Forgiven Much - Forgiving Much

I am one who has received much grace from God, that is, unmerited and undeserved mercy, forgiveness and goodness from Him... thanks to Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. Blessed be His holy Name!

The Grace Of God

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” [1]

Death has a much deeper meaning in the context above. This death is a result of human pride daring to doubt God and to live in opposition to God. The shock of it all is that after death each human being meets God. He does exist. His holiness is beyond comprehension.

“...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” [2]

God in His incredible grace sent His own Son into the world. God in the flesh! Jesus Christ is the only being who wore human flesh and yet never sinned. He never lied or deceived. He did not threaten those who inflicted horrific suffering on Him. He placed every injustice into His Father’s hands. He bore my sins and your sins on the cross. He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver... the price of a slave. He took the lashes of a whip across His back (also like a slave) for our healing.

We all fall short of God’s glory. [3] Our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to God’s. [4] Our only hope for salvation is to turn to the Shepherd and Overseer of souls. Embrace His grace! Acknowledge verbally to Him and to others that without the atoning sacrifice of Christ, “I am a lost soul and cannot be accepted by a holy God.”

And then, live as the Apostle Paul lived. He declared, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” [5]

[1] Proverbs 16:25
[2] 1 Peter 2:21-25
[3] Romans 3:23
[4] Isaiah 64:6
[5] 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:8

The Prayer of Jesus to His Father For Us

“You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [1]

Jesus prays to the Father and refers to Himself in this prayer using the third person. Jesus is the One given authority by the Heavenly Father to grant eternal life to people. He grants eternal life to people who know Him and the Father. Do you know the Father and Son? Are you listening to God via His Word the Bible daily? Have you received His Holy Spirit? If not, God can make that happen. Jesus gives new life to as many as receive Him and believe in His Name.

“Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your Name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” [2]

The Name that the Father has given us for salvation is Jesus Christ HIs Son. The Father keeps us and helps us to be one with Him and with other believers. He is the One who does this.

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” [3]

Jesus intercedes for us who know and follow Him that we will be kept from the evil one.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” [4]

This prayer is for us who believe in Jesus via the words of His apostles recorded in the New Testament. He prays for our oneness in Him because the world needs to know Him. Our dedication to Jesus and to follow His teaching is a powerful witness to the world.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am...” [5]

“Thank You Lord Jesus that You desire for us to be with You for all eternity.”

[1] John 17:2-3
[2] John 17:11
[3] John 17:15
[4] John 17:20-21
[5] John 17:24

Be Encouraged You who Hope in the Lord

“Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will inherit good.” [1]

The Lord promises to watch over the way of those who pursue Him, and to deal with those who knowingly or unknowingly attempt to lead others astray.

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.” [2]

The narrative that is going around in this world so prevalently tends to paint the serious disciple of Jesus as some kind of villain or untrustworthy person. Jesus said not to let this kind of treatment cause you to stumble. Keep following Jesus! Keep trusting in Him!

“Oh, love the Lord, all you, His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” [3]

Keep loving the Lord! Your eternity is in His hands and in His hands alone. The Lord is in the boat with those who are sailing on stormy seas. He may seem to be sleeping but He is very aware of what we are going through. He is not afraid. He is calm. He says to be of good courage.

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.” [4]

Simple but true! Take time to worship the Lord! Sing to Him! A lot of people are being rescued from trouble as they simply stop, take a breath, calm down and start worshipping the Lord!

[1] Proverbs 29:10
[2] John 16:1-4
[3] Psalm 31:23-24
[4] Psalm 33:1-3

Loving God - Experiencing His Abiding Presence

Our Lord receives listening and acting upon His commands as expressions of love for Him...

“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.” [1]

He rewards such loving expressions with His abiding presence...

“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.” [2]

The Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the fullness of the Godhead, abides and teaches us as we love Him and express our love for Him by cherishing His commands and keeping them...

“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.”

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” [4]

[1] John 14:21
[2] John 14:23
[3] John 14:25-26
[4] Hebrews 13:20-21

Winning The Spiritual War

The spiritual war is Christ’s battle to save souls from the devil’s plot to destroy them.

The devil misled our first parents to sin against God, and thereby lose their close relationship with Him. [1]

The devil’s primary goal is separate people from God. Jesus told Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” [2]

Jesus prays for us that our faith in God fails not. This is how we can pray for one another.

“Do not give place to the devil.” [3] The devil tactics include deception, fear, anxiety, temptation, diversion, and discouragement.

Helps to overcoming the devil include knowing your Bible, praying and submission to God.

When tempted by the devil, Jesus used God’s Word to defeat him. [4]

Pray! “The end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.” [5]

Obey God resist the devil! “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [6]

Wear divine armor. “...Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” [6] Read Ephesians 6:14-17 for the full description of your armor.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour who resist steadfast in the faith...” [7]

Rebuke the devil in the Name of Jesus! “Jesus rebuked the devil...” “...Cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” He “gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” [8]

The devil’s claims on us were cancelled at the cross for us. Profess your faith in this truth. “They overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” [9]

[1] Genesis 3:1-7
[2] Luke 22:31-32
[2] Ephesians 4:27
[3] Matthew 4:1-11
[4] 1 Peter 4:7
[5] James 4:7
[6] Ephesians 6:10-11
[7] 1 Peter 5:8-9
[8] Matthew 17:14; 10:8; Luke 9:2; 10:19
[9] Revelation 12:11

Relieving the Suffering of Refugees

“I was a stranger and you invited Me in.” [1]

In Huaquillas, Ecuador, approximately two hundred families — mostly Venezuelan — are homeless. Twenty percent to thirty percent of this population are children and adolescents. Christians are helping them.

In Somalia, parents watch helplessly as their children die from starvation due to severe drought.

In Afghanistan, suicide rates have spiked exceedingly. There are reports of parents selling their children food. Their situation is so dire.

Before the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began, the UNHCR set the number of refugees at 79.5 million. There are refugees fleeing from Venezuela, Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, South Sudan, and Myanmar. Now add two million from Ukraine.

We pray as though we were them, and claim the promises in God’s Word for them...

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed.” “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” [2]

Refugee children sometimes become separated from their families. These children are more vulnerable to abuse, labor, exploitation, and trafficking.

“Lord of the nations, You tell us to ‘Turn from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ We ask You to make ‘wars cease to the ends of the earth’ so children and families can enjoy safety and prosperity again.” [3]

In Syria, there is an orphanage for children of violence. Many of them Yazidi children. Their mother’s fled from the killing squads in Iraq. Despite their efforts to flee for safety, they were raped, and gave birth to children. Before some returned to Iraq, they were told to leave the children behind because no one wanted to see these children of their enemies. Now, these mothers try to keep on living even though it is like they are dead inside.

“For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight.” [4]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for mobilizing Your people to respond to these needs.”

[1] Matthew 25:35
[2] Psalm 57:1; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 34:18
[3] Psalm 34:14; Psalm 46:9
[4] Psalm 72:12-14

I and My Father are One

Jesus professed, “I and My Father are One.” [1]

The word “One” is a key word used in the Shema. The Shema is a prayer that religious Jews pray in the morning and evening. Shema is the first Hebrew word of the prayer. Shema means to “hear.” Below is the first line of the Shema prayer:

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד
She-ma yisrael, YHWH eloheinu, YHWH echad
Hear O’ Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One [2]

After Jesus professed that He and His Father are One, the Jewish religious leaders took up stones to stone Him. [3] They understood what He was claiming.

Jesus asked these leaders, “Do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” [4]

He urged them, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” [5]

Thankfully, the story of Jesus in John’s Gospel chapter ten does not end with Jesus being stoned. It ends with these words, “And many believed in Him there.” [6] And many people continue to come to faith in JESUS every day all over the world.

The second line of the Shema is:

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד
Baruch shem kavod malchuto l’olam va-ed
Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.

And third line is:

וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽך
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” [7]

May this third petition be true of each of us.

[1] John 10:30
[2] Deuteronomy 6:4
[3] John 10:31
[4] John 10:36
[5] John 10:37-38
[6] John 10:42
[7] Deuteronomy 6:5

Gather, Learn, Go Forth by Grace

“...The Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to revere Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’” [1]

“Praise You Heavenly Father for wanting to meet with us Your people. Thank You for giving us Your words and preserving them in the Holy Bible. Thank You for revealing to us who You are so that when we meet You face to face we are not strangers. Thank You that You care for our children and want them to be included for all eternity to be with You.”

“To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.” [2]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for revealing Yourself to us. We are privileged to know You and have Your presence in our lives!”

“Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” [3]

“Yes, Lord, we want know You more. Ponder You in our hearts! Be faithful to You! Please help us to choose the right way... lead us and guide us. Please go before for us and our children. May You be exalted and glorified by the way we walk with You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen!”

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

[1] Deuteronomy 4:10
[2] Deuteronomy 4:35
[3] Deuteronomy 4:39-40
[4] Revelation 22:21 (the last verse of the Bible)

Nearly Stoned, Cried with Tears, Feels for Us

Nearly Stoned:

“Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet 50 years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” [1]

When Jesus said, “I AM,” He was straight out saying I AM Yahweh. The same one who spoke to Abraham and to Moses. They wanted to kill Him for claiming to be GOD in human flesh but could not. It was not yet Passover, the time when He would lay down His life for our sins.

Cried with Tears:

“In the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death and was heard because of His godly fear.” [2]

It was for us that Jesus was crucified. His prayers were heard. On the third day He rose again!

Feels for Us:

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” [3]

Redeemed Us:

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” [4]

Receiving Songs of Praise:

Jesus Christ is in glory now! Worshipped by angels and saints! Giving new songs to those who identified with Him and professed Him in this world. Making them kings and priests to God to reign on the earth!

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming us by Your blood. Please be glorified throughout the earth today! May You feel our love for You! It is in Your Name that I pray.”

[1] John 8:57-59
[2] Hebrews 5:7
[3] Hebrews 4:15
[4] Revelation 5:9-10

Bread Yielding Everlasting Life

“The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” [1]

Jesus claimed to be the bread of God and bread of life. In Luke 16:19-30, Jesus described what eternity is like without God. The man in Hades wanted water to cool his tongue. He experienced eternal deprivation. If only he had listened to Jesus, but it was too late.

Jesus told the crowds, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.” [2]

Jesus is life-giving bread because He gives His Holy Spirt and God’s Words to His followers. He explained, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life.” [3]

As Jesus emphasized that He was the only way to God and to eternal life, many disciples forsook Him. They were not willing to believe that God made only one way to Himself, and that the way was through His Son Jesus Christ. Some remained faithful...

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” [4]

Friend, I cannot emphasize enough the absolute importance of believing in Christ alone for salvation. Be His disciple! Listen to Him. Love Him! Ask Him for spiritual discernment. Have a personal and ongoing relationship with Christ. Be willing to suffer the loss of all things and die for Him. Eternity is a long time.

Jesus was nailed to a cross. So, was the thief next to Him. People were jeering and insulting Jesus. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” [5] A prayer for divine forgiveness that we all need. The crucified thief died a horrific death, so did Jesus, but despite the circumstances, the thief knew by God’s Holy Spirit that Jesus was Messiah. He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” [6]

[1] John 6:33, 35
[2] John 6:40, 47-48
[3] John 6:63
[4] John 6:66-69
[5] Luke 23:34
[6] Luke 23:42-43

Professing Jesus Christ as the Son of God

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” [1]

“Amen, Lord Jesus, we listen to You, and believe in Your Father, the One who sent You. Thank You for giving us everlasting life. Thank You for assuring us that we will pass from death to life without being judged.”

“...The very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.” [2]

“Amen, thank You Lord Jesus that the works that You did, and the works that Your servants recorded for us in the Bible, testify that You are the Messiah and Savior of our souls.”

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” [3]

“Amen, Lord, the more than 300 prophecies in the Old Testament of the coming Messiah have been fulfilled in You. Thank You for revealing this to us!”

“If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.” [4]

“Amen, Lord Jesus Christ, we know and believe that You are the Christ the Son of the Living God. In You, we have everlasting life. You are worthy of all praise, glory, blessing and honor. May the whole earth be filled with Your glory! You are our Redeemer!”

[1] John 5:24
[2] John 5:36
[3] John 5:39
[4] John 5:46

Aware, Able, Abiding, Arming

Aware

God says, “I am aware of you.”

“You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” [1]

Able

God says, “I am able.”

“He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” [2]

Abiding

God says. “Rest in Me.”

“Anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest...” [3]

Arming

God says, “My everlasting arms hold you.”

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...” [4]

Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You, that though You sustain the entire universe at every moment of everyday, You are keenly aware of us. You are working all things together for our good as we love You and trust in You. You are doing more for us than we are asking or imagining. We rest in Your in love. Thank You that Your everlasting arms are holding us. We give You thanks and praise in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 139:1-4, 16
[2] Ephesians 3:20
[3] Hebrews 4:10-12
[4] Deuteronomy 33:26-27

Praying For Souls

“The vast company of unsaved people do not realize the seriousness of their lost estate; nor do they become alarmed even when the most direct warning and appeal is given to them. There is over them a spell of indifference and neglect toward the things that would secure for them any right relation to God. Their sinfulness before God and their imperative need of a Savior are strangely disregarded.

The faithful minister soon learns, to his sorrow, that his most careful presentation of truth and earnest appeal produces no effect upon them, and the question naturally arises: ‘How, then, can these people be reached with the Gospel?’

One of the greatest foes to modern evangelism is described in the following passage:”

“And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing: in whom the God of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, that the illumination of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of god, should not dawn upon them.” [1]

“Satan’s doctrine has always been one of moral perfection secured by self-effort or personal works. His program is in complete contrast to the true principle of saving faith, through which one depends on God alone for all needed transformation.”

“Christ has become the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.” [2]

“Saving faith may thus be defined as a voluntary turning from all hope and grounds based on self-merit, and assuming an attitude of expectancy toward God, trusting Him to do a perfect saving work based only on the merit of Christ. It is clear from the Scriptures that the Gospel of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ is the only possible ground of salvation and escape from the power of Satan unto God.”

Are your regarding the absolute vitalness of being saved by God? That only God can save you! If not, may the Holy Spirit take off the blinders and help you to see that faith in Christ is your only hope of eternity with God.

[1] 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
[2] Romans 10:4
Other quotes from: “True Evangelism — Winning Souls by Prayer” Lewis Sperry Chafer, pp. 53-56

God Loves You!

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [1]

I am so thankful that God sent His Son into the world to show us His glory. Grace and truth reflect His glory.

Jesus brought truth to light in a world full of darkness and deception. He did this graciously.

The main truth that Jesus conveyed to us is that God loves us.

He included, even healed, the leper who was previously outcast. He opened the eyes of the blind... now there’s light where once was only darkness! He made lame legs walk again.... restoring the get-up-and-go to someone whose get-up-and-go got-up-and-went. He forgave the thief on the cross next to Him... the one who believed that Jesus would raise from the dead even though Jesus was dying on the cross next to him. Jesus said to him “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” [2] Today! Not after a long period of time in purgatory! Immediate paradise because Jesus says so. He can do that! Amazing grace!!!

May the Lord Jesus bless you today to know and believe God’s love for you. May you rest in His love.

Oh and by the way, Jesus stood up to the oppressive and deceptive Pharisees. He did not cave to Pilate or Herod when they threatened Him for holding to His mission. Jesus showed the bullies that there is life after death when He resurrected on the 3rd day!

May our Lord Jesus bless you with the peace that passes all understanding to keep your heart and mind in Him. God has wonderful plans for you. Just keep on believing! God loves you!

[1] John 1:14
[2] Luke 23:43

Biblical Economics

Balaam made a bad investment.

A king sent a delegation to him. The king offered him money to betray God’s people. Balaam told the delegation no, but then allowed them to stay the night. The Lord told him not to compromise with them, so he sent them away.

The king sent a second delegation more distinguished and larger than the first. Balaam told them that he could not do what the king wanted him to do but told the delegation to stay the night. In the night, the Lord gave Balaam leave to go with the delegation if he obeyed the Lord.

At a certain point, the Lord put an angel in his path with a sword drawn. He told Balaam, “I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.” The angel permitted Balaam to proceed but warned him to speak only what God told him to speak. [1]

Balaam did not pronounce a curse on God’s people as the evil king wanted him to do, but he did advise the evil king how to weaken them. Moses asked his commanders...

“Have you allowed all the women to live? They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the Peor incident, so that a plague struck the Lord’s people.” [2]

Jesus commanded the Church of Smyrna to repent of the sins of Balaam. He said...

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.”

Jesus promised to reward those who repented and overcame these sins. [3]

When we make bad investments, we need to repent and ask the Lord to forgive us.

The Psalmist prayed, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word, I put my hope.” [4]

Biblical economics is to turn FROM bribers and seducers. Biblical economics is to turn TO the Lord in repentance, faith, and hope. Biblical economics is to AVOID evil and DO what is RIGHT. Transfer your TRUST and HOPE to the Lord!

Below is more sound Biblical financial advice:

“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with Him.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.” [5]

[1] Numbers 22:4-38
[2] Numbers 31:14-16
[3] Revelation 2:14, 17
[4] Psalm 130:3-5
[5] Proverbs 11:1-11, 21, 23

Our Lord’s Passion for Us

“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve.” He watched for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.” [1]

Speaking to His disciples, “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials.” [2]

Speaking to 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.” [3]

“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt and prayed, ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” [4]

“Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man [the Messiah] with a kiss?’” [5]

“The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ And they said many other insulting things to Him.” [6]

“They all asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’ He replied, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from His own lips.’” [7]

“Thank You Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, Messiah, for undergoing all these trials to save us from our sins. Please help us to stay strong and overcome this life’s trials, knowing assuredly that a new day is coming. A happy day of love, joy and peace that will never end thanks to Your sacrifice for us!”

[1] Luke 22:3, 6
[2] Luke 22:28
[3] Luke 22:31-32
[4] Luke 22:41-44
[5] Luke 22:48
[6] Luke 22:64-65
[7] Luke 22:70-71

HIS KINGDOM IS NEAR

“As Jesus looked up, He saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ He said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” [1]

Jesus noticed the rich. Jesus noticed the poor. He commended the poor widow for valuing God above her own life.

“Some of His disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’” [2]

The beautiful sturdy things of this world are destined for dust. Jesus preferred to speak of faith. That our faith in God would stand and not be ruined. He warned...

“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” [3]

There are “Jesus” counterfeits. False images or teachings about Jesus that will not stand in the last day. Jesus warned, “Watch out! Don’t be deceived! Don’t follow them!” He added...

“People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. ...Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” [4]

Some are looking at the terrors. Jesus recommends that we stay focused on His return. Value the eternity that Jesus Christ bought for us on the cross. He says to STAND UP! LIFT UP! Your REDEMPTION is near!

When Jesus returns, we who are waiting for Him will learn our true worth to God. Not in earthly things that crumble but in the eternal presence of God! His abiding presence! God is coming for us who profess and worship Jesus Christ! Know, yes, KNOW, when you see these things happening, HIS KINGDOM IS NEAR!

[1] Luke 21:1-4
[2] Luke 21:5-6
[3] Luke 21:8
[4] Luke 21:26-31

Many Believed in Him Because of Her Testimony

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” [1]

“Perhaps it is no wonder that the women were first at the Cradle and last at the Cross. They had never known a man like this Man—there never has been such another. A prophet and teacher who never nagged at them, never flattered or coaxed or patronized; who never made arch jokes about them, never treated them either as ‘The women, God help us!’ or ‘The ladies, God bless them!’ who rebuked without querulousness and praised without condescension; who took their questions and arguments seriously; who never mapped out their sphere for them, never urged them to be feminine or jeered at them for being female; who had no axe to grind and no uneasy male dignity to defend; who took them as he found them and was completely unself-conscious.”

“Wherever you find a great man, you will find a great mother or a great wife standing behind him -- or so they used to say. It would be interesting to know how many great women have had great fathers and husbands behind them.” [2]

May the Lord bless all the women who serve the Lord in a culture that does not always support their efforts or acknowledge their contributions.

[1] John 4:39
[2] Quotes from Dorothy L. Sayers

Accepted In The Beloved

On Sunday, January 25, 1736, he was aboard a ship. A life-threatening storm struck! It was 7 o’clock when he noticed the humility of certain passengers. They were serving others. They served, saying, “it was good for their proud hearts,” and that “their loving Savior had done more for them.” Throughout their journey. he had noted their meekness. “No injury could move them. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth.”

The great deep was about to swallow us up. A terrible screaming began, but they calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterwards, “Are you not afraid?” He answered, “I thank God, no.” I asked, “But are not your women and children afraid?” He replied, mildly, “No; our women and children are not afraid to die.”

“At 12 o’clock the wind fell. This was the most glorious day which I have hitherto seen.”

After returning to England, he unwillingly attended a certain Christian meeting. About 8:45 pm, the speaker described the change God works in the heart of those who trust in Christ. He felt his heart strangely warm. He trusted in Christ! In Christ alone for salvation! God gave him an assurance that his sin were taken away, even his. Jesus saved him from the law of sin and death! [1]

“Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.” [2]

The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of Christ. This is where God spoke to Moses. The Mercy Seat, Christ, is where God meets with us today.

“Praise to the glory of His grace, He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” [3]

We are never good enough in our own righteousness to approach unto God or to be accepted into the family of God. It is only the Beloved, Jesus Christ, that we have redemption. By His grace, our sins are removed, and we are accepted by God, and by all who believe in Jesus!

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [4]

The key to salvation is to confess our sins to God and to trust in Jesus Christ for the removal of our sins and for cleansing from unrighteousness. As song goes, “Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

“Sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” [5] God accepts us in the Beloved [Jesus His Son], and then, He gives us His Holy Spirit to live a new life that reflects the glory of God’s grace.

[1] Excerpts from John Wesley’s Journal
[2] Numbers 7:89
[3] Ephesians 1:6-7
[4] 1 John 1:8-9
[5] Romans 15:16

Evil About To Expire

“War broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” [1]

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” [2]

“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” [3]

The war on evil is won in the heavens. The victory has yet to manifest here on earth. The good news is that evil has an expiration date thanks be to God!

For now, we can pray that those who are led to join with Satan in his rebellion against God and in his destroying activity against humanity, will be defeated.

When someone told King David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David prayed, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” [4]

The Lord says: “Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.” [5]

The Lord says: “A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” [6]

When our intel is confusing, a catch-all prayer to pray is: “Heavenly Father, please do what is best for everyone involved.”

We can pray the prayer the Lord taught us to pray. This prayer covers all the bases...

“Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.” [7]

[1] Revelation 12:7-9
[2] Revelation 12:12
[3] Revelation 20:10
[4] 2 Samuel 15:31
[5] Proverbs 26:27
[6] Proverbs 24:16
[7] Matthew 6:9-13

Rest In The Lord

Have you ever found yourself hating your personality? Hating the way you act around others? Squirming inside at the way you did or said things? You want to be a blessing to others. Yet, the thought that you are not good enough hinders you? Do poor thoughts of yourself paralyze you from doing and saying what God is prompting you to do and say?

Give negative self-thoughts over to God in prayer. Ask Him to forgive you for being so hard on yourself. So unrealistic with yourself! God has good thoughts of you. He loves you. He is on your side.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. [1] These are the fruits God’s Spirit produces. Let the Holy Spirit bring forth His fruit in you. Lean on Him!

“For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [2]

God bought you at a price. He sees great worth in you. Negative self-thoughts and self-talk are not helpful. Glorify God! He is ready to be glorified in you.

Think on what the Lord is saying about you in the Bible. Jesus says to learn from Him. He is gentle, not unrealistic. He will provide rest for your soul.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [3]

May the Lord bless you today as you rest in Him!

[1] Galatians 5:22-23
[2] 1 Corinthians 6:20
[3] Matthew 11:28-29

The Relevancy of 21st Century Jeremiah

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’” [1]

God’s prophetic word via Jeremiah convicted the corrupt religious leaders of his day. The Holy Spirit spoke through him as He later spoke through Jesus Christ. Jeremiah prophesied of the demise of religious imposters. He called the people of his nation to close relationship with God.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please reveal Yourself to the readers of 21st Century Jeremiah. Please inspire the readers to serve You. This I pray in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[1] Matthew 16:13-14

A Lamb In The Savior's Arms

“The humble status of a shepherd may be one reason Jesus chose that title when He described His relationship with us. Identifying as a Shepherd demonstrated Christ’s meekness and emphasized the fact that He came for even the lowliest of the low.” [1]

Jesus was not ashamed to introduce Himself to others as a shepherd. He said, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me.” [2]

Jesus is the Messiah that King David prophesied about in the Old Testament...

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” [3]

Our Good Shepherd protects and cares for His sheep...

“He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” [4]

I’m so glad that Jesus is willing to carrying me and others like me in His arms. Close to His heart! I need Him for sustenance. I need Him for protection. I need to be led gently.

All the nations shall be gathered before Jesus, “and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” [5] Meaning that He knows His sheep. He will not forget us on the last day.

Jesus is also called “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” [6]

“To be called a Lamb of God means that God gave Jesus to be killed like a lamb for our sins so we could live forever.” The majority of Old Testament passages that mention “lamb” refer to a sacrifice (85 out of 96). As a nation, Israel began its history by putting lamb’s blood on the doorposts and lintels of each house.” [7]

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” [8] God placed the iniquity of all sinners on Jesus. To embrace and confess Jesus is to appropriate what He did for you on the cross when He became a sacrifice for your sin. God forgives the sins of those who believe in Jesus.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” [9] This is the chant of those in heaven. They are there because of what JESUS did here. Glory to His Name!

[1] gotquestoins.org
[2] John 10:14
[3] Psalm 23:1-2
[4] Isaiah 40:11

Knowing the Lord and Making Him Known

“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’” [1]

Jesus responded, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” [2]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that long for all people to know You well. To understand properly who You are, and to have faith in You. Please help we Your people to have the same longing that dwells in You so that more and more people will trust in You and walk with You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 15:1-2
[2] Luke 15:7

Judging Rightly Pursuing Truth

“You will Know the Truth and the Truth will Set you Free” [1]

One day, God asked Jeremiah to walk the streets of Jerusalem. God wanted him to find one person who judged rightly and sought the truth. If he could find just one, God promised to forgive his city. This story reminds me of the time God promised to Abraham that if there were just ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, He would spare the city. [2]

The people of Jerusalem needed a righteous person. Jeremiah did not find him. But alas, the day would come when a sinless man would walk the streets of Jerusalem. He would faithfully bear witness to the truth. His Name is Jesus Christ.

Last night, I watched a YouTube video about the liberation of the people of the former USSR from a very oppressive government. Below are some quotes from the video:

“If the leaders need to answer to the will of the people every few years, then the leaders are held accountable for their actions.”

“People were aware of being lied to, but they did not know just how much they were being lied to. They saw that the propaganda they were shown conflicted with the reality they saw with their own eyes.”

“As the people became more and more aware of their conditions, they began to consolidate and express their desire for a government that would reflect the will of the people. [Kind of like the early American colonist who said they did not want taxation without representation.]

They wanted a less centralized government. They wanted federalization where each region had equal rights. A referendum was held. The result was that the people voted overwhelmingly for equal rights among the various republics and peoples of the USSR. The old vanguard staged a coup to stop the progress of this freedom movement but failed. The people were no longer interested in preserving the USSR in any form. [3]

In light of this video, I thought of the prophet Jeremiah. He spoke truth from God that his country’s leadership did not want people to hear. They tried to silence him. They tried to convince the people he was a traitor, but in the end, Jeremiah was right. He was right because he received his words from God. God was directing his thoughts, actions, and speech. In fact, though no one seemed to listen to him or regard him worthy of respect, Jeremiah never let up sounding the alarm that his country was in trouble. If only they had listened to him and acted upon the truth that he spoke, they would have been spared from much harm.

May the Lord help the people of the nations to judge rightly and pursue truth. Listen to what His Spirit is saying through His servants! Grant us grace to believe and act on His truth that is found in the Bible.

[1] John 8:32
[2] Jeremiah 5; Genesis 18:32
[3] The Breakup of the Soviet Union Explained (YouTube)

A Reason To Hope

“Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter...’

The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” [1]

How many would believe in Jesus if someone explained the Bible to them correctly? Once the eunuch understood the Bible correctly, he believed in Jesus and was baptized. [3]

Jesus is about GOOD NEWS! He came from heaven. He lived among us. He showed us what God clothed in human flesh looks like. He willingly died for our sins on the cross to atone for our sins. He resurrected from the dead. He gives eternal life to all who believe in Him and confess Him as their Lord and Savior. This is GOOD NEWS!

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” [3]

We who believe in Jesus have reason to hope. This is what all the people around us need. They need a reason to hope.

[1] Acts 8:30-35
[2] Acts 8:36-38
[3] 1 Peter 3:15

Knowing And Revealing Jesus

“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.” [1]

Jesus wants us to win: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” [2]

Jesus reveals the Father to us: “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” [3]

Knowing Jesus is a miracle: “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” [4]

Hearing from Jesus is good: “Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” Jesus said, “One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” [5]

Jesus wants more people to hear this good news. He urged us to pray: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” [6]

“Yes, Lord of the harvest, thank You for sending out laborers into Your harvest. Please send out more. In Your Name Jesus, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 90:17
[2] Luke 10:19
[3] Luke 10:22
[4] Luke 10:23-24
[5] Luke 10:39, 42
[6] Luke 10:2

Victory in Times of War

People warring one against another is a recurrent theme throughout history. Nations that went to battle without the favor of God rarely claimed victory. Conversely, favor was given to those who trusted in God and yielded themselves to His guidance.

The psalmist prayed, “...Scatter the nations who delight in war.” [1]

The prophet prophesied, “He [God] will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.” [2]

The epistle writer wrote, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” [3]

The Lord urges us to pray to Him instead of resorting to fighting and quarreling,.

The psalmist sang, “I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword.” [4]

The psalmist testified of victories for those who trust in the Lord. He wrote, “Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.” [5]

The psalmist concluded, “Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose GOD is the LORD.” [6]

[1] Psalm 68:30
[2] Isaiah 2:4
[3] James 4:1-2
[4] Psalm 144:9-10
[5] Psalm 144:12-14
[6] Psalm 144:15

Grateful for Supporters of Gospel Missions

“He [Jesus] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him.” [1]

“Bringing glad tidings broadly describes the theme of Jesus’ preaching. He brought good news to the people, news that God’s Messiah and King was present with them, announcing His kingdom.” [2]

“Certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities; Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” [3]

“Jesus had a different attitude towards women than the religious leaders and teachers of that day. ‘The rabbis refused to teach women and generally assigned them a very inferior place.’

Mary called Magdalene had been demon possessed until Jesus freed her. Many assume that she was given over to immorality, but this isn’t said by the Biblical text. ‘There is nothing whatever in the sources to indicate this.’ [4]

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, was Herod’s steward. ‘She was the official that looked after the king’s financial interests…There could be no more trusted and important official.’ [5]

Mary and Joanna were among the first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. [6]

Susanna and many others provided for Him from their substance. We see the true humble nature of Jesus. He willingly made Himself dependent upon others. He didn’t have to; He could have just created all the money or food He needed. Jesus was humble enough and godly enough to receive from others.

Many of us are too proud to receive help from others. Sometimes the ability to humbly receive is a better measure of Jesus in our life than the ability to give. Giving sometimes puts us in a higher place but receiving may put us in a lower place.” [7]

“Heavenly Father, thank You for raising up supporters of the Gospel proclamation. Please help us, who preach the Gospel, to receive their support humbly and gratefully for the benefit of all involved and for Your glory! In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 8:1
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Luke 8:2-3
[4] Enduring Word Commentary (Morris)
[5] Enduring Word Commentary (Barclay)
[6] Luke 24:10
[7] Enduring Word Commentary

The Resurrector of the Dead

No one and nothing must remain dead with Jesus Christ. He is the resurrector of the dead. He conquered the grave and made His victory ours as we simply believe in Him.

“A dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So, he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.” [1]

“Any funeral is a tragedy, but this was a special loss. The deceased was the only son of his mother and the mother herself was a widow. The loss of her only son meant a miserable future for the widow.

‘When the Lord saw her.’ Luke uses the absolute form of Lord emphasizing the deity of Jesus.

‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ Jesus looked at the boy and spoke to a dead person as if he were alive.” [2]

“God gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” [3]

“On more than one occasion Jesus broke up funeral processions by raising the dead. This was also true for Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus. Jesus did not like death, and He regarded it as an enemy that had to be defeated.” [4]

Jesus declared, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [5]

Jesus is the Giver of everlasting life. Life does not end for those who believe in Him. It only gets better!

[1] Luke 7:12-15
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Romans 4:17
[4] Enduring Word Commentary with references from Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-45
[5] John 6:39-40

Embracing the Heavenly Vision

Sitting in self-made shelter,
Jonah waited and watched.
What will happen to Nineveh?

A leafy plant for shade;
God provided for Jonah.
To ease his discomfort.

A worm to kill the plant;
God provided for Jonah.
To cause him discomfort. [1]

The Lord asked Jonah,
“Concerned about the plant,
You did not grow, are you?”
“Concerned about the 120,000 people,
Should I not be?” [2]

“Jonah is an example of a point of view often prevalent among God’s people. Behind Jonah’s story is the idea that permeates the entire Bible – that Yahweh is a missionary God who desires His people share His missionary heart.” [3]

Jonah sat on his shaded seat and waited for God to come around to his way of thinking instead of yielding himself to God’s mission.

God sent one greater than Jonah and Solomon, that is, Jesus. At the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus told Nicodemus that God so loved the world that He sent His Son to save us. At the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Jesus said, “This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [4]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please uproot from our lives the tendency to place our personal pleasure in the highest place, and please plant in our lives Your heart to seek and to save the lost. For their salvation and for Your glory! In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Based on Jonah 4:5-8
[2] Based on Jonah 4:10-11
[3] Gailey and Culbertson, Discovering Missions, Beacon Hill Press, (c) 2007, pp. 29-30
[4] John 3:16; Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14

He will Save the Children of the Needy

“He will save the children of the needy.” [1]

The Lord blessed me to find movies on YouTube this week that told the stories of ladies who successfully helped needy children.

Surprisingly, the first movie “Who Will Love My Children,” starred Ann Margaret playing the part of Lucile Fray. Lucile was a mother of 10 children. She lived in Ottumwa, Iowa. She had terminal cancer. Her husband was an alcoholic. Lucile ensures each of her children are placed with good parents. It is a true story. This movie was released on February 14, 1983. Ann Margaret won a Golden Globe Award for best performance in a movie made for television.

“You are my hope, O Lord God;
You are my trust from my youth.
By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise shall be continually of You.” [2]

The second movie, “My 100 Children,” is the story of a holocaust survivor, young teacher and psychologist, Lena Kuchler. She established a home for surviving children from eastern Poland. Due to violent anti-Semitic attacks on the house, Lena had to flee with her 100 children out of Poland. Eventually, she resettled the children in Israel. In 1959, Lena Kuchler published “My Hundred Children”, the first of her best-selling books, which was translated into 14 languages.

These two movies reminded me of the times the Lord provided for me RICH experiences to serve orphans in China, Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong and Kurdish, Burmese, and Latin American refugees in Nashville. They praised the Lord for His help!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the Gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted...” [3]

“Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus!”

[1] Psalm 72:4
[2] Psalm 71:5-6
[3] Luke 4:18

The Glory of the Lord

“Thus, Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.” “...So, Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” [1]

While many went about life unaware of the Lord and what the Lord was doing, Moses focused on following the Lord's instructions to create a meeting place (a tabernacle) along with its elements and servants. After Moses finished it, the Lord filled the meeting place with His glory.

“...I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” “I have manifested Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.” [2]

Jesus our Messiah also completed the work God gave Him to do. He revealed who God is to the men God gave Him. He gave them God’s Word. He taught them by way of example to stand with God even if the world hated them for it...

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” [3]

Praise God for protection from the evil one. The hatred that the world has for Christ and His followers originates with the evil one.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” [4]

The tabernacle of Moses was filled with God’s glory after he followed God’s instruction on how to sanctify it. Our Lord Jesus speaks of His followers receiving His truth and being sanctified by it. Next, He speaks of showing us His glory...

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” [5]

Our victory comes through Him whom God ordained from the foundation of the world to be our Savior. Our Lord Jesus gives us the truth, prays for our protection from the evil one, and afterwards brings us to see His glory in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. Hallelujah!

[1] Exodus 40:16, 33-35
[2] John 17:4, 6
[3] John 17:14-15
[4] John 17:17-19
[5] John 17:24

Serving the Lord with Gladness

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” [1]

Instead of considering words that cause anxiety leading to depression, why not be inspired by good words from God’s Holy Word, the Bible, that lead to gladness?

Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” [2]

The Heavenly Father knows what we need. He keeps the oxygen in the air at the right levels for us. He causes the sun to shine for light and warmth. He maintains the universe with all its stars and planets. He is more than able to meet our physical needs.

Our enemy, the devil, would like to preoccupy our lives with worldly worries instead of Kingdom of God triumphs.

The Lord shows us a better way. He says, “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” [3]

Enjoy the Lord! Serve the Lord! Worship the Lord! Enjoy gladness in His presence. Start sincerely singing His praises! Rest in His love! Let go! Let God! All things are possible with God!

[1] Proverbs 12:25
[2] Matthew 6:31-33
[3] Psalm 100:1

The First Commandment

A scribe once asked Jesus, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” [1]

Yes, the God who is love wants to be loved. Our Creator does not want us placing other gods that are no gods at all before Him. In fact, the term “anti” as in “anti-Christ” can be translated “instead of Christ.” Is there anything or anyone that we have placed higher than Christ?

God is a jealous God. After He brought the people out of Egypt, He tells us that they made another god out of gold and began to worship. God was in the midst of giving Moses His commandments for the people to follow when this happened. He was ready to destroy them and make of Moses “a great nation” but “Moses pleaded with the Lord his God” to spare them for the sake of His (God’s) reputation before the nations. Moses reminded God of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. “So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” [2]

The Exodus from Egypt was indeed a great deliverance, but even greater is the deliverance that Jesus Christ wrought for us. He died on the cross and rose from the dead. He lives to intercede for us. He frees us from bondage to sin and from the devil’s power. He gives us eternal life. Praise His holy Name!

“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have failed to keep You in the highest place. Please fill us with zeal by the power of Your Holy Spirit to be jealous for You and for Your glory. May You be highly exalted in our lives, and please use our lives to lead others to put You in the highest place as well. It is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Mark 12:28-30
[2] Exodus 32:1-14

Victory Over Unjust Treatment

How should we pray when dealing with ungodliness, deceitfulness, and unjust treatment? The Bible offers us examples of such prayers in the Book of Psalms.

“Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!” [1]

“For You are the God of my strength; why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” [2]

“Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” [3]

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” [4]

“Yes, Heavenly Father, when we experience ill-treatment from others, lead us into Your presence where there is exceedingly great joy. Even music and songs of praise! Please fill us with hope. Praise You for helping to shine in a world that desperately needs Your light. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 43:1
[2] Psalm 43:2
[3] Psalm 43:3-4
[4] Psalm 43:5

Delighting in the Delightful One

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” [1]

Yesterday morning, Sherry and I were blessed to hear the voices of many expressing love and praise for Jesus. We praised our Lord with our friends Pastors Robert and Deborah Johnson, and with their fellowship of worshippers.

They are blessed with a beautiful gift to express their delight in the Lord. And they are experiencing His delightful presence.

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” [2]

It is better to live with delight in the Lord than living with anger, and fretting. The former receives the empowering presence of the Lord while the latter leads to evil!

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” [3]

Though we delight in the Lord we still may stumble, but the Lord promises to uphold us, and to do so with His very own hand.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” [4]

The good news here is that we can love God, and He will take everything that the enemy does to hurt us, and transform it into something good for us. In this sense, we cannot lose as we love the Lord, which, by way is the first and great commandment.

“Called according to purpose!” The Lord initiated our call and purpose. It is in Him that our lives are made complete.

“Thank You Heavenly Father for giving us Your Son Jesus, and for giving us Your Holy Spirit. We delight in You!”

[1] Psalm 37:4
[2] Psalm 37:8
[3] Psalm 37:23-24
[4] Romans 8:28

I Love You Lord

Is it surprising that the God who loves us so deeply wants to be loved in return?

He sacrificed His Son for our salvation.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” [1]

King David responded... “I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” [2]

The Apostle Peter responded.... “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” [3]

It is written in God's Word, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [4]

Now, may... “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” [5]

[1] Deuteronomy 6:5
[2] Psalm 18:1
[3] John 21:15
[4] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[5] 2 Corinthians 13:14

There is No One Like the Lord

Jesus gave various revelations of Himself to John. He showed John His glory. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters... His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” [1] This description of Jesus parallels the description of the Ancient of Days (God) in Daniel 7:9-10.

Jesus declared to John His authority over Hades and Death. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” [2] Jesus holds the keys to everyone’s eternity. No one by-passes Jesus to overcome Hades and Death. He is the only way.

Jesus also revealed His passion to John. “I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as though it had been slain...” [3] Heaven’s worshippers say of Jesus, “You... have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” [4] “Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” worship Jesus with a loud voice saying He is “worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” [5]

Jesus also appeared to John as a conquering rider on a white horse with many crowns. “The armies in heaven... follow Him on white horses.” “On His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” [6]

These depictions of Jesus are true. He is the Lamb of God who was slain for humanity’s sin to redeem people unto God. He is King of kings and Lord of lords who shines like the sun in all its brilliance.

Towards the end of this prophecy, Jesus said to John, “These words are faithful and true. Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [7]

There is no one like the Lord. He is above all others. Let us prepare for His return.

[1] Revelation 1:14-15
[2] Revelation 1:18
[3] Revelation 5:6
[4] Revelation 5:9
[5] Revelation 5:11-13
[6] Revelation 19:11-16
[7] Revelation 22:6-7

Partnerships In Gospel Proclamation!

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.” [1]

A source of joy for me is partnerships in Gospel proclamation. I pray for my fellow proclaimers. I thank God for them during my morning prayer times. We are people from different countries, languages and walks of life, but we serve the Gospel of our Lord in one way or another. Praying for partners in Gospel proclamation does yield joy for me.

“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” [2]

Prayers for partners may include petitions for a deepening of our mutual understanding of every good things that we share in Christ. May the Lord graciously grant us grace to be grateful to Him for His blessings! Magnify Him! Minimize complaints!

My fellowship with Christians on social media, and at church gatherings are means that the Lord provides for me to enjoy partnerships in the Gospel. I am asking the Lord to bless these partnerships so that our joy in proclaiming His Gospel may abound and yield more salvations. Lost souls for whom He died on the cross! Lost souls for whom He lives and intercedes for on high!

May the Lord bless you my partners in Gospel proclamation!

[1] Philippians 1:3-5
[2] Philemon 1:6

Proclaimers of Resurrection-based Love

Its the most important message we can share with anyone.

Paul wrote, “I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received. Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” [1]

Resurrection-based love tells people that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact. It addresses the issue common to humanity of our earth suits having expiration dates.

Death is the elephant in the room that no one wants to notice or talk about. But to avoid the topic of death is to jeopardize one’s eternity.

Just because we can’t see heaven or hell, it does not mean they don’t exist. Jesus emphasized the message of life after death in the Gospels and in the Revelation.

Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” [2] When Jesus resurrected from the dead, He proved for all to see that there is life after death.

The Early Church had a united testimony that went like this: “This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” [3]

Resurrection-based love is about endlessly and delightfully proclaiming, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [4]

Jesus says to us, “Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” [5] Be proclaimers of resurrection-based love.

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
[2] John 11:25
[3] 1 John 5:11-12
[4] John 3:16
[5] Mark 1:17

After Death – Alive and Well

“The angel said to the women, ‘Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him: lo, I have told you.’ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘All hail.’ And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.” [1]

How amazing to meet an angel! And to hear the angel say that Jesus is risen from the dead. “Spread the news!” Then, while experiencing a mix of fear and immense joy, they meet Jesus alive. Their response was to worship Him.

In Christ they had redemption through His blood, the remission of trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. [2]

Three days earlier, they had watched Jesus tortured unto death. Isaiah had prophesied of the coming Messiah saying, “His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men.” [3] Yet, here He stood alive and well.

Before His death, when asked for a sign, Jesus said, “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so, shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” [4] Now, here He stood alive and well.

He had told His disciples more than once that He would suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. [5] Now, here He stood alive and well.

What did His resurrection mean to them? What does His resurrection mean for us?

Paul boldly proclaimed, “God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” [6] His resurrection means we who believe in Him shall also be raised to new life after we die.

Jesus delivers us from the wrath that is to come against sin. [7] Our salvation is guaranteed based on what He did for us. After we die, we too shall be found standing, alive and well.

[1] Matthew 28:5-9
[2] Ephesians 1:7
[3] Isaiah 52:14
[4] Matthew 12:40
[5] Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Matthew 20:18-19
[6] 1 Corinthians 6:14
[7] 1 Thessalonians 1:10

The Potter’s Field

“When Judas, which had betrayed Him [Jesus], when he saw that He [Jesus] was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’ They said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it.’ He cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. The chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, ‘It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.’ They took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.” [1]

What Judas did was wrong. He betrayed the Lord for the sake of money. Not just once, but often. John tell us that Judas “was a thief. He had the money box. He used to take what was put in it.” [2] But God, in His grace and love, turned what was meant for evil into something good.

God used the chief priests and elders to bring about the death of the Lamb of God. They called for His crucifixion. Christ’s blood is the only blood that cleanses sin away. God also used these evil religious men to purchase a “potter’s field” in which to bury strangers in. In so doing, they fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah on both accounts.

“This “potter’s field”—whose Aramaic name was “Aceldama,” or “The field of blood” was located outside Jerusalem. [3] The potters excavated and gathered its high-quality, deep-red clay to make their ceramics. Removing these nutrients from the soil rendered the land barren.

Unusable for farming, it was better suited to serve as a graveyard. Derived from the English Bible, the term “potter’s field” survives even today—also called “paupers’ grave,” “common grave.” It is used to describe a cemetery reserved for the disposal of unclaimed corpses, as well as the remains of unidentified and/or poor people.” [4]

God transformed betrayal money into charity money. The “potter” is the one who fashions vessels out of clay, pointing to God, who fashioned our own bodies out of the clay of the earth. The “potter’s field” points to a place where people who experienced little acceptance in this life, experience a place of rest in the life to come thanks to the love and mercy of God.

[1] Matthew 27:3-7
[2] John 12:6
[3] Acts 1:19
[4] forwhatsaiththescriptures.org

Brought into Honored Nearness to God

God shows His glory to people throughout the earth. He reveals who He is and what He has done that we might give Him glory in loving worship.

God mandates a declaration of His glory to the nations:

“Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.” [1]

The ultimate purpose for world evangelization is that all people might glorify God:

“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.” [2]

The ultimate value of salvation is not to be seen in what we are saved FROM, but in what we are saved FOR. People are saved to serve God in worship. World evangelization is for GOD. The rationale for mission is the colossal worthiness of GOD.

True worship takes place when we recognize who GOD is, publicly acknowledge Him, freely approach Him, and personally offer to Him gratitude and allegiance. Worship is genuine relational interaction with GOD.

God is delighted by the sincere love that comes to Him in true worship. By wooing people into true worship, He is able to fully bestow His love upon us.

“Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” [3]

Worship fulfills God’s love. He loves us so greatly that He wills to exalt us to something better than greatness; He wants to bring us into an honored nearness to Him. [4]

[1] Psalm 96:2-3
[2] Psalm 96:7-9
[3] Psalm 96:6
[4] Comments based on an article entitled, “The Story of His Glory” by Steven C. Hawthorne

Like God’s Angels

“The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him [Jesus] and asked Him, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.’

Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels of God in heaven.’” [1]

The scenario that the Sadducees presented to Jesus, and to which He was responding above, was that a woman had married a man with six brothers. When the first one died, she married the second brother, and when he died, she married the third, and so on, until she had been married to all seven brothers during her lifetime.

Being passed from one brother to another seven times over does not sound like a good life to me. Their goal was to provide a heir from this woman, but she was not able to produce a child.

Jesus proclaimed good news about this woman. When she died, her identity was no longer tied to a husband or to an ability to produce children. She became like an angel of God in heaven, neither marrying nor given in marriage. Her identity was directly tied to her Creator and Redeemer. The same is true for every other woman who believes in God. She will be able to stand side by side with men, and give glory, honor, and praise to God. Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew 22:23-30

The Lord’s Anointed One Wins

In Matthew 23, Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples about the sin of hypocrisy. He described its characteristics and pronounced woes upon its proponents. He declared they would bear the guilt of all God’s martyrs from Abel to Zechariah. [1]

Who is Abel? Who is Zechariah?

Abel is the first human to be murdered. His brother Cain killed him after the Lord respected Abel’s offering but did not respect Cain’s. [2] Cain’s works were evil and his brother’s righteous. [3] Abel’s offering was offered by faith to God and not by faith in himself. Thanks to God, Abel still speaks. [4]

Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada rescued the future king of Judah (Joash) from an assassination plot to kill him. After Jehoiada died, King Joash forsook the Lord. Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, prophesied by the Spirit of God to King Joash, saying, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.” Rather than repent, King Joash had Zechariah stoned to death. As he died, Zechariah said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” [5]

There are many such stories of God’s favored ones suffering at the hands of those who should have embraced them. These divinely favored ones were types of God’s Son. God’s plan was to show sinners the way back to God through their lives.

Another example is Joseph. “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.” [6] They threw him in a pit. They sold him to human traffickers. But later on, after God blessed Joseph. By God’s grace, Joseph ended up rescuing his evil brothers from famine and he provided a place for them.

This morning as I prayed for the USA, and other nations in similar circumstances as ours, a Bible verse came to mind. Evil people had taken over David’s country. Someone told King David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” [7] The Lord answered David’s prayer. The conspirators were taken down, and righteousness ruled his nation once again.

Our Lord Jesus and His followers are the real deal. The fakers who rage, plot, and set themselves against Him fail. [8] Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew 23:34-36
[2] Genesis 4:3-5
[3] 1 John 3:12
[4] Hebrews 11:4
[5] 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
[6] Genesis 37:4
[7] 2 Samuel 15:31
[8] Psalm 2