Monday, October 25: Travel to and fro

Saturday, five of us and a dog began driving from Southern California to Yellowstone National Park, for five nights of camping. Along the way, we will pass through California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. With 1,200 miles between the two locations, it is amazing to see the drastic change in topography from coastal splendor to high desert to majestic mountain terrain. Can you imagine how long this trip would have taken even 100 years ago? Though a brief airplane ride could cut the travel time even more, settlers in covered wagons certainly took many months to make the same journey.


It’s amazing to think that the journey we are taking today potentially involves going farther away from home than most people in biblical times ventured in their lives. When Jesus traveled throughout Israel, He walked! Additionally, all able-bodied Jewish men over the age of 20 were required to travel to Jerusalem three times per year for the feast weeks. Certainly, people of that time traveled, but it was much more time consuming and much more of a commitment. We tend to take so many of the modern-day conveniences for granted. By looking at one of the most prophetic books in the Old Testament concerning the end times, we get a glimpse into the state of the modern world.


“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Daniel 12:4


In the verse above, Michael the archangel instructs Daniel to seal the book until the end times. Two of the characteristics of the time period when the book would be unsealed are when people will be running to and fro and knowledge will have increased. Certainly, we have reached that time. There is more information in the Sunday New York Times than in an entire set of encyclopedias 20 years ago! Knowledge has grown exponentially. Many college students find that after learning state-of-the-art information in their fields of study, upon graduation, most of that information is obsolete.

The Bible tells us what will occur in the end times, though no one knows when any of those events will begin. Yet in the meantime, we should continue to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. It certainly will be easy to see Him in the splendor of His creation this week! Getting away from modern-day conveniences, if even for a short time, reminds us of a simpler life, where relationship with God did not have to compete with television, computers and iPods! Simplify!


24“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
25“Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.
6“And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”
Daniel 9:24-27

Sunday, October 24: Reconciliation

Our modern world is spiraling out of control. According to George C. Kohn’s “Dictionary of Wars,” since 2925 B.C., this world has not had a day without war. In the 20th century, wars caused well over 100 million deaths. In fact, from 1910-2010, three times more people died in wars than the total number who died from 1410-1910. As the killing power of weaponry has increased, “might makes right” has become the creed of those in power, as well as those who yearn for that power.


Even without war, people have great difficulty getting along. Whether it is Muslims and Jews, Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, black and white, labor and management, east and west or any other polarized group, people seem to have migrated far from the middle ground of co-existence. Marriages are suffering in the same capacity. In America, 50% of first marriages end in divorce, while 67% of second marriages and 74% of third marriages also end in the same manner. Even half of Christian marriages are destined for failure. Many families are destroyed by the prideful inability of husbands and wives to yield ever so slightly.

“The worst reconciliation is better than the best divorce.”—Miguel de Cervantes

Reconciliation is a perfect word to describe polar opposites coming together. When an accountant reconciles the books, he balances the assets and liabilities. That was the work that Jesus accomplished for us all. In Greek, the word katallage means both reconciliation and atonement, which is the same word for covering in Hebrew. Jesus paid the debt in full. He is the asset and we are the liabilities.


21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
Colossians 1:21-22


As that verse in Colossians explains, we who were alienated from God have been given the great gift of acceptance in Jesus Christ. Though we were enemies of Him, serving Satan, He has paid the great debt owed by each of us. New believers walk in the joy of that freedom, as they are most aware of the sin that has been removed. As we continue to walk with the Lord, sometimes we forget the joy of that freedom! Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, rejoice! If He can reconcile the incredible gap between us and God, can’t we forgive those in our lives? Even if they have wronged us greatly, it is nothing in comparison to what He forgave in each of us!


18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Just as Jesus reconciled us to Himself, we are called to join in His ministry. The work of Jesus on the cross was sufficient to cover the sins of the world, though to be redeemed, we must ask Him to be the Lord of our lives. Yet in the same facet, we are called to carry on the ministry of reconciliation. Many come to the Lord with a long list of fractured relationships in their lives. By taking that first step of forgiveness, miracles are accomplished with the Lord’s hand. When faced with someone who pushes your buttons, remember the debt forgiven in your own life! But regardless of any reconciliation, we will continue to live in a broken world until Jesus rules and reigns in the Millennial Kingdom!


And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5:11

Saturday, October 23: Where is your joy?

Certainly, it is impossible to go through life with a smile on your face every moment of every day, but one of the keys to life is how to retain joy in the midst of trial. While happiness depends upon circumstance, joy depends upon our emotional well-being. Happiness is a fleeting emotion and joy is a way of life. Perhaps our greatest examples of joyfulness come from Jesus while He walked on this earth as a man.


17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20


When Jesus sent the 70 disciples out in pairs to share the gospel, He sent them without money, food or other supplies. In the verses above, we see that they returned, filled with joy. Though the disciples seemed to emphasize that even the demons were unable to hurt them while preaching in the name of Jesus, the foundation of their joyfulness was not in power but in obedience. When God assigns a task to a believer, obedience to God always will bring joyfulness. One of the greatest blessings is for God to use the broken and battered lives which have come to Him. God could use anyone or anything to accomplish His plan, so when He chooses to use believers, it is an obvious gift! One of the best known verses on joy tells us:

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10


It doesn’t matter how dark the road ahead seems to be; certainly, by turning around and looking back on life without the Lord, the pathway seems much darker. No matter how difficult the trial you are facing, the Lord walks with you. If you are on His errand, He will give you power, peace and joy along the way. Can you imagine the difficulty of the task, which the Father assigned to Jesus to accomplish for us?


looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Jesus joyfully endured the cross, though when in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times that if there was any other way that the Father would let this cup pass from Him. When God the Father did not open another door, Jesus obediently stepped through the door facing Him. Joy comes from obedience to God! It is not a fleeting emotion but a permeating peacefulness. It passes understanding. Joy is trusting that God will handle any obstacle in your path because He loves you. Joy is not just for your own benefit, but for others around you, as well.

“Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” --Mark Twain

Are you walking in sorrow rather than in joy? Reflect upon your life to discover the areas of disobedience to the Lord, as that failure to comply with God’s plans will sap the joy from anyone. Many churches are familiar with the fact that 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Sadly, that means that 90% of the people are not serving. Your task does not need to be church-centered, as many Christians have ministries in their places of work, schools and neighborhoods. Yet without serving God, you are not being obedient to His calling. Without obedience, there is no joy. God’s hope is for our joy to be so full that it speaks volumes to a broken and battered world!


These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11

Friday, October 22: Sometimes, it’s okay to lose your head!

Each day, we are faced with many opportunities to speak to people who are lacking a relationship with Jesus Christ. More often than not, our lives and opinions will have little in common with those in the world, especially if we are focused on the spiritual realm, rather than the physical realm. Sometimes, we can offend others with our view of Biblical truth. That offense can lead to severed relationships, yet even in the midst, God is in charge. We should not measure success against the cares of the world, as God will win any battle we are involved in. Have you ever offended someone by sharing God’s love and laws?


John the Baptist is a wonderful, biblical example of a man who failed by all earthly standards, yet gained victory by heavenly standards. While still in the womb, John was filled with the Holy Spirit, according to Luke 1:15. Elizabeth, a cousin of Mary the mother of Jesus, was six months pregnant with John when Mary came to share her news, and at that time, Elizabeth also was filled with the Spirit. John adhered to the vows of a Nazirite from birth, as he never drank wine or cut his hair, spending his life following God.


6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:6-8


Pointing to the coming of Jesus, as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” John baptized others and Jesus in the Jordan River. Yet, he likely appeared as a homeless man to others of his day. Additionally, he witnessed all three manifestations of God present at that event, as while Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. At the same time, the Father spoke, saying, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:11).” That event began the ministry of the Messiah, and ended the ministry of John. Soon after, John spoke out against the marriage of Herod Antipas. Herod was not an autonomous king of Israel. In fact, the Romans were in power, and Herod was not much more than a figurehead to the Jews. Yet by paying tribute to the Romans, Herod enabled himself to flex an occasional muscle.


Though Herod was recognized by Mark Antony as the Jewish national leader, he did not adhere to Mosaic Law. Upon divorcing his wife to marry Herodias, his niece and the wife of his brother, Herod’s actions received strong condemnation from John the Baptist. Threatened by that condemnation, Herod had John arrested and imprisoned. Salome, the daughter of Herodias and both Herod’s niece and step-daughter, danced in a way to please Herod. He promised her anything, and prodded by her mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.


Was it a mistake for John to be outspoken concerning Herod’s disobedience of God’s Law? Regardless of severed relationships or severed heads, John spoke with the truth of the Lord. Though his life ended abruptly, God’s plan continued in John’s absence. As John died, the era of the prophets ended. How great was John? Jesus tells us that of all the Old Testament prophets, He was the greatest!


Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:11

Though John had baptized for the repentance of sins, the baptism of the Holy Spirit given by Jesus empowered believers to walk away from sin. Those of us alive in the Church Age have been given an amazing gift, as the Holy Spirit remains with us every moment of our walks. Don’t lose sight of the fact that serving God may include difficult choices, yet we never should be severed from the truth. Though heads will roll, the Head of our Church is Jesus Christ!
“Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:1

Thursday, October 21: Pray with belief!

Bible scholars refer to the 400-year period from the end of Malachi to the beginning of the Gospels as the “silent years,” as in that time, God did not speak to the people through the prophets as He had from the days of Moses. Yet when God’s prophetic words of a coming Messiah were about to come to fruition, He sent His angel Gabriel to the temple in Jerusalem to speak with Zacharias.


Zacharias was an old man, a Levitical priest of the order of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth, also related to Aaron according to Luke 1:5, was old and barren, which for a Hebrew woman was a great sadness. Certainly, a Levitical priest and his wife knew the Old Testament Scripture that said:


3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5


If children were a reward, then faulty, reverse logic would dictate that lack of children was a punishment, though God could have many reasons to not give children to a righteous couple. When Jesus healed a blind man, He told the disciples that the man’s blindness had nothing to do with his sin or the sin of his parents; instead, the man was blind for that moment when Jesus would heal him (John 9). In the same manner, Zacharias and Elizabeth were childless for that time when God would perform a miracle.


While Zacharias was in the temple performing his duties at the altar of incense, the place of prayer, Gabriel greeted the priest, telling him in Luke 1:13 that his prayer for a son had been answered. Yet Gabriel’s words were not enough to convince Zacharias. Even after an angelic promise, Zacharias remained incredulous.


And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
Luke 1:18


“How shall I know this?” Well, when she delivers little John the Baptist, Zacharias might figure it out! When Elizabeth’s womb started to grow, he might have an inkling. What a sad lesson this is to all believers! Zacharias was called righteous in Luke 1:6, yet his faith in God’s power was lacking. How many times do we pray without believing God is capable of answering our prayer? For years, Zacharias had prayed for a son, yet when God answered the prayer, his lack of faith was revealed. “We are too old to have children,” was his response, though moments beforehand, he had been asking for exactly this answer to his prayer! Often, the answers we ask for are not in God’s will. In the case of Zacharias and Elizabeth, their answer to prayer coincided with God’s plan.


While the name Zacharias means “God remembers” and Elizabeth means “God’s oath,” by putting those names together, we are reminded that “God remembers God’s oath.” His oath was that the line of David would rule and reign on the throne:

34My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
35Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David:
36His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me;
37It shall be established forever like the moon,
Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”
Psalm 89:34-37


Yet, when Gabriel told Zacharias that his prayer had been answered, God had made an additional oath! When John the Baptist was born to this aged couple, it spoke of God’s grace, for John means “God has been gracious.” God answers our prayers because of His grace, giving us much more than we deserve. Yet if our prayers involve our needs and the needs of others, in addition to the will of the Lord, rather than an advanced shopping list, God will answer. However, be careful that doubt does not seep into your prayers, or that you pray so repetitiously, that you no longer expect an answer from God. Never forget that we serve a God who answers our prayers!


Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:24

Wednesday, October 20: Honor God!

Honor is an interesting term that denotes giving high respect or credit to another. We can honor others through our words, deeds and motives. Additionally, honor designates moral integrity, and that term is often applied to a soldier.


Have you noticed the analogous relationship that exists between honoring God and honoring parents? Leviticus 20:9 tells us that any child who curses his parents should be put to death! With the first half of the 10 Commandments dealing with man’s relationship with God, He explicitly tells us how to honor Him by acknowledging that He is the only God, by not letting idols to get in the way of our relationship with Him and by respecting His name and His holy day. The second half of the 10 Commandments deals with man’s relationship with man, and the first relationship God highlights is that between a child and parent. Notice that there in not any stipulation following the words, “honor your father and your mother.” It does not say, IF! The honor we are called to give our parents has nothing to do with whether or not we agree with them, whether or not we view them as honorable or whether or not we feel indebted to the life they have given us. Additionally, there is no time limit on the commandment, as this honor is to continue throughout our lives.


Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” That statement demonstrates the inward sign of the outward effect of the honor we should give to our Lord and to our parents. God’s plan placed us exactly where He wanted us. It doesn’t matter if your parents abandoned you as an infant; without them, you would not have life. In the same manner, each of us as believers understands that without God, we are spiritually dead. Though we have the tendency to see the failures and mistakes made by our parents, God desires for us to focus on the gift of life they have given, along with the sacrifices. Most children do not respect the amount of those sacrifices until they have children of their own.


Honor is not lip service, but heart service, as actions speak louder than words. God certainly understands the difference!


Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Isaiah 29:13

Children can physically resemble their parents, yet similar traits can extend to personality, character and interests, depending on the amount of time spent together. Christians can resemble God in the same manner, yet without time spent with Him, the similarities will be minimal. Our first step to honoring God is through the thankfulness of what He has given us. Additionally, we can honor Him by obeying His commandments. Along those lines, honoring our parents also is honoring God. Yet there is no greater honor than desiring to be more like Him. He is worthy of our praise! As soldiers of God, Christians should walk upright morally, as representatives of the Lord. Additionally, when our parents bring us into this world, they give us a solid reputation. We cannot improve on that reputation, but by our actions, can ruin it. We honor our parents and honor God through our lives.


Do you want to resemble your Father? If you want to be a chip off the old block, know that God is the Ancient of Days, the Rock of Ages, the Chief Cornerstone and our Foundation!


For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5:22-23

Tuesday, October 19: Be loved!

Though shelter, water and food are essential ingredients to the overall health of an individual, love might be the most important item on a list of needs. Loneliness can be much more oppressive than starvation. John Donne summed up the human condition aptly with his statement that, “No man is an island.”


When God formed Adam, the first man was given the opportunity to name all of the animals, which God also had created. Yet God knew that was not enough for Adam, and formed Eve as a helper to share his life. Adam didn’t spend countless hours in Garden of Eden singles’ bars, or lose an abundance of sleep chatting on EdenHarmony.com, looking for the perfect fit. Instead, God supplied Adam’s needs before Adam knew that the needs existed!


As Christians, we serve a God of love. He created us not as playthings or because He was lonely. Instead, He wanted to share His love with us! How sad it is that the majority of God’s creation has no interest in His love. That love involved sending His only Son to die in our places, so that we might have a relationship with the Father. As difficult as it was for God to watch His Son suffer the ignominy of the cross, that event pleased God according to Isaiah 53, for it enabled the bridge of relationship to be constructed between God and man, taking us from bedeviled to beloved.


One of the sweetest words in the Bible is “beloved,” which occurs in the Old Testament 46 times in 39 different verses in the New King James Version, with 27 of those verses coming from the Song of Solomon. Additionally, “beloved” occurs 66 times in 64 different verses in the New Testament. In the New Testament, “beloved” first applies to Jesus at His baptism, when the Father speaks:


And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17


In Greek, the word is agapetos, which comes from the root agape, designating a perfect love that is much different than sexual or brotherly love. To understand the sacrificial nature of agape is to grasp the willingness of Jesus to give His life for us. Amazingly, the same term that the Father used to describe His love for Jesus also describes His love for all believers:


To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:7

Yet it is an oversimplification to even begin to comprehend God’s perfect love. He doesn’t just love us; He is love, according to John. He loves us not because we are so lovable, but because that is His nature. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It is impossible for God to do anything less than love us completely. When life gets a little bumpy, or stays that way, remember that we serve a God who already has demonstrated how far He will go to love us. That love does not just supply some of our needs, but all of our needs, for just as He did with Adam, God is aware of those needs before we begin to have a clue.


As His beloved, we have the duty to share that same kind of love with those He places in our paths. Just as God loves the unlovable, often the people He wants us to reach are the down-trodden and lonely. Let Him use you to rescue the lonely, as all anyone wants is to “Be-loved!”


7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:7-11

Monday, October 18: What God do you believe in?

If you ask someone to name a genius, the top of the list would be Albert Einstein. The 20th-century, theoretical physicist is considered to be the father of modern physics. Scientifically-gifted, Einstein was spiritually blind. He said, “I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil.” Additionally, he wrote, "I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly." Yet Einstein certainly had the intelligence to comprehend that his belief had nothing to do with God’s existence. For example, if you don’t believe in electricity, and then stick a finger into an electrical socket, disbelief will not stop the ensuing shock! Obviously, more important than belief is adherence to that belief.


While there certainly are many different polls on the subject, with highly subjective results, one poll found that 97.5% of the world’s population believes in God. That number sounds shockingly high when the amount of evil in the world is taken into consideration. That being said, there is an ever-widening gap between those who believe and those who act upon that belief. Additionally, belief in God in those polls does not differentiate between the God of the Bible and the gods of Hinduism, Islam, etc. Disappointingly, an increasing number of people claiming to be Christians believe that all religions worship the same God.

"Whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, [They all] pray to the same God."---former U.S. President George W. Bush, November, 2003

Surprisingly, other well-known evangelical Christians adhere to that same philosophy, including Billy Graham, though that strongly conflicts what the Bible teaches. While universalists might believe there are many paths to salvation, God tells us in His Word that there is only one path:


10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:10-12


Certainly, belief in God is a springboard to following Him, yet simple belief without works is a path that leads away from God. After receiving the gift of salvation, God desires for us to demonstrate His love in our actions.


14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:14-23

Works cannot earn salvation for anyone, yet works can be a measure of that belief. They will know we are Christians by our love! If we claim to be followers of Christ, but have not love, we are clanging cymbals. God increases the faith in His children by revealing Himself in their Bible reading. Additionally, answered prayer increases faith, and part of that has to do with God’s provision in difficult circumstances. God’s power saves us, restores us and provides for us. Yet if we look at Christianity through the one-dimensional eyes of what is in it for us, we have lost focus of the bigger picture. How can we touch the lives of others? Those are the works that must combine with faith to complete the circuit in the life of the believer. Yet don’t lose sight of the fact that our salvation is not earned by our limited works. Our salvation came from the work that Jesus accomplished on Calvary. Seeing God has nothing to do with intelligence, and everything to do with spiritual eyes. It doesn’t take a genius to see Him, but if God opens our eyes, we can see Him clearly, and serve Him by reaching out to others!


Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6

Sunday, October 17: Rumble strips

Anyone who drives a car understands how easy it is to drift into another lane when eyes fail to remain focused ahead. Yet even if that occurs, on the freeways there are bumps between the lanes called rumble strips, which can alert the driver if he is slightly off course, or wake him if he is dozing. Focus is the key, as every action is the response of what holds our attention. If we are focused on achieving nothing, we are certain to accomplish exactly that.


God has placed each of us in a world that offers almost an infinite number of items to gain our focus. As Christians, our primary focus needs to remain on Jesus. Certainly, there are many other important aspects of our lives, including our families, jobs and ministries, yet with a primary focus on the Lord, all else can be seen peripherally. Peter gave us one of the greatest biblical examples of the miracles that can occur when our eyes remain focused on Jesus.


22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matthew 14:22-31


One of the greatest lessons of Peter walking on water has to do with his failure. Yet a larger lesson is that no one else was willing to step out of the boat. During the time that Peter’s focus remained on Jesus, he was not confined by the natural laws of the earth. When Peter fell beneath the water, Jesus reached down and saved him. We all have boisterous waves in our lives competing for attention, yet with our eyes focused on Jesus, miracles will occur.

Jesus said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt,” but could easily have said to the other disciples, who remained in the boat, “O you of even less faith, why were you unwilling to follow Me?” When our faith wavers, the Lord will stretch out His hand and come to wherever we are to rescue us and lead us back to safety. Listen for the rumble strips. The Holy Spirit will wake you, alert you and remind you that your eyes have drifted from the Son of God. He has a plan and a purpose in your life. Once we have seen Him, why do we desire to look anywhere else? Whatever the Lord has for you to do, do it intensely!


Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 6:30

Saturday, October 16: How do you measure wealth?

Though economists have announced that the recession is over, most of the working class would disagree strongly. Credit card debt is at an all-time high. Foreclosures dot every neighborhood, while new construction has slowed to a crawl. At the same time, many churches continue to be weakened by the “prosperity gospel” seeping into the simplicity and truth of God’s Word, confusing many Christians. With money-conscious pastors leading the way, the “name it and claim it,” “blab it and grab it” mentality points to people who desire financial growth above a closer walk with the Lord.


While God has promised that He will take care of the needs of His people, those needs do not include an abundance of financial resources. The God of a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) has the ability to bless His children in any way He desires, and sometimes that blessing can be of a financial nature. Yet typically, those He chooses to bless in that manner desire to use their blessing for the spread of the gospel, rather than to living higher on the hog!


Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
James 2:5


Comprehension of the symbiotic relationship between poverty and faith involves God as the provider, Jehovah-Jireh (Genesis 22:14). Those faithful servants of the Lord without financial stability frequently are blessed by God’s provision at the last moment. When rent is due, and there’s not enough in the coffers to write the check, miracles happen. Certainly, God calls for us to be good stewards of what He provides, and some of those financial straits arise when our stewardship is questionable. Yet many times, God desires to increase the faith of His people by having them to wait upon His provision.


41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Mark 12:41-44


There are places in the United States that are as impoverished as any third-world nation. One of those places is Santa Ana, California. During the Christmas season, I accompanied a Christian youth group from that area, which saved money to purchase socks and underwear for the homeless in the park at the Santa Ana Courthouse. Watching the poor assist the poorer reminded me of the widow, who gave out of her poverty. One of the greatest lessons as a Christian is that it is impossible to out-give God. Sacrifice is the greatest example of love, especially toward unbelieving neighbors. Living in such a wealthy country, it is simple to fall into the trap that “more is better” or “he who dies with the most toys wins.” Yet God’s truth shares with us that true wealth is having God in control of our lives. Eternity at the feet of Jesus is worth so much more than silver and gold.


Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Acts 3:6

God has given us so much more than material wealth. He has given us spiritual legs to walk with Him, for all of eternity. Trust in Him. There is no need that God will not fill in the lives of His children! Just don’t get your needs confused with your wants!


26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Friday, October 15: Slip-sliding away

There is nothing more challenging than the Christian walk. It’s not a run, a crawl or even a soar, as the term “walk” denotes a slow, forward progression. Yet there are times when that walk either takes an extremely circuitous route, or even goes in the opposite direction. That is when we are no longer standing on solid ground, the Foundation of our salvation. In the Bible, it is called back-sliding, and it cannot happen to unbelievers, as there is no blessing of fellowship to slide away from. Instead, this describes a person who knows God, yet chooses his old, sinful habits.


Picture a man on ice-skates in a powerful windstorm. Striving to move ahead, when the strongest gusts hit him in the face, he proceeds with “one step forward, two steps back.” When he loses his footing and falls onto his backside, that wind can cause him to slide backward, from whence he came.


As Christians, we have the hope of our walks with the Lord being continuous and straight, yet there are times when we become too self-confident, beginning to operate under our own power and direction, rather than being led by Jesus. Sin can cause us to stumble in a way that may seem surprising in its ostentatious manner. When we stumble, we will be humble! Throughout the Bible, we see godly men failing. Yet, the good news is that while all men fail, God never fails!


Your own wickedness will correct you,
And your backslidings will rebuke you.
Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing
That you have forsaken the LORD your God,
And the fear of Me is not in you,”
Says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Jeremiah 2:19
Our wisdom begins with that fear of the Lord, but there are times when ignorance takes hold of our lives. When God destroyed the world by flood, Noah was one of only eight spared. Yet soon after, he lay uncovered, drunk in his tent (Genesis 9:20). King David was a man after God’s own heart, yet his lust of Bathsheba led him to be responsible for the murder of her husband to disguise the adultery. Perhaps the best example for us all involves Peter, who soon after bragging to Jesus of his unwavering, undying love, denied his Lord three times.


Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
Luke 22:34


Notice that Peter, the only disciple brave enough to walk on water with Jesus, who sliced off the ear of Malchus in the Garden of Gethsemane in defense of Jesus, failed in his strength rather than in his weakness. Satan attacked Peter’s courage immediately after the Lord’s arrest, but the outcome was no surprise to Jesus. When we think that we are strong enough to handle Satan’s attacks alone, we are destined for failure. In the same manner, we tend to hand our weaknesses to the Lord, knowing without Him we will fail. Yes, even Peter failed, but Jesus restored Peter soon after His resurrection. Is there any sin worse than denying the Lord? Yet this was the same Peter who wrote part of the New Testament, led many people to Christ, and was crucified upside down as a martyr for the Lord.

When a young boy disobeys his parents, that action might affect his fellowship, but not his son-ship. We cannot lose our relationship with the Lord! That is not based on our strengths, but on His! Certainly, there are times when all of us as Christians adversely affect our fellowship with the Lord, but through His restoration, we will regain that fellowship! Has sin taken away the blessing of your fellowship with the Lord? Ask for His forgiveness! God never desires to be far from us, yet at those times when we walk away, He cries out, “Where are you? I miss fellowshipping with you!”


Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6

Thursday, October 14: The waves of His mercy

Living in a beach community, the constant ebb and flow of the tides offers many visual analogies to life as we know it. In the middle of the night, the sound of crashing waves becomes a distant drum roll that soothes the soul. As the tide rises, each wave seems to redraw a line of advancement in the darkening sand, highlighting the lighter color and dryness of the sand yet to be touched by water.


What a great reminder that is of our lives in the world. Every man continues in his battle against sin, with the major difference between believers and unbelievers being forgiveness of that sin. Yet with the onslaught of temptations coming at each of us in waves, we often discover that the line we originally drew in the sand has been redrawn. Just as the tide continues to rise, we all can look back on our lives and see that many of the sins we were certain to avoid are now a part of our past. Similarly, glancing back to the beach reveals that what was intended to be a line of defense has been annihilated by the advancing enemy. This is what James, the brother of Jesus, had to say about those trials:


2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-8


Watching those forceful waves crash against the shoreline demonstrates the power of the ocean, but we often lose sight of the power of the wind, either knocking the waves down to nothingness or lifting them up to epic proportions. In the same manner, God in the form of the Holy Spirit has the power to lessen or completely erase the trials facing us. In Greek, the word for wind and the Holy Spirit is the same, “pneuma.” Though God has the ability to eradicate our trials, that is not His purpose, for through testing, we grow closer to Him. Additionally, the trials increase our patience, wisdom and faith.


35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:35-50

In the verse above, the disciples were riding in a boat above the waves. Though Jesus was in the boat with them, they feared death. Ironically, there is no record of anyone dying when in the presence of Jesus, but fear is not driven by logic. In the same manner, our travels through life entail many windstorms, darkening clouds and stormy seas. Yet with Jesus in our boats, do we have any reason to fear? The waves of His mercy can overwhelm any trial, attack or difficulty. Feel His peace. Be still…and know that He is God!


6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 1:6-7

Wednesday, October 13: Inner conflict

When a well-oiled machine is working smoothly, the continuous hum of the engine is like music. That machine can be a piece of equipment, but also can be a group or individual. Regardless of size of the equipment or the number of parts involved, lubrication minimizes friction to the point where all work together, smoothly. While it might be easier to grasp this concept by picturing an engine, each of us operates daily in the same manner. Often, we seem to forget that we are more than a body, as it constantly requires food, water and maintenance to keep it going. Yet as Christians, that machinery involves body, soul and spirit.


For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:20


Because God dwells within us in the form of the Holy Spirit, we are aware of His presence in our lives. God has not split Himself up into tiny increments, and placed that tiny increment of Himself within each believer. Instead, all of God is within each of us! Even with God’s constant presence in our lives, our bodies seem to have times when they work against the Spirit, rather than with the Spirit. Yet oil lubricates the machinery! Is it ironic that the word oil in the Bible is emblematic of the Holy Spirit? He makes all things work together for our benefit!


And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28


Often in the Bible, we see anointing with oil, and in the following verse, we can see that God anoints us with His Spirit. That covering empowers each believer with might that far surpasses our own strengths and abilities.


18“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
Luke 4:18-19


Additionally, that power enables us to present our bodies to the Lord for His purposes. Paul reminds us that if we feed the flesh, the flesh grows, but if we feed the Spirit, the Spirit grows. To walk in God’s power is to ignore the cravings of the flesh. That doesn’t mean that we should give up food and water, but that our focus should remain on God, not self.


I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2


One of the most powerful words in the verse above is “reasonable.” God does not view this request as a great accomplishment, but what is rational in exchange for all that He has accomplished on our behalves. Notice, though, that this is not a commandment. Instead, Paul begins by saying, “I beseech you,” which means, “I beg you to do this.” Paul begs us, as he understands the blessing that will come to each believer who submits in this way to God!

When the “machinery” of body, soul and spirit is well-oiled, there are no limits to what God may accomplish through us! Additionally, when the body of believers is also lubricated by the Holy Spirit, our Lord empowers the body to work together in the same facet. To be a hypocrite is to be in conflict within yourself. Hupokrites is the Greek word for actors, literally, “to answer back.” When an actor received a cue, he was expected to respond in a prescribed way. Instead of a situation-comedy, God desires for us to be a reality show! If God truly is dwelling within us, then our words, deeds and motives should reflect His attributes! Don’t let the cravings of the flesh overpower the desires of the Spirit. Without oil, your machine will seize up, making your engine a paperweight for the rest of eternity!


24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25

Tuesday, October 12: On Death and Dying

Yesterday, I received a phone call from my uncle informing me that my cousin had passed away on Friday of a massive heart attack at the age of 48. With thoughts swimming through my brain and sadness oozing into every pore, it all seems almost too disjointed to put on paper. Greg was the son of my mother’s brother. We didn’t spend much time together as children, yet as adults, we only saw each other once. That was in 2004 at my mother’s funeral. The bittersweet memories of that time are etched in my brain. After suffering from emphysema for over 10 years, my mother had gone home to be with her Lord. I grieved for the fact that we no longer could create new memories, and hoped that I could hold on to many of the old ones. Yet there was also the knowledge that she had finished the race, fought the good fight and was at that moment looking into the eyes of our Savior! Along with that thought, at the funeral, God comforted me by surrounding me with faces and love from the past.


My mother’s siblings had endured a very difficult time in childhood. Consequently, upon reaching adulthood, they “escaped,” seemingly going their own ways, geographically separated, if not emotionally. I remember my mother telling me of a conversation with her brother discussing some of those childhood memories. Somehow, my mother did not remember any of the events that heavily clouded her brother’s thoughts. She never questioned the authenticity of his memories, and realized that the pain must have been so great that she simply let those memories lapse. Love remained between them, though the distance remained. Yet somehow, the inability to confront the pain passed down to the next generation, as we grew up without strong bonds to close relatives.


That was the gift God gave me at my mother’s funeral. I was surprised at the number of ways that Greg and I were similar, both with a strong emphasis on sports and the outdoors. We both loved Labrador retrievers. Sitting in a hotel room the night before the funeral, we passed around a guitar, taking turns playing random songs. Greg’s younger brother, Jonathan, also participated, and the next day, we were three of the pallbearers at my mother’s funeral. God had surrounded me with love, from people I hadn’t seen for years.


Yet sadly, our similarities did not include our religious beliefs. Greg adhered to the philosophy, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die,” and then reached his tomorrow. While his heart attack had surprised me, Greg had abused his body in every way imaginable. In addition to that abuse in the physical realm, the spiritual realm seemed to be just as much of a wasteland. Agnosticism bordering on atheism seemed to be the common belief in Greg’s family. Sometimes, I wonder if that has more to do with pain than understanding. When difficulties arise, we have the tendency to either run away from God or run into His comforting arms. Because we cannot see inside of the heart, I have no idea what Greg’s personal relationship with the Lord was. Certainly, there are those who become believers moments before death, and I can hope that Greg was one of those. Yet the only way I had shared my faith with Greg was through the snippets of information we had exchanged on Facebook. What if God had wanted me to speak with Greg, but I had not listened?


19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31


God gives us all the opportunities to know Him personally. It is a blessing that He involves us in the process of sharing His kingdom with others, yet God does not need us. He can use us to share His words, He can speak through a burning bush, He can communicate by giving a donkey the power of language or He can write it in the sky if He so chooses! Our inabilities to listen cannot change God’s will. When we get to heaven, we certainly will discover the multitude of ways that God tried to get our attention.

Yet the lesson of the day, for me if not for all of us, is to make every moment count. In our conversations, if the Holy Spirit opens the door ever so slightly, are we willing to step through that door and share about the miracles that God has performed in our lives? We are so adamant at not offending another person, yet what is the greatest offense? How many people on Judgment Day will be looking at you, saying, "Why didn't you tell me?" If your friend was drowning, would you not at the very least throw him a rope? In addition to living in the moment, we should dwell in the thankfulness of what we have been given. Did we deserve salvation more than others who have not received it? No! Through our lives, actions and motives, all we deserved was death, yet the Lord in His infinite mercy and grace gave us eternal life in Him. Never forget that each person in your path is one breath away from death, and one decision away from eternal life!


My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my
heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26

Monday, October 11: A disappearing God?

When the Lord destroyed the earth with the Great Flood in the days of Noah, belief in God was different than it is now. In fact, with the longevity of those early lives, Noah’s father knew Adam, though 10 generations separated the two men. Consequently, in the generation before the Flood, people could speak with a man who had walked with God in the Garden of Eden. While belief in God may have existed in a different state, relationship with God was not evident in the actions and attitudes of the people:


11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 6:11-12


Even in the new world, as man “progressed,” relationship with God seemed to deteriorate. While the Romans and Greeks remained theists, retaining belief in deities, most in those civilizations were polytheists, believing in many gods. Citizens of those cultures paid for festivals to please the plethora of gods, yet those misinformed failed to understand the One True God’s desire for a relationship. It was in ancient Greece that the term atheism first was seen, though it was not until the 1800s that people began to associate themselves with that term.

God’s existence is evident in each direction we can see, hear or feel. Yet most people do not desire a relationship with their Creator, with the potential of having God in control of their lives. Instead, most people choose to serve themselves, as if they were the gods of their own worlds. While God honors humbleness, the world honors knowledge, power and wealth.


23 Thus says the LORD:
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24


The prophet Jeremiah spoke the verses above to people who had rejected God’s Word, which continues to be just as problematic today, if not more so. Atheism has become more prevalent, while agnosticism, the belief that the existence or non-existence of any deity is unknowable, has increased even more rapidly. While some may term this “the disappearance of God,” instead, it is the disappearance of faith. Is it any wonder that depression, divorce and suicide rates continue to increase? Technology can help us to move around this world faster, higher and stronger, but not happier. We need God for our peace, our happiness and our joy! In comparison to the omniscience of God, our increasing intelligence is nothing.


18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:18-22

Most in my family vividly remember the vehement argument of my grandmother, who when shopping for a new television, insisted it had to be black-and-white, as she did not have cable. No family member or sales associate could convince her that the two issues were unrelated. She would not accept expert opinion, as she thought she knew better. In the same manner, people are most dangerous when they overestimate their own intelligence. As Christians, most of us would agree that the more we study the Bible, the less we know, as we can see how much more there is to learn. God is so big and so complex, that we can study His Word for all of eternity and still, continue to learn.


Transformation involves that appearance of faith. Faith is not the opposite of science, but the knowledge that God created science! Even as Christians, we have different levels of faith given by God. Yet it is simple to increase your faith in the all-mighty God. Read His Word! The more you know Him, the more you will see Him in every aspect of your lives. If you seek God, you will find Him. He has promised that, and wants to reveal Himself to us all!


10“For you have trusted in your wickedness;
You have said, ‘No one sees me’;
Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you;
And you have said in your heart,
‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’
11Therefore evil shall come upon you;
You shall not know from where it arises.
And trouble shall fall upon you;
You will not be able to put it off.
And desolation shall come upon you suddenly,
Which you shall not know.
Isaiah 47:10-11