Gifts of the Holy Spirit

“Paul… finding some disciples… said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ 

So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’

And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’

So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’

Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

Now the men were about twelve in all.” [1]

The Holy Spirit is God in us working through us. He is amazing!

Why aren’t all Christians and Christian denominations talking about the Holy Spirit and His gifts?

Christian seminaries, Bible schools and churches build their theology around the teachings of Paul in regards to Christ and His atoning work to grant us pardon of all our sins. Praise the Lord! This is good! But what about Paul’s teachings on the Holy Spirit’s gifts? 

The Bible clearly states that “when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” [2]

He writes of these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 as well. And Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and who travels with Paul in the Book of Acts, writes of these gifts as well in Acts 2:4, 10:46 and 19:6.

As per prophecy, Luke wrote of this gift [3] and so did Paul in his letters to the churches. [4]

Why deny the spiritual gifts that Luke and Paul speak of and yet quote them often in regards to other doctrines?

Do we not profess to believe that the entire Bible is the inspired and in errant Word of God; the rule for Christian belief and practice? So, why deny and disregard the application of the passages that speak of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Why not embrace the entire Bible and pray about what it says. This is what Paul did for the believers in Acts 19:1-7.

The Early Church thrived as the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and bore His fruits and gifts. I would like, and more importantly, our Lord Jesus would like His 21st Century Church to thrive and bear His fruits and gifts to the world, and this is indeed happening among many believers around the world.

May all believers be filled with the Holy Spirit and bear His fruits and gifts!

“Then Moses said to him, ‘Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!’” [5]

[1] Acts 19:1-7

[2] Acts 19:6 

[3] Luke 1:67; Acts 11:27-28, 13:1, 15:32, 19:6 & 21:9-10

[4] Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:10 & 14:4; Ephesians 4:11 & 1 Timothy 4:14

[5] Numbers 11:9

Content & Thankful

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” [1]

“A commercial pilot flying over the Tennessee mountains pointed out a lake to his co-pilot. ‘See that lake down there? When I was a boy, I used to sit in a rowboat and fish for hours. Whenever a plane flew overhead, I pretended I was piloting the jet.’

The co-pilot responded, ‘You must be proud that you have achieved your boyhood dreams.’ The pilot replied, ‘Not exactly. Now when I fly over that lake, I wish I was down there fishing.’

Contentment is an elusive pursuit. We want to believe there is something out there that we can find or achieve or buy that will finally make us happy.

It is difficult to find contentment in a culture that works hard to foster discontent. Consumer economies are designed to ensure we are never satisfied, in essence, monetizing our discontent. Businesses do their best to keep us constantly longing for the latest and greatest ‘Shiny Objects.’ Enough is never enough.

If we are never satisfied, we are not fully able to enjoy the life that God has given us.

Notice that Paul didn’t write, ‘I’m so glad that it is easy to be content in every situation.’ No, he says, ‘I had to learn to be content whatever the circumstances.’

First, Paul learned we should rejoice in the Lord. Even in the midst of difficulty we can rejoice that God sustains and cares for us. 

Second, be known for gentleness, not insisting on our own rights, but instead striving for the welfare of others.

Third, don’t be anxious about anything. Recall the words of Jesus, ‘Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?’

Finally, pray with thanksgiving. When we give thanks to God, we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift, a result of His goodness and generosity.

When we pray to God with thanksgiving, what are we not doing?

We’re not congratulating ourselves for how great we are. We’re not being proud or selfish or stingy with our resources. We’re not complaining or comparing ourselves to others. We’re not consumed by the insatiable quest for more.

Instead, we are free to focus on the only one who can provide for us, God himself, and when we find joy in the Lord, we can let go of our discontent and find contentment in His love and grace.” [2]

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” [3]

[1] Philippians 4:12

[2] Escaping Discontent by JON POLK

[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Desire The Best Spiritual Gifts

Judah’s ungodly king was dead. Israel’s evil king and queen were dead. The prophecy spoken by Elijah from the Lord was fulfilled! Sadly, those who replaced them also did evil. [1]

The Lord urges us in His Word to, “Earnestly desire the best [spiritual] gifts.” [2]

The Holy Spirit and His gifts working through a leader’s administration is the key to steering a nation in the right direction. The Holy Spirit empowers leaders us to do the will of God. He brings the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

When Jesus Christ walked among us, the Holy Spirit’s anointing led Him to preach good news to the poor rather than bad news. The Holy Spirit anointed Him to heal the sick rather than exploit them. The Holy Spirit anointed Him to set captives free from the devil rather than destroy them.

We pray: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” [3]

“Heavenly Father, please bring our leaders to repentance in regards to sin, and to infilling by the Holy Spirit in regards to an anointing to lead us well. Only You can bring Your kingdom down to us! Only through You does Your will come to pass here on earth. We want You to reign in our nations, and in our lives. This we pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”

[1] 2 Kings 9-11
[2] 1 Corinthians 12:31
[3] Matthew 6:10

Divine Provision

“Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, ‘Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the Lord has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years.’ So, the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God, and she went with her household and dwelt in the land of the Philistines seven years.” [1]

The Word of the Lord preserved the life of the woman and her son throughout seven years of famine. It should be noted that she believed what God’s messenger told her and put feet to her faith. Previously, God had used the prophet of His Word to raise her son from death to life. Would God really preserve her family during seven years of famine?

The Lord led her to go to a neighboring country. Like King David [2], she went to the land of her enemies during a time of difficulty and God preserved her family there. Thus, King David wrote…

“You [My Shepherd and Lord] prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” [3]

“It came to pass, at the end of seven years, that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her land.

Then the king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, ‘Tell me, please, all the great things Elisha has done.’ Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son he had restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, ‘My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.’ And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So, the king appointed a certain officer for her, saying, ‘Restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now.’” [4]

I wonder if any of us Bible-believing Christians were about to experience a time of famine, and the Lord gave us a word from a reputable prophet of God that directed us to a foreign land among our enemies, would we go? Granted… God had used Elisha to raise her son to life. Still, she could have doubted his counsel on this occasion, but she did not.

She trusted in the Lord, in the Lord’s Word and in the Lord’s servant, and God came through for her. What is more, when she returned to her homeland after the seven years of famine ended, the Lord arranged it so that the servant of Elisha was talking about her to the king, and the king restored her property to her, plus as a bonus, all the back-pay that was due her. Praise the Lord!

What is it that you need from the Lord today? Why not just ask the Lord for it? Jesus Christ gave His life for you on the cross to redeem you from your sin. In Christ, all your sins are forgiven, and God remembers them no more. In Christ, you are an adopted child of God. You are in the family! Listen to God! Stand by His promises! All things are possible with God!

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [5]

How do we overcome in times of difficulties?

“By the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their [the saints’] testimony.” [6]

[1] 2 Kings 8:1-2
[2] 1 Samuel 27
[3] Psalm 23:5-6
[4] 2 Kings 8:3-6
[5] Romans 8:31-32
[6] Revelation 12:11

Trusting God to Flip Enemies into Family

Syria was against Samaria, yet when Naaman, the commander of the army, heard via a captured Israeli girl that there was prophet there who could heal his leprosy, he told his king about it. Through a series events, Naaman ended up being healed by the Lord via His prophet Elisha. [1]

Later, the King of Syria sent his army to capture Elisha. Why? He was giving the King of Israel intel by the Spirit of the Lord as to the Syrian army’s plans…

“Therefore, the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, ‘Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?’ And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” [2]

Elisha was not intimidated by an enemy army coming after him. He told his servant, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” [3]

Elisha prayed to the Lord to open the eyes of his servant so he could see the army of the Lord. The Lord answered Elisha’s prayer. The servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” [4]

The enemy did not capture Elisha. He captured them. He brought these blinded soldiers into the city of Samaria, asked his king to feed them and afterwards, he sent them away seeing. [5]

Twice, he showed the enemies of the Lord kindness, but still they came again to attack Samaria. The Syrians surrounded Samaria. They cut off their food supply. Elisha prophesied that all would be well to his King. What happened?

“The Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so, they said to one another, ‘Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!’ Therefore, they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives.” [6] The people Samaria collected ample food and supplies afterwards.

The Lord is well able to take care of the enemies of His people, and to do it with grace, thus, Jesus says to you and to me…

“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” [7]

Be like our Heavenly Father to them! Realize that God is bigger than their anger and hatred. Who has ever shown them what the Heavenly Father is like?

Saul of Tarsus was a man who “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” [8]

The people of God prayed for him, and rather than kill him, God converted him. Thanks to Jesus, Saul of Tarsus was transformed into the Apostle Paul. Paul became a prolific writer and speaker for Jesus Christ.

Now, let us love and pray for our enemies, and believe that God will do miracles among them that will change their perspective of both God and us. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [9]

[1] 2 Kings 5:1-14
[2] 2 Kings 6:11-12
[3] 2 Kings 6:16
[4] 2 Kings 6:17-18
[5] 2 Kings 6:19-23
[6] 2 Kings 7:6-7
[7] Matthew 5:44-48
[8] Acts 8:3
[9] Psalm 124:8

Jesus Christ Is The Truth

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” [1]

Jesus Christ is God’s Word embodied in human flesh. He brought truth into a world full of lies and deception. He brought truth to us in a gracious way because He wanted to save us not condemn us.

“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” [2]

Is our worship lining up with the truth of Scripture? Are we worshipping God by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit? This is the kind of worshipper our Heavenly Father is seeking to worship Him. Authentic! Heart-felt! Love for God in the way that the Father desires to be loved by us!

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [3]

Truth is about knowing God and knowing God’s sovereignty. The God of the Bible is the only Creator and Sustainer of all things. Knowing that He is God, and we are not, and that other gods are not God, helps us to live as free people. He says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things [the things you need for survival] shall be added to you.” [4]

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” [5]

Jesus reveals the Father to us. He reveals to us the truth about God. He reveals to us the life of God so that we can participate in God’s life.

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” [6]

Now that Jesus is in heaven, He gives us the Helper from His Father, even the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus to help us win the information war that comes at us from the devil and his agents here on earth. Jesus called the devil a liar and the father of lies. [7] He or she who is of the devil, will lie and deceive people to lead them to do evil against God and others. By relying on the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we can overcome the lies of the evil one.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” [8]

Jesus prayed that we would be set apart (sanctified) by God’s truth. He is not of this world, and neither are we who follow Him. To follow Jesus is to make a break with every false and evil way.

“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” [9]

Standing before an authority figure who had been given the power to send Jesus to the cross, Jesus revealed His reason for coming into the world. It was to bear witness to the truth. Who would listen to Him? Everyone who is of the truth!

The Holy Spirit led me to pray for the nations by name today, and for many people by name as well, that whatever lie is deceiving them, those lies would be exposed and replaced by the truth of God. 

“Amen. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bring the truth to bear upon the people of planet earth today. Be glorified! This I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”

[1] John 1:14
[2] John 4:23
[3] John 8:32
[4] Matthew 6:33
[5] John 14:6
[6] John 15:26
[7] John 8:44
[8] John 17:17
[9] John 18:37

Countering Non-Prophet Organization

One of the greatest deficits in the last days of Israel’s and Judah’s existence before being overcome by pagan nations was ears willing to hear what God had to say about their situation. They had no lack of preachers parroting what politicians wanted them to say. Both government and religious gathering places had become non-prophet organizations in the sense of banning anyone to speak truth for God.

Ungodly King Ahab called Elijah a troubler of Israel. Elijah corrected him…

“I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals [idols].” [1] Then, he challenged the politician to gather his press corps to a debate. King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had a total of 850 false prophets (reporters in her pocket) who ate her table.

When the big day came, and all were gathered, Elijah said to those propagators of false information, “You call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” [2]

The pagan prophets could not produce results. They were professional liars and deceivers. They were not connected to the true God. When Elijah prayed a brief prayer, the fire fell. On that day, the propagandists of Queen Jezebel were silenced. All were put to death by the people. Her career was not over yet, but her last day of ungodly influence on the nation was nearing.

Just before Jezebel’s husband’s reign ended, he had a plan, he wanted to form a coalition with the king of Judah’s army to take land from the king of Syria. The king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, planned to join in on this land grab, but with one condition. He asked, “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today.” [3]

“Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, ‘Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to fight, or shall I refrain?’ So, they said, ‘Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.’” [4]

King Jehoshaphat recognized that Ahab’s prophets were not the kind of prophets he was used to listening to, so he asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?” [5]

“The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.’” [6]

King Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from this prophet that King Ahab hated. King Ahab sent for him, but Ahab’s messenger told the prophet of the Lord, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” Micaiah responded, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” [7]

At first Micaiah, repeated what he was told to say, but he said it in such a way as to provoke King Ahab to order him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” [8]

So, Micaiah revealed to all present the vision and the words that the Lord gave him. He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?’

Then Micaiah said, ‘Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So, one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So, he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and prevail. Go out and do so.’ Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you.’” [9]

A false prophet slapped Micaiah. King Ahab imprisoned him. He ordered that Micaiah be dined on the bread and water of affliction.” But that very day, King Ahab died in battle. [10]

After reading these Biblical accounts of kings and prophets, one question to ask ourselves is, “In what ways is our nation being lied to and deceived by ungodly leaders and their propagandists? Another question to ask ourselves is, “Who is speaking the Word of Lord, inspired by the Spirit of Truth, namely the Holy Spirit, to these deluded despots?”

“Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us the grace as You did to Elijah and Micaiah to bring truth with power and love to the place where people gather to hear the truth. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.”

[1] 1 Kings 18:17-19
[2] 1 Kings 18:24
[3] 1 King 22:5
[4] 1 Kings 22:6
[5] 1 Kings 22:7
[6] 1 Kings 22:8
[7] 1 Kings 22:13-14
[8] 1 Kings 22:15-16
[9] 1 Kings 22:17-23
[10] 1 King 22:24, 27, 37

A Better Leader Than Solomon

The Bible tells us of the riches of Solomon, but also of his sin.

He put gold into the shields of his warriors, and into his palace in abundance. Thus, the central government was enriched and so was the military complex. Solomon worshipped idols and womanized. He had wisdom but forsook it for fleshly pleasures. He confessed these sins in the Book of Ecclesiastes. [1]

The Lord decided to remove ten of the tribes from Solomon’s family’s governance and give them to another. This did not happen during his lifetime, but after he died and his son, Rehoboam, became king.

Rehoboam asked the older men who counseled his father for advice. They gave him good advice. He was to put the interest of the people before his own interests.

Rehoboam defied their advice and went with the advice of friends his age. They advised him to tell the people that he would rule them harsher than his father did. That speech did not have a good outcome. Ten tribes split from him, and they crowned a man named Jeroboam to be their king. [2]

Rehoboam’s father was deemed the wisest man in the world, and, yes indeed, his father Solomon did have wisdom, but he didn’t always apply it. His son learned that technique as well. Kind of like Samson who had great strength but spent it on fleshly pleasure to his own demise.

The Apostle Paul wrote of a better model of leadership, “Brothers and sisters, when I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” [3]

Paul held up Christ as the One for us to follow. Paul approached Christ’s followers with humility. He relied on the Holy Spirit’s power to lead people.

The Ark of the Covenant that Solomon placed in the temple represented Christ. God promised Solomon that He would hear the prayers of those who prayed at the temple where the Ark of God resided. Now, it is in the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ, that God hears and answers our prayers.

“Heavenly Father, please continue to demonstrate Your power in us by causing us to rest not on human wisdom, but on Your Holy Spirit’s power. Please continue to raise up leaders who exalt Christ and who humble themselves before You for Your glory. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”

[1] 1 Kings 11:1-8; 2 Chronicles 9:15-22; Ecclesiastes 3
[2] 1 Kings 11:29-39; 1 Kings 12:1-16
[3] 1 Corinthian 2:2-5

Eagerly Awaiting Our Lord’s Appearance

Christ has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures and by His outpoured Holy Spirit upon us. Thank God for that! But the apostle wants to see Jesus Christ face to face. He reminds us that we have received spiritual gifts to help us while we wait. What are the gifts that he describes?

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.” [1]

Grace is a gift that God has given to us help us while we await the Lord’s return. “Please Heavenly Father, continue to be gracious unto us every day every hour.”

“Enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge…” [2] Being enriched in all utterances and all knowledge of the Lord is a gift. God gave Solomon wisdom so great that people came from all over to listen to him.

“The testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that you come short in no gift, as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [3]

Being confirmed in the testimony of Christ and being kept blameless until the Lord returns is a gift from God.

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” [4]

Being called by a faithful Father into fellowship with His Son is awesome gift.

“Thank You Heavenly Father for being faithful to fellowship with us through Your Son. Thank You for enriching our lives with Your gifts. Most of all, thank You that when I leave this life, and come before You, it will not be a scary event, but a joyful and celebratory event. In the Name Your Son Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

[1] 1 Corinthians 1:4
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:5
[3] 1 Corinthians 1:6-8
[4] 1 Corinthians 1:9

Not Separated Us from Christ's Love

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” [1]

“No” is the answer to every trial that this world throws at us to separate us from the love of Christ. “No, nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ!”

“I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [2]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for Your great love for us in Christ Jesus. Thank You that You want to be close to us. Daily, You come close to us to express Your love to us. Blessed be Your Glorious Name!”

[1] Romans 8:35
[2] Romans 8:38-39

Living and Behaving as God's Children

“The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” [1]

The Apostle Paul speaks of the dilemma he faces as one who wills to do good, and yet his sinful nature wills to do evil. He cries out…

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” [2]

He does not want to be bound to a body that wants to do evil. Who will deliver him? He states the answer to this question…

“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” [3]

Thanks be to the Lamb of God; He removes the stains and shame of the sins we commit when we repent and ask Him to forgive us.

But there’s better news with Jesus Christ. Paul continues…

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” [4]

Jesus Christ gives to believers in Him, His Holy Spirit to help us walk with our Lord and Savior. To help us reflect HIS goodness! Paul continues…

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” [5]

The Holy Spirit is someone new to us. He gives us divine spiritual life. He raises us up to serve God in ways that we never could before. His presence in our life is the sign that God has adopted us…

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” [6]

“The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Forgiveness of our sins by the Lamb of God, and the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit is our Abba Father’s provision for us to be adopted into His family, and to help us behave like children of God.

“Jesus, Son of God, thank You for redeeming us from our sins. For forgiving all the sins we have ever committed against God and people! Thank You for giving us Your precious indwelling Holy Spirit to live in us, to pray within us, and to help us live as the Heavenly Father’s children. Glory, blessing, and honor be unto You forever and ever. Amen.”

[1] Romans 7:19-20
[2] Romans 7:24
[3] Romans 7:25
[4] Romans 8:1
[5] Romans 8:11
[6] Romans 8:15-16
[7] Romans 8:26

Don’t Feed the Traveler with the Poor Man’s Wife

While Uriah was out fighting the battles of King David. David stole his wife and defiled her. Afterwards…

“David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, ‘Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.’” [1]

He had Uriah carry his own death sentence to the commander of David’s army. David’s commander carried out the order. Uriah, a valiant and faithful man for God and country, died at the hands of his own King.

Afterwards…

“The Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said to him: ‘There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.’” [2]

The Lord compared David to a rich man who was willing to steal something very precious and beloved from a poor man to feed a traveler. The traveler in this story represents lust. David saw Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop from his vantage point in his palace. Lust came to him, and he wanted to feed it. He had several wives, but he wanted to entertain lust. Lust wanted from him what was not lawful for him to take. For the sake of the traveler, David killed an innocent man, got a woman pregnant out of wedlock, and betrayed the Lord who had made him the king over His people.

Sin is ugly and harmful. It continues to produce evil once it gains a foothold in one’s life. Many times, the sinner does not realize how much damage his or her sin has caused until long after the act has been committed.

As I read the story of David’s crime against Uriah this morning, strangely enough, I thought of great empires that like to rule the world. How often, they steal from the poor to give to the rich. The rulers are feeding the traveler named lust at the expense of the innocent man that is doing best for his family and country. But even as I thought of these authorities, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how us common people also defraud others as we feed a sinful habit. We all have sinned, and need the Holy Spirit to fill us and to help us love God and our neighbor as we should.

The conclusion of this meditation this morning was to pray the prayer found in the next to last verse of the Bible, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” [3]

Our Lord Jesus Christ has scheduled a day to right the wrongs of this world. Even to right the wrongs of us His people. We all have sinned. For us who believe in Him, whose sins He has forgiven, He will completely transform us from sinners into saints. We will sin no more. We will live with Him forever and enjoy love, peace, and joy. All this thanks to what the last verse of the Bible speaks about, namely, grace.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” [4]

[1] 2 Samuel 11:14-15
[2] 2 Samuel 12:1-4
[3] Revelation 22:20
[4] Revelation 22:21

The Law and The Gospel

The Law of God convicts us of our sin.

The Gospel of God reveals to us our Savior from sin.

The answer to being “right with God” is to believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, humankind’s Redeemer, to be your Savior.

Holy Spirit Conviction

“When He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of …judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” [1]

The ruler of this world is judged. Jesus calls the devil the ruler of this world. The devil rules via his agents of mayhem, fraud, and deception. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit convinces the world that the devil is judged. His days are numbered. His reign of terror shall expire. All who have served him shall likewise perish unless they repent and be converted unto Christ.

Stephen is an example of man who was filled with the Holy Spirit. [2] He was full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. [3] Those who opposed him were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. [4] So, they stirred up the people and their leaders; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses against him. [5] The Holy Spirit in Stephen convicted them of resisting the Holy Spirit, persecuting the prophets and killing the Messiah. [6]

The agents of Satan resolved to stone Stephen to death. As they did, “Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’” [7]

His last prayer before he left this present age was not for himself. It was for those who were captives of the devil. He prayed for them, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” [8] He forgave them. He wanted them to be saved.

“Holy Spirit, please fill us as You did Stephen, and empower us to convict the world of judgment so that those who are doing evil will not perish in their sins, but the rather repent, and be saved. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.”

[1] John 16:8, 11
[2] Acts 6:5
[3] Acts 6:8
[4] Acts 6:11
[5] Acts 6:12-13
[6] Acts 7:51-52
[7] Acts 7:55-56

God Blessed the House of Obed-Edom

“Now it was told King David, saying, ‘The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.’ So, David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.” [1]

The ark of God was a type of Christ. It is in Christ that we are blessed of God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” [2]

We are all sinners, but we all can enjoy redemption and God’s grace when we believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. God declares “not guilty” and “just” each person who believes that the blood of His Son is the perfect sacrifice to take away all our sins.

God blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belonged to him when the ark of God came into his house. In Christ, we have an even greater blessing than Obed-Edom had. We have God with us here on earth to win the battles we face, AND we have eternal home with God in the life that is to come. Praise the Lord!

[1] 2 Samuel 6:12
[2] Romans 3:23-26

Fighting Fire with Fire

Elijah said to his king, “Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” [1]

These 850 false prophets were spreading the king and queen’s propaganda. Every major news networks was promoting the false narrative of the reigning regime to Elijah’s nation.

What did the Holy Spirit lead God’s servant to do? He called a gathering where the propagandizers would experience the power of God. Elijah told them…

“The god who answers by fire—He is God.” [2]

The government’s disinformation bureau failed to produce fire despite trying to do so to the point of hurting themselves. Elijah prayed…

“Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord—He is God! The Lord—He is God!’” [3]

The Lord fights fire with fire. The major networks of Elijah’s day had been firing flaming arrows of lies against God and against God’s true servants. Now, it was God’s turn to respond. What did God do? He sent fire from heaven that could not be quenched. The result was that all 850 spreaders of lies were silenced that day…

“Then Elijah commanded them, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!’ They seized them and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.” [4]

The fire that fell from heaven in Elijah’s day was a prototype of the tongues of fire that fell on the disciples of Jesus on Pentecost Day! The Pentecostal tongues of fire were signs of God’s presence as when God spoke to Moses from the flaming bush that did not burn up. Like, the pillar of fire over the tabernacle in the wilderness! When the fire of the Holy Spirit filled Peter in Acts 2, he preached, and more than 3,000 souls were added to God’s kingdom that day.

This is what the world needs now! God’s people filled with God’s Holy Spirit. Fighting fire with fire!

[1] 1 Kings 18:19
[2] 1 Kings 18:24
[3] 1 Kings 18:37-39
[4] 1 Kings 18:40

By My Spirit says the Lord Almighty

"Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty." [1]

Having taken in a steady diet of stories and movies about human heroes growing up, the Lord Jesus had to do so much in my life to help me see that He has been the "hero" behind every godly man and woman in the Bible.

When I began writing about Jeremiah the Prophet, I thought I had found a human hero that I could emulate because I have a nation in spiritual decline like he did. I experience grief for the consequences of sin like Jeremiah did. I feel compelled to speak truth amidst lies as he did. But alas, no one can emulate the greatness of the Biblical characters apart from the gifting of the Holy Spirit in his or her life. Jeremiah was moved by the Holy Spirit with prophetic utterances that were precise and timely.

The Book of Judges is a case and point for the fact that apart from the Spirit of God, human leaders cannot lead their nation well...

"The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him [Samson]..." [2]

The leader cannot deliver a nation from the hands of it's enemies without an enduement of power and insight from the Holy Spirit. Its always the Spirit of God leading and guiding the judges in the Book of Judges. The Spirit of God is the difference maker.

Praise be to God for His marvelous grace! He gives gifts of His Spirit to unworthy and flawed people who believe in Him. He anoints people to do great exploits for His glory. He often works through us in spite of us. Glory to God!

[1] Zechariah 4:6
[2] Judges 14:6

Are You Ready for Eternity?

 "“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

Jesus Christ Is Worthy

“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” [1]

Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Every knee shall bow, and tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every knee! Every tongue! That’s why it is important to hear His voice and live accordingly.

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’” [2]

Our Lord Jesus got it done. He paid the penalty for our sin. He alone is worshiped by the angels of heaven. The angels and all creatures proclaim that Jesus, not another, is worthy of the blessing, honor, glory, and power.

[1] John 18:37
[2] Revelation 5:11-13

The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit

“’If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” [1]

If you love Me…, do I love Jesus? Do you? Yes, I do.
My Lord’s love language is obedience to His commands, so I will make it my aim to obey Him. And what does my Lord Jesus do to help me in my effort to love Him? He gives me a Helper to abide with me always. The Spirit of Truth! He does not give His Holy Spirit to worldly people, but as for me, as for you who want to speak His love language of commandment-keeping, He does not leave us without help, He gives us His Holy Spirit.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” [2]

How does the Lord manifest Himself to us who love Him and who express our love for Him by keeping His commandments? He and the Father manifest (reveal) themselves to us by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

“Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “’Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” [3]

The Father and Son love us and come to us and make their home with us by the third person in the Trinity: the Holy Spirit.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” [4]

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher from the Father and the Son. He helps us remember all things that Jesus taught us so that we are made complete in Christ.

I would appreciate your prayers. I have a message and power point about the Holy Spirit for this Sunday. My goal is that He would have freedom to speak truth to us from the Father and Son via God’s Holy Word: the Bible.

[1] John 14:15-18
[2] John 14:21
[3] John 14:22-23
[4] John 14:25-26

The Spirit of Wisdom

One of the character traits of the Holy Spirit is wisdom. He gives wisdom to those who receive Him.

“Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of Wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.” [1]

The Spirit of Wisdom helped Moses to guide God’s people in God’s ways. Now, God transferred that Spirit of leadership to Joshua.

The Spirit of Wisdom drew Joshua to God’s Word. To meditate on it! To adhere to it…

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” [2]

The Lord gave Solomon the opportunity to ask Him for anything that he wanted. Solomon asked the Lord for an understanding heart…

“Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” [3]

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.” [4]

The Spirit of wisdom rested on Jesus…

“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” [5]

The Spirit of Wisdom speaks…

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. By Me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me. The Lord possessed Me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.”

Therefore, we should ask God for wisdom…

“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.” [7]

"Dear God, our Heavenly Father, please graciously grant the leaders of the nations the Spirit of Wisdom to lead and guide the affairs of Your people. And please graciously grant each of us Your Spirit of Wisdom to discern and do Your will. For it in Jesus' Name that I pray. Amen."

[1] Deuteronomy 34:9
[2] Joshua 1:9
[3] 1 Kings 3:9
[4] 1 Kings 4:29-30
[5] Isaiah 11:2
[6] Proverbs 8:12, 15, 17, 22-23
[7] James 1:5

Choose Life Choose Love

Moses is at the end of his days here on earth. The Lord gives him a prophetic message for the nation of Israel. In the future, they will be scattered like refugees all over the earth. In those days, they will remember what Moses said about God’s blessings and curses. They will recognize that their sin caused the distance between them and God. In those days, God will bring them back to the Promised Land. He will prosper them. He will remove the thick skin from their hearts, so that they are able to love Him again. Love Him with all their hearts and souls and LIVE! [1]

The Lord will place the curses on their enemies. Those who hate them! Those who persecute them! They will once again obey God’s commandments. They will enjoy good increases. The Lord will rejoice to do them good because they are now turned towards Him with all their hearts and with all their souls. [2]

The Lord set before them life and good, death and evil. He commanded them to love Him, and to keep His commandments so that they might live and be blessed by Him. [3]

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” [4]

I like the prayer that is repeated three times in Psalm 80…

“Restore us, O God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” [5]

Amen! May it be so for us and for our nation!

[1] Deuteronomy 30:1-6
[2] Deuteronomy 30:7-10
[3] Deuteronomy 30:15-16
[4] Deuteronomy 30:19-20
[5] Psalm 80:3, 7, 19

Blessings, Curses and Persecution

God instructed Moses to teach His people that He blesses obedience and curses defiance. He said, “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and do them, then I will give you…” [1]

Seasonal rains

Productive fields

Fruitful trees

Year-round food supplies

Plenty to eat

Safety

Peace

Fearless nights

Removal of evil beasts

Absence of enemy swords

Victory over your enemies

Five people to chase a hundred

One hundred to chase ten thousand

Favor

Population growth

Covenantal Relationship

New supplies before old vanish

My presence

Identification with Me

Freedom from slavery

Uprightness [2]

God promised to set His obedient servants “high above all nations of the earth.” [3]  If they listened to His voice, He promised that the following blessings would overtake them:

“Blessed in the city.”

“Blessed in the field.”

“Blessed in body, ground, animals, livestock, and flock.”

Blessed breadbasket.

Blessed in travels.

Blessed in enemies fleeing from you.

Blessed barns, labors, and land.

Established as God’s holy people.

Identified and respected by others as God’s people.

Treasures of heaven to lend to nations and not borrow.

Made the head, not the tail; above only, not beneath. [4]

On the other hand, God promised to curse them in the above areas if they defied Him. [5] God promised to feed rebels to birds and beasts. [6]  He promised to strike rebels with incurable boils of Egypt, with tumors, scabs, and itch. Rebels would incur madness, blindness, confusion of heart, oppression, and robbed continually without rescue. [7] Men would steal their fiancés. Others would possess their newly built houses. Others would eat the fruits of their vineyard fruit and the meat of their livestock. Others would have their children. They would long for their children. They would feel crushed. A foreign dictator would rule them. Locusts would eat their crops. Foreign nations would increase at the expense of their decline. They would be indebted to other nations. [8]

The Lord promised them:

Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; therefore, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord sends against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in lack of all things. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. The Lord will bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies: a nation whose language you will not understand, a nation of fierce facial expressions, which does not respect the elderly, nor show favor to the young. [9]

God said:

It will happen that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to cause you to perish and to destroy you. You will be plucked from the land that you are going in to possess. the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth. There you will serve other gods which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone. [10]

As I read the curses, I noticed that the Lord issues a set of judgments and then stops. He waits for a response. If they defy Him, He issues the next set of judgments.

Round One

You will experience:

Terror

Disease

Fever

Loss of vision

Sadness of heart

Futility

Loss of crops

Loss of wars

Evil oppression

Cowardice [11]

Round Two

Brokenness

A sky hard as iron

A land hard as bronze

Strength spent without benefit

Fields without increase

Trees without fruit [12] 

Round Three

Children consumed by beasts

Livestock destroyed by beasts

Population diminished by beasts

Highways unused due to beasts [13]

Round Four

Seven setbacks due to sin

Death by sword

Enemy invasions

Epidemics

Prisoner of war camps

Lack ovens for cooking

Unsatisfied appetites [14]

Round Five

Cannibalism of sons and daughters

Destruction of idols

Corpses atop idols!

Rejection by God

Destruction of cities and sanctuaries

Rejection of your offerings to God

Barrenness

Loathing from enemies

Displacement among the nations

Death by sword (again)

Distance from places of worship

Faintness of heart due to captors

Cowardice (again)

Stumbling

Weakness before enemies

Death in foreign lands

Demise due to iniquity [15]

In Revelation, God describes three rounds of seven judgments. In round one, seven seal judgments! [16] In round two, seven trumpet judgments! [17] In round three, seven bowl judgments! [18] These curses are strong incentives to choose repentance of sin and salvation by God. Tragically, the people described in the Revelation prophecy do like the people did in Jeremiah’s day, they blaspheme the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They did not repent and give Him glory. [18]

God shortened the five rounds of judgments recorded in Leviticus 26 to three rounds of judgments in Revelation 6-16:

Round One

First seal

A conqueror conquers

Second seal

Peace departs and killing starts

Third seal

Inflation increases

Fourth seal

Sword, hunger, death, wild beasts kill a quarter of the people

Fifth seal

God promises justice to His martyrs

Sixth seal

Earthquakes, sun darkens, moon reddens, stars fall to the earth

Seventh seal

Thundering, lightning, and quaking

Round Two

First trumpet

Hail and fire mingled with blood destroy a third of trees and grass

Second trumpet

A third of the sea turns bloody

A third of the sea creatures die

A third of the earth’s ships destroyed

Third trumpet

A third of water turn bitter and many people die

Fourth trumpet

A third of sun, moon, stars darken

A third of day and night darken

Fifth trumpet

People tormented by locusts five months

People seek death but it alludes them

Sixth trumpet

A third of people killed by a 200,000,000-soldier strong army

Seventh trumpet

The devil descends to earth, beast, and false prophet gain power

Round Three

First bowl

Foul and loathsome sores form on those with mark of the beast

Second bowl

The sea becomes bloody and every living creature in the sea dies

Third bowl

Rivers and springs of water become bloody

Fourth bowl

The sun scorches men with fire

Fifth bowl

Beast worshippers gnaw their tongues in pain

Sixth bowl

The kings of earth gather for battle

Seventh bowl

Thunder, lightning, earthquake, a great city, other cities collapse

The Jerusalemites experienced the curses of sin for defying God. Eventually, the Babylon army would enter their city. Soldiers would confiscate their riches and burn down their city. They would execute their leaders. The Jerusalemites would be: “Carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.” [20]

The same will happen to our people when we prefer defiance towards God rather than obedience to His commands. The son of destruction will be revealed. The anti-Christ will be released. He will sit in God’s temple and pretend to be God.

King Saul was God’s early warning signal to Israel. In him, God revealed what happens to unfaithful people. “Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the Lord’s word, which he did not keep; and because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire, and did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore, He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” [21]

What about God’s servants? How do we discern the difference between divine curses due to sin and suffering for the sake of righteousness? Jeremiah escaped the consequences of personal sin. He humbled himself before God and glorified God. He was neither carried away captive nor slain by the Babylonian army. His suffering was due to wayward people who persecuted him. Peter wrote, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” [22] God’s love in one’s heart is the difference. Knowing that God loves you and knowing that you love Him in return is a sign that you are suffering for sake of righteousness.

The priests of Judah colluded together to silence Jeremiah. The Lord revealed their plot to him. He wrote, “The Lord gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it. Then you showed me their doings.” [23] The Lord rescued Jeremiah from the plots of those who sought to destroy him.

The Apostle Paul had a similar experience to Jeremiah. Forty men made plans to ambush and kill him. Paul’s nephew overheard the plot and told Paul about it. Paul asked his nephew to report the plot to the Roman commander in-charge. Thanks to God’s grace, the ambush was averted. [24]

God’s Word cannot be silenced. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will not pass away. [25] God’s Word accomplishes what He pleases. [26]

God allowed Jeremiah to write a personal note in his book. He wrote, “I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter. I did not know that they had devised plans against me, saying, ‘Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit, and let’s cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.’” [27] Jeremiah envisioned himself as a gentle lamb and a fruitful tree. No threat to others! Normally, those who bear good fruit need not worry about being cut down. But he was dealing with incredibly evil people. They wanted to kill him and erase him from everyone’s memory.

God did not let Jeremiah’s enemies destroy him. He promised him, “Behold, I will punish them. The young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine. There will be no remnant to them, for I will bring evil on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.” [28] The Lord was not unjust, to forget his work and the labor of love which he showed toward God’s name. [29]

The prayers of martyred souls in heaven echo Jeremiah’s prayer. They cry with loud voices, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” [30] The Lord’s response to their prayer was to give them long white robes. He told them to rest until their fellow servants and their brothers were killed even as they were. [31] Vengeance followed… “He opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.” [32] God blesses those who obey Him, while sin curses those who commit it.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil. Help us to submit ourselves to obeying You. Please deliver us from those who conspire against us. Please graciously bring our enemies to repentance. May they too bring glory and honor to You. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Leviticus 26:3-4

[2] Leviticus 26:4-13

[3] Deuteronomy 28:1

[4] Deuteronomy 28:3-13

[5] Deuteronomy 28:15

[6] Deuteronomy 28:26

[7] Deuteronomy 28:27-29

[8] Deuteronomy 28:30-37, 43-44

[9] Deuteronomy 28:47-50

[10] Deuteronomy 28:63-64

[11] Leviticus 26:16-18 

[12] Leviticus 26:18-20

[13] Leviticus 26:21-22

[14] Leviticus 26:24-26 

[15] Leviticus 26:29-44

[16] Revelation 6:1-8:1

[17] Revelation 8:2-11:15

[18] Revelation 16:3-21

[19] Revelation 16:9 

[20] 1 Chronicles 9:1

[21] 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

[22] 1 Peter 4:14

[23] Jeremiah 11:18

[24] Acts 23:12-32

[25] Matthew 24:35

[26] Isaiah 55:11

[27] Jeremiah 11:19

[28] Jeremiah 11:22-23

[29] Hebrews 6:10

[30] Revelation 6:10

[31] Revelation 6:11

[32] Revelation 6:12-13