God can Redeem my Failures

Scripture:
The words of King Lemuel,
a pronouncement that his mother taught him:
...
Don’t spend your energy on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.
Proverbs 31:1,3

Observation: There is no king of Israel named Lemuel, however the census is that this is not a name, but rather a title Solomon is invoking upon himself. Lemuel means 'given (or consecrated) to God'. In this way, Solomon is declaring his commitment to Yahweh. In this proverb, he states these are words taught to him by his mother, and begins the wise council this way ... that men - especially kings - should not spend energy chasing after women or other activities sure to destroy them.

This clearly caries exceptional weight in the context of Solomon's mother. Bathsheba was a woman who David immorally pursued, first taking her despite the fact she was married, then arranging for the death of her husband. For this sin, David was greatly punished in a manner that almost destroyed his kingship ... in addition to the child conceived by David's sin dying, Absolom's rebellion was also part of the punishment.

And here, as Solomon recounts the lessons learned from his mother - the woman at the center of this, the most terrible act of David's recounted in the bible - the very first warning is not to do what David did with her. To take this a step further, Solomon would not be king, and would not even exist, if David had not immorally and aggressively pursued Bathsheba. Yet from this sin, and while everyone involved understands that pursuing such sin is terrible and should not be done, Solomon is now the wisest king in history who reigns over a time of unprecedented peace in the land.

Application: This connection reminds me that the Lord can manage his purposes and his plan in the midst of even my great failures. As I continue to be a man of sin, with a problematic collection of opinions, actions, and emotions, the Lord can still put me to use in communicating his good news of Jesus, and in providing his love to others.

I do regularly hear in my mind that I am worthless for the acts and thoughts I have. I know this is the deceiver trying to discourage me. That said, I do fall short of God's intentions and directions for my life and my daily walk. However, I strongly believe that the Lord can redeem my failures to still produce his outcomes. If he could do that with David and Solomon - use terrible actions to produce the wisest and most peaceful era in Israel, while the very people involved in those sins declare their knowledge of how wrong they were - then he can do some little good deeds for others through me.

Prayer: Lord, you know I am down right now. I cannot find my way in my earthly life, and I am struggling with every aspect of my thought life. Hour by hour I find circumstances that bring me lower. I fail at everything. Please redeem my failures, as only you can, for your glory and your honor and your purposes and your splendor and your wonder and your kingdom. Amen.

Time to Test the Hearts

Scripture: The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies. It was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. Revelation 13:5

Observation: As the vision of the dragon, the great beast, and the lesser beast continue, the designation of time is curious. John is given three different measures of time during the vision. Here, he is given 42 months (3.5 years). Before, he saw a time lasting 1,260 days (1,260/30 days = 42 months ... 3.5 years). He has also been told events will last for 'time, times, and half a time' (potentially translated to 1+2+.5 = 3.5 years).

This amount of time - 3.5 years - seems significant. It was said Jesus' ministry, from the time of his baptism to his crucifixion, was 3.5 years, and this may relate. It seems there were other periods of 3.5 years in the bible ... the time without rain commanded by Elijah comes to mind. And of course 3.5 is half of 7, and we have several examples of 7 year periods in the bible, such as the famines in both Egypt and Babylon, the predictions of which elevated Joseph and Daniel respectively.

Perhaps all these times indicate a duration required to test the hearts of people and determine their true faith. Whether it be related to economic blight, evil oppression, or the manifestation of the Lord himself, there is a pattern for how long it takes to sway the collective opinions of mankind.

Application: This timeframe of 3.5 years is a mystery for certain. I cannot understand it. However, if it does relate to the time it takes for mankind for adopt a collective mindset - and the resulting 'test' of believers to buy into such a mindset - then it is informative to understand how that may apply to the world today.

It may mean (for example) that the societal pressures caused by the pandemic will continue until approximately September 2023, and only at that time will the "pandemic" actually end and the resulting changes in human behavior - widespread fear to human interaction, loss of interpersonal skills, constant fear of illness and death, resulting economic recession and widespread financial strife - will be permanently adopted ... with believers in Jesus needing to overcome such fears and strive to reset the hearts of others.

I am critical of the faithful who have overreacted to these influences. That said, there is a level of resistance that is required, as these elements of fear are negatively impacting the love of God upon all mankind. I wish all this were over, but it probably won't be. I wonder how much longer this all drags on ... maybe still another 'time'?

While I acknowledge that I have suffered some during this time, I am not afraid. I desire to love others. I am glad I can warmly greet people at a light show, and I know better days are ahead.

Prayer: Lord, your mysteries are so deep and so great. May we as your created being seek your truth, and not fall into the worldly traps of fear of hate created by these times of tribulation. And may your people who believe in your great name and in your love stay faithful and true. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Origin of Unbelieving Prayers

Scripture:
All you have made will thank you, Lord;
the faithful will bless you.
Psalm 145:10

Observation: As the psalmist continues to praise the Lord, he delineates between two types of people. One is people of faith, who believe in Yahweh. They will give glory to God, blessing his name with their praise, and teaching everyone else about his wonder and glory. However, the second is everyone else. This group is included in terms like "all" and "everyone". They are still blessed and loved by God. Even more interesting is this fact ... though they do not have faith, they will thank the Lord.

Application: I have very, very often seen something I cannot understand ... people who actively declare they do not have any faith and perhaps do not believe in God - and certainly don't believe in Jesus - praying. They prayers may not be structured, but they are intentional and clearly directed to God. They may be for help or thanks. They are often a spontaneous word triggered by an event. And I have often wondered how in the world such statements can be made. If a person has absolutely no belief that God exists, what could possibly occur in their mind that would produce any kind of response directed to God?

This action is predicted by this psalm. ALL will thank the Lord. Everyone knows somewhere in their hearts that God exists, and that knowledge will come out. Yes, they have lies told to them, and their response to believing those lies is that the repress the knowledge and feelings that there is a creator who loves them ... but they know it.

Again I am reminded that one evidence of the Lord lies in the fact that all humans have an internal, embedded knowledge that something like the Lord must exist. This is not a learned aspect of human existence, but quite the opposite ... it is known despite earthly learning and worldly influences to the contrary.

Prayer: Lord, at this moment, so many people who actively declare they do not believe in you are crying out to you. Some are doing it by name, and others are doing it even with so little understanding that they do not know any name for you. Please hear them and give them your love, even when they return ambivalence to you. May we have the ability and opportunity to teach them of your love. Amen.

Keep Everyone Down

Scripture: From Rehum the chief deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues—the judges and magistrates from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa (that is, the people of Elam), and the rest of the peoples whom the great and illustrious Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and the region west of the Euphrates River. Ezra 4:9-10

Observation: As the Jews who have returned to Jerusalem rebuild the city, the local population seeks to oppress them and does this by writing to the king for permission to stop the work. This is how those locals introduce themselves ... as those who themselves have ben exiled from other parts of the kingdom, and forced to resettle the region of Samaria.

These people were resettled for reasons undetermined, but which can be guessed based on historical context. They were either originally part of other conquered nations who were themselves forcibly sent to this land, or they were marginalized people within Babylon who were offered the chance to go try to make a go of life in a region that had been captured and destroyed. Either way, they were likely not part of any preferred people within the kingdom.

One would think they would empathize with the Jews who had been oppressed and exiled. Instead, they are jealous of their return to the land. They harass and harangue the Jews working on the city, creating impediments and outright obstacles to the return to normalcy.

This is one of the worst aspects of human nature ... even when we should be able to sympathize with others and find common ground within our hardships of life, people tend to instead try to keep others down through pettiness. If one group cannot succeed, neither can any other. If a people group has struggles, all other groups must struggle. Forget the idea that maybe the definition of 'groups' is artificial and flawed in the first place. It isn't that we will allow some people to have an easy/good life, instead everyone must have life equally hard/bad.

Application: This idea would summarize the news every day ... a type of people who perceive they have a bad life, and that some other type of people have a better life, and therefore someone is to blame - probably that better-life people group - and the government better take action to suppress that better-life group.

The amazing thing is that it is very, very unlikely the groups even really exist, and that one group has a better life. The Jews absolutely did not have a 'better life' than other nationalities within the Persian empire, nor within any subsequent oppressive empire that came along. To be jealous of the Jewish people is borderline insane. Yet that attitude exists even to this day, and similar attitudes exist within our own society, be it across ethnic, economic, gender, regional, religious, or political groupings.

Yes, it is one thing to love others to the point that you wish to raise everyone up. However, we would be so well served as a nation - as humans - if we just stopped trying to keep everyone down.

Prayer: Lord, I am called to be different. I am called to love others. May I begin by simply not classifying people in groups, comparing circumstances, and seeking any kind of level ground. That is not your way; may it not be mine. Amen.

A Song for my True Daddy

Time for a unique song today ... searched and found this. A very different sound for me, but a wonderful message.

Abba like no other!

Benefits of Pondering Mysteries

Scripture: Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads. Revelation 4:4

Observation: There are several images of the Lord and of heaven in scriptures, and there are also a few of the residents of heaven. The most common may be the four living creatures (here in verses 6-8). The people on the 24 thrones are very interesting. They are "elders", presuming this to be a title of respect though it may indicate evidence that they appear mature in nature. Given the descriptions used of others and the lack of such descriptions here, they appear to be human. They are dressed in white and wear golden crowns. It is not totally clear how they are arranged; "around" the throne of God may mean a true circle, or it may mean a semi-circle either before the thrown or extending to either side of the throne. The are zealous in their worship of the Lord.

However, what seems to never be disclosed is ... who these 24 are.

There are common guesses, such as that they are the two groups of 12 ... the 12 sons of Israel that comprise the tribes, plus the 12 apostles designated by Jesus. This doesn't make a ton of sense since John, who is writing this account, would thus recognize half of them as his closest friends (and would be one himself). There are also guesses that these are great people of faith, but that would mean they are likely the judges and prophets of the Old Testament, and that no one from more recent times is elevated to such a status.

Perhaps their nature was hidden from John, or perhaps the members or this group of elders change over time, or perhaps this is already a projection into the future and the members are determined near the end time. And in all of this, who is to say what qualifies an individual for such eldership? Would this be based on great acts of faith, or earthly deeds, or historical selection, or some other criteria? Are these even humans, or are they another type of heavenly creature created by God for such a purpose?

Application: The mysteries of the Lord are deep. Even as I ponder these 24 elders, I also wonder ... why are they even there? There are billions of people in heaven worshiping the Lord, so why 24 with a special worship? And why show it to John without explanation?

These are interesting elements of the Lord, and in some way I believe the Lord gives us mysteries so we have ideas to ponder, not just 'things to do'. God made humans with an ability to rationalize and hypothesize, to wonder and experiment in our minds. So then he also gave us things to hypothesize about so that we may consider him, explore his nature, and know him better despite our difficulty to perceive him. We can ponder mysteries as a way of developing an understanding of God, even if we cannot reach a definitive understanding of the mystery itself.

Prayer: Lord, as I consider the mystery of the 24 elders, may I be encouraged by my ignorance to discover that I am really just meditating on your word. I do wish to do that more, day and night. Thank you for the ability to think on you as we can, and may I remain in your word daily. Amen.

The Price of Hate

Scripture: Still, none of this satisfies me since I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King’s Gate all the time. Ester 5:13

Observation: Haman is so full of hate toward Mordecai that he cannot enjoy a single element of his life. Haman is the most powerful man in the kingdom. Haman even boasts that the queen honors him (not yet knowing why). And Haman is so exceedingly rich that the amount he pledged for the right to kill the Jews is more than $280 million. Yet here he sits, his daily life ruined because one man doesn't treat him with respect.

This hate is generational. Haman is said to be an Agagite. While not exactly clear, it is likely this means Haman is an Amalekite - a nation that has long hated the Jews - and Haman may be a descendent of the kings of the Amalekites. These were a people who have hated the Jews almost before they were Jews. They are a branch of the descendants of Esau, and their king was the one who hired Balaam to curse the Jews as they were about the enter the promised land.

Once again, we see the leader of the Amalekites paying money to destroy the Jews ... and it will fail. We see that individual's daily life ruined - in this case, over his hate of one individual - despite everything else in his life. That hate will cost him ... his family fortune, his honor, his family, and his life.

Application: I do still find that there are thoughts in my daily life that rob me of the joy I should have. I should be pleased with the career I have, and not lament a different one I might have had. I have no reason to ever think ill of anyone, despite what they have said about me or done toward me. Any amount of anger can only rob me and deny me of the happiness found in the blessings I have.

I know I do not hate, and especially have no hatred like Haman did. Yet certainly there is no reason to even let thoughts of anyone ruin my day. That is the most noted item of this one verse today ... Haman just had a truly GREAT day, and all he can think about is negative thoughts because one person didn't honor him (not dishonored him, just didn't honor him) during his walk home.

How often to I allow negative thoughts and memories of others to rob me of joy? How often do I allow a good day to be ruined because of something trivial someone does ... maybe done to me, or just done in a general way?

I would like more joy in my life. That can happen simply by rejecting the negative thoughts and memories I have toward others.

Prayer: Lord, may I be more and more open to your joy every day, by rejecting hate and negative thoughts of others. They are of no consequence to me, and of no bearing on the great life you have provided. I choose joy. Amen.

How God's Word Encourages

Scripture: Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest ... He had seven stars in his right hand. Revelation 1:12-13,16a

Observation: John begins Revelation with context about its origin and purpose. It was shown to him and intended to be read aloud by many people (vs 1-3), is being included in a letter from him to the churches (vs 4-8), and this occurred while he was in exile and meditating in Patmos (vs 9-10). With this context, the Son of Man - Jesus - arrives and commands John to write what he is told, and the description of the Jesus is that he is dressed in glory standing among seven lampstands and holding seven stars. Jesus himself says these lampstands are the seven churches to be addressed, and the stars are the spirit that exists in those churches.

In other words, Jesus is among and near those churches. He is within them and interacting with them, and he is even in connection with the Holy Spirit that guides the activities of those churches. Now Jesus wants to give those churches guidance, correction, encouragement, and instruction. However, he chooses not to communicate with the churches directly, or to have the Holy Spirit that is within those churches deliver the message directly. Instead, he goes to John, commanding John to write an open letter to all of them.

There are three likely reasons why the Lord chose this 'indirect' method of communicating to the churches. First, these words - the commendations, the corrections, and the encouragement - are not just for any individual church. Rather, they are for the universal Church, for all time. Telling the seven congregations their one message would have ended the communication and not created a scenario for it to permeate through the entire body of Christ, across all time. Second, the bulk of this letter - the end-time revelation - is complex and nuanced, and required a very faithful prophet to receive and trust it. John was able to faithfully receive and record it, but likely other church leaders would have struggled. By delivering the prophesy through a senior leader who would both be trusted throughout history and who himself would act in full faith, it ensured proper delivery through the ages.

And lastly ... John needed encouragement. He was in exile "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus". John had been such a faithful servant of the Lord that the government removed him from the field of play so to speak. He wasn't just imprisoned as Paul had been (who was still effective in converting believers even from prison), and he wasn't martyred as Peter had been (whose very death inspired belief). John was put on an island to disappear, losing all influence and interaction with the world. This prophesy delivered to him here would be one final way he could serve God, with a long-term impact for Jesus' glory. John was, in fact, so loved, that even in his isolation the Lord gave him one more way to be part of his plan.

Application: The Lord speaks to people directly about their lives and circumstances, but I do know he also often speaks through others. I have been a part of both sides of those conversations. It is good to know that the Lord uses third parties to deliver messages because sometimes it is that third party who is in need of participating in the Lord's work.

I often feel that way ... that I struggle to find value in the work I do for the Lord. Being able to deliver words to others - words provided by the Holy Spirit - helps in this.

Prayer: Lord, I know you have given me words of knowledge for others on at least two occasions. I thank you for that, not only for the sake of those people but for my own as well. May I have the boldness and courage to serve you as you would have me serve you, today, this month, and forever. Amen.

An Example of the Lord's Authority

Scripture: Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 1:5

Observation: As Jude discusses the apostacy of some people within the church, he uses this analogy from the exodus. Every Jew was brought out of Egypt. However, once in the wilderness, there were situations when many showed their true nature, which was that they did not believe in the Lord, and they died.

As the Lord knows every man's heart, it would have been a simple matter to just leave the nonbelieving Jews in Egypt. He could have simply given them a clearer choice at the time of their departure, and some would have opted to stay. Or he could have given Moses and Aaron understanding of who should be left behind, and simply sorted them out. God did neither.

In such cases, those who didn't believe would have been delivered into the hands of Egypt - into the hands of men - where they would have received their just punishment for unbelief ... death. Instead, God delivered everyone out of Egypt, then delt with their unbelief himself. They were not turned over to human authority, but in the matter of faith their judgment resided only with the Lord.

Application: Today, this is another reminder of whom judges others ... and it sure ain't me. I have no right to even think that I know someone's heart, and thus their fate. Yes, in some cases I know those who are non-believers, and I am confident in the fate that awaits them, but that entire dynamic is a matter between them and the Lord, and not for me to consider let along pronounce.

At the Exodus, the Lord "delivered" tens of thousands of people he knew actually did not love him. He did that to give them a chance, but also to be clear that in the matter of life by faith, authority belongs to him. As I interact with unbelievers every day, this is good for me to remember.

Prayer: Lord, I see earthly favor on so many people who actively reject you and your son, and sometimes it frustrates me. Give me strength in both heart and soul to know that those situations are truly none of my business. You are in control of life and death, mercy and judgment. And I thank you daily for your mercy upon a sinner such as me. Amen.

Finding Comfort in the Turmoil

Scripture: They reported to the angel of the Lord standing among the myrtle trees, “We have patrolled the earth, and right now the whole earth is calm and quiet.” Then the angel of the Lord responded, “How long, Lord of Armies, will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah that you have been angry with these seventy years?” Zechariah 1:11-12

Observation: Zechariah is shown a series of visions, which relate to the end of the exile and re-establishment of the Jews in Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. As the first part of the vision, Zechariah is shown horses that patrol the earth, and this is their report and resulting conversation: First, that all the earth is under an unnatural calm; Second, a question about when Judah will be re-established.

In other words, a calm and quiet world is a sign the Jews are in exile and oppressed, and that calm will soon end with the return of the Jews.

The turmoil of the world is absolutely spiritual. It involves the evil one hating God so much that he does everything he can to attack that which God loves ... his chosen people. When the Jews were oppressed, satan had no target, and as a result the world itself - within the spiritual realm where these envisioned horses patrol - was calm. The angels knew that that would change with the Jews were restored to favor.

Application: There is comfort to be found in the absolute turmoil of the current world. We are in a time of total havoc, chaos, anger, and strife. From economic stress to deteriorating mental health, "calm and quiet" would be the absolutely last words to describe the condition of the earth. The comfort found in this fact is this ... satan is in full panic mode and pulling out all the stops because he is afraid of God, Jesus, and his people.

If God were at all defeated, there would be no fight taking place. Instead, that fight is everywhere, on every front. It is overwhelming in its breadth and scope. It is preemptive against a formative generation, violent against the general populace, destructive against the vulnerable, and deadly against both the oldest and the youngest. Evil is attacking everywhere. And it is by that very fact we know that the good news of Jesus - the fact that anyone can have the favor of God and eternal life through simple faith in Messiah - is not just right, but it is winning. It is in fact victorious, a settled matter, despite these most desperate acts to overcome the truth.

To those of us in the Church today, this all feels very hard, just like 70 years of exile was hard for the Jews. However, the difficulty proves the fact we are not defeated.

Prayer: Lord, to your glory be the victory, in the name of Jesus Christ. You are the alpha and omega, Lord of Armies, Yahweh Sabaoth. May your name be glorified forever and ever. Amen.

Hoping to Avoid Thieves

Scripture:
To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.
Proverbs 29:24

Observation: This section of proverbs has straightforward advice about the righteous and the wicked. However, this one proverb is a bit different, for it implies that there can be an issue for someone who is the partner of a wicked person. It is not about one's own behavior, but his associates. In addition, being associated with such a person doesn't make you wicked, but it does create ... a complicated issue. A good person who will not testify against the wicked hates oneself.

Application: This is indeed complicated ... that a good person will have stress and self-hatred if they are associated with a wicked person. The stress comes from withholding truth. The self-hatred comes from the internal festering of allowing wrong to go unpunished.

So I must ask myself, am I a thief's partner? Are there individuals around me for whom I withhold information about "wickedness" so that I may remain viably active in the world?

The obvious place to look is at work. I feel I work with good people, though I do not always understand the moral direction of the corporation. In prior jobs, I actively experienced this very problem, very much knowing that wicked people worked around me, and I kept my mouth shut about every situation. Of course, I became detestable to many of them (as predicted in v27), and more than one took actions to harm me. I remember keeping a list of people I "trusted" and having that list contain only three names out of ~500 I interacted with on a weekly basis. And my stress was palpable.

I sincerely do not know what to do on a daily basis. I don't know where to turn and where to go in order to ensure I am not a thief's partner.

Prayer: Lord, I continue to wander. Even if I am walking on your path, I don't know where it goes. I trust that is okay, for I do know you are with me. Please show me your direction, and lead me to your peace. Amen.

Trying to Understand the Water

Scripture: Jesus Christ—he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement. 1 John 5:6-8

Observation: John calls out that the Lord himself testifies as to the authority and Messiahship of Jesus, and that certainly the Lord's testimony is of much greater influence than even any man's. He discusses three things that testify about Jesus, the Spirit, the water, and the blood. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit, which is the word and will of Yahweh himself. The blood would be the death and resurrection of Jesus, for there is no denying the death of Jesus through the spilling of his blood at the crucifixion, and thus his resurrection testifies to his divinity. However, the water is not obvious as to what it is.

John says Jesus is the only one "who came by water and blood, not by water only." If all other humans come from "water only", then water could mean childbirth. Thus the testimony of Jesus as Messiah is the nature of his birth. Every person exists as a result of their birth, yet Jesus had a second creation when he was resurrected and thus is of both water and blood, not water only.

However, if this same passage refers to the chosen people of God, then the "water only" could be a reference to the Laws of Moses, where ceremonial washing was necessary to ensure purity ... in that manner, all who followed the Law and washed were pure before the Lord. It is these practices that then created baptism, as a single washing - along with faith - that cleans our lives before the Lord. John could be saying that many people have been deemed righteous and pure by following the prescribed rites of water, but Jesus is the only one who survived a sacrifice of the blood, and also has the testimony of God himself.

Application: As a person struggling to understand God's word, I am not certain of either interpretation above. Both have logic as a reference to being "by water", yet neither has great context within John's letter. John in fact gave so little context that the term must have had some normal, well-understood meaning to his audience ... both of my ideas fit that, yet other ideas may too.

I could spend hours of research to find what the great scholars of the last 2,000 years agree this all means. However, I prefer to pray on it and meditate. John says in v9 that God's testimony is greater than any man's, so I'd rather see if I can't learn his meaning, not man's interpretation. And if it remains a mystery to me, that does not change the fact that I believe his testimony about Jesus, which is the great point after all.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for how your Spirit reveals your word to me. So often you speak to me exactly when I need it. May I learn more and more from you every day. Amen.

Trying to Love a Brother

Scripture: This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother or sister. 1 John 3:10

Observation: John writes in very strong terms about the idea of sin vs. righteousness. His strong message is that true believers cannot sin because the Holy Spirit is inside them, therefore anyone who sins is not 'of God' ... cannot be a true believer. This is certainly hyperbole, as if such were true then continued forgiveness of sin would be unnecessary for believers. John is making a point that believers should be very actively striving to control their sin and live as Jesus has taught, seeking the power of the Holy Spirit to aid them in this. This is not dissimilar to the Jews, for whom laws associated with "ceremonial cleanliness" required them to think about even small actions and to self-reflect on their behavior.

John summarizes the failure to do right as "especially" involving failure to love one's brother or sister; that is, failure to love other believers. That behavior is absolutely "not of God".

Application: Last night, we had a prayer meeting at church. A certain man said he had a word and was invited to speak. This is a man I struggle to respect. I am certain he believes in Jesus, but I find his actions self-aggrandizing. For this, I regularly disregard what he thinks. Last night, I actively tune out the brief 'word' he had to declare.

I fail to love this brother. That has nothing to do with him, but is my failure, my shortcoming ... my given evidence that I am "not of God". If that man does act out of self-promotion, that is his issue. If I believe that is what he does, attributing false motives to him, and dislike him for it, that is my issue. It demonstrates a flaw in my relationship with the Lord. The only exception would be is if this man actually is not a believer and is a false agent of satan, and I absolutely do NOT think that at all, not for one second.

I try to love my brothers and sisters. I often fail. However, my heart is improving in this matter, as I often see others out of gladness and joy even when they bother my earthly sensibilities. That said, I can and must do better at softening my heart, through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my dislike toward my brother, and toward all my brothers and sisters. I love your church, and thus it is only logical that I love your people that comprise the church. I ask that my heart be softened, and my eyes widened, to embrace your love within me and have it flow out. Amen.