Friday, October 1: “Sticks and stones…”

William Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” meaning that it is more important what we are than what we are called. Additionally, names can be what we use in an attempt to hurt others. All are familiar with the saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yet, words can cause much deeper scars than sticks or stones ever could.


Names carried much more significance in the past. Surnames, which tend to be our last names in the west but are usually the first names in the east, have not been around nearly as long as most of us would guess. In England, the practice became commonplace in the 13th and 14th centuries, mostly due to the large population and the need to differentiate between many people with the same birth name. Surprisingly, until the 19th century, no one but the aristocracy in Japan had a surname. Most surnames in all cultures seem to follow a similar line, utilizing a family occupation, personal characteristic, geographical feature, person descended from or even a mention of religious ties.


In the Bible, we see many lists of lineages, with the most important being that of Jesus, who, by the way, does not have the surname “Christ!” Luke, a doctor by trade, traces the bloodline of Jesus through His mother Mary in Luke 3:23-38, while Matthew follows a different line in many cases, based on an occurrence that happened in the days of Moses:


Then came the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, from the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying: 3 “Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the LORD, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”
Numbers 27:1-4


While the sons were counted concerning the rights of inheritance, daughters did not retain the same rights. Preparing to occupy the Promised Land, the daughters of Zelophehad were being absorbed into another family in regard to inheritance, as their father had died in the wilderness. When the daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses on this issue, Moses carried that same issue to the Lord and God told Moses that the request of the young ladies should be honored as it was correct. From that time forward, when a man died with only daughters as his heirs, the rights passed to the daughters. Because of that law, Matthew 1:1-17 traces the bloodline of Jesus through his legal bloodline, which culminates with Joseph, the man God chose as the head of household for His own Son, though the Holy Spirit, not Joseph, had impregnated Mary. In the Greek language, there was not a word for “son-in-law,” so “son” always was used. In each of the lists, the term “begot” occurs frequently. Though last names did not occur at that time, Solomon could very easily have been Solomon Davidson, as the son of David.


Biblically speaking, names also carried a great deal of significance. Though we are most familiar with the name of Jesus, our Savior had the same name as Joshua in the Old Testament. Yeshua, in the Hebrew, was transliterated into “Iesous” in the Greek, and was once again transliterated into Latin, becoming “Iesus.” Finally, it moved into our English, Jesus. Though our Savior certainly was not called by the name Jesus when walking around Jerusalem, He certainly knows when we call out that name! Yet all versions of the name carry the same meaning, “The Lord saves.”


While growing up, I despised my own name, as most people mispronounced Glaub as “Glob.” A few years ago during a Bible study, a German Christian told me that my last name actually means “faith” in his language. Upon searching the internet, I discovered that my first name came from the word “garrison,” and actually means “mighty warrior.” “Mighty warrior of faith” isn’t the worst name anyone ever was given, though the name has become more of a challenge for me to see if I can uphold it, with the Lord’s help!

When reading the Bible, it always is a worthwhile step to research the meaning of the names involved in each story. Though it is only one example among many, the names in the Book of Ruth tell their own story. Ruth (beauty) humbly takes her place as a destitute stranger, dependent upon the grace of Boaz (the strong one). He redeems her and binds her to himself in marriage. When beauty is married to strength, the house is filled with worship (the meaning of their son Obed’s name.)


Now when He said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:6


that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11


How special is the name of Jesus in your ears, or on your tongues? He is the God who saves, and His name causes kings to bow. When He is in your life, you cannot be hurt by sticks, stones, names or anything else! There’s just something about that name, Jesus!


12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
Revelation 3:12-13

Thursday, September 30: The just shall live by faith!

An actor delivering his lines can change the meaning of the sentence by choosing which word to emphasize. Sometimes, when he does not grasp the personality of the role he is playing, that emphasis can greatly alter the portrait that the director is attempting to paint. Often, that occurs when he takes one line out of context, as a deeper reading will offer a deeper understanding. Many times, directors instruct the actors how to deliver the line correctly, at least in their own interpretation of what they would like to see on the stage or screen.


In the Bible, there are many verses that are either quoted or repeated. Since the entire Bible is God-breathed, those repetitive verses are reminders to us that we should spend enough time reading to comprehend the meaning of those verses. When God speaks to us, if we don’t listen, He tells us again. How many times do parents have to remind their children? Just because a child doesn’t choose to acknowledge the parent’s instruction does not mean that the parent simply surrenders by ceasing that instruction. Instead, most parents become more demonstrative with their words, as they pass the point from encouragement to demand.


One of those repetitive verses comes from a minor prophet in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. The difference between major prophets and minor prophets has nothing to do with power. Instead, the major prophets are called that because their books are longer. Yet the minor prophets spoke with the same power, but packed that power into fewer words. Most of us should be familiar with the phrase in the fourth verse:


2 Then the LORD answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
4“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:2-4


Three more times in the New Testament, this verse is quoted, yet each of those quotations seem to emphasize a different word.


16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17


In Romans, when quoting Habakkuk, Paul describes the process of how a sinner can come into the presence of a righteous God. It occurs through justification, which is the opposite of condemnation. In justification, God pardons those who believe in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. To be justified is to walk in the knowledge that it was “just if I’d” never sinned! So in this passage, Paul emphasizes the word, “just,” as in “the just shall live by faith!” This verse is quoted again by the same author in Hebrews:


32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37“For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
Hebrews 10:32-38


In the passage above, Paul discusses the importance of endurance in our lives. Though God illuminates our lives with His presence, we continue to endure earthly difficulties and sufferings. He reminds us to confidently stay the course, regardless of those trials. Upon quoting Habakkuk, this time, Paul is emphasizing the word, “live,” as “the just shall live by faith!” Certainly, it is no surprise where Paul is going next:


10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:10-14


Lastly, in Galatians, Paul emphasizes “faith,” as in “the just shall live by faith!” Faith is the hope of things not seen. As Christians, we understand that “believing is seeing,” rather than the more often accepted statement that “seeing is believing.” If we understand the power and principles of electricity, it is not blind faith to expect a light to go on when we turn the switch! Though we cannot see electricity, we have faith that the process will work.

This is a wonderful example of the amazing depth that God offers each of us through His Word. This is such a simple phrase of only six words, “the just shall live by faith.” With three of those words being emphasized in different New Testament passages, the statement changes meaning completely! Are you just, not by your own actions but by the saving grace of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to endure a life of trials for your Lord, with His promise of a heavenly life when this one is over? Are you willing to trust in Him with faith, standing on His promises regardless of the difficulties? The depth of this phrase should inspire you to read the Bible in a deeper way! Lord, give us our daily bread, for man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!


One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15

Wednesday, September 29: Soft-hearted

Walking through this world, each of us has that tendency of majoring in the minors, making mountains out of mole hills. When that occurs, our hearts can move from a soft and supple place to being as hard as kryptonite, which nothing can penetrate. In the “Wizard of Oz,” the Wizard tells the Tin Man, who felt incomplete because he did not have a heart, “Hearts will never be made practical until they are unbreakable.” On the contrary, a broken heart is the only way that we can find God. Otherwise, that heart is not ready to hear what the Lord has to say.


God speaks to us all, yet not everyone is listening. In fact, all of us are not listening most of the time. Yet God loves us so much that He keeps talking to us, whether we are listening or not. What does He tell us? His words have to do with matters of the heart. God, the Creator of all, is telling us how much He loves us! Just like any relationship, after telling us that He loves us, what the Lord desires is that we will love Him in return.


6Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7For 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, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9When your fathers tested Me;
They tried Me, though they saw My work.
Psalm 95:6-9


In the Psalm above, King David gives us an example of people who God spoke to, but did not hear His voice. The Jews took 40 years to make an 11-day journey, wandering through the wilderness because of their lack of listening to God. In this case, He spoke through actions, vanquishing their enemies in the Red Sea with a miracle that no one could have missed. He provided water for them to drink out of a flinty rock, and heard their voices crying out. They could see His presence constantly through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, protecting them and guiding their way. Additionally, God provided daily food through manna, and they even complained about that! Yet it wasn’t just His actions that spoke to the Jews. On Mount Horeb (Sinai), every Jew heard God’s voice as He gave the Law. Yet that still wasn’t enough for them.


After enduring their constant complaints, sinful behavior and lack of trust, God’s long fuse had finally reached its end. When it was time to enter the Promised Land, Moses sent in a group of spies on a reconnaissance mission. Rather than returning with glowing reports of the beauty of the land that the Lord was giving them, or jumping for joy with the size and quantity of the provisions God had prepared for them, the spies were defeated in heart by the giant inhabitants. Only Joshua and Caleb were soft-hearted enough to understand God’s words that He would fight their battles for them.


Just as Pharaoh’s heart hardened when God performed miracles through the hands of Moses and Aaron, the Jews had allowed the cares of the world to place a wedge between their hearts and God. Still a God who saves, He disallowed the ability of anyone over the age of 20 to enter the Promised Land, other than Joshua and Caleb. All of the people who had started the journey in Egypt, apart from those two trusting souls, would die before crossing the Jordan River. Yet from the children below the age of accountability, who likely emulated their parents in those complaints, God completed His promise and carried the Jews into Israel.


God created each of us, and speaks to each of us. Yet He leaves it up to us whether or not we desire to listen. Those of us who follow Him tired of hearing the broken, enticing words of the world, speaking of self, success and strength. The world’s words are lies, leading to death and destruction. Yet when goals are not achieved or happiness is non-existent when we arrive in that place that we thought would solve it all, our hearts get broken. It is then that Christians turn to God! If He has called out to you, and you have not heeded His voice, He will keep speaking. But just like Pharaoh and the Jews in the wilderness, there is a point when He will stop reaching out to a cold, calloused, Kryptonite heart. If He cannot penetrate that heart, nothing can.

“Have a strong mind and a soft heart.” –Anthony J. D’Angelo

18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:18-19

Belief is a choice, but it is not “blind faith.” God reveals Himself though words and deeds, that we would hear and see Him. Have you heard His voice or seen His hand? Follow Him! Every other path leads to destruction! Instead, find the narrow path that leads to God. There are few who find it. Yet the journey begins with a soft, broken heart!


12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13

Tuesday, September 28: The proving ground

A proving ground is a United States military installation to test weaponry. In the implementation stage, though theoretical scientists have strategized and discussed seemingly every aspect of the new weapon, thorough testing is necessary before using that weaponry. As technology has advanced, so has the killing power of those weapons. Ironically, in the name of technological advancement, humans could have developed the technology that will eventually lead to their destruction. During testing for the atomic bomb, the United States completed a portion at the Pacific Proving Grounds, a name describing various sites in the Marshall Islands, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.


Along those lines, God has used the earth as a proving ground of His own design, though not for destructive power. Instead, He sent His Son to earth to perfect Him:


10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Hebrews 2:10-11


Does that mean that Jesus was imperfect before coming to earth as a man? That is a fallacy in every way, shape and form. Instead, the perfection that was being completed was His life lived to perfection. Jesus dotted every “i” and crossed every “t” on His way to the cross. By living a perfect life, without sin, though being tested in every possible sin, Jesus demonstrated His love for God’s creation, us. He was pushed, pulled, stretched, beaten, bruised, bloodied and betrayed, all to prove to us what He was willing to do for each citizen of the earth. When the military tests weaponry, its scientists have postulated what exactly will happen, yet there always are surprises. When God sent His Son to this proving ground, there were no surprises. It wasn’t to “see what happened” with the idea of tweaking it all to work perfectly. Instead, He sent His Son to demonstrate that love to us, that we might believe and love Him back!


8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
Hebrews 5:8-10


Though Jesus is equal with God, the Father, He willingly subjected Himself to act in the will of the Father. Was Jesus disobedient before coming to earth? No, He was perfect then, too. By turning away from every temptation, Jesus showed us the power of God. That power is immense, for any of us walking this earth cannot even imagine one day in complete righteousness! By accepting such a painful death, Jesus showed us the power of His love, for as God, He never would have been subjected to death, even the death of the cross. With false witnesses testifying against Him, and many who did not understand the reason for His life, Jesus endured the pain and humiliation of the cross to bear the burden of our sins. Amazingly, Isaiah reminds us that “it pleased the Lord to bruise Him.” Though the Father’s love for Jesus surpasses any love we can understand, God the Father was pleased by the event on that hilltop outside of the city of Jerusalem. For the death of Jesus on the cross opened the door of relationship for each of us willing to repent of our sins. At that moment of repentance, God removes the sin burden from each of our shoulders and places it upon the shoulders of His Son, on that day almost 2,000 years ago!

This earth is a proving ground for each of us, as well. Sometimes, we become more earthly-minded, though we are called to be heavenly-minded. Three score and 10 years might seem like a lengthy period of time, yet most people approaching the age of 70 cannot believe that the time passed so quickly. Our time spent on earth will not equate to a breath in the time we will spend in heaven! Yet we are here to prove our allegiance to God, who created us. Once you have made the decision to follow Jesus, the most important part of your work already has been achieved. Yet after that decision has been made, the remainder of your time spent here is to share that process with others walking in brokenness.


If God knows the outcome of each of our lives beforehand, why put us through it all? Just as He did with His only Son, the Father is offering proof to the world, that they might see Him through Jesus and through us as believers, as we should reflect Him.


10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11


God’s greatest desire is that all He created would know His love, yet many will not choose to follow Him. At Judgment Day, everyone will acknowledge His work, and His personal attempt at proving His love for each of us.


Are you willing to suffer in order to prove your faith, as Jesus did? Often, we complain when merely uncomfortable, yet it might be our joy in the midst of trial that speaks the loudest to our unbelieving friends and neighbors. Do you love Jesus? Prove it!


3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:3-6

Monday, September 27: Works!

As we age, it is interesting what minutiae seem to fill our brains, with childhood memories surprisingly being the most vivid. Some of those memories for me are the family trips to see different Walt Disney movies. Returning from the theater, I still remember my Dad singing the songs with us. “Whistle While You Work” from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was one of our favorites. Work is the event that fills the majority of each day, and the majority of our lives. Though there certainly are times when we become weary in our work, it should be a labor of love.


The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work, yet that success is relative. Unfortunately, most of us place too high of a priority on financial success. Instead, we should look at our jobs as opportunities to let our lights shine for the Lord, and measure our success accordingly. God places each of us right where He wants us to be. Though we tend to complain about work, we should be tireless workers for God’s kingdom, regardless of pay scale, location or difficulty.

Pray like everything depended on God. Work like everything depended on you.” --St. Augustine

Yet we understand and acknowledge that our works have nothing to do with our salvation. When Jesus died on the cross, He said, “It is finished,” reminding us that He accomplished all the work on our behalves to save us. Instead, our work as believers is to glorify God. As Christians, that work should include helping believers and unbelievers. While God desires to use us in the spread of the gospel, we also can glorify Him by edifying other members of the body of Christ. The Greek word for “edify” comes from the root oikos, meaning “to build.” Just as in construction, building is a process that begins with a strong foundation. Not until that foundation is laid can a building begin to take shape. Jesus is our firm foundation, and He desires for us to encourage, teach and love fellow believers through His gift of ministry and our edification.


For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:10-11

Any work that we accomplish on God’s behalf should not be for reward, or even a pat on the back. There is no greater joy than operating in the gift(s) that God has given you. Yet as we can see from the verse above, God remembers our work. Rather than desiring earthly accolades, we should revel in the fact that our work brings pleasure to God. Our focus never should stray from the work that Jesus accomplished on the cross, which gave each of us eternal life. His job involved an inordinate amount of pain and discomfort, culminating in death. As Christians, there should be no job below our station or too uncomfortable. Roll up your shirt sleeves, get your hands dirty and serve others, diligently. And along the way, be ready for God to perform miracles in the lives around you!


remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
1 Thessalonians 1:3

Sunday, September 26: Target practice

While “innocent until proven guilty” might be the motto of the judicial system of the United States, front page news makes a much larger impact than a page-34 retraction. This week saw major allegations against yet another televangelist/mega-church pastor, as Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church of Lithonia, Georgia, was accused by four, unrelated young men of sexual coercion. The leader of the 30,000+ member congregation vehemently has denied the allegations, though he has admitted to taking the young men on trips to Africa, South Africa and various places in an attempt to widen their world visions. Certainly, without more proof, Long should not be guilty in our minds, yet his lifestyle and “prosperity gospel” messages make him an easy target for Satan’s demonic host.


Every believer has a target on his head. Knowing that Satan cannot take away God’s greatest gift to us in our salvation, instead, demonic forces attempt to take away our greatest gift back to God, our testimonies of what He has accomplished in each of our lives. Paul writes to us in Ephesians of the spiritual battle that will continue for each believer while in this world:


10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13


With truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and God’s Word protecting us in different facets, God is the one who keeps us safe. If Long is guilty of the allegations, it is easy to see how he could have lost that protection. Can you imagine the additional harm to his congregation if he denies the allegations if guilty, much less the harm to the young men? Adding sin to previous sin by lying certainly does not glorify our God who forgives. Righteousness does not include walking in ways contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Peace cannot flow like a river when we disregard God’s truth. At the same time, faith involves God supplying our needs, while the hunger for earthly prosperity conflicts waiting on the Lord to resolve every conflict. Questioning a pastor’s salvation is God’s job, as only He can see inside the heart, yet if these allegations are true, at the very least, Long has lost sight of his own accountability. Lastly, God’s Word is at the center of it all. Satan knows the words of the Bible better than Long, and with years of practice, can trip any man not relying on God. Once again, preaching earthly prosperity when God only promises heavenly blessings demonstrates a desire to be like the world, and additionally, leads many others astray. Some sorrowfully say that thousands of people are relying on Long, yet therein lies the problem. If those people were trusting instead in Jesus, they would have enough spiritual acumen to see that following a pastor with a $3 million yearly salary, who drives a $350,000 Bentley and wears $5,000 suits, contradicts the words of Jesus:


For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:25


Eddie Long is another member of a growing number of pastors, who (allegedly) have stumbled mightily, bringing to mind the well-known saying, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” With a long list of other pastors in similar positions, (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_evangelist_scandals), we should not lose sight of the fact that God allowed this to happen for His purposes. Either He is discrediting a charlatan, who is preying on believers for his own financial stability while leading them down a path of lies (not to mention preying on impressionable young men), or God has allowed the allegations in order to strengthen the flock against attack. In the midst of the process, though, the name of God is dragged through the proverbial mud, as unbelievers look at Long’s status and equate his message to that of all believers. Thinking we are all filled with the same hypocrisy, those unbelievers push further away from God. The difference between Christians and non-Christians is not the presence of sin in our lives; it is the forgiveness of that sin!

The lesson for all believers is the importance of our walk with the Lord. We can demonstrate God’s love for us in how we reflect His love. Certainly, we all are sinners, saved by grace, and will continue to fall. Yet how we respond to the failure of our own sin points to God. Lest we forget, we are accountable to Him for every decision that we make, and certainly, pastors carry a greater accountability to God, as their words can lead others astray. Follow God, not man! Read God’s Word daily to ensure that when pastors are not speaking truth we will not be led astray. Don’t glorify man, but glorify God. Lastly, don’t forget that there is a target on your head, as well. The more work that you are doing for the kingdom of God, the larger that target will grow, as Satan will send more powerful, fallen angels to do battle with you! Yet never forget, the battle is the Lord’s!


My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
James 3:1

Saturday, September 25: Queen of the night

We often hear those who have been seeking a lost object say that it was in the last place they looked. That should be the case in every search, for what is the point in continuing to look once an item has been found? In the same regard, each inhabitant of our planet is seeking that missing piece to complete the puzzle. Once that piece has been discovered, and the puzzle is solved, what need is there to find another piece? Jesus is the final piece, who gives us peace, and He is the solution to every problem.



Some may believe that to be an oversimplification, as our finite minds continue to complicate our lives. Yet whether we trust Him or not, each problem that arises has an answer in Jesus. Sometimes, we have to leap a hurdle, and He is the spring in our step. Other times, we have to evade an enemy, when the Holy Spirit reminds us to run away from sin. Still, there are times to stand and fight, when victory comes against all odds, by His hand.


Just as the Lord utilized a lad with five, smooth stones to defeat the towering giant, Goliath, God demonstrates His power when we are outnumbered by the enemy. Israel entered a land flowing with milk and honey, yet it also was flowing with inhabitants. Though the Israelites were smaller in stature and in number, the Lord led them in battle, granting the land to His chosen people. While in control of the land many years later, King Hezekiah felt pressure from his own people to prepare a plan of defense. The Assyrians had conquered the northern tribes of Israel, and taken them into captivity. Though Hezekiah was a godly king, his first line of defense was to bribe the Assyrians:


13 And in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. 14 Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; turn away from me; whatever you impose on me I will pay.” And the king of Assyria assessed Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16 At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
2 Kings 18:13-16


Instead of asking God for help, Hezekiah stripped gold from the doors of the temple, the Lord’s house. Rather than solving the problem, that gold added fuel to the fire of the Assyrians, desiring all of the gold of Israel. Hezekiah’s desire to protect his people added pressure to an already stressful situation. Next, he attempted an alliance with Egypt, thinking that if both nations combined armies, their numbers would rival that of the advancing Assyrian army. Though Hezekiah’s motive was valiant, he made plans without consulting God. Isaiah the prophet spoke harshly to Israel:


“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD,
“Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin;
2Who walk to go down to Egypt,
And have not asked My advice,
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Isaiah 30:1-2


Israel’s position seemingly worsened, as the Assyrian army advanced and surrounded Jerusalem. Finally, Hezekiah handed the battle to the Lord, encouraging the people that the Lord’s hand held the power. With the citizens of God’s great city preparing to die, the Lord sent a mighty angel to the enemy troops, killing 185,000 in the night, without help from any Israeli soldiers. While we sleep, the Lord protects us. If we are His, He desires for us to bring our problems to Him, and then wait for His perfect timing.

In Israel, there is a cactus called the Queen of the Night, which blooms only for a few nights in September each year. Its beautiful bloom opens widely around midnight, and then closes for the remainder of the year. Few people see its beauty, but even without being realized, its beauty is just as special. How many of our battles are won by the Lord while we sleep? How many times do our battles disappear, though we fail to acknowledge Him who wins the battles for us? When battles arise in the lives of His children, God frequently steps in to save us. After all, He is the God who saves! Yet sometimes our odds of success have to decrease before God gets involved. That points to His power, rather than the power of man.


Lay your concerns, problems and battles at the foot of the cross, and hand them over to Jesus. The next step is typically the most difficult one. Trust Him, and He will accomplish His will in His time. Though His timing usually is later than we would desire, nonetheless, it is perfectly in His will. He is incapable of making a mistake. Whether or not we see what He is accomplishing on our behalves, it is as beautiful as an unseen bloom in the midst of darkness.


7 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Friday, September 24: Is God pruning you?

Yesterday, a full moon illuminated the first night of autumn, which only happens once every 20 years or so. The phenomenon is called the Super Harvest Moon, and this year, it occurred just six hours after the fall equinox. An equinox is a time when the sun is directly above Earth’s equator, making the length of day and night identical. Each year has a harvest moon, which is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Typically, harvest moons seem larger when rising than all of the rest, and as they pass the horizon, the particles in the air give it more color, though all celestial bodies look reddish when low in the sky.


Harvest is a special time of year, though as we get away from agrarian ways, we lose sight of what that meant for our ancestors. It was the culmination of all the year’s labor, and regardless of the amount of that labor put in by man, without God’s hand granting ample sun and rain, the crops would not grow. Jesus gives us a great reminder of the Father’s part in that process, along with His, and the application to each of us as believers.


“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1-2


In the Old Testament, the Jews were instructed concerning the usage of trees, especially in times of battle or war. Interestingly, fruit-bearing trees were not to be used in any aspect of making war, other than feeding the soldiers from the fruits or nuts growing on their branches. Yet any tree that did not bear fruit could be uprooted and used in the battle, whether for battering ram, spear, fire, or any other need.


19 “When you besiege a city for a long time, while making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; if you can eat of them, do not cut them down to use in the siege, for the tree of the field is man’s food. 20 Only the trees which you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down, to build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you, until it is subdued.
Deuteronomy 20:19-20


God looks at us in the same manner. This world is a battleground, as Satan and his fallen, heavenly host continue to wage war on the children of God. Constantly, Christians are being attacked, whether by an assault on ethics and morals, or a more direct frontal assault of a personal nature. Yet if we are walking with the Lord, we will be fruit-bearing. That fruit can have an impact by offering food to a world starving for the ways of God. If we are not bearing fruit as believers, God will prune us, giving our branches His strength to grow and produce edible fruit. Unbelievers cannot bear fruit, and will be uprooted and burned in the battles.


Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:11

God’s ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Hence, many of us complain when the pruning takes place. Does a tree cry out when he loses a branch? If we are walking strongly with the Lord, even when faced with the most difficult challenges, we should remember that it is God who stretches us, God who causes us to grow and God who prunes us! He wants us to have the sweetest fruit, giving strength and sustenance to many others!


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22


43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:43-45

Thursday, September 23: Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles

Today at sundown marks the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the seven feasts of Moses in the Jewish faith. Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Matzos) and Firstfruits occur in the spring, in the month of Nisan. Forty days later, Pentecost (Shavuot) occurs. Then in the fall, there are three more feasts all in the month of Tishri, Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Tabernacles (Sukkot). Here is a Biblical description of the eight-day fall feast, also called Booths:


39 ‘Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. 40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.’ ”
44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
Leviticus 23:39-44


This feast is reminiscent of the Jews wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Jews construct shelters in their backyards, though in the high-rise condominiums and apartments of Jerusalem and New York City, it is easy to spot sukkahs (booths) on the small patios, as well. Modern-day technology has changed this tradition, as many Jews order a pre-made sukkah to erect, rather than needing the skills of basic carpentry. Yet rabbis have requirements for a kosher sukkah, especially in regard to the roofing (s’chach). The branches must be earth-grown, from the plant kingdom, and unattached to the ground. For example, branches still attached to a tree would not suffice. One of the requirements is to ensure that there is space between the branches placed on top of the shelter, to reveal the stars in the sky, allowing wind to blow through and remind the Jews of the wilderness.


Lastly, there are four species in the procession, which are often used in the roofing. Many believe these species point to the four types of Jews: Citrus (etrog), which has a good fragrance and taste, represents a person with both wisdom and good deeds. Myrtle (hadassim) has a good fragrance, but cannot be eaten, representing a person with good deeds, but who lacks wisdom. Palm (lulav) is edible, but has no scent, representing a person with wisdom but without good deeds. Lastly, willow (aravah) has neither taste nor smell, thus representing the person who lacks both good deeds and wisdom. This sounds similar to the soils of Matthew 13!


Sukkot was one of three compulsory, yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem for all able-bodied men. Any booth shorter than 31 inches would not allow people to sit comfortably, so would not meet the requirements, while a structure larger than 31 feet tall would make it too much of a permanent structure, as it needs to be temporary. Interestingly, Peter offered to build booths for Jesus, Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration!


28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
Luke 9:28-36


As Christians, we are not required to keep the Jewish feasts, though this sounds like a fun one! Sleeping under the stars can be so peaceful, though rain is much more of a concern for the Jews around the world than it was for those in the desert. Most Bible scholars believe that the Jewish feast days are incredibly significant, especially in symbolic fulfillment, pointing out that the three falls feasts were fulfilled in the first coming of Jesus, the middle feast was fulfilled in the beginning of the church, and the three spring feasts will be fulfilled in the second coming of Jesus.


16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17


Some Bible scholars believe the Feast of Tabernacles points to the rapture, the return of Jesus for His church, as those celebrating this feast leave their temporary dwellings for permanent ones on the 8th day, but most scholars believe that the Feast of Trumpets points more accurately to the rapture, while the Feast of Tabernacles points to the return of Jesus at the end of the Great Tribulation for all remaining believers. At that time, every remaining person on the earth will have a relationship with the Lord. John taught us:


And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

The word used for ‘flesh’ in the passage above is tabernacle. The Word became flesh and was “tabernacle” among us, is what the verse says more specifically. Jesus lives with us. Jesus dwells inside of us, as believers. That is the most exciting part of the Feast of Tabernacles. While the Jews commemorate a time when the Lord led them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, as Christians, this is a festive week to remember that Jesus not only lives, but He lives inside each of us! What trials can conquer us with God dwelling in us, leading our defense? Jesus was crucified on the Feast of Passover, buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread and was resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits! The Holy Spirit came to empower us and remain with us on the Feast of Pentecost. What will happen on the three fall feast days? No wonder many Christians are filled with anticipation this time of year!


For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4

Wednesday, September 22: Law or Grace?

One of the most difficult issues to understand is why we continue to sin as Christians, yet each of us knows that we do. Paul reminded us in Romans 7 that we would not understand sin if it were not for the Law, the Ten Commandments and corresponding laws of the Old Testament (Galatians 3:24). Yet as we can see from the writings of Paul, we are no longer under the Law, but instead, we are now under grace (Romans 6:14).


God taught us through the Law, so we would know sin and the ramifications of sin. Before we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, we were slaves to sin. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, we were unable to say no to the requests of sin in our lives. In ancient times, the galley slaves chained to the boat had no ability to leave that boat, and whenever the captain, their master, told them to row, they obeyed or faced death. Our pre-Christian days in sin resemble that analogy. Yet as believers, we are no longer bound by sin. Now it is a choice, as God has set us free!


When we approach sin as Christians, the Holy Spirit sends out a reminder to run away, just as Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife made advances toward him (Genesis 39:12). Certainly, we don’t always listen, and our bad choices cause much pain. Sin always has ramifications, hurting us and others along the wayside. Certainly, we feel like we have let God down when we fail, and additionally, are keenly aware that we just added another burden to the shoulders of Jesus to carry on Calvary. Just because He was crucified many years ago doesn’t mean our present lives do not have further impact on His suffering, as Jesus carried ALL the sins of the world.


16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18


In comparison to being under the Law, being under grace gives us the ability to obey out of love for God, rather than out of fear of the consequences. Without the Holy Spirit, we can try as hard as we can not to sin, but we will fail over and over again. Yet it is not about us giving it our all; instead, it is about God giving it His all! That’s grace, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense, getting what we don’t deserve, in the greatest gift from God! Grace should be the motivating factor in our response, as having had a great burden removed from our shoulders, and placed on the shoulders of Jesus, our love for Him should be immense!


15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Romans 6:15-16


Many carnal Christians continue in their sins. For if Jesus forgives them, what does it matter? Churches are filled with people who get drunk on Saturdays, and sit in the pew on Sundays. Additionally, many people professing Christ continue in their sexual sins, ignoring the laws that any sexual relations outside of marriage are against God, accepting the world’s judgment of what is right instead of God’s Law. Certainly, we all have blind spots and the Holy Spirit sees those with great ease. In His perfect time, He points them out to each of us. Just because the Holy Spirit is in us does not mean that we are in the Holy Spirit! Yet here is the big catch: if you are not feeling convicted of your sin, then you are not His! The battle lines are drawn in our own bodies, as our hearts serve the Lord, but our minds continue to struggle. God desires for us to attack those thoughts before they become actions.


casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5


Some Christians get confused, thinking that because we are not under Law but under grace, God changed, or at the very least, His requirements changed. God cannot change! He is perfect, and has no need to change. We changed! In the days of the Old Testament when believers were under the Law, they did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them. When Jesus returned to heaven after His resurrection from the dead, He left the Comforter with us to convict us of sin and point us to Jesus! What a powerful gift!

When we reflect upon the great gifts that God has given, taking away the sin weighing us down, living inside of us with constant conviction not to sin, and granting us eternal life with Him, we should walk in absolute joy! With corresponding love to our God that gives, we should begin to address and conquer the habitual sins of our lives.


9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:9-11


22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:22-25

Tuesday, September 21: Take heed!

When driving down a country road, if a sign said, “ROAD CLOSED AHEAD,” ignoring that warning, or missing it entirely by not paying attention, could cause life to change drastically or end in a matter of moments. How we react to warnings falls into one of two categories. When being confronted with a yellow light at a traffic signal, people either will stop abruptly or hit the gas pedal and go even faster! That dichotomy of response certainly reflects two extremely different results, as well. Warnings remind us to proceed with caution, yet that involves listening very closely.


On a package of Dial Soap, a warning says to “use like regular soap.” Some hair dryers contain the warning, “Do not use while taking a shower.” Hershey’s Almond Bars include this great piece of advice: “Warning, may contain traces of nuts.” Nytol sleep aid reminds us: “May cause drowsiness.” It’s any wonder that the human race still continues with the way most of us listen to warnings, though many of those should be second nature to us by now. Yet as believers, the warnings that we should pay the closest attention to are the ones from God!


The phrase “take heed” occurs 54 times in the King James Version and 49 times in the New King James Version. The word for “heed” is shamar in Hebrew, and means to keep, tend, watch over or retain. In Greek, that same word is epecho, meaning to hold upon or to give attention to. Anytime we come across that phrase in the Bible, it is a reminder to pay attention. Guard yourself, for this is an area that trips many people! Don’t forget it, for your life may depend upon it! Let’s look at a few of those instances:


9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 10 especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
Deuteronomy 4:9-10


In this passage, God reminds the Jews of the importance of His Law, which He gave to them on Mount Horeb. Teaching that law to the next generations will pass the warning forward, for we know that by walking in the fear of the Lord, we will honor His commandments, yet when we walk in complete disregard of His Law, we can have no relationship with Him. That is more deadly than a bridge out on a lonely stretch of road!

“Mankind is notoriously too dense to read the signs that God sends from time to time. We require drums to be beaten into our ears, before we should wake from our trance and hear the warning and see that to lose oneself in all, is the only way to find oneself.”—Anonymous

Fortunately for us, God created us and knows our limitations. Though most of us think we are much more intelligent than we really are, we demonstrate that lack of intelligence by not responding to God’s warnings. Yet as believers, He continues to warn us. Typically, those warnings get louder or more painful as we continue to ignore His words. Yet if we ignore God long enough, those warnings are likely to cease:

Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
Luke 8:18


As believers, we need to quit accelerating through those yellow lights, the cautions that the Lord places in our paths. Additionally, write those warnings on your hearts, as they will continue to have an effect on each of your lives! It is easier to stop when we are not moving so quickly, so the first step is to slow down! It is in those quiet places when we hear His voice the loudest!


Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16

Monday, September 20: From the heart

One of the electives I took in college was in political science, studying South Africa and apartheid. I signed up for the course not because I had any interest, but because it fit a place in my schedule and satisfied a requirement toward my degree. Unbeknownst to me, the professor was one of the world’s leading opponents of apartheid, in which all blacks in the nation were treated as sub-humans. Though I had grown up in the American South, and seen hateful behavior based on race, I had not drawn the correlation of South Africa resembling the United States during slavery. On that first day, when the professor spoke, he wept. The class changed for me in that moment, as hearing his passion, I knew that I was going to receive a gift. When people speak from their intellect, we hear facts, figures and statistics. On the other hand, when people speak from their hearts, we hear about issues they would be willing to die for.



Many Christians have died for their beliefs. In fact, all of the apostles except for John died the death of a martyr. Though it might seem odd for God to allow many of His most zealous followers to die that way, we lose sight of the volumes spoken in those actions. How strongly did these men believe that they had walked with their risen Savior? Well, they believed so strongly that they were willing to lose their lives without hesitation or doubt! When Peter saw Jesus after the resurrection, Jesus told Peter how he would die:


Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
John 21:17-23


Peter might have struggled when receiving those words from His Lord, comparing his own death to that of his friend John, but when it came time, the struggle was far behind him. Early church fathers Origen and Tertullian reveal to us in their writings that Peter was crucified in Rome. Yet, feeling unworthy to die the same death as Jesus, Peter asked to be crucified upside down!


When you speak of Jesus, do you speak with complete commitment? He gave His life, so that you could be a part of His inheritance. When we reflect on our lives without Him, and see the corresponding sadness and brokenness, it is a wonderful reminder of who He is in our lives. Yes, there are trials, severe at times. Yet the joy of the Lord is our strength. He carries us through each hardship, and draws us closer to Him in the process. We cannot argue someone to the Lord, but we certainly can love them to Jesus. More than any words can express, let His light shine in your life so radiantly that people can see the love in your heart, through every action. We lose sight of the immense gift He has given when we mindlessly and methodically go through each day. How would you feel if you won the lottery? The gift He has given is so much more valuable, and that gift should fill us with immense joy!

We might be willing to die for our dearest friends and relatives, but are we willing to die for our enemies? Jesus gave His life willingly for sinners, who did not even believe in Him. If we believe with the same conviction that the apostles did, the world should be able to see that we are set apart, for we have walked with Jesus. That walk includes the cross, for we were baptized into His death (Romans 6:3). Are you willing to endure the cross to follow Jesus?


Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24


Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13

Sunday, September 19: Don’t let the weeds ‘tare’ you up!

Many people argue about the meaning of each passage in the Bible, including Christians. Some interpret very literally, while others spiritualize each statement. One example is the belief in the rapture, the return of Jesus Christ to take His church to heaven. There are large groups of believers using Scripture to “prove” their personal viewpoint, but those diversely include a pre-tribulation rapture, a mid-tribulation rapture, a post-tribulation rapture, no rapture at all, and even the belief that the rapture already has occurred. It all can be very confusing, yet we know:


For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:33


The Bible tells us what God wants us to know, but that doesn’t mean that He tells us everything! For example, we don’t know the time and day of our Savior’s return. When Jesus came to earth as a man, even He didn’t know! (Matthew 24:36) As believers, we are meant to know and hear our Savior’s voice, and to understand His words. Why did Jesus teach in parables?


`10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Matthew 13:10-13


Have you ever felt like people were picking apart every word that you speak? Certainly, the enemies of Jesus had that intent, but the parables confused them. Yet our Lord desires for us to understand His Word. Through the Holy Spirit, He reveals to us what the Bible says, though when we make our minds up what a passage means before we read it in context, we aren’t listening! The best interpretation of the Bible comes from other places in the Bible, as it is an integrated message woven together with the scarlet thread of the blood of Jesus. Each author was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write exactly what he wrote. Be careful not to use the Bible to prove your point, but instead, to read with an open mind. Jesus is the Great Teacher, who will lead you when reading His Word.


Sadly, there are many false teachers leading believers astray. If those believers were opening the Bible to ensure the teaching was accurate, that would not happen. Jesus told us that there were tares growing with the wheat. Instead of destroying the healthy plants when uprooting the weeds, the Lord will separate those plants in His harvest.


24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
Matthew 13:24-30

We are not responsible for uprooting the tares, destroying the false teachers who are sowing discord in God’s harvest. As believers, our responsibility is to check the Scripture daily to ensure that our teachers are sharing the full counsel of God. That takes time and effort to study, but when we remember that the Bible is God’s voice, speaking to us, what is there that is more important? If we allow the tares to choke the wheat away, it has to do with our apathy. Be aware of the tares among you, and don’t let them ‘tare’ you up!


“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
Matthew 24:23