Listening To God

Throughout history, arrogant leaders have blamed the God of the Bible for the problems that they have brought upon people. However, evil is the tap from which evil flows.

For example, in the days of Jeremiah, government officials heard him, say, “Thus says the Lord: ‘He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live.’” [1]

These corrupt officials responded to Jeremiah’s words by asking the king, “Please, let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm.” [2]

The truth was absolutely the opposite. Jeremiah urged his nation to repent and turn back to God to avoid harm. He worked to strengthen them in the Lord, but they ignored his preaching for forty years, and now, it was too late to avoid the consequences of their evil doings. They needed to face reality, humble themselves, and pay the price for the evil they had done.

His nation’s officials thought they were wiser and more perceptive than God, so they ignored the warnings of God. What was the outcome?

“The king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes in Riblah; the king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon. And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people with fire and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.” [3] The arrogance of corrupt leaders brought their nation to ruins and themselves to an horrific conclusion.

In the days of Jesus, corrupt religious leaders colluded with corrupt politicians to misinform the people. The religious leaders said of Jesus, “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” [4] The opposite was absolutely true. It was their evil deeds that brought destruction to Jerusalem and to them, not faith in Jesus Christ.

Please pray for the political and religious leaders of the nations to listen to God and to His servants. The future of any nation depends on how people listen to and respond to the Word of God.

[1] Jeremiah 38:1-2
[2] Jeremiah 38:5
[3] Jeremiah 39:6-8
[4] John 11:48

Heal Me, O Lord

“The word of the Lord also came to me, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place.’ For thus says the Lord concerning the sons and daughters who are born in this place, and concerning their mothers who bore them and their fathers who begot them in this land: ‘They shall die gruesome deaths; they shall not be lamented, nor shall they be buried, but they shall be like refuse on the face of the earth. They shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, and their corpses shall be meat for the birds of heaven and for the beasts of the earth.’” [1]

The Lord warned Jeremiah against marriage to any of his nation’s people because they were all under His wrath and would die horrible deaths.

“For thus says the Lord: ‘Do not enter the house of mourning, nor go to lament or bemoan them; for I have taken away My peace from this people,” says the Lord, “lovingkindness and mercies. Both the great and the small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried; neither shall men lament for them, cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them. Nor shall men break bread in mourning for them, to comfort them for the dead; nor shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or their mother. Also you shall not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and drink.” [2]

The Lord warned Jeremiah against attending the funeral of his nation’s people because He did not want them to have peace, loving kindness, and mercy. He did not want them to be mourned or their survivors to be comforted. Not even in the case of the death of their parents! They had betrayed the Lord for false gods and were not worthy of any special kindness.

“For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will cause to cease from this place, before your eyes and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.’” [3]

Some may consider non-marriage a freedom of choice, but in truth, it is a judgment. Marriage is a blessing from God. It is His way, and His way is good for us who are created in His image. The discontinuation of the marriage ceremony and all the festivities that go with it was God’s judgment on their unfaithful ways.

“And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the Lord pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because your fathers have forsaken Me,’ says the Lord; ‘they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them and have forsaken Me and not kept My law. And you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me. Therefore I will cast you out of this land into a land that you do not know, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods day and night, where I will not show you favor.’” [4]

God is not against marriage, nor against funerals, but He does oppose those who deny Him, and behave as they are their own gods. “Each one follows the dictates of his own heart so that no one listens to Me.” That is why God allowed a foreign army to conquer their nation, to take them captive, and to lead them to serve the gods that are no gods. They sowed idolatry and reaped more idolatry, but it was not a pleasant harvest for them.

“For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes. And first I will repay double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols.” [5]

The Lord had seen their sins. In due season, He let them reap the consequences of their unrepentant behavior before Him.

“O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, ‘Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things.’ Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods? Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is the Lord.” [6]

The good news is that God planned to bring the Gentiles into His family. By His grace, they would see that their gods were worthless lies, and that He, the true God, could be known, and they could enjoy a personal relationship with Him. God has a name. God has hands and might greater than any human being on earth.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” [7]

Those who trust and hope in the Lord are blessed and happy. This is not true for the humanist who denies God and thinks he can do well without Him. The one who trusts in the Lord flourishes even during difficult seasons.

Thus, we should seek the Lord to heal us from a backsliding heart. We should gather to praise and worship the Lord for He is worthy of adoration.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.” [8]

[1] Jeremiah 16:1-4
[2] Jeremiah 16:5-8
[3] Jeremiah 16:9
[4] Jeremiah 16:10-13
[5] Jeremiah 16:17-18
[6] Jeremiah 16:19-21
[7] Jeremiah 17:7-8
[8] Jeremiah 17:14

 

Mourners, Scoffers and Gift Receivers

“A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him. Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’” [1]

Many mourned and wailed on the day Jesus Christ was crucified. He had healed them. He had fed them. He taught them the unfettered truth concerning the destiny of sinners and the destiny of saints.

Now, He was going to a cross as a lamb to a slaughter. Barabbas, an insurrectionist, was freed at the request of the people’s religious leaders. Jesus told the ones who mourned and wailed for Him to weep for themselves and for their children. Worse days were ahead for them than for Him. He would resurrect after three days. He would ascend to heaven forty days after that. He will return to earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords. His rejectors will be cast into the lake of fire where there is forever torment and pain.

“Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.” [2]

Scoffers shall inherit flames. Those who have wisely embraced Christ as their Savior from sin shall be saved from the flames.

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.” [3]

The holiness and righteousness of God is the revelation that yields restraint. Thus, the proverb encourages us to keep God’s law to be happy.

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” [4]

A snare is a trap. Trappers set traps to catch prey. Life does not end well once the trap is sprung. To entrust your life into the hands of flawed people is to walk into a trap thinking it won’t hurt you. Even a person with good intentions cannot keep you safe from harm like the Lord does. The intention of our Lord Jesus Christ is to bring you into the Kingdom of God where there is love, joy, and peace forevermore.

“Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.” [5]

I like God’s justice. He took our sins and laid them on His Son so that we who believe in Him would not have to bear the consequences of our sin for all eternity. He gives us eternal life as a gift, not as wages. Jesus paid for our gift in full.

[1] Luke 23:27-28, 31
[2] Proverbs 29:8
[3] Proverbs 29:18
[4] Proverbs 29:25
[5] Proverbs 29:26

Fishermen Disciples

You ever wonder why Jesus called fisherman to be his disciples? It was never a thought for me until this past year. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know what life as a commercial fisherman looks like and it has opened my eyes to the reality of who Jesus called to be his closest friends.

These guys are relentless! Days without sleep. Hours of work for a few weeks out of the year, continuously preparing for the next season. They face and overcome multiple obstacles in one day – but they keep going.

They live by faith every single day! So much preparation and yet when they are on the water, they don’t know if they’ll catch anything – it’s all in the hands of the One who created it all! And He always provides!

Their passion drives them forward! They are tough, resilient, stubborn, and not afraid of hard work…they have made some bad decisions…Yet have the biggest heart! They are real people, they don’t pretend to be someone else and enjoy the simple things in life – love, laughter, and good food!

So maybe Jesus called the fisherman because He knew that’s what it was going to take. Passionate people who love big, work hard, work with purpose, and are not easily swayed by this world – because once they know what they know, there’s no changing their minds.

When Jesus calls the heart of a fisherman, watch out… cause big things are about to happen!

By Kristen Czanderna on September 20, 2021

Andrew Czanderna, her husband, and my son added: “The Lord is mending me every day just like I mend these nets. Those who look to the Lord are radiant.”

“They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” (Psalm 34:5)

In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day

“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” [1]

God brought John to a wonderful place. No, not Patmos Island. He brought John to a place that He is willing to bring anyone of us if we are willing to go with Him. The place is a state of being where we live for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus and nothing else matters to us as much in comparison to this place.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches...’” [2]

The Lord God had John in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. Every day is the day that the Lord has made, and every day we can rejoice and be glad in Him. But I believe “the Lord’s Day” here refers to the day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Lord’s Day here refers to the day on which we gather together in joyful assembly to worship Him. The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was moving in John and spoke to him with a voice like a trumpet. The Lord gave John a vision of Himself in resurrected glory and told him to write it down and send it to seven churches, which John did.

Today, is also an opportune time to live for God’s Word and for the testimony of Jesus. Like John, let us be in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. Opening our ears to hear from Him! Opening our eyes to see what He shows us! Writing and speaking for Him so that others come into fellowship with Him.

[1] Revelation 1:9
[2] Revelation 1:10-11

The Source of Life

The Holy Spirit is the source of life. [1] The Holy Spirit cultivates a culture of life. He brings things to new creation.

The Holy Spirit is God’s presence. He comes to us through Christ. His mission is to renew people in the image of God. He is the source of rebirth. The Spirit instills a supernatural hope in the future that helps us live successfully through hard circumstances now.

The Spirit bestows grace gifts and energizes the body of Christ. He keeps us living the new life. He is the link of fellowship between God and humanity, and humanity towards one another. He is the source of community sharing. He makes fellowship possible among diverse people. American individualism is hard to break down, but God, the Holy Spirit can do it.

A chaplain at a prisoner of war camp in England gave captured German soldier Jürgen Moltmann a Bible. He read of the suffering servant in Psalm 22 and 39. He experienced fellowship and brotherhood of Jesus while suffering. Jesus redeemed him from guilt. Moltmann compared his conversion to Jacob’s wrestling. At the conclusion of his suffering he experienced the favor of God’s face. The Holy Spirit brought life to him in a place of death.

The Spirit is God’s presence. He is the well springs up in desolate places. He is the shine from God’s face. He is the conceiver, baptizer, miracle performer and raiser of Jesus Christ. He is the source of community that Jesus Christ sent to us from heaven. He is the comforter and truth. “Where the Holy Spirit is present there is life.” He helps those who receive Him to distinguish between a culture of death and a culture of life. The culture of death includes denominational pride, prejudice against youth and women, and caste distinctions. The Spirit replaces stony hearts with hearts of flesh. [2]

The Holy Spirit is comparable to a mother because we are born of the Spirit. The Hebrew term for Spirit is feminine. Rebirth by the Spirit gives joy and peace.

The Holy Spirit brings us into “harmony with every living thing which God has created and in which His Spirit is present.” “Life is sanctified when we encounter living things with reverence before God.”

The Holy Spirit gives to each of His recipients a gift for the common good. He awakens in us new energies. He forces demons to flee. He replaces illness with healing. Weakness with strength! Life in the Spirit contrasts with life in the flesh.

The Spirit helps us to know ourselves. This knowing is vital to better relations with others. The Spirit shares in our sufferings. He does not treat us in a domineering way. The Holy Spirit is the common Spirit of Christians. He gathers Christians to the Church. He the sends Christians out of the Church in families, vocations, jobs, and social groups. The Holy Spirit fellowship is free and equal among generations and genders.

The Spirit brings God’s people into one heart and soul. Divisions between people are overcome in Him. He stops people from oppressing other people. He halts people from humiliating people. He sweeps estrangement away. Masters and slaves become brothers. Men and women become friends. Discrimination disappears! We become of one heart and soul. This is nothing less than God in our midst. Our fears of one another and our aggressions towards one another simply become ludicrous because there is enough blessing for everyone.

Our economy is based on wants. Hunger for pleasure, for possessions, for power, for recognition, for success and for admiration stems from spiritual poverty. The opposite of poverty isn’t property. The opposite of poverty is community.

The Holy Spirit helps the Church to exhibit a Christ-like inclusion of people. He makes community possible. A community where everyone shares is definitely a miracle. The Spirit’s charity contrasts with the strife of selfish people.

The vibrant energies of God’s Spirit preceded creation. He wants to deliver living things from death. Sinners want to dominate and exploit God’s creation. “When God sends forth His breath [Spirit] life is created. He renews the face of the earth.” [3]

The Spirit is the source of our prayer life. Early Christians, filled with the Spirit, prayed with heads up, hands lifted, eyes open and backs straight. They didn’t pray bowed-over or handcuffed as though in bondage to God, but in a posture of freedom. The Spirit leads us to pray for God’s will for others and for ourselves.

The Holy Spirit is the source of life in a world filled with death. The Spirit makes of us grace-gifted people in a graceless world. Jürgen Moltmann experienced the life-giving Spirit in a camp full of death.

[1] Jürgen Moltmann wrote a book entitled, “The of Source Life”
[2] Ezekiel 11:19
[3] Psalm 104:29

Unless The Lord Builds a House

A day of redemption is at hand for those who have followed hard after the Lord. The Lord promises to ruin the fortified city from which war was launched against His people. The terrible people had composed songs to mock God and hurt His people, but a day is coming, and they will fear Him, and glorify Him.

“O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your Name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For You have made a city a ruin, a fortified city a ruin, a palace of foreigners to be a city no more; it will never be rebuilt. Therefore the strong people will glorify You; the city of the terrible nations will fear You. For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. You will reduce the noise of aliens, as heat in a dry place; as heat in the shadow of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones will be diminished.” [1]

The Lord has a feast for His people who previously experienced a covering of darkness and a veil of despair. He replaces death with eternal life. He wipes tears from their faces. He delivers them from the devil’s disdaining insults.

“In this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken.” [2]

God’s faithful people have waited for this day. “It will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’” [3]

Enemies will be trampled underfoot. God will bring down their pride together with the trickery of their hands. Their war machine will be reduced to dust. [4]

In that day, God’s people will sing, “We have a strong city. God has given us salvation for walls.” The righteous nation (consisting of God’s faithful people from the earth) will enter this city. God keeps them in perfect peace because their minds have been stayed on Him. They have trusted in God. In the Lord is everlasting strength. The Lord brought down the city of arrogant oppressors and placed them under the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy.” [5]

Those who trusted in the Lord proclaim their victory with these words, “O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your Name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” [6]

God’s people have waited for this day as a pregnant woman waits for the day of birth. “As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her pangs, when she draws near the time of her delivery, so have we been in Your sight, O Lord. We have been with child we have been in pain; we have, as it were, brought forth wind; we have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth, nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.” [7] They wanted to bring forth this new community for the Lord but were unable to do so. The Lord saw their dilemma and brought it forth.

God tells His people to find safety. He’s going to deal with evil doers. He’s going to expose the blood that they have shed and reward them accordingly. “Come, My people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood and will no more cover her slain.” [8]

During some of the darkest days on earth, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, has a 144,000 loyal followers. They abstain from participation in sexual sins. They follow the Lamb. They are the redeemed of the Lord. There is no deceit in their mouths. They live to please God. [9]

The message of the last days is to heed the Gospel. Trust in Jesus Christ for redemption. Fear God and give Him glory. Babylon – the devil’s kingdom of sin is falling. All who participated in it shall drink from God’s cup of wrath. They shall experience the torment of fire and brimstone. [10]

God says to His people, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” [11]

The Lord speaks of two harvests: a harvest of the righteous which is the Lord gathering His people to Himself, and a harvest of those who are thrown into the winepress of God’s wrath. [12] The key to be included in the first harvest is faith in Christ and obedience to His Word by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Though there are powerful people in high places living contrary to the Lord and blaspheming His Name, beware! “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” [13]

[1] Isaiah 25:1-5
[2] Isaiah 25:6-8
[3] Isaiah 25:9
[4] Isaiah 25:10-12
[5] Isaiah 26:1-6
[6] Isaiah 26:8-9
[7] Isaiah 26:17-18
[8] Isaiah 26:20-21
[9] Revelation 14:1-5
[10] Revelation 14:6-11
[11] Revelation 14:12-13
[12] Revelation 14:14-20
[13] Psalm 127:1

Answered Prayers

When Jesus the Lamb opens the seventh seal, John sees an angel with a golden censer standing in front of a golden altar. The Old Testament altar of prayer had four horns on it. Horns represent power. The high priest would put blood on the horns of the altar to atone for the sins of the people. Now, it is by the shed blood of Christ that we have forgiveness, and that our prayers are received and answered.

Sometimes we might wonder if God’s hearing our prayers. The Lord told Moses, “I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” [1]

The angel told Daniel, “Do not be afraid Daniel, since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” [2]

The prayers of the saints are set before God like incense. The angel takes fire from the altar and places it in a censer. He throws the censer to earth. The result is thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. [3] God’s brings the thunder. He shakes things up.

The opening of the seventh seal opens the way for seven angels to receive seven trumpets. In the days of Joshua, seven priests blew seven trumpets for seven days. On the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell down and God’s people inherited the city. God led Joshua to cleanse the land of idolatry. In the last days, Jesus will cleanse the earth of idolatry.

Trumpets sound when God is ready to move. God led Gideon and his 300 to blow trumpets before a battle. [4] The blowing of trumpets by priests preceded a war victory for King Abijah of Judah. His army of 400,000 defeated an army of 800,000. His army slew a half million enemy soldiers in one day. “The children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.” [5] Like Gideon, they trusted the Lord despite overwhelming odds.

The same God who did miracles in the past, can do them here and now.

[1] Exodus 3:7
[2] Daniel 10:12
[3] Revelation 8:1-5
[4] Judges 7:19-22
[5] 2 Chronicles 13:18

The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” [1]

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, identified with us in our humanity when He became flesh and dwelt among us, His new identity included being a descendent of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. Many earthly kings descended from David, but his greatest descendent of all is Jesus of Nazareth.

“With righteousness He shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.” [2]

The Lord Jesus is a righteous judge. He is not worried about losing His job or getting paid wages. He takes no bribes. He doesn’t flip flop His judgment to gain the approval of the press. He assesses each case accurately. The poor and the meek are in good hands with Him. Not so with the wicked! Judge Jesus measures their defiance of the law of love severely.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” [3]

The above prophecy is fulfilled during the millennium. [4] The millennium is when Christ and His saints rule the earth for 1,000 years. Carnivores will no longer kill and eat people. Young children shall lead them around. Children will not be abused or trafficked for money. The military complex will be shut down. The knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth.

“In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the nations shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.” [5]

Jesus Christ is both the Root and Branch of Jesse. He preceded Jesse in His Divine nature. He followed Jesse when He became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesse’s descendent shall rule the world gloriously!

In that day people will say: “Praise the Lord, call upon His Name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His Name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!” [6]

[1] Isaiah 11:1
[2] Isaiah 11:4-5
[3] Isaiah 11:6-9
[4] Revelation 20:1-6
[5] Isaiah 11:10
[6] Isaiah 12:4-6

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” [1]

What was darkness in the shadow of death like? Isaiah describes it…

“The people do not turn to Him who strikes them, nor do they seek the Lord of hosts. Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, palm branch and bulrush in one day. The elder and honorable, he is the head; the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly.” [2]

The darkness included outright refusal to listen to God. To seek Him! To let Him correct them! So, picture an animal, say a horse! The head of the horse represents the elder or the political leader. He has them heading straight towards destruction. The lying prophets or propagandists are the tail. They are experts at convincing people to believe lies. Thus, the strength of the nation, that is the young men have no mercy on orphans or widows. They are bad actors. They speak foolishly.

But what about the great light? From where does it shine? The answer is from Messiah! Jesus Christ brought truth to light in our dark world. Those who receive Him, trust in Him, and do His will manifest truth and light in this dark world.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” [3]

Jesus Christ is the hope of this cruel world. He gives His people victories over imposter governments. He is wonderful! He gives good counsel. He is mighty. He is an everlasting Father who never dies. He never leaves His family when the going gets tough. He brings peace and justice. His zeal does not fizzle out.

The four evil horsemen of the apocalypse seem to be at work in our world causing wars of conquest, poverty, famine, and death. Amidst this backdrop, the faithful followers of Jesus, are crying out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” The answer is not long. Soon, evil kings with their evil accomplices will cry out to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” [4]

Our Lord keeps His promises. Just when it seems all hope is lost, Jesus Christ returns. The darkness shall give way to the dawn of a new day.

I am glad that the new everlasting government rests on the shoulders of the King and of kings and Lord of lords, and not on shoulders of some imposter who deceives and ruins our lives as is happening now. I’m glad that the new day is about to dawn for those who have been praying, “Come, Lord Jesus, come!”

[1] Isaiah 9:2
[2] Isaiah 9:13-17
[3] Isaiah 9:6-7
[4] Revelation 6

God’s Grace Abundantly Provides

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book, they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.” [1]

God is so amazing!

God knew our days before there was one of them. Glory to God! We are oblivious to His insights unless we come into His presence in the Name of Jesus His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through whom He reveals His insights to us.

At age thirteen, the Lord gave me a sense that He would send me to China, Africa, or both. I did not want to go. However, later, after the Lord birthed me into His glorious kingdom by His Word and by His Spirit, He sent me to China. I loved it. I did not want to come back.

At age nineteen, as I read the Book of Jeremiah, God called me to serve His Word. He wanted me to speak truth for Him. He wanted me to speak to save my hearers from the destruction that comes to those who die without a relationship with God. [2]

The Lord opened the door for me to preach the Gospel in China, and to make disciples there. Now, I have a ministry in America. My calling, like Jeremiah’s, is to call people to replace distance from God with closeness to Him.

The Lord led me to compose a book entitled, “21st Century Jeremiah” with the goal of bringing Jeremiah’s ministry to 21st Century America in an applicable and relevant fashion. That is why I have set up a blog page entitled 21st Century Jeremiah. That is why I have written about him.

Coincidentally, when I was eighteen, God led me to write my pre-Bible-thoughts down in story form. I filled 121 notebook pages with words a of story entitled “Darkness will Fall on the City.” After I composed this story, the Lord led me to read the book of Jeremiah. Without collaborating my story with Jeremiah’s, I was surprised how closely the theme of my book mirrored his. Like Jeremiah, my crusader’s goal was to restore love for God in a city where the people loved the works of darkness rather than God.

My story related to the Bible in other ways as well. The hero of my story wore body armor. The Lord revealed to me later on about the armor of God in the Bible. [3] I was unfamiliar with the armor of God passage when I wrote the “Darkness Will Fall on the City” story.

The leader in my story had two Christians in his life, They studied the Bible and prayed with him. This was done in his home not in a church. Later on, I led a home group of Christians in China, and the Lord affirmed this style of Church meeting from the Holy Scriptures. [4]

Later, I was in China. By accident, I got off a bus too early and ended up walking to my destination. As I walked, I saw a boarded up church. I stopped and stared. My “Darkness Will Fall on the City” story was about a crusader whose goal was to reopen a boarded-up church. There were no more open churches in his city. That was what I did in China. I opened a place of worship for people to gather in the Name of Jesus in a city where once churches had been condemned and closed, but my goal in China was not to reopen a cathedral, but to win people to Jesus and meet with them wherever possible for discipleship purposes. This technique works in the USA as well. Instead of assembling brick and mortar, we can focus on assembling people who want to know the Lord and make Him known to others.

God wrote our lives in His book before we were born. He knew our days even when none existed. Is that not exciting?

God reveals His purposes and plans for us in the Bible. Expect God to speak to you when read the Bible. The Prophet Daniel wrote, “I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” [5] While reading the prophecy of Jeremiah, God revealed to Daniel what he could not have known otherwise. The Word of God provides the faith we need to fill the gap between we know and what we need to know.

Once, I read a church sign with this saying: “Faith is a journey not a destination.” This is what it means to tabernacle with God! Jesus moved about in the Gospels. He could have built a church building. He was a carpenter’s son. Surely, He knew how to put a building together. But He preferred to put a group of people together who would go anywhere, serve any people, and do the discipleship ministry in whatever venue God graciously supplied for them.

“The days were fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Think of that! God created your days before you existed. Have you ever asked God to reveal His purposes for your life? Have you ever written down the things God has done in your life to see the connections between one event and another? Have you ever asked God to help you sort out what is of Him in your life and what is not? I have learned from the prophets and apostles that God has ample resources and angels to help us fulfill our destinies. Our part is to take time to listen to Him, and then, trust and obey His leading. His grace abundantly provides for us.

[1] Psalm 139:16
[2] Jeremiah 1:4-10
[3] Ephesians 6:10-17
[4] Acts 2:2, 46; 5:42; 12:12; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2
[5] Daniel 9:2

Victory & Rewards For God-Fearers

“The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” [1]

The powers of this present age say, “Be a lion! Strong. Skillful. At the top of the food chain. Then, you will never lack.” The Lord says that the elite hunters shall lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek Him SHALL LACK NO GOOD THING.

The Bible says, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” [2]

Once, Sherry had a Christian leader stand up and contradict her in front of a congregation after she spoke passionately about the importance of fearing the Lord. The Lord continues to bless Sherry with good fruit as she respects God and His Word.

“Who is the man who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” [3] Good does come to do-gooders and peacemakers.

“Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions; my precious life from the lions. I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.” [4]

Lions hunt in a pride formation. Pride is an appropriate word for their demeanor. They plot sneak attacks on unsuspecting prey. Some even play with small prey in a motherly way, and then, eat them. Thanks and praise to God for rescuing us from the lions of this world.

“They devise deceitful matters against the quiet ones in the land.” They pick on people who resist joining them. “Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me.” [5]

Remember those past victories? Ask the Lord to continue to confuse, shame and dishonor the self-exalters. May the Lord scatter the coalition of con artists so that those who seek the prosperity of people succeed.

“Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’” [6]

“Yes, Lord, be magnified. You are pleased when we prosper.”

“They were filled with rage and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.” The manipulators of the masses were outraged with Jesus. He healed a man free of charge. Jesus taught, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” [7] Jesus promises heavenly rewards to those who suffer for the sake of trying to save others. Blessed be His Holy Name!

[1] Psalm 34:10
[2] Psalm 34:11
[3] Psalm 34:12-14
[4] Psalm 35:17-18
[5] Psalm 35:20, 26
[6] Psalm 35:27
[7] Luke 6:1, 22-23

Joy In The Lord

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” [1]

“Thank You Father for safety!
Thank You for strength!
Thank You for help!
Thank You for peace!
Trouble may quake. Mountains may shake!
Water may roar! But You calm me.”

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts (armies) is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” [2]

“I rest in YOU GOD!
You outrank nations and earth.
Your armies are with me.
You are my personal God, and the God of Jacob.
You are my safe place.”

“Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.” [3]

“Thank You for songs to sing.
Musical expressions of praise for You!
You are the King of kings.
I sing praises to Your Name!”
“For this is God, our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide forever.” [4]

“YOU, Abba Father guide me.
I love and praise You O Lord!”

[1] Psalm 46:1-3
[2] Psalm 46:10-11
[3] Psalm 47:6-7

[4] Psalm 48:14

Saved From Babylon

“He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” [1]

When does everything become beautiful? When does one consider eternity? When does a sinner want to learn of the work of God?

The answer is when a sinner comes under conviction of sin by hearing God’s Word spoken by the Spirit of God. God converts souls via His Word…

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.” [2]

A sinner experiences conversion or rebirth as he or she realizes his or her need for God, and that God is giving him or her the opportunity to be saved by Him. God converts sinners…

“I [God] will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” [3]

While doing mission work and living in China, the Lord led me to read the Book of Revelation, and to write out its words on paper. As I did, I was especially surprised by the revelations contained in chapters 13 and 18.

Revelation 13 speaks of a beast rising out of the sea. The beast is a conglomeration of governmental authorities [represented by various man-eating animals] who blaspheme [speak against] God’s Name. All the world marvels at this beast and follows it. They exclaim, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” He makes war with the saints [the people who do not compromise with sin]. “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The Lord says to His people, “Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” The ministry during the days of the beast consists of being patient and keeping our faith in Christ no matter what happens. [4]

Revelation 18 speaks of the judgment of Babylon which is a code name for the beast that defiled the world and led the world astray from God. Babylon is eulogized as a harlot who made the merchants of the earth rich. God warned His people not to share in Babylon’s sins lest they also share in her plaques. She projected herself as invincible, but in one day, she was gone. God judged her.

The kings of earth weep and lament over her. The merchants weep and mourn over her. She made merchandise out of everything including the bodies and souls of people. Shipmasters and sailors cry out, “What is like this great city?” as they watch her burn with fire. “For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.” “All who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth!”

Those who stood against Babylon, and suffered because of her, are told by the Lord to, “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” By her sorcery all the nations had been deceived. They had united against God and served Satan. “In her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” [5]

When tempted to discount God’s Word and His Spirit’s prompting, turn to God, and remember the following words: “I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.” [6] Satan’s reign of terror and of perversity has an expiration date. It will end, and end horribly. Only God’s Kingdom lasts forever, and it is a glorious kingdom full of light, truth, and love.

[1] Ecclesiastes 3:9
[2] Psalm 19:7-14
[3] Ezekiel 36:26
[4] Revelation 13:1-10
[5] Revelation 18:1-20
[6] Ecclesiastes 3:14

Prayers For Help During Tribulation

“O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance… Their blood they have shed like water all around… and there was no one to bury them. The invaders slew men as if their blood was of no more value than so much water. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those who are around us.” [1]

“Asaph was an excellent advocate, for he gave a telling description of calamities which were under his own eyes, and in which he sympathized, but we have a mightier Intercessor [Jesus Christ] above, who never ceases to urge our suit before the eternal throne.” [2]

“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your Name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake!” [3]

“Pardon of sin is sought as well as removal of chastisement. Both are asked not as matters of right, but as gifts of grace. This noble plea is the great gun of the battle, the mightiest weapon in the armory of prayer.” [4]

“According to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die.” “So, we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations.” [5]

“Thank You Heavenly Father that You are aware of every evil act against Your people. Thank You Jesus, our Advocate and Intercessor, for praying for our victory. Thank You Holy Spirit for light to shine as stars amidst the darkness. Lord Jesus, thanks to Your presence with us, we shall overcome. We shall stand before You. We shall see Your glory.”

[1] Psalm 79:1, 3-4
[2] “The Treasury of David” by Charles H. Spurgeon
[3] Psalm 79:9
[4] “The Treasury of David” by Charles H. Spurgeon
[5] Psalm 79:11, 13

I Am So Glad

I am so glad that... “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:25

I am so glad that the Lord’s “mercy endures forever.” The phrase, “His mercy endures forever” appears 42 times in various verses of the Old Testament. Glory to God!

(Please note the small sample of the 42 verses in the attached picture)

Believe In Jesus Christ

“The leaders of nations exercise lordship over them, their authorities are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater? He who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” [1]

Worldly authorities exercise power in self-exalting style. Jesus wasn’t like that.

In ancient China, the rich grew long, long fingernails, so long they could do nothing for themselves-and this was perceived as a sign of status.

The idea of being called benefactors is really the idea of getting credit. Many people only ‘serve’ if they can be assured of getting proper credit.

“You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [2]

Jesus promises wonderful rewards to those who continue with Him. He is laying up treasures for us in heaven that cannot be taken away either by decay or by thieves.

And what is our key mission for Jesus? It is the same mission as the Holy Spirit’s, namely, to convict the world of sin. Which sin? The sin of not believing in Jesus. When sinners asked Jesus or His apostles what they should do, the answer was to, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” [3] 

When sinners asked apostles what they should do, the answer was to, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [4]

[1] Luke 22:24-27
[2] Luke 22:28-30
[3] John 6:29
[4] Acts 16:31

How’s Your Prayer Life?

“Prayer is man’s ultimate indication of trust in his heavenly Father. Only in prayer do we surrender our problems completely to God and ask for divine intervention. Are you ready for God to intervene in your life?

Where there is an absence of prayer there is an absence of God’s power. Where there is a frequency of prayer there will be continuing display of God’s power. Dr. E. Stanley Jones explains, ‘In prayer you align yourselves to the purpose and power of God and He is able to do things through you that He could not do otherwise.’

Most tasks in life are accomplished systematically. In fact, without a systematic approach to life, many goals would remain un-reached. The same is true with prayer. The devotional time needs careful planning and preparation to function successfully. Prayer does not come naturally to men. It must be learned. Prayer must be nourished and cultivated if it is to grow.”

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” [1]

“If God would bless us with…

Answers
Forgiveness
Healing…

Before we…

Humble ourselves
Pray
Seek Him
Turn from wicked ways…

We would get…

The gift but not the Giver
The answer but not the Answerer
The forgiveness but not the Forgiver
The healing but not the Healer.

Prayer is primarily about the development of a relationship between man and God. The highest goal of prayer time is to strengthen our relationship with God.” [2]

[1] 2 Chronicles 7:14
[2] All other comments from “The Hour that Changes the World” by Dick Eastman

The Marriage Feast of the Lamb

“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the water pots with water.’

And they filled them up to the brim.

And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.’

And they took it.

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.

He said to him, ‘Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!’

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” [1]

“Moses turned water into blood, showing that the Law results in death. [2] But Jesus’ first miracle turned water into wine, showing the gladness and joy of His new work.

This acts out what John said, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” [3]

We could say that the water is like a relationship with God under the Old Covenant, and the wine is like a relationship with God under the New Covenant. The wine was and better than the water; and the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant.” [4]

One day, we will be clothed in the wedding garment of righteous deeds. [5] From that day forward, we will experience unbroken fellowship with God. The joy we will experience on that day is beyond description as we will see Christ face-to-face. [6] We will experience this day because we believed that Christ is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world! And He took away our sins. Praise the Lord!

[1] John 2:7-11
[2] Exodus 7:17-21
[3] John 1:17
[4] Enduringword.com/bible-commentary/John2
[5] Revelation 19:6-8
[6] Revelation 19:9

Glory Be To You God Forever

God gave King Belshazzar a vison of a mysterious hand that wrote words on a wall. God gave the interpretation of these words to Belshazzar through His servant Daniel. The bottom line was that Belshazzar had been weighed in the balances and was found wanting. God gave his kingdom to another ruler. [1]

Daniel told him, “The God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.” [2]

God also holds our breath in His hands. We should glorify Him!

Daniel’s royal service continued under the new world ruler, but unlike King Belshazzar, he maintained a heart to serve God. For example, after a law against praying to anyone but the king was passed by Daniel-hating legislators, Daniel continued to pray to God!

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” [3]

The hateful legislators had Daniel thrown into a lion’s den. They assumed that he was history. Meanwhile, the king fasted and prayed all night for Daniel. Imagine! A world-ruling king prayed for a believer in God all night long. The next morning, the king went to the lion’s den and asked Daniel if he was okay.

Daniel replied, “O king! Live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.’” [4]

Darius wrote, “To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.’” [5]

“Yes, praise, honor, thanksgiving, and glory be to You God forever and ever. Amen.”

[1] Daniel 5:24-28
[2] Daniel 5:23
[3] Daniel 6:10
[4] Daniel 6:21-22
[5] Daniel 6:25-27

Dross

Question: “What is the meaning of dross in the Bible?”

Dross is waste materials that are separated when metals are purified by smelting. Smelting involves the heating and melting of ores. Intense heat causes the dross to separate from the ore and rise to the top where it forms a scum and can be extracted, leaving a pure metal base.

In the Bible, dross is often used as a metaphor for a spiritual contaminant in God’s people.

The Bible says God judges wicked people who corrupt the whole of society and removes them like dross is removed from molten metal:

“All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore, I love your statutes” [1]

“Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” [2]

Dross describes what is base or worthless.

God purges worthless dross from His people by a spiritual refining process of discipline.

“I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” [3]

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.” [4]

“Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.” [5]

“Who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” [6]

We all have spiritual dross in our lives—unhealthy and unwelcome practices and ideas that need to be removed. Believers undergo a refining process that proves the authenticity of our faith: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” [7]

When a metal refiner works with gold and silver, he repeats the smelting process over and over. Each time he raises the heat, he skims away more dross and increases the quality and purity of the refined metals. When God turns up the heat in our lives, and we experience a particularly fiery trial, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s refining fire is removing the dross in our lives for a good purpose. The Lord is refining us according to His holy will, and His goal is purity: “This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” [8]

“He [God] knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” [9]

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” [10]

“Because they do not regard the works of the Lord nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.” [11]

“How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!” [12]

“That when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.” [13]

[1] Psalm 119:119
[2] Proverbs 25:4-5
[3] Isaiah 1:25–26
[4] Isaiah 48:10
[5] Daniel 12:10
[6] Malachi 3:2–3
[7] 1 Peter 1:6–7
[8] Zechariah 13:9
[9] Job 23:10
[10] 1 Peter 5:10
[11] Psalm 28:5
[12] Psalm 73:19
[13] Psalm 92:7

Full of the Holy Spirit

“He [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!’” [1]

“Full of the Holy Spirit!”

The difference between Stephen and his opposition was the Holy Spirit. Just before they stoned him, he had called them out, saying, “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” [2]

May the Lord keep our hearts receptive towards the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” [3]

God, the Holy Spirit, does great exploits through those who receive Him.

“Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom.” [4] The Lord helped him to conquer ten kings and their armies in one day.

And what about Elisha?

The king of Syria was greatly troubled because someone was divulging his war plans to the king of Israel. One of his servants said to him…

“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.” [5]

The king of Syria sent a great army to capture Elisha. By the Spirit of the Lord Elisha declared to his frightened servant, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The Lord blinded that army and Elisha ended up “capturing” them and feeding them and sending them on their way. [6]

Jesus urged His disciples, saying, ““Receive the Holy Spirit.” [7]

Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus declared, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses.” [8]

Being “Full of the Holy Spirit,” Stephen saw Jesus in His glory. As they stoned him, “he kneeled and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” [9]

“Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us today.”

[1] Acts 7:55-56
[2] Acts 7:51
[3] Matthew 12:32
[4] Deuteronomy 34:9
[5] 2 Kings 6:12
[6] 2 Kings 6:16-23
[7] John 20:22
[8] Acts 1:8
[9] Acts 7:59-60

What Is The Church According to Acts 1:1-8?

Seeing Your Children’s Children

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.” [1]

What have we based our life on?
Our own abilities or the Lord’s?
What gives us a sense of security?
When is life under our control?
Or when we know the Lord is in control?

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
Yes, may you see your children’s children.” [2]

Your wife a fruitful vine – your children olive plants – see your children’s children

In October of 1985, I was serving the Lord in Hong Kong. I prayed the above verses daily while Sherry and our baby Grace were in the USA due to health reasons. The Lord brought my fruitful vine and my olive plant back to me, and praise God, 38 years later, I am seeing my children’s children. “Thank You Jesus!”

[1] Psalm 127:1-2
[2] Psalm 128:1-4, 6

With The Lord

“I have manifested Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world...” [1]

If you know God…
The Son of God has revealed Him to You.
You are blessed.

“I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” [2]

If you received the words of Christ…
And surely know that He is God’s Son…
And if you believe in Him…
You are blessed.

“Holy Father, keep through Your Name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” [3]

If Jesus is interceding for you…
Because you who are His…
You are blessed.

If Jesus is interceding for you…
To be one with other believers…
As He and the Father are one…
You are blessed.

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” [4]

“Thank You Lord Jesus…
For praying for us…
Keeping us from the evil one.
We are blessed.”

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” [5]

If you are in the Word…
Praying it, believing it, and walking in it…
Our Lord Jesus has prayed for you.
You are blessed.

“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.” [6]

“Thank You Lord Jesus…
For desiring us to be with You.
Thank You Lord Jesus…
For desiring us to see Your glory.

We do.

We do want to be with You.
We do want to see Your glory.”

[1] John 17:6
[2] John 17:8
[3] John 17:11
[4] John 17:15
[5] John 17:17
[6] John 17:24

Saved From The Pit

Imagine being thrown into a deep pit by your siblings! Their initial plan was to kill you. That’s what happened to a young man named Joseph. [1]

Imagine being thrown into a well by the princes of your people because you warned them of pending judgment from the Lord. This is what happened to a young man from among the priests of Anathoth. His name was Jeremiah. [2]

Before this happened, Jeremiah had prayed to the Lord, “Shall evil be repaid for good? For they have dug a pit for my life. Remember that I stood before You to speak good for them, to turn away Your wrath from them.” [3]

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about healing a man on the Sabbath Day, Jesus responded to them by questioning their values. He asked them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then, is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” [4]

In a sense, Jesus was cast into a pit, when evil people plotted against Him, tortured Him, executed Him, and placed His body into a burial cave.

Due to the deeds of evildoers, the future looked bleak momentarily for young Joseph and young Jeremiah. The future looked bleak for the man who came to worship God with an illness… His religious leaders deemed him of less value than an animal.

What about our Messiah? A heavy stone was rolled across the entrance of His cave-like tomb to block His escape route from the grave.

At times in my life, I have said to the Lord, “Unless You come through for me, I have absolutely no options for survival. I will not survive. I need You Lord! Please rescue me.” And He did.

God has rescued many people from inescapable pits.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ helps us to escape from the most horrible pit of all pits. The pit where there is eternal gnashing of teeth and weeping. Jesus declares to us, “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] He assures us who believe in Him that He will raise us up on our last day to be with Him in paradise. Praise the Lord! What a Savior!

By the way, we see the Son in the Scriptures. We believe in Him when we believe what has been written about Him in the Scripture by His selected eyewitnesses. We experience Him in our lives personally, when we ask Him to forgive our sins, and to be the Lord and Savior of our lives. And He assures us that He will raise us up on our last day to be with Him in paradise. Praise the Lord! What a Savior!

[1] Genesis 37:18-23
[2] Jeremiah 38:1-6
[3] Jeremiah 18:20
[4] Matthew 12:11-12
[5] John 6:40

Living By God’s Grace

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” [1]

Peace and holiness… lest anyone fall short of God’s grace. God gives grace to people so we can be His peacemakers and reflect His holiness to the world.

Esau enjoyed the same provisions of sonship as Jacob in his father Isaac’s home. But Esau spent his father’s favor on fornication and perverse activities. When the moment came for Esau to choose between his birthright and self-indulgence, he chose self-indulgence. His father gave the blessing of his firstborn to his brother Jacob. Esau became bitter afterwards and wanted to kill Jacob.

“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” [2]

We have good reason to shun ill-willed feelings towards God and others. Thanks to Christ, our Mediator, thanks to His shed blood on the cross for the remission of all our sins, we have a free pass to enter the city of the living God. We get to assemble with angels in heaven. God is going to perfect us.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” [3]

Let us have grace towards ourselves and one another because thanks to Christ we have inherited a kingdom that will neither decline, nor its citizens suffer want. Thanks to Christ, we shall not be destroyed when God destroys the devil and his followers.

[1] Hebrews 12:14-17
[2] Hebrews 12:22-24
[3] Hebrews 12:28-29

No Greater Love

“He [Jesus Christ] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [1]

The greatest human disaster to be saved from is an eternity away from God. Our Lord Jesus described the destiny of lost souls as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. A place where the worm does not die! A place where the flame is not quenched! [2]

Our Lord committed no sin. He died on the cross to make atonement for our sin, so that, our salvation would rest on His merit and not our own. He resurrected from the dead and was seen by many witnesses. He demonstrated that He is able to resurrect the dead to new life. [3]

He is able to save all who come to God through Him. He pardons our sin and guilt when we ask His forgiveness, and He brings us into the family of God. Then, He continuously prays for us not to be deceived out of our eternal inheritance. He continuously prays that we will remain in fellowship with others who follow Him, so that our faith in Him will grow stronger. [4]

“Thank You Lord Jesus for giving Your life to save us from our sin. No greater love has anyone than to lay down their life for another. Thank You for giving Your life for us to save us from hell, and to bring us to be with You when we die. May our lives bring You glory today, for it is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Hebrews 7:25
[2] Matthew 10:28; 13:50; 25:41; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:14-15
[3] 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Revelation 1:18
[4] Matthew 9:6; John 1:11-12; Galatians 4:4-5; Acts 2:42-47

Glory and Honor to Our Lord Jesus Christ

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…” [1]

God anointed prophets such as Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and many others to hear His voice and to communicate what He said. He spoke to these men in various ways including by visions and dreams. But in these last days… these are the last days… He spoke to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Our Lord Jesus quoted from the prophets thus verifying that they spoke for God. He did miracles including dying and resurrecting from the dead. Miracles that no man could do! Thus, showing Himself to be the Messiah and Savior of the world.

“He [God] has appointed [His SonJesus] heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” [2]

“Heir of all things.” Our Lord Jesus gets it all. God made the worlds through Him and gives Him dominion over them. “He upholds al things by the word of His power.” The world does not realize that their destiny is in the hands of the One that so many disdain to be identified with.

Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” [3] Jesus told Peter that His Church is built on the confession that He is Son of God. [4] Is the Name of Jesus proclaimed in your church? By you?

Jesus Christ is “better than the angels.” The angels in heaven worship Jesus our Lord. The devil, who is a fallen angel, and who promotes ill-will against Christ and His followers will be cast into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night. [5] The greatest disaster to be rescued by Christ from is hell.

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” [6]

Jesus Christ is not corrupt. He is not swayed by bribes or flattery. He loves righteousness. He enjoys the oil of gladness more than any other ruler because His rule improves the lives of those who acknowledge Him as Lord.

Glory and Honor to Our Lord Jesus Christ! “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” [7]

[1] Hebrews 1:1-2
[2] Hebrews 1:2-4
[3] Matthew 10:32-33
[4] Matthew 16:16-18
[5] Revelation 20:10
[6] Hebrews 1:8-9
[7] Psalm 113:7-9

Humility And Honor

“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” [1]

“Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your Name?” [2]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us humble hearts that are continuously aware of the immenseness Your glory, and aware of the smallness of our ability to do well without You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] Proverbs 23:4
[2] Revelation 15:3

Why Didn’t My Father Listen to God

They had a God-serving father. In fact, the Lord had used their father to bring about a revival of faith in their nation. Perhaps, they asked themselves why their father went to battle against Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt. Why did he have to die in battle that way? [1]

Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim king in place of his father Josiah and changed his name to Jehoiakim. [2] For eleven years, the prophet Jeremiah spoke God’s Word to King Jehoiakim directly and at other times only to his people. At one point, Jehoiakim burned Jeremiah’s writings in fire. He wanted to kill Jeremiah, but the Lord hid him. Sadly, Jehoiakim did not listen to the Lord. He ended up in a Babylonian prison. Why did this father not listen to the Lord?

After imprisoning Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his brother Zedekiah the king. [3] Jeremiah also brought God’s Word to Zedekiah for eleven years. Nine years into Zedekiah’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem. A year and half after that, he conquered the city. [4]

Nebuchadnezzar killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes along with all the nobility of Judah. Then, he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters for transfer to Babylon. The Babylonians burned down the king’s palace along with all the houses of the people. He also broke down the walls of Jerusalem.” [5] Why did this father not listen to the Lord?

How terrible to disregard God’s Word and to discover too late that you made a monumental mistake! One that impacted the lives of your family, your city, and your nation! The sons and the people of kings Josiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah paid dearly for these fathers not listening to the voice of the Lord through His prophets. I wonder how many people today are paying a dear price because someone they trusted to make good decisions ignored the voice of God’s Word.

It is one thing to lose an earthly temporary kingdom and quite another to lose a heavenly eternal one. “Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for earthly fathers that they will make the right decision to listen to Your voice and obey You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] 2 Kings 23:29
[2] 2 Kings 23:34
[3] 2 Chronicles 36:10
[4] Jeremiah 39:1-2
[5] Jeremiah 39:6-8

Captives Set Free

The Sound of Freedom movie exposes the works of the evil one. The Lord says to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” [1] It exposed enslavement of people for the pleasure of others as ugly, cruel, and inhumane.

The devil’s goal is to make everyone his slave. How does he do this? He tempts people to sin, and once they do it, he says, “now you belong to me.” He tells God that the humans made in God’s image now belong to him. Why? Because just as he rebelled against God’s rule, so has this man or woman made in God's image.

The devil’s goal is to get people addicted to sinning so that their enslavement to him becomes stronger and more secure, and harder to break. He sets up a stronghold over them that no human wisdom, or effort can break.

Any government or authority figure that coerces or seduces people to sin against God is working as an agent of Satan to enslave people to chains of sin! Slaves are not free! They cannot rebel against their master without being beaten, deprived, or killed.

Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’

They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’” [2]

The good news here is that our Lord Jesus, who just happens to be the most powerful king in the universe, wants people to be free from sin. He died on the cross to atone for our sins. He resurrected from the dead to show His power over sin, death, and the devil. He gives believers in Him the Holy Spirit to help us delight in God and in God’s will, so that the devil cannot enslave us to sin again.

The Lord is merciful to us. Without Him, none of us would be here today. Without Him, we can never rise above where we have always been. We may have certain freedoms given to us by the Lord, but unless we seek and trust Him, there will be so many freedoms that we will miss out on. Like seeing captives set free. Like healing brokenhearted people! [3] Jesus wants us to enjoy serving alongside of Him, but it is up to us to accept His invitation. Can we trust Him to use us in ways that He has never used us before? That’s what being a disciple of Jesus is about.

[1] Ephesians 5:11
[2] John 8:31-36
[3] Luke 4:18

Suffering for the Gospel’s Sake

“Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God.” [1]

“Do not be ashamed of our Lord.” The Lord Jesus is the One who came down from His glory and lived among us even as a defenseless baby. As a baby, He depended on His father, Joseph, to rescue Him from a king’s plot to kill Him. He suffered pain and rejection throughout His earthly life. Some people did not want to look at Him. He was despised, not esteemed, by people. He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for us. He took our punishment so that we could enjoy peace. The wounds that He received were so that we could experience healing. [2]

“Do not be ashamed of me the Lord’s prisoner.” Paul asks Timothy to abstain from shame in regards to his imprisonment. He calls him instead to join in suffering by the power of God. Our suffering for the Gospel’s sake glorifies Jesus Christ.

“God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” [3]

Before time on earth began, God knew the human race would betray Him, so it was no surprise to Him when it first happened, and no surprise to Him that it keeps happening. But then, there’s grace; God’s grace!

“[God’s purpose and grace] has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. [4]

We would not have known about God’s grace had not our Savior came to earth. Jesus was the most unselfish man that ever lived. He died as a lamb to the slaughter for our sin, and afterwards, resurrected, and after that, breathed the Holy Spirit on those who forsook Him during His suffering. What amazing grace!

“To this Gospel I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” [5]

Christ brought Paul into the ministry of grace by calling him to preach, model and teach the Gospel to the pagan people of the world. He suffered many setbacks and hurts, but he did not give up on the ministry of the Gospel because he knew that Jesus had laid up a crown of life for him. This is true for all who serve the Gospel.

[1] 2 Timothy 1:8
[2] Isaiah 53:2-5
[3] 2 Timothy 1:9
[4] 2 Timothy 1:10
[5] 2 Timothy 1:11-12

Unboxed By God

One day, all those who have trusted in Christ will be freed from oppression that is in this world. What a wonderful day that will be! Oppression is like being placed in a box and having a label pasted to you, and not being able to escape from the box no matter how hard you try to do so.

There was once a governor named Nehemiah. He was appointed to his position by the ruling king of the world, King Artaxerxes of Persia (modern day Iran).

Nehemiah’s goal was to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As if removing the rubble, and rebuilding the city was not enough of a challenge, he also had to overcome the oppressors of his people.

At one point, he had to confront those who had an abundance of money and set them straight. They were charging exorbitant interest fees on loans to the poor. As a result, some of the laborers had their lands confiscated by the rich and even felt obligated to sell their daughters to them just so they could eat. [1]

Nehemiah said to the rich, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?” He told them to restore the crops, houses and property immediately to the laborers. Thankfully, they complied, and did so. [2]

Nehemiah led by example. He had more than 150 people eat at his table each day. He did not demand his rightful pay, because he saw that the laborers were greatly oppressed. He took his case to the Lord, praying, “Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” [3]

Outside his district were enemies who sought to sabotage Nehemiah’s progress. They asked him to meet with them, but he refused to do so because he knew that they meant to do him harm. Four times, they asked for a meeting with him, and four times Nehemiah replied to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” [4]

Next, the oppressors falsely accused him and his people of being rebels. They accused him of planning to make himself a king over the people. They said that he was paying prophets to proclaim him a king. They threatened to report him to King Artaxerxes if he did not meet with them. He replied to them, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” They were trying to make Nehemiah and his coworkers afraid. Nehemiah prayed, “O God, strengthen my hands.” [5]

The oppressors sent to him a messenger who warned him that a man was going to assassinate him. Again, calling for a meeting with him. Nehemiah discerned that those who wanted to keep his people under their thumbs were using fear tactics to do so. They made up stories. Governors, who serve themselves, use fear to exploit people, while governors who serve others, protect, and encourage them. Nehemiah refused to back down to the death threats against him. [6]

Nehemiah completed the rebuild. Both his enemies and the surrounding nations were disheartened because they perceived that this work was done by God. [7]

How did Nehemiah overcome oppression? How was it he remained free from the box and label that his enemies wanted to stick on him?

He trusted in God for help.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [8]

He laid his case out before God and ask God to intervene on his behalf. This is what King David did, when he prayed, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.” [9]

God gave Nehemiah wisdom. The source from which destructive strife flows is pride. Nehemiah’s enemies were proud men who did not like his servant-style leadership.

Proud people are like the religious leaders who hated Jesus in the Gospels. They hated Jesus because He was seeking God's glory and doing what was best for everyone involved. “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom. Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” [10]

How does God unbox us and remove the false labels from us? He has to remove the narratives in our heads that are not from God. Stop listening to the devil and believing his lies. Listen to God!

“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?

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” [11]

God gave up His best for us. His Son! What more do we need for Him to do to show us that He is on our side and wants us to enjoy a meaningful and fruitful life? Let’s say no to boxes and labels, and live, and be who God made us to be. As the Apostle Peter said, “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble.” [12]

[1] Nehemiah 5:1-8
[2] Nehemiah 5:9-12
[3] Nehemiah 5:17-19
[4] Nehemiah 6:1-4
[5] Nehemiah 6:5-9
[6] Nehemiah 6:10-14
[7] Nehemiah 6:16
[8] Psalm 121:1-2
[9] Psalm 123:3-4
[10] Proverbs 13:10-11
[11] Romans 8:32-35
[12] 2 Peter 1:10