Tag: God

More Like Christ: Reviving, Carrying, Testifying, Messaging: “for you shall go out in His Joy, be led forth in Peace and into His whole and complete life” Isaiah 55:12-13.

Isaiah 55:12-13 Complete Jewish Bible

12 Yes, you will go out with joy,
you will be led forth in peace.
As you come, the mountains and hills
will burst out into song,
and all the trees in the countryside
will clap their hands.
13 Cypresses will grow in place of thorns,
myrtles will grow instead of briars.
This will bring fame to Adonai
as an eternal, imperishable sign.

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.

Being a Carrier of Joy

As children of the Most High God, we are to be marked by contagious, unceasing joy. Through the Holy Spirit we have access to an unending supply of joy that comes from the wellspring of restored relationship with our heavenly Father.

God longs to fill us with his immeasurable joy that we might live the abundant life Jesus died to give us. He longs to make us children fashioned in the image of our Father that we might each share his unending joy to a world without hope.

By the Living Word and Power of God, may we discover the greater portion of joy available to us through the Spirit as you encounter the heart of your Father.

Isaiah 55:12-13 Amplified Bible

12 
“For you will go out [from exile] with joy
And be led forth [by the Lord Himself] with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 
“Instead of the thorn bush the cypress tree will grow,
And instead of the nettle the myrtle tree will grow;
And it will be a memorial to the Lord,
For an everlasting sign [of His mercy] which will not be cut off.” 

As disciples of Jesus, we are to carry the joy of our salvation everywhere we go.

You and I have the power to change atmospheres on earth with the joy of the Spirit. We have the power to brighten people’s days, break off heaviness, and lead, guide and direct and inspire people to a deeper revelation of the goodness of our Lord, Savior Jesus Christ when we instinctively reflect his joy to others.

God is a joyful God.

He is the inventor of happiness and fun. 

Luke 15:10 says, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

The Story of the Lost Coin

8-10 “Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us “the joy of the Lord is [our] strength.” 

Nehemiah 8:6-10 The Message

5-6 Ezra opened the book. Every eye was on him (he was standing on the raised platform) and as he opened the book everyone stood. Then Ezra praised God, the great God, and all the people responded, “Oh Yes! Yes!” with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground.

7-8 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, all Levites, explained The Revelation while people stood, listening respectfully. They translated the Book of The Revelation of God so the people could understand it and then explained the reading.

9 Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, “This day is holy to God, your God. Don’t weep and carry on.” They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation.

10 He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!”

In order to truly declare to the world who our heavenly Father is, we must be carriers of joy. We must be a people marked by the joy that only comes from restored relationship with an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God.

I have to confess before God here that it has taken me a long time to learn and an even longer time to realize the truth that circumstances, people, trials, work, and worldly stress do not have the inherent ability to thump on, steal, my joy.

It’s when I open my heart to outside elements that I allow stresses to come in like robbers and take what is rightfully mine in the Lord.

It’s only when I allow a fellow driver, a time crunch, a negative comment, or a troublesome problem to sledgehammer me down, take precedence over the joy and the hope I have in Jesus that I step outside of my allotted portion of peace.

Galatians 5:20-24 The Message

19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

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.

23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

To be carriers of joy, we have to choose to value the fruit of the Spirit over worldly emotions.

We have to choose to only open our hearts to the things of God and shrug off that which is fleeting. If we don’t take control of our thoughts and cast any fear, worry, or doubt on the shoulders of our heavenly Father, the circumstances of this world will rule our emotions rather than the steadfast joy of the Spirit.

Isaiah 55:12 says, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” 

The Lord longs to make us a people that go out in joy.

He longs to make us children who are overwhelmed by his love to the degree that the cares of this world pale in comparison to his grace and affections.

Ask the Lord for your share of Grace and His perspective today.

Psalm 139:23-24 The Message

23-24 Investigate my life, O God,
    find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
    get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
    then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Allow the Spirit to help you focus your attention on the true purpose for which you were created: restored relationship with your heavenly Father. Choose the joy of the Lord, resurrection of Jesus, over the stress and cares of the world.

Choose to “be led forth in peace” rather than led by your flesh. And experience today the lifestyle of carrying the joy of the Lord with you everywhere you go.

May others come to know the abundant goodness of our heavenly Father through the way you exude joy.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of carrying joy. 

Allow Scripture to establish a new emphasis on joy for you.  

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

2. What do you allow to steal your joy? 

What circumstances, negative comments, or people have been robbing you of peace? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the root of whatever is stealing your joy.

“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” Proverbs 10:28

3. Surrender your emotions and thoughts to the Lord alone. 

Ask the Spirit to help you open your heart only to the things of him instead of the things of the world. Ask him to make you a carrier of joy.

“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Our heavenly Father is much more patient than we often believe.

He is not in a rush with you.

He will not let you miss his perfect will for your life if you are willing to follow him in obedience.

Trust in his timing.

Cast off the burden of paving your own way to an impactful life. Take time to become a carrier of joy by resting in his presence and getting to know his heart.

Allow his perspective of patience to become your perspective. May you be filled with His peace and His joy in the knowledge of your God’s greater love for you.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 121 The Message

121 1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 God guards you from every evil,
    he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
    he guards you now, he guards you always.

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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Our Source of Authentic Happiness: I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I will have no good apart from you.” Psalm 16

Psalm 16 Complete Jewish Bible

16 (0) Mikhtam. By David:

(1) Protect me, God,
for you are my refuge.
2 I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good outside of you.”
3 The holy people in the land are the ones
who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.

4 Those who run after another god
multiply their sorrows;
To such gods I will not offer
drink offerings of blood
or take their names on my lips.

5 Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup:
you safeguard my share.
6 Pleasant places were measured out for me;
I am content with my heritage.

7 I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
8 I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
11 You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight.

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.

I Will Have No Good Apart From God …

Psalm 16:1-3 New American Standard Bible 1995

The Lord the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death.

A [a]Mikhtam of David.

16 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord;
I have no good besides You.”
3 As for the [d]saints who are in the earth,
[e]They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

What do you treasure in this life?

We all have something that brings us great delight or somewhere that just seems restful and right.

Sometimes, though, we catch a glimpse of life without those earthly pleasures.

Maybe it’s illness or even bereavement that clarifies things for us.

What kind of car you drive away from the hospital when you find out that your loved one has been diagnosed with malignant cancer doesn’t matter, does it?

The same goes for your clothes, your jewelry, your gadgets, your house—all of a sudden, they’re not nearly as important as they once seemed.

We can and should enjoy what God has graciously given us.

He “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). It’s not that the good things of the earth are bad. But what we have in God is so delightful, so rich, that coming to know Him is like discovering a treasure hidden in a field.

That treasure so enraptures us that in our fullness of joy, we will do whatever it takes to get that field and the abundant delights it contains (Matthew 13:44).

Matthew 13:44 New American Standard Bible 1995

Hidden Treasure

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Without the treasure we have in God, as Psalm 16 tells us, we ultimately have no other good.

When we sit down to a bowl of toast, cereal or oatmeal or whatever breakfast may be, in our minds we ought to be saying, Apart from You, Lord, I have no good thing. You’re the one that made the grain to grow. You’re the one who provides my food. 

When we get up and walk out of the door, and have health and strength to do so, who makes it possible for us to walk? When we lie on our beds at night and we can enter into the rest of the evening, who alone makes it possible?

You have no ability even to see these letters, to hold up this book, or to comprehend what you are reading apart from the enabling grace of God.

Only He can preserve and sustain us. Only God gives to us “life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25).

In the end, we will have no good apart from Him—but He has way more than enough goodness to go around. He is the source of all our treasures—and He is Himself our greater treasure.

When we see Him as He truly is, our natural response will be to make Him the center of our life, around which revolve thoughts, decisions, feelings, actions.

That is, you will say to Him, “You are my Lord,” for in His presence “there is fullness of joy,” and at His right hand are “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Where else would you possibly prefer to take refuge, and what else would you treasure more than Him?

The Source of Happiness: our One pathway to God’s life

Psalm 16:7-11 Complete Jewish Bible

7 I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
8 I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
11 You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight.

God created us to enjoy the greatest of happiness: communion with him. We experience true happiness by loving God and enjoying intimacy with him.

In the presence of God there is fullness of joy.

The best gifts in life come from God.

But some people prefer to look elsewhere.

Many seek happiness in money; others, in fame and political power.

People also seek happiness in pleasures, or they follow their dreams of success, hoping to find fulfillment in their lives. But, in the end, they will only discover that those things offer only drugged fleeting. mirage and not true happiness.

Happiness is a legitimate desire.

Many people look for it eagerly every day of their lives, but they end up empty-handed.

The source of happiness is not in things or in our own selfish pursuits, but in God. The best things of this world cannot make us happy, but God can, because he created us, calls us by name, and makes us his own. We become truly happy only when we know God and love him, share Him, with all our heart and soul.

If we do not have a safe guide, it is impossibly easy to take the wrong pathways in life. And whom can we utterly trust but God to faithfully show us the way?

It’s been said that Psalm 16 is a psalm of lament. Yet by the time we finish reading it we can also come to a conclusion that it is a celebratory psalm. Just notice the ending of this psalm, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

“The path of life” – everyone’s talking about how to find it.

Books in Walmart are filled with such title.

“Joy in your presence” – in a world so dysfunctional and empty joy is the one missing ingredient. “Eternal pleasures at Your right hand” – while earthly goods only offer temporary pleasure God-derived pleasure offers a better alternative, a more lasting fulfillment in the pursuit of His will.

Who would not want any of these?

Psalm 16 also echoes Psalm 14’s assertion that there is no one who does good.

It states, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

This is why we teach that goodness in and of ourselves alone is never enough to earn our ticket to heaven.

We need someone outside of us to redeem us from the sin nature passed down on us.

This is where a Savior needs to come in to save us – a Savior who once proclaimed through unequivocal terms, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

And this Savior’s name is Jesus.

Psalm 16 also contains an admonition, “Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.”

King Solomon, touted to be the wisest person who ever lived, knows this principle all too well.

He pursued various gods in his lifetime – wealth, fame, education, sex and pleasure. He held nothing back and got everything he desired. When he assessed all that he had done and achieved in life, he astonishingly concluded that apart from God everything is but an absolute futility, like chasing after the wind.

The things that truly matter most in life are few and far between.

Faith in a a living and sovereign God is foremost of them. As the psalmist David looks up to this God and affirms His mighty presence he begins to worship, “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

While this psalm is considered a Messianic psalm which is ascribed to the suffering Jesus prophetically, we can say with David, “You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.”

In God, death loses its sting. Make God your refuge and He will keep you safe and secure – not from trouble but in spite of or in the midst of it all (Psalm 16:1).

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 40 Complete Jewish Bible

40 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:

2 (1) I waited patiently for Adonai,
till he turned toward me and heard my cry.
3 (2) He brought me up from the roaring pit,
up from the muddy ooze,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my footing firm.
4 (3) He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will look on in awe
and put their trust in Adonai.

5 (4) How blessed the man who trusts in Adonai
and does not look to the arrogant
or to those who rely on things that are false.

6 (5) How much you have done, Adonai my God!
Your wonders and your thoughts toward us —
none can compare with you!
I would proclaim them, I would speak about them;
but there’s too much to tell!

7 (6) Sacrifices and grain offerings you don’t want;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you don’t demand.
Instead, you have given me open ears;
8 (7) so then I said, “Here I am! I’m coming!
In the scroll of a book it is written about me.
9 (8) Doing your will, my God, is my joy;
your Torah is in my inmost being.
10 (9) I have proclaimed what is right in the great assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, Adonai, as you know.
11 (10) I did not hide your righteousness in my heart
but declared your faithfulness and salvation;
I did not conceal your grace and truth
from the great assembly.”

12 (11) Adonai, don’t withhold your mercy from me.
Let your grace and truth preserve me always.
13 (12) For numberless evils surround me;
my iniquities engulf me — I can’t even see;
there are more of them than hairs on my head,
so that my courage fails me.
14 (13) Be pleased, Adonai, to rescue me!
Adonai, hurry and help me!
15 (14) May those who seek to sweep me away
be disgraced and humiliated together.
May those who take pleasure in doing me harm
be turned back and put to confusion.
16 (15) May those who jeer at me, “Aha! Aha!”
be aghast because of their shame.

17 (16) But may all those who seek you
be glad and take joy in you.
May those who love your salvation say always,
“Adonai is great and glorious!”

18 (17) But I am poor and needy;
may Adonai think of me.
You are my helper and rescuer;
my God, don’t delay!

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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A simple (?) question Jesus would still ask us this very day: “Who Do YOU Say that I Am?” Mark 8:27-30

Mark 8:27-30 New American Standard Bible 1995

Peter’s Confession of Christ

27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?”  28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” 29 And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are [a]the Christ.” 30 And He [b] warned them to tell no one about Him.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

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

So much of our Christian life is devoted, not to learning new things, but to remembering things that we’ve already come to know and believe. And as we come together week after week, much of our time is given to reminding one another what is the truth and encouraging one another to keep on believing.

Mark begins his Gospel by announcing that he is writing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the very first verse He makes some bold claims: That Jesus is the promised, anointed One of God and that Jesus is in fact, God is in flesh.  Mark makes this declaration and then he writes the Gospel to show the real true evidence of this claim. It’s true: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Through the first eight chapters of the Gospel, Mark records miracle after miracle and proof after proof that Jesus is no ordinary man, but that He is in fact the Son of God. And while many come to Jesus and even say positive things about Him, no one up to this point has actually confessed Jesus as the Christ.

Now, in Mark 8:27-30 we come to a significant transition as Peter makes this great confession of faith: You are the Christ.

Jesus Opens Blind Eyes

The 12 disciples’ dullness of faith and their slowness to believe has been well documented throughout the Gospel, but it now becomes particularly evident in chapter 8.

Mark 8:17-21 New American Standard Bible 1995

17 And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a [a]hardened heart? 18  Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.”  20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.” 21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

In 8:17-21 Jesus rebukes the disciples for their blindness and deafness. After this rebuke and before Peter’s confession Mark records that Jesus heals a blind man. Jesus came to open blind eyes and to enable us to see Him for who He truthfully is and this is what happens with the disciples: their eyes are opened.

The First Question – A General Assessment (8:27)

  • Questions on the way– As Jesus and His disciples travel from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi (about 25 miles) Jesus takes an opportunity to ask the disciples some questions. It’s important to remember that these questions come right on the heels of 8:17-21. Jesus has rebuked them for their dullness of heart and knowledge, and now He inquires about the nature of their faith.
  • A broader question – Before asking the more personal question Jesus asks a general question: Who do people say that I am? This isn’t really an attempt by Jesus to gain information; instead Jesus is helping His disciples to consider and ponder carefully the majority opinions about what they’ve heard of who He is.

The Response: An Insufficient Assessment (8:28)

The disciples share with Jesus that many people think positively of Him. They consider Him to be like one of the great prophets of the Old Testament or perhaps He’s continuing the ministry of John the Baptist – who was also well respected. Jesus greatly impressed the crowds but in the end their assessment of who He is proves to be woefully insufficient. He is far more than a prophet.

The Second Question – A Personal Inquiry (8:29a)

After beginning with the more general question Jesus moves to the personal. It’s no longer a question about the views of others or of public consensus. Jesus is asking them who they hardcore believe He truly is: Who do you say that I am? 

An Unprecedented Confession (8:29)

After all we’ve read about the disciples dullness of faith we may suspect that they will adopt one of the same positions as the crowds, but their response reveals that a change has occurred. Peter, on behalf of the others, makes this declaration: that Jesus is the Christ – the promised and anointed One of God. 

The gift of sight– How do the disciples go from lacking understanding to this bold confession of faith? As we consider the testimony of the blind man who was healed we are reminded that God opens blind eyes. In Matthew’s account Jesus tells Peter that the truth has been revealed to him by God (Mt. 16:15-16).

A Strict Warning (8:30)

Until the work of Jesus on the cross is completed Jesus continues to command complete total silence from those who believe. It’s not until after the cross that the people will be able to truthfully understand the work of the Messiah fully.

Observations to Consider

  • The necessity of a right confession – The crowds thought well of Jesus, but only good thoughts of Jesus are not enough. It’s not enough to acknowledge Jesus as a good teacher or leader. Only those who see Jesus as the Christ and their Lord and Savior trust in His sacrifice on their behalf will be saved.
  • Confession as a starting point – While a right confession of Christ is essential it is only the starting point in the journey of faith. Peter’s confession wasn’t an end, but a beginning. We must be a steadfast people of ongoing and unswerving allegiance to Christ and Christ alone (Acts 4:8-12).
  • A confession that costs everything – As we make claims that differ from public consensus we will definitely face opposition. Jesus makes it clear that following Him is extraordinarily costly (Mark 8:34-38) – but this is the way of our faith.
  • A confession that gains you everything – While there may be much sacrifice in following Christ, the gain far outweighs the loss. In Christ we have rest, hope, joy and peace both for today and for eternity. (Psalm 23, Psalm 139, John 14:1-14)

Test Yourself! Who Do You Say (Believe) Jesus Is?

When we are out in public, we meet people and get to know them a bit, it’s not unusual to ask each other about work or hobbies or other interests. We look for information to learn about others and to see what we might have in common.

It would be very rare, indeed, though, to hear a question like this one that Jesus asked: “Who do you say I am?” “Who do you say Jesus is?” And yet this is one of Jesus’ most important questions because it focuses on his identity, purpose.

Today, Jesus asks this question of each of us too. And it is not an easy question. It takes deep thought and reflection because our response will reveal how we go about our everyday life and in whom (or what) we believe and have faith.

Peter answered Jesus by saying, “You are the Messiah”—that is, the Christ, the Son of God, who came to save us from sin and death. And if we say the same, we heartily declare that our steadfast faith and life are grounded in Jesus Christ.

This affects how we pray, how we interact with others—how we live our whole lives. It also guides and directs us to find that place of peace and security in the Lord our God alone who completely loves us and has this world in his hands.

If we merely think that maybe Jesus is the Messiah, that will affect our lives too, and our foundation will feel less secure. Hopefully it will prompt us to ask Jesus himself, “Dear God, just how do you want me to live?” (Matthew 7:24 – 29).

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 24 The Message

24 1-2 God claims Earth and everything in it,
    God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
    laid it out on River girders.

3-4 Who can climb Mount God?
    Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
    only the pure-hearted;
Men who won’t cheat,
    women who won’t seduce.

5-6 God is at their side;
    with God’s help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
    to God-seekers, God-questers.

7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
    King-Glory is ready to enter.

8 Who is this King-Glory?
    God, armed
    and battle-ready.

9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
    King-Glory is ready to enter.

10 Who is this King-Glory?
    God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
    he is King-Glory.

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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Let’s join with all nature in manifold witness to Reveal the true Wonders of God’s Character. Romans 1:19 – 20

Romans 1:18-23 The Message

Ignoring God Leads to a Downward Spiral

18-23 But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

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

The created world bears witness to the evidence of a Creator!

Some people can’t find God, do not want to find God, for the same reason that a criminal will not look for nor they can’t find a police man! They don’t want to!

God also knows I’m not the smartest person, will never be as smart as He is. I am so deeply grateful that his love for me is not based on how wise or foolish I am (Romans 1:14). But God does draw some lines that I need to understand.

I don’t know everything there is to know about God, but what if I suppress what I do know, or if I don’t take God seriously, or if I live in ways that deny the truth or undermine what God has said is truth? Then I will surely stir up God’s wrath.

That’s because truth is infinitely more important. In fact, Jesus said he is “the way and the truth and the life,” to which he added, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This means that when we are “suppressing the truth,” we block our way to God.

God knows the eternal consequences, the everlasting damage that our suppression of the truth can cause; he lost his Son once because of it.

“Smart, smarter, smartest” is not what God is asking of me; allegiance to the truth is what he demands. It’s the true starting place on the track of salvation.

Nature Reveals the Wonders of God’s Character

Romans 1:19-20 Complete Jewish Bible

19 because what is known about God is plain to them, since God has made it plain to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the universe his invisible qualities — both his eternal power and his divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they can be understood from what he has made. Therefore, they have no excuse;

Our Creator’s qualities are on display in creation. Every time we go outside to discover, explore nature, we can learn something awe-inspiring about God.

Romans 1:19-20 explains that those who want to know more about God can discover his qualities in the natural world:

“For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Whenever we’re immersed in the wonder of nature, we’re reminded we have a wise and loving Creator who maintains, sustains all of creation – including us – in powerful ways.

Example: five aspects of nature commonly found around the world – the sun, water, rocks, trees, and flowers – revealing the wonder of God’s character;  

1. The Sun Reveals God’s Life, Hope, and Wisdom

God is the ultimate light, and the sun shines a spotlight on that reality.

The sun symbolizes life which comes from a loving Creator who cares for creation. It shows us God’s fiery love, which motivates him to give us life and sustain our lives.

The Bible calls God the “sun of righteousness” in Malachi 4:2, “true light” in John 1:9, “light of the world” also in John 8:12, as a “consuming fire” in  Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews. 12:29, “refiner’s fire” in Malachi 3:2, and “bright morning star” in Revelation 22:16.

Just as all forms of life on Earth need sunlight to grow physically, we need the light of loving relationships with God to grow spiritually.

The sun sheds light on how God shines hope into the darkness of this fallen world.

The Bible uses light imagery in Ephesians 1:18-19 when describing the hope God offers:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”

Physically, light always overpowers darkness. The photons in light can dispel darkness, but darkness cannot dispel light. You can see this by entering a dark room and turning on a flashlight there. The light will be visible in the darkness, even if there’s just a small amount of light in a great amount of darkness.

This same principle applies spiritually, as the light of hope is always stronger than the darkness of chaos, discouragement and despair. No matter how dark and chaotic our circumstances are, God can truly change them for the better by shining his very brightest light of hope into our lives.

Also, the sun reveals how God enlightens us with wisdom to know the truth and make the best choices.

The Bible connects light with wisdom in 2 Corinthians 4:6, proclaiming that God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Jesus says he is the source of enlightenment:

“‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).

2. Water Reveals God’s Salvation Work, Clarity, Purity, and Mercy

John 4:9-14 Complete Jewish Bible

9 The woman from Shomron said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for water from me, a woman of Shomron?” (For Jews don’t associate with people from Shomron.) 10 Yeshua answered her, “If you knew God’s gift, that is, who it is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink of water,’ then you would have asked him; and he would have given you living water.”

11 She said to him, “Sir, you don’t have a bucket, and the well is deep; so where do you get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Ya‘akov, are you? He gave us this well and drank from it, and so did his sons and his cattle.” 13 Yeshua answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again, 14  but whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty again! On the contrary, the water I give him will become a spring of water inside him, welling up into eternal life!”

Water splashes God’s salvation work into our focus.

In John 4:10, Jesus uses the term “living water” to declare his role as the world’s Savior.

A few verses later, Jesus uses the imagery of water to describe his gift of salvation: “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14). Water, which is absolutely essential for our bodies to thrive, points us toward saving relationships with God so our souls can thrive.

Water is constantly moving around our planet through natural cycles such as precipitation; evaporation; freezing, melting; currents in oceans, rivers, and lakes; the flow of groundwater, etc.

God is moving in our lives in every moment, often unseen but always at work. Water contains wondrous power that people tap into for hydropower energy, which reminds us of God’s even greater power to transform our lives.

Water, which has reflective qualities, also shows how the Holy Spirit counsels us with wise guidance.

God does so when we reflect on our lives and ask for his help to live well.

Water symbolizes clarity and purity. It inspires us to look clearly at our lives and purify them by working with God for positive change to happen. 

Finally, water symbolizes God’s great mercy toward us.

Just as water cleanses our bodies from dirt, God cleanses our souls from sin.

The ancient practice of baptism in water shows this.

As people immerse themselves underwater, they accept God’s forgiveness and let their sins be washed away. As they rise from the water, they celebrate God’s salvation gift through Christ, made possible by his resurrection.

3. Rocks Reveal God’s Trustworthiness, Handiwork, and Eternal Yet Dynamic Nature

Rocks, which are reliably strong, point to the fact God is trustworthy.

The Bible calls God “rock” in First Corinthians 10:4, “living stone” in 1 Peter 2:4, and “cornerstone” in Isaiah 28:16.

Any type of rock can inspire awe in us, which deepens our trust in God.

As Deuteronomy 32:4 declares: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

The wonder of God’s handiwork is on display in every rock – from small pebbles at a creek to huge boulders on a mountain.

Beautiful gemstone rocks called crystals display God’s craftmanship in special ways. Chapter 28 of the Book of Exodus describes how God instructed Moses to have the Hebrew people make a breastplate with 12 different gemstones.

Each stone represented one of 12 tribes of Israel and included crystals with beauty that people continue to admire today: amethyst, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, turquoise, and more.

Rocks also reflect God’s eternal yet dynamic nature.

The 3 different types of rocks on Earth all have long-lasting durability yet are formed through dynamic processes.

Metamorphic rocks come from intense heat and pressure, igneous rocks result from volcanic explosions, sedimentary rocks, form when layers of sediments compact together and harden.

Rocks literally set the history of our planet in stone. 

4. Trees Reveal God’s Wisdom, Protection, and Connected Presence

Jeremiah 33:14-18 Complete Jewish Bible

14 “Here, the days are coming,” says Adonai, “when I will fulfill this good promise which I have proclaimed for the house of Isra’el and the house of Y’hudah.

15 When those days come, at that time,
I will cause to spring up for David
a Branch of Righteousness.
He will do what is just and right in the land.
16 When those days come, Y’hudah will be saved,
Yerushalayim will live in safety,
and the name given to her will be
Adonai Tzidkenu [Adonai our Righteousness].”

17 For this is what Adonai says: “There will never be cut off from David a man to occupy the throne of the house of Isra’el. 18 Nor will there ever be cut off from the cohanim who are L’vi’im a man before me to offer burnt offerings, burn grain offerings and offer sacrifices every day.”

Trees grow our perspective so we can understand more of God’s wisdom and protection for us. 

Jeremiah 33:15 uses tree imagery in a prophecy about Jesus coming to Earth in the future.

“In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.”

Trees, which stand tall as silent guardians, sentinels of all around them, can help us put roots into the solid ground of God’s loving care for us.

Experiencing the wonder of trees can teach us valuable lessons when we take the time to learn them. Trees, which tower over us and exceed our lifespans, enlarge our perspective. They show we are each part of something much bigger than ourselves, so we can look beyond our circumstances to God.

Since trees stand in the same places for years, they also reflect God’s constant presence in our lives. God’s love constantly flows through the branches of relationships between us and other people. Trees remind us that our personal stories are all connected to a greater story of what God is doing on Earth. 

5. Flowers Reveal God’s Order, Fun, and Beauty

Flowers make our minds blossom with an awareness of God’s beauty.

They display the mix of God’s orderly intelligence with fun, playful ideas.

The wonder of flowers reminds us that God is the ultimate gardener.

God formed the first human being out of soil (Genesis 2:7) – the same environment that nourishes flowers – and loves to see us grow and bloom.

Jesus empowers that to happen when we’re in relationship with him.

He compares himself to a flowering plant (a vine) when he says, “I am the true vine and my father is the gardener” (John 15:1) and “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus was resurrected from a garden tomb, redeeming humanity’s fall that had happened in the Garden of Eden.

All flowers have short lives.

They bloom briefly, only to decay soon afterward.

Yet God sees value in the wonder of all creation – even a lowly flower.

The Bible compares people to flowers numerous times and describes God’s care for both:

“Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28).

Flowers are living reminders of the beauty of our Creator’s love for creation, and the wonderful joy we can experience when we’re connected to him.

The wild beauty of nature resonates deep in our souls, reminding us that a powerful Creator cares for us.

Whether we’re hiking through a forest, climbing a mountain, swimming in a lake, or sniffing a rose, God will meet us there. Simply going outdoors in any natural setting can reveal something wonderful to us about God’s character!

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 19 Complete Jewish Bible

19 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:

2 (1) The heavens declare the glory of God,
the dome of the sky speaks the work of his hands.
3 (2) Every day it utters speech,
every night it reveals knowledge.
4 (3) Without speech, without a word,
without their voices being heard,
5 (4) their line goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he places a tent for the sun,
6 (5) which comes out like a bridegroom from the bridal chamber,
with delight like an athlete to run his race.
7 (6) It rises at one side of the sky,
circles around to the other side,
and nothing escapes its heat.

8 (7) The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
restoring the inner person.
The instruction of Adonai is sure,
making wise the thoughtless.
9 (8) The precepts of Adonai are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The mitzvah of Adonai is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
10 (9) The fear of Adonai is clean,
enduring forever.
The rulings of Adonai are true,
they are righteous altogether,
11 (10) more desirable than gold,
than much fine gold,
also sweeter than honey
or drippings from the honeycomb.
12 (11) Through them your servant is warned;
in obeying them there is great reward.

13 (12) Who can discern unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from hidden faults.
14 (13) Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins,
so that they won’t control me.
Then I will be blameless
and free of great offense.

15 (14) May the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
Adonai, my Rock and 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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May I Suggest; Let Nature Teach You about God being revealed in Creation, to Knowing God’s Power and Nature? Job 12:7-12  

Job 12:7-12 Complete Jewish Bible

7 “But ask the animals — they will teach you —
and the birds in the air — they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth — it will teach you —
and the fish in the sea will inform you:
9 every one of them knows
that the hand of Adonai has done this!
10 In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the spirit of every human being.
11 Shouldn’t the ear test words,
just as the palate tastes food?
12 Is wisdom [only] with aged men?
discernment [only] with long life?

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.

All year round, we have many opportunities to immerse ourselves in the beauty and grandeur of nature. From hiking in majestic forests and swimming in clear lakes to simply basking in the warmth of the sun, our seasons invites us to step outside and experience the world around us.

These precious moments in nature help us discover more about God because every last part of creation displays evidence of our Creator’s wondrous work. 

The Bible often points us to nature as a way to learn more about God.

In this ancient passage from Job, the scriptures encourages us to look to the animals, the birds, the fields of earth, and the fish to renew our perspective by remembering that God has made every creature and natural setting we enjoy.

When we encounter God’s wonder in nature and feel awe, we’re experiencing more than just admiration for the grandeur, beauty around us.

We’re also sensing, witnessing to something infinitely greater, which points us infinitely beyond ourselves and inspires, encourages, motivates us to seek God. 

Aspects of nature that inspire us with awe – such as the vastness of the sky, the the power of the thunder and lightning storm streaking across the vastness of the heavens, intricacy of a butterfly alighting on a flower, and the rhythm of ocean waves – can all lead us to contemplate the Creator who designed them.

Nature’s grandeur speaks untold numbers of volumes about God’s power and creativity. The great expanses of an ocean reminds us of God’s infinite love.

Towering mountains show us God’s powerful strength. The sun directs our attention to the light of hope God shines in the darkness of our broken world.

These incredibly diverse elements of nature are not just beautiful; they are deep and true revelations of God’s character, inviting us to know God more deeply. 

Whenever we experience God’s wonder, we feel awe – a feeling that expands our perspective, allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances to God.

This shift in perspective reminds us of our Creator’s caring presence with us.

It also reminds us of our finite place in the grand scheme of creation, showing us that we don’t have to become preoccupied with our worries and stresses, and we can implicitly trust our caring God to help us overcome our challenges and give us a sense of true peace. The wonderful God who holds all of creation in his hands, gave us the gift of order from chaos also holds our lives with loving care. 

Regularly taking breaks from our daily routines to spend time in nature can be a powerful, disciplined, practice to relieve stress. In the middle of our busy lives, it can be too easy to become consumed by our responsibilities and challenges.

But when we step outside and allow ourselves to be captivated by the beauty of God’s creation, we are reminded that we are not ever going to be left alone.

The same God who cares for the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea cares for us.

Matthew 6:25-34 Complete Jewish Bible

25 “Therefore, I tell you, don’t worry about your life — what you will eat or drink; or about your body — what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds flying about! They neither plant nor harvest, nor do they gather food into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they are? 27 Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to his life?

28 “And why be anxious about clothing? Think about the fields of wild irises, and how they grow. They neither work nor spin thread, 29 yet I tell you that not even Shlomo in all his glory was clothed as beautifully as one of these. 30 If this is how God clothes grass in the field — which is here today and gone tomorrow, thrown in an oven — won’t he much more clothe you? What little trust you have!

31 “So don’t be anxious, asking, ‘What will we eat?,’ ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘How will we be clothed?’ 32 For it is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. 33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow — tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough tsuris already!

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4171638/jewish/What-Does-Tsuris-Mean.htm

As we let God’s peace wash over us during nature breaks, we can notice God’s presence more clearly, free from distractions. Nature provides a sanctuary where we can meet with God, lay down our burdens, and receive his peace. 

So, enjoy as much time in nature as possible this year. Let all the animals, the birds, the winds, the waters, the whole breadth of the earth, and the fish teach you more about God and his wonderful care for everyone and everything. Enjoy feeling the ceaseless feelings of awe, allow it to renew your perspective on life! 

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

Let us Pray,

Creator God, Author and Giver of all life, as I look at the wonder of your work in creation, I’m filled with awe. Thank you for the beauty of nature that surrounds me and for the way it reveals your power and love. Help me take time to immerse myself in your creation, to listen to the lessons it teaches, and to be reminded of your ever constant presence and care. When I feel overwhelmed by the stresses and challenges of life, draw me back to the peace of your creation. Help me to see so far beyond my circumstances and trust you as you hold all things together. May the beauty of nature be a constant reminder of your wonder and your loving care for me. Show, teach me through the animals, the birds, and the sea. Open my eyes to see all your wonderful work and my heart to receive your peace. I trust you, my Creator. Thank you, amen.

Psalm 29 Complete Jewish Bible

29 (0) A psalm of David:

(1) Give Adonai his due, you who are godly;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
2 give Adonai the glory due his name;
worship Adonai in holy splendor.

3 The voice of Adonai is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
Adonai over rushing waters,
4 the voice of Adonai in power,
the voice of Adonai in splendor.

5 The voice of Adonai cracks the cedars;
Adonai splinters the cedars of the L’vanon
6 and makes the L’vanon skip like a calf,
Siryon like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of Adonai flashes fiery flames;
8 the voice of Adonai rocks the desert,
Adonai convulses the Kadesh Desert.
9 The voice of Adonai causes deer to give birth
and strips the forests bare —
while in his temple, all cry, “Glory!”
10 Adonai sits enthroned above the flood!
Adonai sits enthroned as king forever!
11 May Adonai give strength to his people!
May Adonai bless his people with shalom!

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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How Can Christians Walk that Dotted Line Drawn Between the Busyness of being too busy and that business of being too busy with their Laziness? Proverbs 19:15

Proverbs 19:15 Amplified Bible

15 
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity],
And the idle person will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15 Complete Jewish Bible

15 Laziness makes people fall asleep,
    and an idle person will go hungry.

Proverbs 19:15 The Message

15 Life collapses on loafers;
    lazybones go hungry.

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.

Long ago, in the bustling marketplace of a small ancient town, a group of merchants and townspeople gathered around a well-known teacher named Ezra. The sun beat down on the dusty streets as Ezra, a wise and respected figure in the community, began to share his teachings from the Book of Proverbs. To the ever busy merchants His words were filled with wisdom and insight, drawing in a large, curious crowd eager to learn from his knowledge.

Among the listeners was a young man named Jacob, who had come to the marketplace for the first time to sell his goods. Intrigued by the teachings of Ezra, Jacob decided to set business aside and stay and listen, finding himself captivated by the new wisdom being shared. As the discussion continued, more people joined the group, eager to soak in the words of wisdom being imparted.

The scene was filled with a sense of community and learning, as people from all walks of life came together to set their busyness aside for a few moments, listen and reflect on this time of teachings of Proverbs. The marketplace buzzed with conversation and contemplation, as Ezra’s words now resonated with all those gathered around him, sparking introspection and discussion among the crowd.

What is Proverbs 19:15 about?

This verse from Proverbs is highlighting the contrast between two different attitudes and their respective outcomes in life.

Laziness is depicted as a negative trait that can lead to poverty, indicating that when one is not willing to put in the necessary effort and work hard, they are likely to severely suffer from lack, and insufficiency and poverty and hunger.

On the other hand, diligence is shown as a positive quality that results in wealth and honor. Individuals demonstrate a commitment to their work or tasks by being diligent, leading to success, prosperity, and respect from others.

We can and should vigorously search ourselves as we reflect on this verse: are we approaching our responsibilities and goals with laziness or with diligence?

Are we willing to put in the effort and hard work needed to achieve success and honor, or are we more convenience in taking shortcuts and avoiding hard work?

It serves as a reminder that our attitudes and actions have direct consequences on our outcomes in life.

Choosing to be diligent sets us up for a future filled with abundance and respect, while succumbing to laziness may lead us down a path of lack and mediocrity.

Let’s strive to cultivate a mindset of diligence in all aspects of our lives to reap the rewards of wealth and honor.

Understanding what Proverbs 19:15 really means

Proverbs 19:15 New American Standard Bible 1995

15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep,
And an idle [a]man will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15 delves into the repercussions of laziness and underscores the significance of diligence in our daily endeavors.

Positioned within the wisdom literature of the Bible, this verse offers practical guidance for navigating life’s challenges.

The phrase “Laziness brings on deep sleep” vividly portrays how idleness can plunge individuals into a state of physical and spiritual unawareness.

It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of inactivity, urging us to remain cognizant, vigilant and purposeful in our actions. Similarly, the assertion that “The shiftless go hungry” emphasizes that those who fail to exert effort or take initiative are bound to experience scarcity and deprivation.

Drawing parallels with other biblical passages enhances our understanding of Proverbs 19:15’s timeless wisdom. 

Proverbs 6:6-11, extols the greater virtues of industriousness by highlighting the ant’s diligent nature and contrasting it with the outcomes of slothfulness.

Complete Jewish Bible

6 Go to the ant, you lazybones!
Consider its ways, and be wise.
7 It has no chief, overseer or ruler;
8 yet it provides its food in summer
and gathers its supplies at harvest-time.
9 Lazybones! How long will you lie there in bed?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 “I’ll just lie here a bit, rest a little longer,
just fold my hands for a little more sleep” —
11 and poverty comes marching in on you,
scarcity hits you like an invading soldier.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15, Apostle Paul underscores the important principle that one who simply refuses to work should not partake in the fruits of labor, emphasizing personal responsibility and the high value of industriousness. 

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if someone won’t work, he shouldn’t eat! 11 We hear that some of you are leading a life of idleness — not busy working, just busybodies! 12 We command such people — and in union with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we urge them — to settle down, get to work, and earn their own living. 13 And you brothers who are doing what is good, don’t slack off! 14  Furthermore, if anyone does not obey what we are saying in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed. 15 But don’t consider him an enemy; on the contrary, confront him as a brother and try to help him change.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 further elucidates the tangible repercussions of negligence, illustrating how laziness can lead to structural decay and material want.

Ecclesiastes 10:10-18 Complete Jewish Bible

10 If the [hatchet’s] iron [blade] is blunt,
and [its user] doesn’t sharpen it,
he will have to exert more effort;
but the expert has the advantage of his skill.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
the snake-charmer has no advantage.
12 The words spoken by the wise bring them favor,
but the lips of a fool swallow him up.
13 What he says starts with foolishness
and ends with wicked madness.
14 A fool keeps talking and talking,
yet no one knows what the future will bring —
can anyone tell a person
what will happen after he’s gone?
15 The efforts of a fool wear him out;
he doesn’t even know the way to town!

16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child,
and your leaders start their parties in the morning!
17 Happy are you, land, when your king is well-born,
and your princes eat at the proper time,
in order to stay strong, not to get drunk!
18 When the owner is lazy, the roof sags;
when hands are idle, the house leaks.

The relevance of Proverbs 19:15 in contemporary society is quite striking, particularly in a world where distractions and procrastination abound.

It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of proactive engagement and the perils of complacency.

In a culture that often glorifies instant gratification and shortcuts, this verse prompts us to embrace diligence and conscientious effort.

By heeding its counsel, we can avert the pitfalls of laziness and ensure that our needs are adequately met.

Consider a student who habitually delays assignments, reveling in fleeting moments of leisure until impending deadlines loom ominously.

As pressure mounts and stress escalates, the student may find themselves ensnared in a cycle of unmet obligations and missed opportunities.

This narrative mirrors the consequences of “deep sleep” and “hunger” delineated in Proverbs 19:15, offering a tangible illustration of the verse’s enduring relevance in everyday life.

In conclusion, Proverbs 19:15 stands as a beacon of timeless wisdom, urging us to embrace diligence and conscientiousness in all our pursuits. By cultivating a spirit of hard work and responsibility, we can sidestep the snares of laziness and ensure our well-being. Let us now heed the call to reflect on our habits, striving to embody the virtues of diligence and industry in our daily lives.

Are we seeking His wisdom or pursuing folly in life?

We are presented with a choice in life of whether to pursue wisdom or folly.

Seeking wisdom leads to growth, understanding, and making sound decisions that benefit both oneself and others.

Wisdom enables us to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and discernment, ultimately leading to a meaningful and fulfilling existence.

On the contrary, pursuing folly only brings about negative consequences, confusion, and ultimately, regret. Folly leads us astray from the path of righteousness and leaves us in a state of ignorance and foolishness.

Therefore, it is clear that seeking wisdom is the path to a flourishing and successful life, while continually pursuing folly only leads to destruction and disappointment.

We can cultivate a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment by aligning our actions with wisdom. We should each continually strive to seek wisdom, learn from our experiences, and make sounder choices that reflect on the values of wisdom and understanding as we navigate the rapidly accelerating complexities of our lives.

Application

Are you harnessing the power of knowledge and understanding in your journey through life? J

Just like tending to your career or nurturing your loved ones, nurturing wisdom is vital for your spiritual growth. Dive deep into the depths of the Word, letting it illuminate your path with wisdom like a guiding light in the darkness. How can you let the teachings of Proverbs 19:15 shape your quest for enlightenment and insight, guiding your steps as you navigate the complexities of modern life?

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 16 Complete Jewish Bible

16 (0) Mikhtam. By David:

(1) Protect me, God,
for you are my refuge.
2 I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good outside of you.”
3 The holy people in the land are the ones
who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.

4 Those who run after another god
multiply their sorrows;
To such gods I will not offer
drink offerings of blood
or take their names on my lips.

5 Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup:
you safeguard my share.
6 Pleasant places were measured out for me;
I am content with my heritage.

7 I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
8 I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
11 You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight.

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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The Fullness of God’s glory is on tour across the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the greatest horizon. Psalm 19

Psalm 19 Complete Jewish Bible

19 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:

2 (1) The heavens declare the glory of God,
the dome of the sky speaks the work of his hands.
3 (2) Every day it utters speech,
every night it reveals knowledge.
4 (3) Without speech, without a word,
without their voices being heard,
5 (4) their line goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he places a tent for the sun,
6 (5) which comes out like a bridegroom from the bridal chamber,
with delight like an athlete to run his race.
7 (6) It rises at one side of the sky,
circles around to the other side,
and nothing escapes its heat.

8 (7) The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
restoring the inner person.
The instruction of Adonai is sure,
making wise the thoughtless.
9 (8) The precepts of Adonai are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The mitzvah of Adonai is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
10 (9) The fear of Adonai is clean,
enduring forever.
The rulings of Adonai are true,
they are righteous altogether,
11 (10) more desirable than gold,
than much fine gold,
also sweeter than honey
or drippings from the honeycomb.
12 (11) Through them your servant is warned;
in obeying them there is great reward.

13 (12) Who can discern unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from hidden faults.
14 (13) Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins,
so that they won’t control me.
Then I will be blameless
and free of great offense.

15 (14) May the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer.

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.

Then Sings My Soul, My Savior God to Thee …

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is a timeless worship song, cherished by generations of believers for its inspiring description of God’s greatness.

Its verses resonate deeply in our souls, leading us into moments of awe as we contemplate the wonder of who God is and how God works in our world.

“How Great Thou Art” is a classic hymn that remains popular today because it invites us to marvel in fresh ways at our Creator’s beautifully designed creation and his wonderful presence in our lives.

Each verse of this song serves as a gateway to understanding God more deeply and celebrating our great God in worship. When we are all singing this most beloved hymn “How Great Thou Art,” we truly grow closer to our great God.

The hymn originated as a poem written by Swedish pastor Carl Boberg in 1885. Boberg was inspired to write the poem after experiencing a wondrous sight in nature: a sudden thunderstorm followed by a clear, beautiful view over a bay.

The poem was set to music in Sweden, and the song later went through various translations. In the 20th century, British missionary Stuart Hine translated the hymn into English and expanded it with additional verses. Hine’s version of “How Great Thou Art” became popular around the world after George Beverly Shea sang it during the Billy Graham’s evangelistic crusades in the 1950s.

Here are five truths “How Great Thou Art” reveals about God.

1. God’s great glory in creation.

The opening lines of “How Great Thou Art” exclaim:

“O Lord my God,/when I in awesome wonder,/consider all the worlds thy hands have made./I see the stars/I hear the rolling thunder,/Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”

This echoes Psalm 19:1, which declares: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

It also evokes the imagery in Psalm 29:3-4: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.”

As we enjoy God’s creation – from the sparkling stars to the powerful thunder – we can’t help but marvel at the wondrous beauty of its precise design, power. 

Nature itself is evidence of God’s glory and creativity. 

Romans 1:20 points out: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Psalm 104:24 celebrates God’s creative power: “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” 

Job 9:10 says about God: “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”

Throughout the entire song, “How Great Thou Art” emphasizes the importance of noticing the wonder of God’s work around us.

Every single part of God’s creation shows us something valuable about God that can inspire us with awe.

Singing “How Great Thou Art” can motivate us to spend time in nature as often as possible, experiencing environments that help us discover God’s greatness.

2. God’s holiness and righteousness.

Another profound truth “How Great Thou Art” reveals about God is his perfect holiness and righteousness.

The awe expressed in the hymn’s refrain, “Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,/How great Thou art, How great Thou art!” reminds us of the vision of God’s holiness the Bible describes in Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim angels call to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

God’s holiness means that he is absolutely uncorrupted by sin and completely morally pure.

As Psalm 145:17 says: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” The hymn’s refrain captures the full reverent awe we feel when we think, search Scriptures and meditate about God’s great holiness and righteousness.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read that God’s holiness and righteousness are accessible to us through relationships with Jesus: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

This profound truth should inspire us to praise God like the hymn’s refrain does. It should also motivate us to live lives that reflect God’s character by growing to be more holy ourselves. (1 Peter 1:15-16)

15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; 16  because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.”

Ephesians 4:24 encourages us to: “… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” The refrain of “How Great Thou Art” calls us to a deeper reverence for God’s majesty. It highlights a grateful response to God’s perfect nature and inspires us, motivates us, to make that response our own.

3. God’s constant presence with us.

“How Great Thou Art” reflects on God’s constant presence with us as it describes experiencing the extraordinary presence of God during ordinary moments like walking in nature: “When through the woods and forest glades I wander,/and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees./ When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur/And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.”

In Psalm 23:4, King David also uses the imagery of walking to describe the power of God’s constant presence: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Throughout the Bible, God promises us to be present with us.

In Exodus 33:14, God assures Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises his disciples: “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

God’s presence is a tangible reality we can experience regularly through prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices.

In fact, if we have saving relationships with Jesus, God’s Holy Spirit comes to live right inside our souls, as 1 Corinthians 3:16 points out: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”

Psalm 139 beautifully describes God’s presence with us everywhere, pointing out in verses 7-10: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

In its refrain, “How Great Thou Art” encourages us to notice God’s loving presence with us wherever we go.

4. God’s plan to save us.

One of the most moving verses in “How Great Thou Art” declares: “And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in./That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,/He bled and died to take away my sin.”

This verse reminds us of what is perhaps the most famous Bible verse of all, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The hymn’s reflection on God’s profound love for us through Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice invites us to feel awe at God’s wondrous plan to save our souls from sin and death.

Jesus’ death on the cross made it possible for humanity to connect with God again, as 2 Corinthians 5:17-18:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

In Ephesians 1:7-8, The Bible highlights the enormous generosity of God’s grace through his plan to save us:

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…”.

Isaiah 53:5 prophesies about Jesus’ healing work for us on the cross:

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Jesus offers forgiveness from sins to all who place their faith in him, fulfilling God’s plan to save us.

Singing “How Great Thou Art” can help us focus on the greatest gift of all that God has given us through Jesus, the world’s Savior. Just like the song says, we “scarce can take it in,” but it’s still important to remember it on a regular basis.

5. God’s promise of eternal life.

“How Great Thou Art” concludes with a triumphant declaration of hope:

“When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation/And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart./ Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,/And then proclaim: ‘My God, how great Thou art!’”

This evokes the promise of Revelation 21:4, which envisions our future joy in heaven, saying about God:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Jesus describes our eternal life with him when he says in John 14:2-3:

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” 

Titus 1:2 assures us that we have “…the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”

When we sing the song “How Great Thou Art,” we joyfully celebrate the reality of this hope. “How Great Thou Art” reminds us that our great God has prepared great joy for us to experience in heaven with him for eternity. 

In conclusion, “How Great Thou Art” is a powerful worship hymn that declares and celebrates God’s greatness.

It beckons us, it invites us, it empowers us. to explore, to discover, the wonders of God’s glory displayed in creation, God’s perfect holiness and righteousness, God’s constant presence with us, God’s loving plan to save each of us, and also God’s total promise of eternal life for all who choose relationships with him.

As we sing “How Great Thou Art,” we can perceive so much more of God’s awe-inspiring greatness and worship him with reverence and with gratitude.

Gather with your friends, start a hymn sing to the tune “row, row your boat.”

Lose yourself, fully and completely and utterly in the fullness of our God …

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 29 Complete Jewish Bible

29 (0) A psalm of David:

(1) Give Adonai his due, you who are godly;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
2 give Adonai the glory due his name;
worship Adonai in holy splendor.

3 The voice of Adonai is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
Adonai over rushing waters,
4 the voice of Adonai in power,
the voice of Adonai in splendor.

5 The voice of Adonai cracks the cedars;
Adonai splinters the cedars of the L’vanon
6 and makes the L’vanon skip like a calf,
Siryon like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of Adonai flashes fiery flames;
8 the voice of Adonai rocks the desert,
Adonai convulses the Kadesh Desert.
9 The voice of Adonai causes deer to give birth
and strips the forests bare —
while in his temple, all cry, “Glory!”
10 Adonai sits enthroned above the flood!
Adonai sits enthroned as king forever!
11 May Adonai give strength to his people!
May Adonai bless his people with shalom!

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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Unshakable, Immovable, Unchanging Traits of God to Quell and Quiet Fear. Hebrews 13:8-14

Hebrews 13:8-14 Amplified Bible

8 Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and strengthened by grace and not by foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no benefit or spiritual growth to those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle (sacred tent) have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the [a]camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer]. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

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 my world feels uncertain and my circumstances too overwhelming, I intentionally bolster my peace by reflecting upon the unchanging attributes of God. The more I extend myself to understand and contemplate who God is, in all of His great vastness, the less frightening my greatest challenges appear.

Scripture assures me He is alert to every danger, present in my crises, the inexhaustible source for all I need, more powerful than my greatest foe, and the Supreme Ruler who always retains full control.

What’s more, the Mighty Creator of all that ever has or ever will exist loves You and I with an indelibly perfect, fierce, and relentless love. To put it simply, the Commander of heaven’s armies, Yahweh Sabaoth in Hebrew, is f100% for us.

While numerous Bible passages reveal these truths, I find particular comfort in historical accounts that reveal God’s hand demonstrating these traits in action.

1. God Knows All

Numerous places in Scripture demonstrate what scholars refer to as God’s omniscience, His perfect knowledge of all things, past, present and future.

One example I’ve reflected on in uncomfortable seasons comes from Exodus 13.

This was immediately after the Lord rescued His people from 400 years of slavery and oppression in Egypt.

Verses 17-18 state, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”

1 Samuel 9-10 provides another example of God’s perfect foreknowledge in the circumstances surrounding the anointing of ancient Israel’s second king.

This story begins when a man named Saul, along with a family servant, went in search of his father’s donkey.

After an extensive journey, he wanted to give up and return home, but his servant convinced him to visit “a man of God” in the nearby town (1 Sam. 9:6).

Meanwhile, God told this man, named Samuel, to expect someone “from the land of Benjamin,” whom he was to anoint as ruler. Saul appeared, as the Lord had said, and Samuel did as commanded. 

These passages remind me of two important truths.

First, God uses His wisdom for my benefit.

Second, I am usually oblivious to the dangers ahead. With these things in mind, I’m less apt to quickly respond to life’s apparent detours and delays with angst.

No matter what we encounter, we can trust that God has good, hope-filled plans for us (Jer. 29:11), ordained by Him before we took our first breath (Eph. 2:10). He has already forged our path, alert to our every challenge and mistake, and already accounted for each fork, obstacle, personal weakness on my road.

2. God Remains Close to His Children

One of the most obvious examples of God’s constant presence occurred during what scholars refer to as ancient Israel’s 40 long years of desert wanderings.

Once again, this was directly following their liberation from Egypt.

In Exodus 13:21-22 we read,

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

God could’ve led His people in numerous ways. He could have whispered His guidance to Moses, their earthly leader. He could have instructed someone to give them a map designating their steps from Northern Africa to the Promised Land. Or, He could have simply instructed Moses through dreams and visions.

While He may indeed have done that, He also ensured that everyone in the group – from young to old – could visibly see His presence going before them.

This tells me that He wanted more than external obedience. The Lord wanted His people to know and trust Him. No doubt He understood how overwhelming their desert travels felt, and so He fed them, comforted them, with Himself.

At night, when anxious thoughts threatened to steal their sleep, they could look to the light emanating above them and rest assured the Lord was always near.

During the day, when the sandy expanse stretching before them elicited a sense of panic, they could once again glance up and know they weren’t ever alone.

Their Creator, Redeemer, and Provider would never leave.

He makes the same promise to us.

In Hebrews 13:5, we’re told that “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Jesus spoke the same assurance in Matthew 28:20 when He said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. God Provides

When financial struggles come, my fear and anxiety tempts me to develop a survivalist mentality. This, in turn, drives me to hoard my resources rather than live with peace and generosity. When our income sources seem too unstable or unexpected bills flood our mailbox, I find solace in His unchanging faithfulness.

As Scripture proclaims, “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10), He “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45), and He “will meet all [our] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

He is not and never will be limited by our circumstances, bank account, or ever-shifting economy.

My favorite biblical accounts of His abundance and care comes from 1 Kings 17.

During this time, an evil king named Ahab ruled Judah. He married a Sidonian princess named Jezebel and began to worship pagan deities (Baal and Asherah).

Because of their shared wicked behavior, God caused a devastating drought that extended throughout Judah and beyond to Sidon, Jezebel’s birthplace and the city that manufactured Baal idols.

The Lord told His prophet Elijah to “go at once” to a widow living there who would supply him with food.

God’s directive couldn’t have been more unexpected. Not only was He sending Elijah to a pagan land, but He was promising to provide through one of the most destitute people in the ancient world.

In 1 Kings 17:10-12, we read

“When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?’ As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ ‘As surely as the Lord your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don’t have any bread — only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it — and die.’

But Elijah knew God’s provisional power extended well beyond the meager staples this woman possessed.

Therefore, he said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do what you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says, ‘the jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land’” (1 Kings 17:13-14).

She did as Elijah asked, and God provided food for her, her family, and His prophet, just exactly as He’d promised.

Our Father can multiply our meager resources into abundance and withhold the figurative pestilence that might otherwise deplete them. He owns all, has power overall, and faithfully cares for all – us and our loved ones included.

4. God Holds All Authority

2 Chronicles 20 records a time when a vast army invaded the northern kingdom of Judah and was advancing toward the capital city of Jerusalem.

By the time the king, Jehoshaphat, learned of this, the enemies had already reached the vast oasis at En Gedi, a mere 30 miles away. Terrified, the king immediately sought the Lord, gathered his people, and declared a national fast.

He stood before them in front of the Temple courtyard and prayed, addressing the Lord as the God of their ancestors who resided in heaven and ruled over all kingdoms and nations.

At this point in history, most individuals believed deities ruled over, and were largely limited to, certain areas or city states. Whenever war broke out and one group of people prevailed against another, they assumed this also meant that their god had prevailed, thereby conquering and seizing the land.

But the Almighty had made it clear, way back when he liberated His people from Egypt and its numerous manmade “deities,” that He alone reigned over all of humanity. In his desperate prayer, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed this truth.

God wasn’t confined to one particular local or community.

The One who always had and always would remain with His people also existed in heaven, and therefor, above all. From there, He reigned over all, and no one and nothing could ever hope to overcome, withstand Him or thwart His plans.

In the events that followed, the Lord verified every word the king uttered when He alone defeated Judah’s attackers. The ancient Israelites didn’t have to raise an arrow or a sword. They’d faced their enemies, in faith, singing God’s praises, and He fought their battle and secured the victory.

This is as true to today as it was during the time of King Jehoshaphat. Our God is for us, and as Romans 8:31 states, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

1 Timothy 6:11-16 Amplified Bible

11 But as for you, [a]O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and [in the presence] of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession [in His testimony] before Pontius Pilate,  14 to keep all His precepts without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about in His own time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign [the absolute Ruler], the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, 16 He alone possesses immortality [absolute exemption from death], lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal power and  dominion! Amen.

Although our news channels tell us today’s leaders have the capacity to destroy the foundations upon which our country rests, Scripture assures us that our Savior always retains full control. May we consistently shift our focus off the world’s fearmongering and onto our loving, all-knowing, ever-present God of abundance who unquestionably reigns over all and will never be dethroned.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 46 The Message

46 1-3 God is a safe place to hide,
    ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
    this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
    God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
    but Earth does anything he says.

7     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”

11     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

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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Guarding Against Unbelief – The One True Ultimate Challenge to Change. Hebrews 3:1-11

Hebrews 3:7-11 The Message

The Centerpiece of All We Believe

3 1-6 So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. Moses did a good job in God’s house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come. Christ as Son is in charge of the house.

6-11 Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence, we’re the house! That’s why the Holy Spirit says,

Today, please listen;
    don’t turn a deaf ear as in “the bitter uprising,”
    that time of wilderness testing!
Even though they watched me at work for forty years,
    your ancestors refused to let me do it my way;
    over and over they tried my patience.
And I was provoked, oh, so provoked!
    I said, “They’ll never keep their minds on God;
    they refuse to walk down my road.”
Exasperated, I vowed,
    “They’ll never get where they’re going,
    never be able to sit down and rest.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

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

The Holy Spirit says (and keeps on eternally saying)

Today, please listen;
    don’t turn a deaf ear as in “the bitter uprising,”
    that time of wilderness testing!

For an untold number of years, the Holy Spirit has been repeating the exact same requests over and over again; “Please Listen!” “Don’t turn a deaf ear!”

Yet, after all the uncountable accumulated requests over the same accumulation of uncountable years who is it who has actually heard the requests and listened?

Who is it who has actually heard the requests, listened and actually changed?

God has spoken to the hearts of his children over the centuries inviting them back into relationship with him. These Spirit-inspired messages came in many and various forms, but the clearest came through Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-3). 

Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God eternally speaks to us and to those around us, inviting us to come home to him. We must respond, or our hearts will surely harden, and we lose any possible sensitivity to the message of grace.

The message from the Holy Spirit, uttered over and over through the centuries, now comes to you and me in today’s verses: “Hear God’s voice! Do not harden your hearts as in the days of the rebellion!” How will we respond today 2024?

How Well Do We Guard Ourselves Against Unbelief?

Hebrews 3:7-9 Christian Standard Bible

Warning against Unbelief

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested me, tried me,
and saw my works

Before the Israelites entered the promised land, God had them send twelve spies into Canaan on a reconnaissance mission.

Two of those spies, Joshua and Caleb, are famous for their “minority report,” which concluded that the land was ripe for the taking.

The people, though, would not listen to them, demonstrating their distrust of God. Despite all the very visible evidence they had had of God’s reliability, the Israelites hardened, quickly reverted to trusting only in their own judgment.

In a moment of unbelief, the people feared they would die if, as Caleb and Joshua were urging them to, they chose to rely on God’s power to overcome a great enemy (Numbers 13:25 – 14:4). God responded with judgment: instead of enjoying the promised land, an entire generation spent the remainder of their lives in the wilderness, never experiencing the joy God offered them (14:21-23).

Like the Israelites, you and I have a propensity for hardened hardcore unbelief.

The writer of Hebrews warns us, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

Such an exhortation wouldn’t be necessary if it weren’t possible for us to have hardcore sinful, hardened unbelieving hearts! We do want to sin. We do want to go our own way. We do not wish to trust. Do not want any will other than ours.

Unbelief hardens us so that when the Bible is preached and taught and prayed, instead of God’s word coming into our hearts and minds like seeds sown in the ready earth, our hearts and minds become like old rusted corrugated tin roofs.

The more the Bible is read, taught, and prayed, the more its truths effects on us becomes like a hard rain storm hitting against that which it cannot permeate.

Matthew 6:19-21 Amplified Bible

19 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

So be on guard, lest your heart become impervious to the truth of Scripture.

Be hyper cautious, hyper vigilant, hyper wary that you don’t become someone who defends the Bible, tells other people about it, and quotes from it, but all the while hardening your heart against what hard truths God is saying to you in it.

How do we protect ourselves against such unbelief?

Exhort others to remember what God has done in and through Christ, and ask them to do the same for you (Colossians 3:16). And ask the same Holy Spirit who authored Scripture to work in your whole heart as you hear His voice.

The Never Ending Hardcore Challenge to Change

2 Corinthians 3:1-8 Amplified Bible

Ministers of a New Covenant

3 Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some [false teachers], letters of recommendation to you or from you? [No!] 2 You are our letter [of recommendation], written in our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such is the confidence and steadfast reliance and absolute trust that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God. 6 He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit [the new covenant which allows us to be Spirit-filled] fail to be even more glorious and splendid?

Times are tough, spiritually tough.

In many parts of the world it’s harder to live as a Christian than it was years ago. I find that hard, fast and true for myself. The Christian virtues of humility and contentment are out of step with the culture I live in. But thankfully there are those other parts of the world where it is now easier to live as a Christian.

Whether our culture makes it easier or harder to be a Christian, we are all yet challenged to soften our hearts so the Spirit may shape us to become like Jesus.

That was the challenge for God’s ancient people (Psalm 95), and our verses for today quotes those same words so that none of us misses the point personally.

But how soft is my heart? How soft is your heart? How open am I to the Spirit’s work? How easily do I accept the place God has for me in his world? How do I react when I am spiritually tested and I hardily fail by giving in to temptation?

If we are honest, we’ll admit we are often like the Israelites who grumbled against God. After all, we are yet today as primitive and as human as they.

We need to continually take stock of our openness to God’s Holy Spirit.

The spiritual disciplines of fasting, reading, studying prayer and meditation on the whole of Scripture will help prepare the soil of our hearts for God’s leading.

As you are reminded of God’s power and care and as the Holy Spirit goes to work in you, your hard heart will be softened to receive the seeds of His word.

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

Let us Pray,

O Father, I want to have a tender heart that responds to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to hear your voice and respond to your grace. I ask that the Holy Spirit convict me of my sins, help me take notice of and avoid my vulnerabilities, overcome my weaknesses, and empower me to be like Jesus, in whose name I pray. O Holy Spirit, make my heart warm, soft, and pliable; open to your work. Heal my spiritual hard-heartedness for my Savior Jesus’ sake. Amen. Amen.

Psalm 95 Amplified Bible

Praise to the Lord, and Warning against Unbelief.

95 O come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
2 
Let us come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with songs.
3 
For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods,
4 
In whose hand are the depths of the earth;
The peaks of the mountains are His also.
5 
The sea is His, for He made it [by His command];
And His hands formed the dry land.

6 
O come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker [in reverent praise and prayer].
7 
For He is our God
And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 
Do not harden your hearts and become spiritually dull as at Meribah [the place of strife],
And as at Massah [the place of testing] in the wilderness,
9 
“When your fathers tested Me,
They tried Me, even though they had seen My work [of miracles].
10 
“For forty years I was grieved and disgusted with that generation,
And I said, ‘They are a people who err in their heart,
And they do not acknowledge or regard My ways.’
11 
“Therefore I swore [an oath] in My wrath,
‘They absolutely shall not enter My rest [the land of promise].’”

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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What More Does God Really Want Me to Do? Who Precisely Do We Believe We Are Living and Witnessing For? Matthew 5:13-16, 6:30-34

Matthew 6:30-34 The Message

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

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.

We Are God’s Coworkers: Redemption Agents

Matthew 5:13-16 The Message

Salt and Light

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

We are the salt of the earth …

We are the salt seasoning the earth …

Unseasoned food tends to taste rather bland, and even unpalatable too.

An unseasoned earth tastes like ____________ (fill in the blank)

Today’s verse is simple: you and I are like salt crystals that God sprinkles into a fallen world. When Jesus spoke these words, salt was used as a preservative to keep meat from spoiling. Salt was also used in Jewish religious ceremonies to remind Israel that God had made a commitment to preserve his fallen world.

Jesus was saying to the gathered crowd that we are each the means God is using to make good taste, to preserve this broken world. You and I have opportunities to labor, work as God’s agents of redemption, keeping this world from spoiling.

We know that God works through our work to accomplish his purposes.

In many ways our daily work is like salt in an unseasoned world.

I had a friend who was a mechanic working for the state government. He said that it can be difficult to work and serve among people who did not share his worldview. Yet he saw his labor, his work as a calling to bring Jesus’ voice of commitment, service, grace and truth into his arena of state government.

You may work in this way too. Perhaps you are a social worker or a family therapist. Some of us work as addiction counselors or in the prison system or in the school systems, maybe you are a customer service representative in a drug store, or a super market, a Home Depot or Lowes or Target or in a busy bank.

These can be dark, unpredictable places where the effects of sin are painfully obvious when customers get frustrated and screaming dramatically angry at staff. Yet God is the God of redemption, and Jesus, the one who accomplished the supreme work of redemption, continues to work through us, his salt.

A Christian auto mechanic once told me, “People come to me for car repairs, but sometimes they’re really looking for &lsquopeople repair.’ My business is more than cars.”

Somehow, somewhere, God, by His authority, in his sovereignty arranges things “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30).

So it’s entirely possible that what we see as drudgery “just our daily work” may in truth include some carefully planned times, behind the scenes arranging, by God thru which he aims to bless people, call them to a relationship with him.

Many Christians miss significant opportunities when they can tell stories of how they have been able to serve God in their work—not only by acting with integrity but also by telling how God has richly blessed them in their lives.

The New Testament gives us many windows into the work-a-day world of believers. Peter James and John were fisherman, Matthew was a tax collector and Luke was a doctor, Martha a homemaker, Paul is a tentmaker, and Lydia a cloth dealer. Jesus himself worked in construction alongside of his father.

Many of his parables drew from people’s experiences at home and work. The kingdom of God is not only good news for all parts of life but also through them.

Matthew 10:38-42 The Message

38-39 “If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.

40-42 “We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

Where has God placed you to labor for Him?

Where is God trying to place you to labor for Him?

You have been given talents so that his blessing can abound through you!

Even one single bottle of water randomly, kindly, gracefully, handed out!

There are many things you can seek to live for in life.

You can live for a lot of things.

You can live for your physical appearance.

You can live for a successful career.

You can live for pleasure.

But here is what Jesus said: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).

How can you honor God and tell others about him in your everyday work?

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

Let us Pray,

Lord, thank you for your resolve to redeem the world you made. We praise you for continuing to bring your redemptive mercy; help us live and work as your preserving life in this world. Sovereign God, let me pursue, see and seek your kingdom and thy righteousness in every part of my life. Give me my share of wisdom to know when and how I can be a blessing in the places you have put me. For your glory, Amen.

Psalm 18:20-24 The Message

20-24 God made my life complete
    when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I got my act together,
    he gave me a fresh start.
Now I’m alert to God’s ways;
    I don’t take God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works;
    I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
    and I’m watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
    when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

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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