“Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale, and he was so frightened that his legs became weak, and his knees were knocking.” [1]
This hand crashed the king’s party. He and his supporters were drinking alcohol from the cups of God’s temple. Stolen from Jerusalem! They were praising gods that were no gods. Suddenly, the true and living God interrupted the vile behavior of these worthless leaders. The king was so frightened that his knees literally began to knock together. The king’s wife got him to call for Daniel the prophet of God to give him the interpretation of what the divine hand wrote.
Daniel said to the king, “You, Belshazzar… have not humbled yourself... Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from His temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways. Therefore He sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin.
Here is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” [2]
What are our nation’s leaders doing? Have they set themselves against the Lord of heaven by the things they are doing both before us and behind us? God knows! God sees! In due season, God acts against arrogance. They too, will see the writing on the wall, and not be able to wiggle out of the consequences that are coming to them from the hand of God.
Let us humble ourselves, turn from sin, and give glory to God because the day of judgment on proud rebellion against God is at hand.
[1] Daniel 5:5-6
[2] Daniel 5:22-27
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Monday, November 28, 2022
Earnest Prayers for Friends in Danger
The king of Babylon sent the commander of his guard to execute the wise men of his kingdom. Why? Because some said, “What the king asks is too difficult?” But Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He was granted time. His next step was to ask his three friends to pray…
“He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.” [1]
Jesus warned His disciples that He was about to be arrested, tried, tortured, and executed. He told His disciple Simon Peter…
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [2]
As the hour of His physical abuse drew near, Jesus said to His disciples, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” “He [Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed.” [3] In fact, “being in anguish, He [Jesus] prayed more earnestly.” [4]
How many key servants of the Lord need our prayers today? They are wisely and earnestly serving God our Father, but dark characters want to destroy them, that is, unless intercessors, pray for them.
“Heavenly Father, I have some people on my heart today. You know who they are. They need victories that only you can give them. Please come through for them today. Be glorified in giving them the victory over those who seek to ruin them. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Daniel 2:18-19
[2] Luke 22:31-32
[3] Luke 22:40
[4] Luke 22:44
“He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.” [1]
Jesus warned His disciples that He was about to be arrested, tried, tortured, and executed. He told His disciple Simon Peter…
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [2]
As the hour of His physical abuse drew near, Jesus said to His disciples, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” “He [Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed.” [3] In fact, “being in anguish, He [Jesus] prayed more earnestly.” [4]
How many key servants of the Lord need our prayers today? They are wisely and earnestly serving God our Father, but dark characters want to destroy them, that is, unless intercessors, pray for them.
“Heavenly Father, I have some people on my heart today. You know who they are. They need victories that only you can give them. Please come through for them today. Be glorified in giving them the victory over those who seek to ruin them. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Daniel 2:18-19
[2] Luke 22:31-32
[3] Luke 22:40
[4] Luke 22:44
Saturday, November 26, 2022
A Burden Released
Is there a narrative that guides your goals?
I’ve always hoped that God would use my life to bring Him glory. In 1977, I wrote a story of a crusader who attempted to reopen a boarded-up church. It was the last remaining church building in his city. He had a congregation of two. They were content for him to be their teacher even if no one else joined their gathering, but he was not content. He rallied young people together to help him repair and reopen the church, but sadly, satanic people killed them all. My goal was to inspire commitment to church gatherings even if in doing so it resulted in martyrdom.
Dedication to church gatherings has been a driving force in my life. Glory to God!
However, this morning, while reading Ezekiel, the Lord revealed to me something I had not noticed before. Earlier in the book, the Israelites had strayed from God. Worse than closing churches, they were worshipping false gods in their gathering places. God gave Ezekiel words for them, but ultimately, it was God who would bring them back to Himself. Ezekiel just needed to keep his eyes on the Lord and follow the Lord’s leading.
I am not abandoning my dedication to church gatherings, but I am abandoning the lie that if I don’t gather people to God, I’m a failure. God has shown me through His prophet Ezekiel that sometimes though a man of God speaks the truth and models godly principles for others, they will not join themselves to God.
My part is to be a witness for the Gospel that saves lost souls. It is the listeners’ part to respond or to face the consequence of their non-response. On the one hand, I don’t want to shut down my effort due to a lack of response on the part of my listeners, on the other hand, I want to maintain a whole lot of passion to keep spreading God’s Word.
Below is a portion of what I read in Ezekiel this morning:
“In 25th year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the 14th year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me, and he took me there. In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. The man said to me, ‘Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.’ I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. He measured the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high.” [1]
The vision continues with Ezekiel measuring the dimensions of the city. God rebuilt the lost city of Jerusalem. Years later, many of Ezekiel’s people did return to the Lord. This spiritual awakening came about as a result of God’s work. Ezekiel had a part in it but was not the lone crusader on whom the whole vision depended.
God has done great things through my life, but the greatest thing that He will do, namely the transformation of a fallen world back into a paradise, only He will do. I am okay with that. In fact, going forward, I just want to proclaim His Name and let Him carry the burden of the results.
[1] Ezekiel 40:1-5
I’ve always hoped that God would use my life to bring Him glory. In 1977, I wrote a story of a crusader who attempted to reopen a boarded-up church. It was the last remaining church building in his city. He had a congregation of two. They were content for him to be their teacher even if no one else joined their gathering, but he was not content. He rallied young people together to help him repair and reopen the church, but sadly, satanic people killed them all. My goal was to inspire commitment to church gatherings even if in doing so it resulted in martyrdom.
Dedication to church gatherings has been a driving force in my life. Glory to God!
However, this morning, while reading Ezekiel, the Lord revealed to me something I had not noticed before. Earlier in the book, the Israelites had strayed from God. Worse than closing churches, they were worshipping false gods in their gathering places. God gave Ezekiel words for them, but ultimately, it was God who would bring them back to Himself. Ezekiel just needed to keep his eyes on the Lord and follow the Lord’s leading.
I am not abandoning my dedication to church gatherings, but I am abandoning the lie that if I don’t gather people to God, I’m a failure. God has shown me through His prophet Ezekiel that sometimes though a man of God speaks the truth and models godly principles for others, they will not join themselves to God.
My part is to be a witness for the Gospel that saves lost souls. It is the listeners’ part to respond or to face the consequence of their non-response. On the one hand, I don’t want to shut down my effort due to a lack of response on the part of my listeners, on the other hand, I want to maintain a whole lot of passion to keep spreading God’s Word.
Below is a portion of what I read in Ezekiel this morning:
“In 25th year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the 14th year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me, and he took me there. In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. The man said to me, ‘Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.’ I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. He measured the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high.” [1]
The vision continues with Ezekiel measuring the dimensions of the city. God rebuilt the lost city of Jerusalem. Years later, many of Ezekiel’s people did return to the Lord. This spiritual awakening came about as a result of God’s work. Ezekiel had a part in it but was not the lone crusader on whom the whole vision depended.
God has done great things through my life, but the greatest thing that He will do, namely the transformation of a fallen world back into a paradise, only He will do. I am okay with that. In fact, going forward, I just want to proclaim His Name and let Him carry the burden of the results.
[1] Ezekiel 40:1-5
From Bones to Blessings
The Spirit of the Lord gave the prophet Ezekiel a most amazing vision. He witnessed the Spirit of the Lord transforming dry bones into a mighty army for God. Imagine turkey bones that were picked clean by thanksgiving feasters suddenly coming together to form the bird’s skeletal structure, muscle forming on the bones, feathers reappearing and then, life entering it, and it is now alive and stronger than ever before. And it’s soul mission now is to bring glory to God!
“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know.’
I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, tendons and flesh appeared on them, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
‘I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” [1]
“Holy Spirit please breathe life into souls today and cause them to rise up to serve and glorify God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Please bring dry bones together. Please grant us muscle. Please fill us with very presence. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Ezekiel 37:1, 3, 7-9, 14
“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know.’
I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, tendons and flesh appeared on them, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
‘I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” [1]
“Holy Spirit please breathe life into souls today and cause them to rise up to serve and glorify God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Please bring dry bones together. Please grant us muscle. Please fill us with very presence. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Ezekiel 37:1, 3, 7-9, 14
Thursday, November 24, 2022
From Insult to Praise
“No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign Lord.” [1]
Have you ever been taunted or scorned? Insulted or laughed at due to your size, shape, color, ethnicity, speech, or lack of ability? The people that the prophet Ezekiel addressed experienced taunting. The Lord told them it was going to stop. What would a life without insults look like?
“I will show the holiness of My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, the Name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.” [2]
Wait! What’s this? The people who experienced disrespect disrespected God’s great Name both by their words and deeds? Are there any nations like that today? Thankfully, God has a solution.
“I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.” [3]
The Lord gathered them back to their homeland. He led them to repent of their unfaithfulness to Him, namely from idolizing other non-gods and living in sin. Then, He filled them with His Holy Spirit so that they could live lives that brought praise and glory to His Name.
“Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!” [4]
The only shame and disgrace that His people should have been concerned about was the shame and disgrace they brought to their Creator and Sustainer. To the lover of their souls!
“Heavenly Father, in Name of Your Son Jesus the Messiah, please forgive me… forgive my nation… forgive my world for the way we have treated You and Your Name. Please do anoint us with Your Holy Spirit so that we might with a new heart live to praise and glorify You.”
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” [5]
[1] Ezekiel 36:15
[2] Ezekiel 36:23
[3] Ezekiel 36:24-27
[4] Ezekiel 36:31-32
[5] Psalm 150:6
Have you ever been taunted or scorned? Insulted or laughed at due to your size, shape, color, ethnicity, speech, or lack of ability? The people that the prophet Ezekiel addressed experienced taunting. The Lord told them it was going to stop. What would a life without insults look like?
“I will show the holiness of My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, the Name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.” [2]
Wait! What’s this? The people who experienced disrespect disrespected God’s great Name both by their words and deeds? Are there any nations like that today? Thankfully, God has a solution.
“I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.” [3]
The Lord gathered them back to their homeland. He led them to repent of their unfaithfulness to Him, namely from idolizing other non-gods and living in sin. Then, He filled them with His Holy Spirit so that they could live lives that brought praise and glory to His Name.
“Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!” [4]
The only shame and disgrace that His people should have been concerned about was the shame and disgrace they brought to their Creator and Sustainer. To the lover of their souls!
“Heavenly Father, in Name of Your Son Jesus the Messiah, please forgive me… forgive my nation… forgive my world for the way we have treated You and Your Name. Please do anoint us with Your Holy Spirit so that we might with a new heart live to praise and glorify You.”
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” [5]
[1] Ezekiel 36:15
[2] Ezekiel 36:23
[3] Ezekiel 36:24-27
[4] Ezekiel 36:31-32
[5] Psalm 150:6
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Remaining Return Ready
“Where, Lord?” they asked.
He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” [1]
What is the context of this conversation between Jesus and His disciples?
The answer is… “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.” [2] Jesus is using a metaphor to describe the spiritual condition of people when He returns. A dead body is a human form with no life in it. Jesus is saying that when He returns, those who are spiritually dead to God will be caught off guard.
“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.” [3]
Just as it was on the days of Lot… “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying, and selling, planting, and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.” [4]
The people in Noah’s days and Lot’s days, did not take God seriously. They did not repent of their sins. Other things were more important to them than God was.
Jesus does not want anyone to be caught spiritually dead to God when He returns. He wants you and me to be ready. Spiritually awake! Spiritually alive to God!
The good news is that Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvary’s cross for your sins and mine. He is our Savior. Jesus taught His disciples, “Even if they [brothers] sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” [5] So, God is willing to forgive us as oft as we are willing to repent of our sins. The key to salvation is to repent when we sin and to remain with Christ until the day He returns or until we die, whichever comes first.
[1] Luke 17:37
[2] Luke 17:30
[3] Luke 17:26-27
[4] Luke 17:28-29
[5] Luke 17:4
He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” [1]
What is the context of this conversation between Jesus and His disciples?
The answer is… “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.” [2] Jesus is using a metaphor to describe the spiritual condition of people when He returns. A dead body is a human form with no life in it. Jesus is saying that when He returns, those who are spiritually dead to God will be caught off guard.
“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.” [3]
Just as it was on the days of Lot… “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying, and selling, planting, and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.” [4]
The people in Noah’s days and Lot’s days, did not take God seriously. They did not repent of their sins. Other things were more important to them than God was.
Jesus does not want anyone to be caught spiritually dead to God when He returns. He wants you and me to be ready. Spiritually awake! Spiritually alive to God!
The good news is that Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvary’s cross for your sins and mine. He is our Savior. Jesus taught His disciples, “Even if they [brothers] sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” [5] So, God is willing to forgive us as oft as we are willing to repent of our sins. The key to salvation is to repent when we sin and to remain with Christ until the day He returns or until we die, whichever comes first.
[1] Luke 17:37
[2] Luke 17:30
[3] Luke 17:26-27
[4] Luke 17:28-29
[5] Luke 17:4
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Every Eye Shall Behold Him
Annie Herring is one of the pioneers of the Jesus music genre, later to be called Contemporary Christian music. She was a member of the trio 2nd Chapter of Acts, for which she wrote most of the songs and sang lead and harmony vocals with her brother Matthew Ward and sister Nelly (Ward) Greisen.
During an interview, she testified of a moment in which she had a vision of Jesus Christ in heaven. She said that she felt such love for Him. She wanted to kiss Him. As she drew near to Him, she felt every sin that she ever committed. She felt each transgression. It broke her heart. She felt there was no way Jesus could love her. The vision ended. She said, “Jesus is the perfect spotless Lamb of God!” Jesus took her sins away and affirmed His love for Annie over and over again. The Name of Jesus became like honey to her soul. And He filled her with His Holy Spirit.
Friday, November 18, 2022
JOY in You the Lord JESUS!
“Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Isaiah 35:10
Isaiah 35:10
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Sunday, November 13, 2022
A Noble & Good Heart
“The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” [1]
“He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’” [2]
“’Where is your faith?’ He asked His disciples.” [3]
“Then He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’” [4]
“Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.’” [5]
The Word of God supplies our faith in God to trust in Him for miracles when we need Him for help.
Questions to ask oneself: “Have I a noble and good heart that hears the word, retains it, and by persevering produces a crop?” “Do I hear AND practice the Word of God?” “Do I believe God for miracles both for myself and others?”
[1] Luke 8:15
[2] Luke 8:21
[3] Luke 8:25
[4] Luke 8:48
[5] Luke 8:50
“He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’” [2]
“’Where is your faith?’ He asked His disciples.” [3]
“Then He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’” [4]
“Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.’” [5]
The Word of God supplies our faith in God to trust in Him for miracles when we need Him for help.
Questions to ask oneself: “Have I a noble and good heart that hears the word, retains it, and by persevering produces a crop?” “Do I hear AND practice the Word of God?” “Do I believe God for miracles both for myself and others?”
[1] Luke 8:15
[2] Luke 8:21
[3] Luke 8:25
[4] Luke 8:48
[5] Luke 8:50
Friday, November 11, 2022
The World’s Kingdoms Become the Lord’s
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [1]
The Kingdom of God will outlast all other kingdoms built on false narratives contrary to the Word of God. In due season, the false narratives collapse, and those who trusted in those false narratives will be greatly disappointed and suffer great losses.
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [2]
Believing the Bible about Jesus Christ being your Savior from sin is the answer for entering the kingdom of God.
“The kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [3]
[1] Revelation 11:15
[2] Mark 1:14-15
[3] Romans 14:17
The Kingdom of God will outlast all other kingdoms built on false narratives contrary to the Word of God. In due season, the false narratives collapse, and those who trusted in those false narratives will be greatly disappointed and suffer great losses.
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [2]
Believing the Bible about Jesus Christ being your Savior from sin is the answer for entering the kingdom of God.
“The kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [3]
[1] Revelation 11:15
[2] Mark 1:14-15
[3] Romans 14:17
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Affirming God’s Witnesses
“He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.” [1]
Now is the time to harvest! Our feet are still on planet earth. It is our opportunity to share the Good News of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross and at the empty tomb.
Consider God’s servant Job! His story is a metaphor for Christians who are attacked physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for their faith and obedience to God. The lengthiest part of Job’s suffering was with his “three friends” who did not understand that he was being a witness for God. The story concludes with God affirming that Job spoke rightly of Him. [2]
Now is the time to harvest! Our feet are still on planet earth. It is our opportunity to share the Good News of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross and at the empty tomb.
Consider God’s servant Job! His story is a metaphor for Christians who are attacked physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for their faith and obedience to God. The lengthiest part of Job’s suffering was with his “three friends” who did not understand that he was being a witness for God. The story concludes with God affirming that Job spoke rightly of Him. [2]
Peter, James, and Paul, like Job, also suffered for their faith in God.
Consider what happened to Jesus while He walked the earth! After He preached to the truth to them, His hometown folks almost threw Him over a cliff. [3]
For so many years, I have struggled to overcome the lie that a person needs to be continuously “successful” in the eyes of others to be a good witness for God. That is not Scriptural. Actually, in most cases, it is contrary to Scripture. What I have experienced when I love people like Jesus loves them is attacks. The enemy of human souls – the devil – delights in his captives. The last thing the devil wants is for some person to demonstrate by word and deed the love of Jesus Christ to lost souls.
“He who gathers in summer is a wise son.” [4] Gathering is work. It involves sweat, injuries, and yes, even unkind treatment at times. The gatherer's hope is in his or her Redeemer. One day, he or she will be welcomed into the Savior's rest.
“Thank You, Heavenly Father, for affirming those who witness for You.”
Consider what happened to Jesus while He walked the earth! After He preached to the truth to them, His hometown folks almost threw Him over a cliff. [3]
For so many years, I have struggled to overcome the lie that a person needs to be continuously “successful” in the eyes of others to be a good witness for God. That is not Scriptural. Actually, in most cases, it is contrary to Scripture. What I have experienced when I love people like Jesus loves them is attacks. The enemy of human souls – the devil – delights in his captives. The last thing the devil wants is for some person to demonstrate by word and deed the love of Jesus Christ to lost souls.
“He who gathers in summer is a wise son.” [4] Gathering is work. It involves sweat, injuries, and yes, even unkind treatment at times. The gatherer's hope is in his or her Redeemer. One day, he or she will be welcomed into the Savior's rest.
“Thank You, Heavenly Father, for affirming those who witness for You.”
[1 & 4] Proverbs 10:5
[2] Job 42:7
[3] Luke 4:29
[2] Job 42:7
[3] Luke 4:29
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
The New Temple & Christ's Return
Jesus resurrected a new temple built without hands when He resurrected from the dead on the third day and when He baptized His disciples with the Holy Spirit. The new temple is His body, the Church. His body, the Church, reaches to every continent and to every nation. For this Church He shall return. And thanks to His atoning work on the cross for our sins, we shall live and reign with Him forever and ever. Hallelujah!
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