a continued cycle-“that Great Cloud of Witnesses leading generations forward?

Exodus 13:20-22 Easy-to-Read Version

The Lord Leads His People

20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham. Etham was near the desert. 21  The Lord led the way. During the day, he used a tall cloud to lead the people. And during the night, he used a tall column of fire to lead the way. This fire gave them light so that they could also travel at night. 22 The cloud was always with them during the day, and the column of fire was always with them at night.

As millions of Jews were led forward out of bondage in Egypt by a continuous line of clouds to the Mountain of God where they would receive their teachings?

“first we meet, then I do, you watch; I do, you help; You do, I help; You do, I watch.”

Still today, the Word of God given through Paul impacts lives around the world.

Hebrews 4:11-13 Amplified Bible

11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness]. 12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b] soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.

Hebrews 4:12 clearly teaches, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Kingdom Transformation Through Excellence

We are highly motivated when reaching toward a goal. Our adrenaline flows, our creative juices churn, and our mind works overtime at solving the problems that stand higher than sky high in the way of achieving God’s vision for our life.

In our biblical text today, Paul sternly instructs his apprentice Timothy,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed.”

Paul was not content, nor satisfied, with anything but the best. He highly valued repetition, instructing Pastor Timothy to “just keep reminding” his listeners.

Repetition really works for me.

There are certain messages I must hear over and over again.

The saying “the early bird gets the worm” nudges me out of bed each morning to feast on God’s manna.

A worn out, torn card in my wallet said, “Prayer changes things,” reminds me to pray before I attempt to fix a problem in my own strength. A sign on my wall, “God is forever, Hallelujah!” calls me to put God first before projects no matter how inconvenient it may seem at times. God + Repetition produces excellence.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 18:31-32 Complete Jewish Bible

31 (30) “As for God, his way is perfect,
the word of Adonai has been tested by fire;
he shields all who take refuge in him.

32 (31) “For who is God but Adonai?
Who is a Rock but our God?

Psalm 119:1-16 Complete Jewish Bible

א (Alef)

119 How happy are those whose way of life is blameless,
who live by the Torah of Adonai!
2 How happy are those who observe his instruction,
who seek him wholeheartedly!
3 They do nothing wrong
but live by his ways.
4 You laid down your precepts
for us to observe with care.
5 May my ways be steady
in observing your laws.
6 Then I will not be put to shame,
since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart
as I learn your righteous rulings.
8 I will observe your laws;
don’t completely abandon me!

ב (Bet)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
don’t let me stray from your mitzvot.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I won’t sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, Adonai!
Teach me your laws.
13 I proclaim with my mouth
all the rulings you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction
more than in any kind of wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and keep my eyes on your ways.
16 I will find my delight in your regulations.
I will not forget your word.

Psalm 139:23-24 Complete Jewish Bible

23 Examine me, God, and know my heart;
test me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is in me any hurtful way,
and lead me along the eternal way.

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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Does anyone seriously believe we can guard our lips or tame our tongues or keep our mouths from starting a fire? James 3:1 – 6

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James 3:1-6 Amplified Bible

The Tongue Is a Fire

3 Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will [a]be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]. 2 For we all stumble and sin in many  ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses]. 3 Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well. 4 And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5 In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark! 6 And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by [b]hell (Gehenna).

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.

Doesn’t it seem at times, that modern life has become a three ring circus?

Sometimes we’re the clowns making people laugh, juggler, trying to manage all the family, career and life responsibilities, or the tightrope walker, trying to walk that line between living for Christ and the constant pull of the world.

Other times we are the strongman, muscled, wrestling with heavy burdens and temptations that are never-ending. And don’t forget the clowns that surround us everywhere with their colorful make-up, their clumsy, and too goofy antics!

Their insanity drains our time and energy, but we simply must deal with them.

Yet, against this backdrop, God is there as ring master, orchestrating the whole thing, making order out of all the chaos – to the extent we turn it over to Him.

“Ladies and Gentlemen and boys and girls, young and old Children of all ages”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Amplified Bible

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]! 5 You shall all love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being].6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your [a]children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.

In the more contemporary sense we should add “drive your cars, trucks, busses, motorcycles, atv’s, recreational vehicles, 18 wheelers, fly your planes, private jets.

Let’s not forget those who make their livings and take their vacations upon the vast oceanic seas, rivers, and waterways, in their fishing boats and their yachts, the row boats and motor boats, our Navies, the Navy’s of the world, the gargantuan tankers and container ships, tug boats, cruise ships of all sizes and elegance and luxury.

The Lord God desires that all may come to know Him and share a relationship.

Psalm 46:10 Amplified Bible

10 
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 100:3 Amplified Bible

3 
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, [a]not we ourselves [and we are His].
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 139:1-6 Amplified Bible

God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.
2 
You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do];
You understand my thought from afar.
3 
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 
Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken],
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
5 
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And [You have] placed Your hand upon me.
6 
Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.

And one of the best ways we can experience victory with Him is to become a big cat tamer and take control of that most vicious of beasts – the human tongue!

We know how difficult it is to tame a real lion, even one raised from a cub.

Just remember the tragic account of Siegfried and Roy, the famous Las Vegas magic act featuring white tigers.

In 2003 one such tiger, Manticore, suddenly bit Roy in the neck and dragged him offstage, ending his career and nearly his life. Which makes us ask – can a lion, or tiger or the human tongue, really be tamed even by “trained experts?”

James 3:2-6 Disciples’ Literal New Testament

2 For we all stumble many[a] ways. If one does not stumble in speech, this one is a perfect man able to bridle[b] also the whole body. 3 Now if we put bridles into the mouths of horses so-that they obey us, we also guide their whole body. 4  Behold also ships being so large and being driven by hard winds— they are guided by a very small rudder where the impulse of the one steering wants. 5 So also the tongue is a  small body-part, and boastfully-declares great things.  Behold how-small a fire kindles how-great a forest!

An Untamed Tongue Stains And Burns And Poisons Life

6 And the tongue is a fire! The[c] tongue is made[d] the world of [e] unrighteousness among our body-parts— the thing staining the whole body and setting-on-fire the course of our existence, and being set-on-fire by Gehenna[f].

Lions and tigers are strong, magnificent creatures, but dangerous. They can turn on you suddenly, in a split-second, cause untold damage or kill you. Yet when they are under the control of the lion tamer, they are beautiful to behold.

Just like our tongues …

Proverbs 18:17-21 Easy-to-Read Version

17 The first person to speak always seems right until someone comes and asks the right questions.

18 The best way to settle an argument between two powerful people may be to use lots.

19 An insulted brother is harder to win back than a city with strong walls. Arguments separate people like the strong bars of a palace gate.

20 Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach.

21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.

Matthew 12:33-37 Easy-to-Read Version

What You Do(say) Shows What You Are

33 “If you want good fruit, you must make the tree good. If your tree is not good, it will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. 34 You snakes! You are so evil. How can you say anything good? What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. 35 Those who are good have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. 36 I tell you that everyone will have to answer for all the careless things they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment. 37 Your words will be used to judge you. What you have said will show whether you are right or whether you are guilty.”

Our taming the tongue is vital so we don’t stumble, experience unnecessary relationship damage, or get pushed off the course that God set for our lives. 

Indeed, what comes out of our mouths in an absent-minded moment can cause severe, irreparable damage.

Our “oops” words can have unintended consequences: weakening our marriage relationship, creating division between friends and distrust among colleagues, and alienating our children. They can cost us our jobs, our reputations, and our families and our homes, untold opportunities to keep ourselves out of prison.

What comes out of our mouth can cause us to experience a lifetime of regret, especially if they are so severe, knock us off the course God has for our lives.

In other words, our lives follow the direction of our words.

If we are always saying things like: I’ll never…I can’t…my life is over…I won’t recover…I don’t get any breaks… 

Don’t be surprised if that is exactly how your life turns out!

Just as absent-minded words spoken to others can damage the course of that relationship, what we continuously, constantly say about ourselves and our lives has a profound effect on our own decision making minds. And these self-imposed limiting beliefs and crippling mindsets can completely alter the course that our lives take, far away from God’s intent. Which, by the way, is amazing.

But if the masters Siegfried and Roy ultimately failed in taming their lion, well-fed, well-treated, and raised from a cub, how can we hope to master, to take control of the wildest of all wildest of beasts we have called the human tongue?

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 19 Easy-to-Read Version

To the director: A song of David.

19 The heavens tell about the glory of God.
    The skies announce what his hands have made.
2 Each new day tells more of the story,
    and each night reveals more and more about God’s power.[a]
3 You cannot hear them say anything.
    They don’t make any sound we can hear.
4 But their message goes throughout the world.
    Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.

The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens.
5     It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom.
It begins its path across the sky
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
6 It starts at one end of the sky
    and runs all the way to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The Lord’s teachings are perfect.
    They give strength to his people.
The Lord’s rules can be trusted.
    They help even the foolish become wise.
8 The Lord’s laws are right.
    They make people happy.
The Lord’s commands are good.
    They show people the right way to live.

9 Learning respect for the Lord is good.
    It will last forever.
The Lord’s judgments are right.
    They are completely fair.
10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold.
    They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.
11 His teachings warn his servants,
    and good things come to those who obey them.

12 People cannot see their own mistakes,
    so don’t let me commit secret sins.
13 Don’t let me do what I know is wrong.
    Don’t let sin control me.
If you help me, I can be pure
    and free from sin.
14 May my words and thoughts please you.
    Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.

Psalm 139:23-24 Easy-to-Read Version

23 God, examine me and know my mind.
    Test me and know all my worries.
24 Make sure that I am not going the wrong way.[a]
    Lead me on the path that has always been right.[b]

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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I will not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the eyes of my heart are enlightened to see the surest, and truest hope we should all have in you. 2 Kings 6:17

2 Kings 6:14-20 Complete Jewish Bible

14 So he sent horses, chariots and a large army there; they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 The servant of the man of God got up early in the morning; on going outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. His servant said to him, “Oh, my master, this is terrible! What are we going to do?” 16 He answered, “Don’t be afraid — those who are with us outnumber those who are with them!” 17 Elisha prayed, “Adonai, I ask you to open his eyes, so that he can see.” Then Adonai opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw: there before him, all around Elisha, the mountain was covered with horses and fiery chariots. 18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Adonai, “Please strike these people blind”; and he struck them blind, as Elisha had asked. 19 Next, Elisha told them, “You’ve lost your way, and this isn’t even the right city. Follow me, and I’ll take you to the man you’re looking for.” Then he led them to Shomron. 20 On their arrival in Shomron, Elisha said, “Adonai, open the eyes of these men, so that they can see.” Adonai opened their eyes, and they saw: there they were, in the middle of Shomron.

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.

Prophet Elisha’s servant was looking but not seeing. He saw only hopelessness. He saw the army of Aram surrounding their town, but he did not see the host of the angel Army protecting God’s people. He was walking in spiritual blindness.

We can be the same way.

We might see only disappointments, or discouragements, or hopelessness, our spiritual enemies descending with all their might, all around us, our dark souls.

We might fear the stranger, complain about the lazy, and point fingers at those who disagree. We might fear that the world is lost to the devil, and we are the ones who suffer. We might be baited, shackled to the idea of putting God aside so we all can earn our fortune and have fun, only to experience everlasting loss.

Elisha’s prayer is a great way to address our blindness to God’s sovereignty. We can pray, “Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see.” When our eyes are opened, we see our sin as the chief of sins and the lust of the flesh as rebellion against God.

And we finally see that Jesus has already won the victory. Christ already rules in heaven. This world is all in his hands. Have no fear, for we know that God wins.

When the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, “he looked up and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” All these angelic heavenly hosts were surrounding and protecting them. The servant’s fear melted away. If there is an Elisha warrior praying for us, God is on our side, who can stand against us?

Ephesians 1:15-21 Amplified Bible

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; 17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people), 19 and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength 20 which He [c]produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come.

In order to go deeper in God, we must allow him to open the eyes of our hearts to see him as he truly is.

So often we settle in our relationship with him for that which can only be seen with our physical eyes.

We settle for community apart from unity in the Spirit, God’s word apart from revelation from the Spirit, and look to “open” or “closed” doors as our guide rather than making space to ask for the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

It’s time for us as the body of Christ to truly live in the fullness of relationship afforded to us by his sacrifice.

It’s for this reason, in Ephesians 1:16-19, Paul told the Church in Ephesus,

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.

We need the “eyes of our hearts” to be enlightened today.

We need the Holy Spirit to come and do a mighty work that we might no longer live only for that which is seen, but by faith pursue the unseen. 

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” 

God longs for us to pursue the deeper things of him in faith. He longs for us to grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit and learn to live life with his presence, leadership, voice, and love as the foundation for everything we do.

To live only by the things we can physically see is to live only for that which is temporal and fleeting. 

Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” 

God has worthwhile work in store for us. He has a plan to bring heaven to earth through our lives every day. But in order to make an impact on eternity we must be able to see, know the heart of God. We must become, as Elisha, increasingly aware of exactly how God feels and what he wants to do moment-by-moment.

Growing in our relationship with the Holy Spirit is the foundation of seeking the deeper things of God.

Learning to live by and with him is the only way to advance his kingdom.

Take time in guided prayer today to ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Ask him to lead, guide and direct you into a deeper, far more connected relationship with him. And choose Elisha’s prayer today, to pursue a life marked by deep connection with your heavenly Father and powerful works of his Spirit.

17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

Guided Prayer:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Meditate on Scripture and take time to rest in his presence.

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” Proverbs 20:12

2. Where have you been doing life apart from connectivity to the Spirit? Where have you been living temporally instead of for eternity?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live connected to him today.

“Be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus promised us in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” 

When we authentically seek all the blessings which God has to give such as being loved, being known, being provided for, and being filled with the Spirit, we can know that we will find what we seek.

The door to going deeper in God will always be opened whenever we come to it and knock.

God will never withhold himself from us when we purely desire more of him.

Have faith today in the perfect goodness of your heavenly Father and deeply pursue the deeper things of him that you might live in greater union with him.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 42 Complete Jewish Bible

Book II: Psalms 42–72

42 (0) For the leader. A maskil of the descendants of Korach:

2 (1) Just as a deer longs for running streams,
God, I long for you.
3 (2) I am thirsty for God, for the living God!
When can I come and appear before God?

4 (3) My tears are my food, day and night,
while all day people ask me, “Where is your God?”
5 (4) I recall, as my feelings well up within me,
how I’d go with the crowd to the house of God,
with sounds of joy and praise from the throngs
observing the festival.

6 (5) My soul, why are you so downcast?
Why are you groaning inside me?
Hope in God, since I will praise him again
for the salvation that comes from his presence.
7 (6) My God, when I feel so downcast,
I remind myself of you
from the land of Yarden, from the peaks of Hermon,
from the hill Mizar.
8 (7) Deep is calling to deep
at the thunder of your waterfalls;
all your surging rapids and waves
are sweeping over me.
9 (8) By day Adonai commands his grace,
and at night his song is with me
as a prayer to the God of my life.
10 (9) I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
under pressure by the enemy?
11 (10) My adversaries’ taunts make me feel
as if my bones were crushed,
as they ask me all day long,
‘Where is your God?’ ”

12 (11) My soul, why are you so downcast?
Why are you groaning inside me?
Hope in God, since I will praise him again
for being my Savior and 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.

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When those Storms of Life are still Crashing, Raging: How well are we grounded, standing firm in the Lord? 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Amplified Bible

6 But now that Timothy has come back to us from [his visit with] you, and has brought us good news of your [steadfast] faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] that you always think kindly of us and treasure your memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you, 7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and suffering we have been comforted and  greatly encouraged about you because of your faith [your unwavering trust in God—placing yourselves completely in His loving hands]; 8 because now we  really live [in spite of everything], if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what [adequate] thanks can we offer to God for you in return for all the joy and  delight we have before our God on your account? 10 We continue to pray night and day most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and may complete whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you [by removing the obstacles that stand in our way]. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His [a]saints (God’s people).

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.

When reading this chapter, the firmness of the joy Paul had stood out to me.

During his entire Apostleship, Paul faced challenge after challenge, obstacle after obstacle as he walked worked to spread the gospel, yet he’s still full of joy.

Paul starts the chapter by talking about how he feared that the Thessalonians would be led astray by the temptations and afflictions they would face. 

He says that for this reason, he asked someone to report on their faith, hoping that all his ministry and mission work there wouldn’t have been done in vain. 

But when Timothy returned with a report about the Thessalonians, it became clear they had stood firm in their faith through all the persecution they faced.

In verse 7, Paul writes that he and his companions were comforted by the news that Timothy brought. 

The good news about the Thessalonians was so great that it provided comfort in the midst of their bodily and spiritual afflictions! 

Paul states they now really live if the Thessalonians stand firm in their faith. 

The Thessalonians provided so much magnitude of joy to the lives of Paul and his companions that it feels like they had just started to really live in Christ! 

In verse 9, Paul asks what expressions of thanks they can extend to God for all the joy he has about the steadfast faith and perseverance of the Thessalonians. 

There is so much joy running through his heart and through their spirits that he a man of many words, doesn’t even know how to put it to words to thank God. 

This magnitude of joy is so overwhelming that he can’t even start to understand or comprehend completely just exactly how much thanks he needs to give God.

Are we filling others with as much joy as Paul is full of from the Thessalonians?

Are those who taught us the Bible filled with that self same magnitude of joy from the way it has changed their lives and id now firmly working your life?

Paul’s joy came from his spirit seeing that he was able to make this impact on the Thessalonian followers and that they were able to continue standing firm. 

We each need to be firm in God’s immutable truths like the Thessalonians, providing encouraging joy to our teachers, our neighbors, others like the non believing souls as we are encouraged continue to walk in the way of the Lord.

Are you filled with joy like Paul? 

God has provided each of us with much more than we ever deserved. 

None of us deserve salvation, but God offered it to each one of us. 

Our lives should be full of joy because of this great gift. 

I can’t even begin to thank God enough for everything that He has given me!

I have to stand up and firmly echo Paul’s response to this joy shown in verse 10. 

He says that he and his companions are earnestly praying that they may see the Thessalonians again and that they may yet continue to strengthen their faith.

He doesn’t claim that his job is now done, as the Thessalonians were able to stand up to opposition.  Instead, he says that he wants to visit to teach them even more, to make them even firmer, stronger, lacking nothing in their faith.

Paul thanked God for his Thessalonian friends, who, despite knowing they would suffer imprisonment, persecution and even a very painful death in the arena’s for their faith in Jesus, were sure of the security they would find in him.

What a witness they were to the Savior!

The Thessalonians were persecuted, they were arrested, tortured and killed but they remained steadfast in their faith to the end—and that is not always easy.

It can be difficult to remain faithful, especially when life presents unexpected challenges. When Paul sent Timothy to check on the Thessalonians, he was encouraged and filled with joy that their faith had remained strong. He said, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”

Remaining firm in Christ is not always easy when you know you will be hurt—both physically and spiritually but God tells us about the peace, comfort, and redemption he provides when we stay near to him despite our challenges.

No matter what year it is, no matter the culture or society, life can bring grief, instant worry, fear, and a host of other difficult and uncomfortable emotions.

It can be hard to accept circumstances that are unpredictable and far outside of our own control, especially when our hearts, souls, yearn to make things better.

But when we draw near to God as He draws near to us, he promises to give us his peace that surpasses all understanding.

Psalm 73:28 Amplified Bible

28 
But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,
That I may tell of all Your works.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Amplified Bible

Your Attitude Toward God

5 Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil.

Hebrews 7:18-20 Amplified Bible

18 For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God] 19 (for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God. 20 And indeed it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ was made priest]

James 4:1-10 Amplified Bible

Things to Avoid

4 What leads to [the unending] [a]quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic] desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and  [b] your lust goes unfulfilled; so you [c]murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]. 3 You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask  [d]with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. 4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose [e] that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? 6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but  [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

Drawing nearer, and nearer still to God’s presence strengthens our weary storm battered hearts through our firmest perseverance through hardcore challenges, persecution, and unforeseen circumstances—and for that we must praise him!

What is our response to being filled with joy, with above beyond exuberant joy? 

We need to be constantly giving thanks for all that we have been given, night and day praising God. 

Are you asking God that we can continue to do the hard work of ministry and the hard work of mission which He has prepared for us or are you saying that we have reached or exceeded our definition of our limits, that our job is done? 

This Spirit ignited joy should cause us to want to do even more, spreading the good news to all those around you so that they too might experience this joy.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Spend an extra ten minutes in prayer today thanking God.

What is the biggest challenge you face in standing firm in the Lord?

How can you ask for help from your brothers and sisters in Christ? (If you don’t have a church family yet – make it your first priority to find one!)

Are there brothers and sisters or children in the faith that give you great joy when you see how they are standing firm in the faith even in the midst of trials?

Let them know.

Look to make friends with them as Christ made friends with you. John 15:15-16

John 14:11-14 Amplified Bible

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe  [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have witnessed]. 12 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name [[a]as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified  and celebrated in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.

Do you wishy washy, firmly, believe in Jesus Christ as you One and Only Savior?

Do you wishy washy, firmly, believe in Jesus’ words to His disciples of their firm ability of accomplishing “greater things?” What are those “greater things?”

There is much to pray about – how firm is our foundation in Savior Jesus Christ?

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 19 Amplified Bible

The Works and the Word of God.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2 
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3 
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4 
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5 
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10 
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13 
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] 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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