Excuses for Fear and Inaction

Scripture:
The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—
a lion in the public square!”
Proverbs 26:13

Observation: While the wise work hard, the fools are also described as slackers by the proverbs. In identifying the actions of a slacker, one is this - fear of a lion in the road and public square. It may seem perfectly normal to declare fear of a lion and wish to not go anywhere near it. However, while lions existed within Israel, they resided in the wilderness. Lions did not come into population centers. If one did, it would be immediately delt with, killed or driven off by a large group of men. There most certainly would never be a circumstance where a lion was simply sitting in the midst of the town, preventing anyone from going about their daily routine.

This lesson in proverbs is simple yet applicable ... slackers make excuses for not working or taking action. Those excuses can take the form of a real threat - a lion - but then invent circumstances that are not real (said lion being in the public square) as the reason for their fear and/or inaction. This is the way of the slacker, the way of the fool.

Application: I have been frustrated and borderline angry with many people over the past months about their continued levels of fear. I still know people who declare they cannot do things that are common in basic daily life - going to the store, or visiting with friends - because they remain afraid. I have a friend who works in a business that requires social interaction and collaboration, who has not flown on a plane, entered a business building, or attended any kind of social event or dinner, for 30 months. Every day, I see people wearing masks in situations that NEVER required masks ... as an individual in their own car, walking alone down a street, etc.

They are afraid for invented reasons that do not even exist. They are fools and slackers. They are failing to engage in life, and losing out on experiences, joys, and even basic financial income. Their lives are disintegrating because they continue to say there is a lion in the public square.

And of course this is only one example of the metaphorical lion. How many other fearful falsehoods are declared every day by such fools? Such people declare ... the future acts of politicians, the unknowns about the economy, the personal opinions of their bosses and coworkers ... all as reasons for their fears about life.

My heart weeps for them, sincerely, for this all originates from a lack of knowledge of Yahweh, Lord God the creator of heaven and earth, our Abba and father, who provides and protects, judges and heals, loves and cares. By declaring false fears - and making those fears their reality - they deny themselves the privilege of successful work, the blessings of God, and the fulfillment of their earthly purpose.

The Lord sacrificed his son for my sins, certainly he will guide my life. If I get sick, or become unemployed, or even die, that is not without the plan and provision of the Lord. And it certainly doesn't involve any self-invented hazard that only prevents me from enjoying the blessings of life here and now.

Prayer: Lord, I know there is no lion in the public square, and no hazard you have not already dealt with. I live in faith, and not fear. May those in fear come to know you and find peace. Amen.

I Used to Be All these Things

Scripture: For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. Titus 3:3

Observation: As Paul continues to teach Titus about how to instruct the people of Crete, he takes a moment to explain that all these changes are very, very possible. He uses himself as the example. Yes, improvement came not by doing better things, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit poured out on him through faith. However, look at what Paul - and all other believers - used to be, by his own words.

Internally in his thoughts, Paul was foolish, disobedient, deceived, and hateful. These manifested in external behaviors ... enslaved to passions and bodily pleasure, acting daily with malice and envy, and actually detesting others.

In short, Paul was ...

Application: ... me.

I used to be all these things. On bad, weak days, I still am some of them though to a lesser degree. I can be a disobedient fool. I can pursue the wrong passions and desire pleasure. Every once in a while, I am envious of what others have. And I can certainly detest some people, even those within the body of believers.

We know how Paul behaved before he believed. He boasted of his great knowledge and intellect, and believing that faith in Jesus contradicted and threatened his life's work he literally hunted believers for the purpose of seeing their literal death. Maybe I never tried to participate in someone's death, but certainly I was no better. So it is amazing to read the truth today ... that the Lord himself has granted me this new life, "according to his mercy".

This is not because I am now 'good', for as I just said, I can still be a foolish sinner daily, and I am very clearly not like Paul in the level of active commitment I show to Jesus. However, like Paul, I am a changed man. I am certainly not deceived anymore. I am not enslaved anymore. Though I can be critical, I am not hateful of others.

I desire to continue to get better and better in the eyes of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. I do not desire this for personal benefit, but rather to simply help to see the kingdom of God on earth to the degree we can have it here. If I am a Cretan - and if I am as Paul was - may I take heed of the instructions given to Titus.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your grace and mercy, for I know that you chose to save my life in so many ways. You have given me a life of fulness and joy. Again today I ask for more of your spirit, and for your hand as I strive to walk on your path. May I love others today in your name, and with a soft heart. Amen.

Do and Don't Answer a Fool

Scripture:
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5

Observation: In the midst of wise sayings that address the nature of 'fools' is this dual statement. The first says do not "answer a fool according to his foolishness", and the second says to do exactly that. Of course, this is just a limitation of English translations of words. The first "according" means to do so in an engaging manner, as in to engage in a debate and thus to answer "according" to the same logic. The second "according" means to respond and not ignore foolish statements, as in to correct that thus answer "according" to the accuracy of the logic.

With this understanding, this proverb is clear. A wise person does not engage in a logical and detailed debate with a fool, but rather succinctly calls out the error of their logic and moves on.

Application: The fools are all around, declaring foolishness. The most natural thing to do is debate them. The easiest thing to do is ignore them. The Lord would have us do neither.

Prayer: Lord, I hear and understand your instructions, so now tell me this. How do we declare that the overwhelming majority of people are wrong? How do we tell 71 percent of the population that they are ignorant of the most basic truth of the universe? How do we tell 97 percent of the population that their allocation of time is flawed? And by 'how do we' do these things, I mean how do we do them in a manner that brings glory and honor and praise to you, and advances your kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ on earth?

We are well past the point where the 'fool' is a person shouting vitriol and heresy on the street corner. The fool is now everyone everywhere. The fool is running every government. The fool is leading industry. The fool is posting videos that are viewed by millions of people in a matter of hours. The fool is codified within the law of the land.

Everything else you say about the fool is true. All these things are like archers shooting indiscriminately, like a drunk randomly swinging a thorned club. And collectively the fools are wise in their own eyes, for they justify they are wise because all the other fools agree and reinforce and praise their foolish declarations.

Lord, my Lord and my God, my wisdom and strength and father and savior, how do we not answer the fools according to their foolishness, but instead answer the fools according to their foolishness, in this time and place?

Like Habakkuk, I will stand my guard post, wait on the lookout tower, and wait for what you will say to me. Amen.

Always the Way of The Way

Scripture: The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town. Titus 1:5

Observation: Immediately after his greeting, Paul reminds Titus that he is in Crete to do two things. One is to appoint 'elders' who will lead congregations of believers in every town, and Paul goes on to describe the characteristics of a good elder. However, the first task for Titus was to "set right what was left undone." This task is not immediately clarified, and it seems clear that these two tasks are separate and distinct (the appointment of elders was not the task left undone).

This body of work for Titus has two characteristics. First, it was undone by Paul. Second, it needed to be 'set right'. This itself seems telling, as together these indicate something Paul was doing but was going a little sideways when Paul had to leave. Paul is not really known for 'doing' outside of evangelism. In Acts, his works are described as preaching the good news, receiving many into the faith, then teaching and guiding them in the ways of faith for a period of time while they themselves grow into a community.

With that definition of Paul's work, and the subsequent discussion about elders and the general challenges with people of Crete, it would seem Titus' work is to ... teach faithful behavior. Words he uses to describe the people - even those who already believe - are rebellious, lairs, lazy, evil, gluttonous, defiled, detestable, disobedient, and unfit. Those are harsh words! He further states these people believe old Jewish myths, and use such beliefs for financial gain.

Because they are defiled, they believe everything is defiled - said another way, because they are scheming and lying, they believe everyone is lying and everything is a scheme - and therefore building a community of faith and love and support isn't happening. It is ... undone. This leaves Titus with a daunting task. He is not the evangelist who needs to tell others about Jesus, but the one who must now overhaul cultural characteristics to allow a community of faith to exist and thus for the kingdom of God to flourish.

Application: I know the church I go to now is strong in evangelism. I know there is another nearby church that is great at sound Sunday teaching. Two weeks ago, I attended a church where the pastor expounded on their mission as warriors explicitly commissioned to address local cultural sins and to change the underlying behaviors of an entire region.

This is the universal Church, communities with common love and faith, but varying missions and directions from the Holy Spirit. It is one of the great mysteries of God, that he could bring his kingdom to earth through one singular message of love and faith, then have that manifest in seemingly infinite paths.

I see today this was always the way of 'the way'. Many of the churches Paul started became outposts of evangelism, but had different core missions. Some had a charge to restore the abused broken. Some were so strong they produced leaders that left them to lead other churches. Some used a foundational understanding of the God of Abraham to teach about the Messiah. Some taught of freedom from earthly sins found in belief in the one Creator. In Crete, the task is to correct a culture of deception and distrust.

All of these have one ends, which is to tell others of Jesus Christ, of the free gift of forgiveness and salvation, and to prepare them to receive that gift through faith.

Prayer: Lord, your ways are in fact a mystery, even when understood. There are many things about you that are binary for sure, but how everyone learns about and receives your love is always unique and individualized, because you truly are a loving father who knows us all. May your love, and your kingdom, be found today here on earth. Amen.

Turning Aside to Myths

Scripture: For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Observation: Again Paul tells Timothy of the way people will respond to the gospel message. When it comes to the truth about Jesus, salvation, and the love of God, they will reject it and instead embrace "myths" and lies. When it comes to sound doctrine for how to live life, they will adamantly reject it ("not tolerate"), and instead will embrace other teachers who pronounce what they want to hear ... what aligns to their predisposed desires.

Application: I am full of emotion when it comes to Paul's predictions for how society behaves. I am encouraged by his prophetic accuracy, yet depressed by the reality of such attitudes by the masses. I am curious about how to continue the call of Jesus (as Paul explicitly instructs us to do in the very next verse, v5), yet frustrated by the knowledge of how others will react to the good news. I am uplifted by the knowledge of the truth, yet oppressed by the fact that lies will prevail in the hearts of many.

And I do not know how to escape this cycle, because I live in a time and place that too well aligns to these words.

Prayer: Lord, may your peace, your shalom, be upon me and my family this day, and every day. I seek your face. I care about others, and I thank you for the softening of my heart, but may your wisdom also show me how I can serve without sadness, speak without fear, and love without judgment. Amen.

Both Claiming and Denying God

Scripture: Holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people. 2 Timothy 3:5

Observation: Paul describes the people in the last days with a significant list of sinful, prideful traits. He then summarizes how such traits manifest with this ... these people effectively claim themselves to have the form - control, authority, wisdom - of God, and that this 'form' has come to them as a result of their manifest authority in the world, while simultaneously denying that God himself, who created them and gave them authority in the world, has any control, authority, or wisdom.

As Paul says, the ultimate sign of the fallen world will be that mankind will hold in their hands documented information about how the Lord has given them life, understanding, and the personal authority to do with it what they please, and they will both agree that they have life and understanding and authority, but deny that such things were given to them.

Application: While Paul's words were likely always true for a subset of mankind throughout history - before and after Christ - they certainly echo loudest today. As my wife and I learn about more of our friends whose children have declared themselves to be of opposite genders, we see even how a person can simultaneously think that their "form" is special and unique and wonderfully made, but also it is to be redefined and resisted and even denied in total for the pursuit of worldly lies.  It's downright devastating to see.

I am a person of total faith who struggles daily with pride and arrogance, which produces sins of both thought and actions in my life. If those who know Jesus struggle so much - and we all do - how could there be hope for those so far removed from a path that includes even the concept of God, let alone the truth about his good plans and purposes and intents in their lives?

Yes, I am struggling with my hope ... not my hope in Jesus, and my personal salvation, and the love of Yahweh my heavenly father ... but my hope in how society sustains and progresses in the future. In fact, my hope in this is less and less tied to a hope that our culture will return to the Lord, and more and more in the Paul's opening statement to this entire concept: Hard times will come in the last days. I am beginning to hope for the last days.

Is it wrong to implicitly give up millions - billions - of living people? I know the answer; yes, it is wrong. Perhaps we can use Paul's logic, showing that claiming a form of personal godliness must point to the power of God himself, and perhaps that awareness can begin some on a new path.

Prayer: Lord, this morning I pray for three young men I won't name here, but their names are in my mind, and you know them. They have denied your power, while claiming power over the form you provided. They have fallen for the lies of satan, and are wandering so far from you. If I could talk to them, I honestly wouldn't even have the first idea what to say. But you do. Please send people to talk to them. Please send people to talk to their parents and councilors and others who would speak into their lives. May this also be true for the tens and hundreds of millions like them in the world today, who have fallen for the same terrible lie. And may your Church find the hope we need to continue your mission on earth, until the day of your coming. Amen.

Considering the Coming Rebellion

Scripture: Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Observation: All prophesy about the "second coming" of Christ is confusing, as it should be since Jesus himself said no one can know the timing. References to the "antichrist" or "man of lawlessness" are just as confusing. In this discussion, Paul is clear in connecting not just the rise of the antichrist to the day of the second coming, but also a third event ... the apostasy. This refers to a rebellion, and from that rebellion the man of lawlessness emerges.

This is interesting because, in the time of this writing, the concept of a "rebellion" against Yahweh would make no logical sense. This was written during the height of the Roman empire. To the world, Ceasar was in charge, and the roman gods were central, while hundreds of other local gods and religions were allowed. It would not have been possible for anyone to lead a worldwide rebellion against the Lord, because Jesus was not yet acknowledged as the savior of the world.

That would change over the next century, and then remain in place for a long time. Throughout that time in history, while pockets of civilization reject Jesus, there would have been no concept of leading a worldwide rebellion against Jesus until ... now.

Application: I do believe that, while we might not live in the "end times", we are the first generation that lives in the conditions that COULD be the end times. Advances in communications and travel have finally met the descriptions of prophesy. So what could an apostasy or rebellion that precedes the man of lawlessness look like? It seems it would require ... widespread rejection of the existence of God, and all moral law given to us by God.

Well ... we seem almost there. Perhaps I am tainted by where I live, where Christians aren't just a minority, but atheists/agnostics are actually the majority and we continue to pass public laws that explicitly renounce God's good guidance for living. This isn't true everywhere yet, but there are entire organizations - even industries - actively attempting to spread this as if it is a virtuous cause.

I do not know what any "apostasy" will look like. However, I expect it could come any day now. My hope is divided between wishing it would happen immediately, or desiring to continue to serve the Lord and see the world reconciled to him.

Prayer: Lord, if it is thy will, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Seeking the Spirit's Teaching

Scripture:
Help me understand
the meaning of your precepts
so that I can meditate on your wonders.
Psalm 119:27

Observation: The psalmist desires a deeper understanding of the Lord's precepts and laws. Five times he asks for teaching, instruction, and understanding of God's word. In verse 27 we see one of his goals for such learning ... so he may meditate on the Lord's wonders.

This implies that there is a deeper meaning to the laws and precepts and commands of the word beyond their simple definitions. While all of these teachings have instructions and procedures, obedience to those procedures would not produce meditative contemplation on the wonders of the Lord. Instead, that wonder is found through a deeper revelation of the Lord himself, found within the instructions. This revelation includes ... unconditional love for everyone, a desire to both provide basic essentials and immense blessings, a purpose founded in relationship with the creator of the universe, both mercy and justice for the persecuted and persecutors, and personal joy available to everyone every day.

Application: It is this level of understanding of God's laws that confounds non-believers and new believers alike. I have seen the endless debates about commandments ... which ones don't apply anymore, which apply to Jews but not Christians, etc. Jesus himself called out the issues with such debates. Later prophets pointed out the futility of procedural compliance and how it missed the point of the entire law (seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with the Lord).

This is how I want to consider all the laws and precepts ... that they reveal God's love, and his overall desire for relationship with me, which is achieved through my behavior that both honors and trusts in him as my Lord, savior, master, and God. It is in that context and mindset that meditating on all his wonders can truly guide me to discovery, to joy, to inner peace, and to true worship.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your instructions, for they do not exist as a burden but as a guidepost to know you better. There can be no greater honor than the creator of the universe desiring that I get to know him. In that spirit, and by your Spirit, may I walk humbly with you every day, my Lord and my God. Amen.

I’m not yet Where I’m Going

... But I'm a LONG way from where I was!

And I'm NOT going back!!

Minding My Own Work

Scripture: To seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Observations: Paul's reminders about proper Christian living include the normal words about loving one another and doing good works, but it also includes the reminder to ... do good work. Christians are to 'lead a quiet life'. In this, we take care of our own work, doing it personally and with diligence. This is described as proper behavior, as it will appear as good to non-Christians. In addition, it removes dependence on the 'world' by producing the daily sustenance we receive from the Lord.

Application: This is an important note. While the Lord seeks to prosper us, he does so through the successful outcome of our work. This is, in my opinion, one of the "mysteries" of God. He desires the world to seek him, and so his blessings are not impossible miracles. I don't have a house and a car and food because everything just appears out of thin air. I have what I need every day because the Lord provides it, and he provides it through what appears to be earthly work. In this way, my behavior is proper to others, yet I am not dependent on anyone other than the Lord.

In this, the work commanded of me is ... my work. It is work I do myself, with my hands. And I am to do it quietly, without complaining or lamenting any burden associated with it.

I hope to be this way and remain this way when it comes to my work. I hope to simply have my work to do, with my hands. I desire to maintain a mindset of gratitude toward the work, and also to not complain when it is complex or time-consuming.

The Lord has blessed me so greatly. I cannot even begin to describe the wonder of his love toward me and my family. I do seek to lead a quiet life of good work, and to grow where the Lord has planted me.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the blessings of my life, and your amazing love in my life. May I honor you with simple work today. May others see me and be reminded in some way of you, perhaps by my work, perhaps by my peace, perhaps by my joy, perhaps by my love. May I do your work in all its forms. Amen.

Surrender is Life

Scripture: But tell this people, "This is what the Lord says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war." Jeremiah 21:8-9

Observation: Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonians, and at the king's request Jeremiah prophesies the truth ... the Jews are about to be destroyed by God's own hand, due to their longstanding transgressions. The Lord does give them the hope of a remnant who will survive and eventually be called back to the land, however he gives them this instruction to be part of the remnant: Surrender.

Anyone who places hope in the earthly strength of their walled city will die in some manner of terror and hardship. Anyone who obeys the Lord and surrenders will actually survive, and even be cared for by the Babylonians in some way to sustain their life.

SO MANY will choose to stay, resist, and then later flee, with disastrous outcomes.

Application: The Lord has always given us this choice ... will we as a people - and I myself - choose to follow our own understanding of the world and our own plans for life, or will we surrender to the Lord's instruction and trust that direction? From Adam to Jehoiachin, the Old Testament repeats that pattern. From Mary to Satan, the New Testament repeats that pattern. Over and over, it is obvious who has the best outcomes.

And my life has this pattern. When I follow my path, I struggle. So, have I learned to surrender? Have I truly decided that I will surrender decisions about my life's direction and obey the Lord, even when the path he appears to offer is unknown and indeterminable about the outcome? Sometimes I choose correctly, and sometimes ... I don't.

Jeremiah is famous for the words affirming that the Lord's plans for me are wonderful and good. May I - and all of us - also recognize that the Lord told us how lean into the Lord's plan, which is to surrender to him.

Prayer: Lord, I do desire to surrender to your will and plan for my life, both long-term and on a daily basis. May I know what to do step by step, and better learn how to surrender. Amen.

Impressed by Love and Prayer

Scripture: You learned this from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has told us about your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:7-8

Observation: Paul is writing to a church he has never been to, and which he did not plant nor teach at, Colossae. He is writing this while imprisoned in Rome, and the purpose for why he would do so isn't clear, though he will also write a personal letter directly to one of the church leaders (Philemon). Based on both the words and some deeper literary analysis, it seems at least part of the reason he is writing is because Colossae's 'pastor' has also come to Rome, that being Epaphras.

Upon analysis, little is truly known of Epaphras outside of a few sentences by Paul. Scholars believe he is actually from Colossae and thus not a traveling apostle. There is a church tradition that he once learned from Paul and may have been converted in Ephesus, but there is no supporting evidence and that is mere conjecture. He is called a "fellow prisoner" in Philemon, but whether he was brought to Rome as a prisoner or arrested there for being Christian is unknown. About the only thing that can be truly said about Epaphras is ... Paul is impressed by him, and that impression is based on his report about the love found in the church in Colossae, and Epaphras' prayer life.

Application: If I had to say the things that are impressive about a church, the love of the people within the church, and the overall prayer activity within the church, likely wouldn't be high on my list. Then again, I have often found that what impresses me about churches is wrong, if not completely backwards. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise me to learn that the community found within a church, and the hidden actions of prayer to the Lord, are foundational.

I know I need to love people better. I know I need to pray more. These elements of Christian life are so important that Epaphras became esteemed and "dearly loved" by Paul, not for his theology or knowledge, but simply by his reports of such activities in Colossae.

Prayer: Lord, I would desire to be a man Paul might consider a fellow servant and faithful minister, not because of my service and ministry, but because of my love and prayer. May I continue to grow in love, especially toward my brothers and sisters in faith, with a soft and gentle heart. May I turn to you in prayer for all things, at all times, with no care that goes hidden and no joy that goes unpraised. Amen.

Actions Must Align to Faith

Scripture: This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your actions, and I will allow you to live in this place. Do not trust deceitful words, chanting, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord." Jeremiah 7:3-4

Observation: The Lord warns the people of Judah and Jerusalem that, if they persist in their evil, they will be destroyed. He will enumerate the evil acts they are currently perpetrating, but they effectively boil down to two categories ... worship and sacrifice to other gods, and violating the moral law.

In the midst of this warning, the Lord makes this strong accusation ... that their words are deceitful when they declare that the temple of Jerusalem is the temple of the Lord. Interestingly, we know this is the temple of the Lord. It is the place where he has placed his 'name'. He ordered David and Solomon to build it, they did, and he occupied it. Yet now he declares that their words, chanting that the temple is the Lord's, is deceitful. This is because the people themselves have made those words a lie.

They have turned the temple into something else. They commit sins and violate God's instructions, then come to the temple for sacrifices and thus declare themselves forgiven and blameless. The Lord even says that, in so doing, they have turned the temple into a "den of robbers". It has lost its purpose - which was as a place to draw close the Lord in covenant relationship - and instead has become a 'get out of jail free' card where ritual compliance then allows everyone to do whatever else they desire and feel exonerated. They believe that going to the temple occasionally offsets their daily disobedience.

The temple in Jerusalem was the temple of the Lord. Yet when those whose actions oppose the Lord declare it as such, the Lord himself calls that deceit. Actions must align to faith for words to be true.

Application: Of course, my actions fall short of perfection. They often fall short of good and faithful. In this, I am a hypocrite just like the people of Jerusalem, and the Lord would be justified to destroy me. Our nation is on a similar path, to the point where many relish their lives full of the rejection of the Lord, and yet they might choose to pray - for reasons even they don't understand - during great emergencies.

I have no doubt that the Lord will destroy our nation in some form and fashion, though I do not know the timing. I also know I am forgiven through the new covenant of Jesus Christ, and thus has a different way of obtaining a relationship with the Lord that is not based on temple ritual. That said, even Jesus warned of similar pitfalls, telling us that there may come a time when many cry out "Lord, Lord" to him, and he will say he does not know us because we did not do his work on earth.

My behavior cannot be perfect. But I can strive to do his work, and obey his word. I do chant "Jesus Christ is my Lord and savior" ... may my actions - and my heart and faith - align to these words, so the Lord will find them true.

Prayer: Lord, I desire your forgiveness and mercy, for I know my sins and my faults. Help me to serve you and love others in your name, every day. Amen.