Woe to Be a Shepherd

Scripture: Thus said the Lord my God: Be a shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. Those who buy them kill them and go unpunished; and those who sell them say, “Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich”; and their own shepherds have no pity on them. Zechariah 11:4-5

Observation: The Lord declares that he has lost his patience with the 'shepherds' of the world. Previously in v10:2, he pointed out that those people who pretend to give direction to the people - seers and diviners ... leaders - speak lies, and the sheep therefore have no shepherd. Now he points out even the wickedness of the shepherds. The shepherds raise sheep for their own prophet. Those who buy the sheep kill them for their own sustenance. There is no one who actually raises the sheep out of love, compassion, and support. For this reason, the Lord declares he will care no longer for such people.

Application: Jesus declared himself to be the "good shepherd" and used the metaphor several times. He is the one who will protect and care for sheep, not for prophet, but just by his love. If it is true that Jesus is the shepherd, and earthly shepherds are despised by the Lord due to their motives, then I should actively conclude that I have no desire to be a shepherd on earth.

I sometimes think about what I should do to reassume some kind of leadership position, at work or in the church. I need to set that aside. In fact, I need to reconcile the fact that I shouldn't even want that. I have a leader to follow! To the extent he would use me to help others, that just makes me a well-behaved sheep. Jesus is still the shepherd, at all times, in all situations. And Jesus is the only person I - or anyone else - should truly follow.

Prayer: Lord, please be my shepherd. I ask for your nurturing protection. I will follow you as you lead me, and if others in the flock also walk where I am going, it must only be because they also follow you. Amen.

Examples of Foolish Pride

Scripture: But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. Jude 1:10-11

Observation: As Jude calls out certain members of the church for their wrong thinking, he gets specific about their errors. He blames them of obeying their worldly instinct and not the instructions of God. He then aligns them to three Old Testament figures:

-- Cain, who withholds his best offering and jealously murders his brother

-- Balaam, who accepted money to curse the chosen people

-- Korah, who challenged the priestly structure pronounced by Moses

All three suffered from greed and pride, hand in hand. Cain wanted to keep the best of his flock for himself, but was angry when his offering was therefore rejected as inferior. Balaam was personally instructed by the Lord about the Israelites, but wanted the money offered him and was proud of how kings turned to him for help. Korah declared himself and others as equally holy and thus fully allowed to serve in any capacity they desired.

In all three cases, these people - again motivated by their greed and pride - reject God's authority. Cain didn't want to give God the best of his offering; Balaam didn't want to obey instructions to not accept the king's money; Korah didn't want to accept others as priestly leaders. As Jude says in verse 8, such people "defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones."

Application: This, too, is how my pride manifests ... I reject God's authority in my daily life and take actions I know to be wrong, simply because I can choose to do so.

In all circumstances, I can choose to turn to God for instruction and guidance and direction, or I can use my own 'instinct' and intelligent - or may just my prideful will - and decide for myself what course of action to take. Far too often, I take the latter path.

God's instructions are clear ... turn to him and follow his plan and path, for he loves me and wants what is best for me. My lack of understanding, and my personal pride that seeks authority, position, status, or wealth, must not guide my actions. In my own life, these actions cause me pain and trouble. However, especially if I apply these to my actions toward others, I would then be operating in a manner far outside of Jesus' love for believers, and for all mankind.

Prayer: Lord, I confess again today that it is my own pride that causes me to sin and to take actions and express thoughts I know in my heart to be wrong. Please forgive my sin, and my pride. I wish to seek your will, and then obey that will, both in my daily walk, and in my ongoing life journey with you. Amen.

Once Again, Love One Another

Scripture: I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 2 John 1:4-5

Observation: As John is an apostle full of the Holy Spirit, he writes a letter in the most spirit-filled manner. It is addressed metaphorically to a "lady" - which is the bride of Christ, his church - and discusses her children ... the body of believers. In that same spirit, John clarifies the true "work" of believers. He is overjoyed to see that many believers live their daily lives in full belief that Jesus is the Messiah, and obeying his teaching. It is this faith and obedience that is the command of the father. However, he then reenforces the "new commandment" that is directly from Jesus at the last supper ... to love one another.

It is critical that this command truly be at the heart of Christian life, pertaining to the interaction of believers. It is the one thing Jesus adds to the differentiate believers. And if John is "overjoyed" to see that believers are truly walking in the truth of Jesus, yet needs to remind us to love one another, it is clearly one of the hardest instructions to obey.

Application: I know there are Christians I don't like. I can make a lot of excuses about their behaviors, attitudes, or flawed perspectives initiating that attitude, but those are just excuses.

Loving everyone in the Church is a journey ... even John knew that. He is the disciple who repeatedly talks of love and tells of the command to love one another, so he knew that this was a struggle. He likely struggled to love the other disciples, and we know he had conflicts associated with respect with some church leaders in later life. So loving everyone else in the church is not a switch I can just flip. But it is an attitude I can adopt and strive to practice. It is a 'default' position I can begin with upon meeting others.

Prayer: Lord, may I more and more love others in the church. I believe I have improved in this, but I have a long way to go as well. This is important, and it is your command, Jesus. I will strive to do it. Amen.

What 'Loving the World' Means

Scripture: Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Observation: As John warns of the difference between loving the world and the things of the world versus loving the Lord, he identifies those things that are in the world and that come from the world. They are desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of riches. To summarize these then, those things that come from earthly knowledge and not from God's wisdom are:

-- Activities we pursue only because they make us feel good

-- Things we covet without even really understanding why

-- Money that becomes how we define our success

Even in the time of first century - and certainly we know long before that - these were the "scorecards" people kept to prove their greatness. The ease of their daily lives, the size of their homes, the land and wealth they had ... especially as these all existed in scope and quantities far beyond what they could need, these were the indications of earthly authority and greatness. And they are in fact indications of earthly success. However, they have nothing to do with actual, valuable success, and the pursuit of - and desire to - obtain them is the greatest blocker to pursuing the love the God.

Application: I am a person who lives in comfort, who can obtain things I desire beyond want I truly need, and who has financial savings. I need to be very careful about how I desire and pursue these things, and about my attitude toward them, as I must never love of the world.

In my heart, and in my mind, and in my actions, my attitude toward comfort, material items, and money must begin with my love of the Lord, and my service to Jesus.

-- How am I pursuing activities that the Spirit wishes to exist in my life?

-- How am I seeking and applying my resources to advancing his kingdom?

-- How am I using my time to love others and proclaim the gospel?

Truly loving God and not loving the world go hand in glove.

Prayer: Lord, my life is dedicated to you as my Lord and my God. I thank you so much for the blessings of my life, which is far beyond what I could ever deserve. However, I also desire to know how I can use these blessings for you, and not for my worldly endeavors. I do not want to love the world. May I do your will and live for your kingdom every day. Amen.

Defining Faith as a Fault

Scripture: The men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever!" Daniel 6:5-6

Observation: In their jealousy over Daniel's favor with the king, his peers and subordinates are determined to undermine him. However, there is no charge they can bring against him, and eventually they come up with a plot to force him to either pray to the king, or die. Their logic for this plot is this ... that the only way they can find a fault in Daniel is if Daniel's faith and trust and obedience in Yahweh is declared to be a fault.

For the second time in Daniel, a law is passed that everyone must worship the king. Previously, this was related to bowing to a giant statue, this time it involves prayer. Those who obey the Lord - previously Daniel's friends, and in this case Daniel himself - cannot do that in violation of the laws of the Lord. Daniel is in fact going one step further. He is not just refusing to pray to the king, but he continues his prayerful life to the Lord. He doesn't just obey the law by refusing to pray to any other 'god', but leans into his faith and his relationship with Yahweh.

Application: All around us today, society finds "fault" in the laws of the Lord. Certainly this is fault in Christians when we judge others by that law, but the law itself - and our desire to obey that law - is often attacked, or deemed 'wrong' by both individuals in society, and by the legal practices defined by our government.

I do many things wrong in life. I know well that my enemies can find faults to accuse me of. However, I would strive to become more like Daniel in this regard ... that they only 'fault' I could be accused of is those things where the declarations of our flawed and wicked world are contradictory to the teachings of Yeshua and the law of Yahweh. I would like someday that any accusation from my enemies could be paraphrased only as this: He obeys the Lord, and furthermore offends us by honoring Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, am in imperfect in my obedience to you. This I know. I sin, and I fail. Please forgive me. And please give me the strength to improve, so that one day my failings in the eyes of your law are very minimal indeed. I embrace the fact that my failings in the eyes of the world will always exist, to the extent that the world hates your laws and your teachings and your love. May someday the world judge me as wanting because of my right alignment to you. Amen.

Twisting Scripture is Not New

Scripture: And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. 2 Peter 3:15-16

Observation: As Peter reminds the reader to wait patiently for the revelation of Christ, he reinforces Paul's writings. Pointing out that they are sometimes complex and hard to understand, he also says that some people - those who are 'ignorant' and 'unstable' - will twist Paul's teaching ... just as they have other scriptures.

The twisting of scripture has gone on for centuries. Peter is aware how the Jews have taken the law and prophets, and turned them into self-serving messages. The messages and rules and predictions can be leveraged by some to advance their agendas or even themselves. However, Peter also says what this behavior produces ... their own destruction. When someone twists the word of God into something for their own advancement, they fail to observe and obey the Lord, which will create a blocking issue in their life.

Application: Peter places Paul's letters, in fact the writing of all apostles, on peer with the writings of Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Moses. They are all scripture. And as such, they fall into two categories of usage. They are either valuable for teaching and instructing, or they will be twisted for the gain of "unstable" people to justify and advance their own agendas.

I see this when people look to apply specific verses to legalistic arguments in the church. I see it when people can take specific verses and use it to justify their 'side' in a conflict, and in this case it is most obvious when both sides of the conflict use the bible as their defense.

I have thoughts about what the bible says on certain issues. I need to test my thoughts against the Holy Spirit, and ensure I am not being ignorant and unstable ... that I am not twisting scripture to align to my thoughts, but am rather aligning my thoughts to the word and teaching of the Lord. As I have meditated on several times recently, the Lord must be my only source of truth, knowledge, and understanding of what is good.

Prayer: Lord, may I meditate on your word alone more and more. I desire this discipline in my life. In my quiet and restful times, help me to set my mind on things above, and on your teachings. Amen.

Do Not Fear What They Fear

Scripture: But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated. 1 Peter 3:14

Observation: As Peter discusses the proper behavior of an exile - especially how to respond to abuse by blessing abusers - he addresses the issue of fear. Believers do not fear what the world fears. Many forms of abuse a generated by the emotion of fear and the desire to proactively protect oneself, and therefore avoiding fear can properly address this scenario.

Peter knows that believers will suffer because of their belief ... for doing what is right. He knows the world distrusts those who are not afraid of worldly problems. Belief, fear, and suffering therefore go hand-in-hand.

Application: I still see fear ALL around me, every day. It is truly, truly heartbreaking. I see people creating more and more isolation both physically and emotionally. I see lashing anger of disagreements of "safety". I see harm delivered upon people but labeled as "caution". And I still don't understand it entirely.

I comply out of love, not fear. I hate the fear, but my heart sincerely breaks for the fearful. And I am most worried about those through whom the fear is expressed as anger, conflict, and criticism.

If the world fears something, I know - from Peter - that this is something likely not to fear. At the least, this is something to consider in prayer and hope, and seek to bless those who are afraid. If we then suffer or are abused and criticized for our lack of fear, so be it.

Prayer: Lord, I do desire that you end this time of fear and the resulting anger and conflict it has produced. May we find a way forward without fear in our communities, society, and world. Amen.

Finding the Right Focus for my Soul

Scripture:
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
Psalm 131:1-2

Observation: As the psalmist considers the proper way to worship the Lord, they determine they should find a balance between the things that are theirs to consider, and the things that belong to the Lord. They will not focus on issues and things that are too high, too great, too marvelous. Instead, they will "quiet" their soul, stay calm, and like a content child in the arms of its mother they will relax into the embrace of the Lord.

Application: How often do I spend my mental energy thinking about problems and issues that I can do nothing about, but yet I will worry about them anyway? "How often" isn't a question about if I do this daily ... but how many times per day. Per hour. In fact, is this not a nearly continual state of mental condition, dwelling on issues that are far beyond my capacity to even truly consider, let alone do anything about?

As I see often, this is a matter of faith and trust. It is one thing to know that the Lord is in control and is working all things for his purposes, and for the good of those who love him. It is another thing to therefore dismiss all thought from your mind, and thus embrace a calm and quiet soul.

The issues involving the world right now are truly too big for me to address ... but they are just the right size for God to handle. I must then learn to not only trust him, but to release the issues from my own soul and relax. This is what it takes to find a soul of peace, joy, patience, and love. When I dismiss from my heart those things that are too high for me - knowing they are therefore the perfect thing for God to address - I can enjoy my father all the more.

Prayer: Lord, I do often consider issues that are frustrating in the context of your heavenly kingdom here on earth, but that actually have nothing to do with me. I yield these to you, as that is truly the only practical solution. May thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Instead, may I focus my soul on your love this day and every day, finding peace that I can pass on to others. Amen.

Profaned Among the Nations

Scripture: Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. Ezekiel 36:22-23

Observation: Immediately prior to the Lord raising up the valley of dry bones, he gives this explanation to Ezekiel ... that he will again restore Israel so they may sanctify his name. However, there are two clarifying clauses to this. First, he is not doing this for their sake, but for the sake of his name. Second, the issue is that his name and holiness needs to be restored because Israel itself has profaned his name among the nations. He repeats these again a couple sentences later ... Israel has profaned the Lord, and their restoration is then to demonstrate his power and holiness.

This is the case called out throughout the books for 1-2 Kings. Foreign countries who war with Israel and Judah often win because the Jews have forsaken the Lord, yet they profess Yahweh publicly to those other nations as their God. The result is that other nations - through the hypocrisy of professed faith of Yahweh vs. actual worship of the baals and others - come to view the Lord as weak or ineffectual or meaningless or only on-peer with whatever they believe. This is the issue before the Lord. It is not that the Jews need to be restored, but that his own name and lordship, which is important to all mankind throughout the world, needs to be uplifted and sanctified. It is the Jews themselves who have brought it low in the eyes of mankind.

Application: I feel we could substitute "Christians" for "Jews", and "pride/wealth/power/reputation" for "the baals" ... and the entire observation would apply today. Anyone who encounters the Lord, and discovers the truth of Jesus, may choose to reject faith but cannot dismiss him through ignorance of his greatness. However, many who encounter the hypocrisy of pride and anger and greed and lust within myself and other Christians - yet hear us profess the faith, love, and hope of Jesus - have grounds to reject Jesus.

It is we who are charged to declare the good news of Jesus to the world. And it is we who are the stumbling block to others accepting that good news. I am the stumbling block.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for this most of all, that by my own actions your name is profaned. While I declare you as Lord, I profess other words and actions, just as James warned. I am sorry. May my actions and the actions of the Church better align to the hope and truth and love of Jesus. Amen.

Introducing the Good Shepherd

Scripture: I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23

Observation: The Lord has denounced the leaders of Israel, using the metaphor of a shepherd. They took from the flock, ate the fatted sheep, used their wool for clothes. However, they did not guide them to good pasture, seek out the lost, protect them from theft or attack, or give them life-giving water.

The Lord himself declares that he will do all these things in the future, and then pronounces that he will set up one good shepherd over his people. This shepherd will be of the line of David. This good shepherd will feed the people and care for them, guiding them to goodness, and teaching them that the Lord is their God and father.

Application: This is a strong messianic prophesy by Ezekiel, and one I did not know existed. Ezekiel of course pronounces many times the destruction and restoration of people groups, and the extension of the restoration to much of the world. However, when Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, it is Ezekiel he is recalling.

And Jesus uses the same language we find here many times. He reminds others that sheep obey a shepherd because they know his voice of the. He describes seeking out lost souls as a shepherd leaving the flock to find one stray. He tells God in prayer that he has not lost any sheep charged to him. He describes heaven as a holding pen into which the shepherd guides everyone. He predicts that the sheep will scatter when the shepherd is struck down.

In all these ways, Jesus is shown better than human leaders who take care of themselves first, and in corruption can fail to take care of those in their charge at all.

It is Ezekiel's strong and clear words here that point to Jesus and inspire one of the best examples we have of our relationship with Messiah.

Prayer: Lord, I am delighted to be a sheep. May I follow only your voice, for I know that you lead me to lifegiving water, good pastures, and safe fields, protecting me from both beasts and violent men. I obey you freely and only. Amen.

Unsustained by the World

Scripture: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

Observation: As James begins his discord on faith vs. deeds - ultimately agreeing that salvation is by faith, yet faith is evident by deeds - he first gives a basic definition of "religion". He is using this term to generically address the complementary overlap between Jewish beliefs and Christian faith. James therefore states there are just two indications of pure faith ... care for the disadvantaged, and avoiding reliance upon earthly ways and treasures.

This is consistent with many teaching of scripture, most obviously Micah 6:8, which says that only requires from people to seek justice, love mercy (aka care for the disadvantaged), and walk humbly with the Lord (rely upon God and not the world). James' summary also introduces the rest of his message, which is that faith is evident by actions, and those actions being our relationship to two specific issues ... those in need around us, and the overall culture and expectations of the non-heavenly kingdom on earth.

Application: If I were to be judged on just these criteria - my care for the disadvantaged, and my reliance upon earthly ways and treasures - how would I be doing?

I fear the honest answer to that question. I care in my heart for the disadvantaged, but in truth I do little for them directly. Yes, I give money and I pray. Yes, I think often about and hate the issues that have created such iniquity and conditions in our society. But I don't really act. And yes, certainly am not greedy for wealth, and I thank the Lord for all blessings in my life, recognizing him and not the world or my earthly ability as my provider of all things. However, I enjoy vacations and comforts. I have pride in my home and family and my job.

So where is the line where I corrupt and defile my faith before God? I care about those in distress, and I sincerely know that I am sustained by God alone.

I could do more. I could personally act more, and I could support related ministry work more. While I thank the Lord for my blessings, I could have less pride in them. I especially want to know that I am sustained by God alone, and not by this world, which I know has fallen into dark and desperate times due to a lack of moral alignment to the Lord.

Prayer: Abba, Yahweh, Yeshua, Jesus, Adonai, my Lord and father in heaven, how great is your name in all the earth. I am sustained only by you and by your love and promises. Please forgive me for times when my faith is less than pure. May I be your hands this day in giving daily bread to others, as you provide my daily bread to myself and my family. May your kingdom dominate and take over this earth, so that the ways of this earth fall away. And please forgive my shortcomings and failures and sins, as I set behind any wrong done to me this day. Thank you, my Lord and my God. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Living in God's Cycle of Blessing

Scripture:
Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds;
for riches do not last forever,
nor a crown for all generations.
When the grass is gone, and new growth appears,
and the herbage of the mountains is gathered,
the lambs will provide your clothing,
and the goats the price of a field.
there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
for the food of your household
and nourishment for your servant-girls.
Proverbs 27:23-27

Observation: For the wise believer in the Lord, the balance of the Lord's provision is understood. The grass in the field grows; the herds eat the grass in the fields and mature; the value of the goats pays for the price of the field while also providing for the believer and the entire household, even the servants. Since God gives the grass, this means that provision is enough to sustain the believer both in their daily needs, but also in the perpetuation of the next season of life.

It is the charge of the believer to pay attention to this ... to know the condition of the flocks and care for the provision that has been given into their charge by the Lord.

Application: The Lord has blessed me and my family is so very great a measure. We have not just enough to live, but enough to have the life we have desired, education and opportunity to support our futures, security from daily wants and needs, and abundance for enjoyment.

Do I know the condition of my flocks? I know my accounts and assets, but do I pay enough attention to my daily work? This is the source of daily blessing and annual income. It is the new annual growth on the mountain.

It is an instruction of the Lord to do well at my job. Even when I struggle to learn new tasks and new assignments at this stage in life, it is godly to do it the best I can, with respect for the work. The outcome is the blessing from the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, may I have renewed engagement in my work every day. Let me put aside instructions and do the best I can, always for your glory. I thank you for the provision and blessing in my life, for I know I am unqualified and unworthy of anything. My family and I are upheld only by your hand, and by your gifts. Thank you for your love. Amen.

Godlessness is Immorality

Scripture: See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears. Hebrews 12:16-17

Observation: In discussing how the Jews are to embrace their faith in the Lord, Esau is used as an example of "an immoral and godless person." The justification for such an accusation is this ... that he devalued the Lord's provision in his life to the point that he considered it trivial.

In this passage, we are reminded that Esau considered his birthright - the collective blessings of land and wealth and status that the Lord gave to Isaac, and the covenant blessing of God that was to be passed through their family - of so little value that he traded it for one bowl of stew. We know he went on to place little if any value in the Lord throughout his life. He married foreign wives against his parents' wishes, and he pledged to kill his brother.

Yes, Esau ended up with a good life by earthly standards ... he grew prosperous, lived a full life, and eventually settled in a land and became the patriarch of the nation of Edom. However, he had a poor life by heavenly standards ... he never again was close to his family, was troubled by his wives, and his namesake nation was little, troubled, and eventually destroyed.

There is not a lot of evidence about the "immorality" of Esau in the context of "sin". However, there is evidence of how he actively distanced himself from God. In this, we see the lesson is that rejecting God is the act that best defines immorality.

Application: As I prayed yesterday, I wish to be all the more closer to the Lord in my daily thoughts, prayer life, and actions. While sin can separate us from God - and Jesus washes away that sin to give us access to God - the fact is that the truly immoral act of the world is rejecting the Lord. It is in that rejection that all other trouble resides, for individuals and for communities and for nations. But especially individuals.

I continue to hope that, for people who have rejected Jesus Christ, we can help them first find the truth about the Lord God - Yahweh Adonai - the almighty creator of heaven and earth. Returning to God is not the final goal of the gospel, but it is on the path.

Prayer: Lord, this is an immoral time and place, and it is clear this immorality exists because large numbers of people have fully rejected you. They are Godless. During the Christmas holidays, may we help return you to their hearts with an understanding of your existence and your love. Amen.

What's Worse is 'God the Option'

Scripture: For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; with their idols they have committed adultery; and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me. Moreover this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my sabbaths. Ezekiel 23:37-38

Observation: Yahweh identifies the northern and southern kingdoms as two different people, be they the lands of Israel and Judah, Ephraim and Judah, or Samaria and Jerusalem. We know that the northern land turned away from the Lord almost immediately after Solomon died, and led by their kings - most notably Ahab - they totally departed from their faith and worshipped all sorts of other gods. They were destroyed first. The southern land of Judah went back and forth in the quality of their kings, retaining some level of faith in Yahweh and maintaining temple practices in Jerusalem, before blending the belief systems of other gods into all their practices. For this, many times in scriptures, the Lord declares that the sins of the southern kingdom were worse.

At first, this is odd ... at least the south kept the Lord in the mix. Everyone had some level of faith in the Lord, even if they also believed in other gods, while the north seemed to embrace the baals. However, in his metaphorical discussion with Ezekiel, God is clear about what 'worse' truly is ... it is knowing the truth, but turning that into just part of your faith. The worst thing someone can do is to worship the Lord, but also worship other gods because Yahweh is just one of their options.

Application: I have considered this before ... it is worse to know the truth about Jesus and reject him, than to not know him at all. For years, I fell into the former, as a person who had decided to reject what I had learned. This is far worse, and far more depraved in the eyes of God, than a person who doesn't know about the gospel.

In my life, I need to apply this to my actions. It is far worse that I read the bible and think upon it ... then go off during the day and fail to love others, pray, give God glory, and place faith for my life into his hands ... than it would be if I never even pondered God's word.

I need to start this focus by replacing idle time with prayer time. I should meditate on the word instead of on past issues, or future worries, or financial challenges, or (especially) the problems I have with other people. In my life, 'worse' means knowing the Lord, but following the world. I know I am not "evil" like the northern kingdom, but I certainly need to avoid be "worse" like the southern.

Prayer: Lord, you are my God, and my only God. I have no other source of faith and hope in my life. May I lean into that faith more and more, meditating on you during my quiet times and thought times, led by your Holy Spirit to find a deeper relationship with only you. Amen.

Provoking Love not Conflict

Scripture: Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:23-24

Observation: In light of Jesus as the great high priest, whose sacrifice has given us access to salvation, we are to meet together within the context of our unwavering faith. In that, our interactions should "provoke" one another to two motivations ... to love others, and to perform good deeds.

Application: This is, of course, our current challenge in the church. We have so many activities that are designed to "provoke" each other into action, and almost none of them are love and good deeds. Maybe "good deeds" are a motivation, but quite often love is nowhere on the list of objectives of any believer who is ... debating vaccination status, arguing over service practices, criticizing voting patterns, debating public policy, or berating school practices.

Every conversation that declares a "right" from a "wrong" creates an unloving division. As almost every apostle would say - including the writer of Hebrews - brothers and sisters, this cannot be.

As it is up to me, from this day forward I will consider all these divisive conversations in the church within only one context, and that is the question of how we can provoke one another to love and good deeds. Argument over public issues has no place in that formula.

Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit change the hearts of many within my church, and within all churches, so that they disengage from discussions intended to provide argument, conflict, and division. May we only provoke love. Amen.

A Prayer Still True Today

Scripture:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.”
For the sake of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:6-9

Observation: Jerusalem is both the city of the king with all his power and judgement, but it is also the city of peace. Even as the Jews in the time of David looked to the city as their capital, they also desired for it to be a place of peace and comfort and joy. They celebrated when it was time to make pilgrimages there. They desired for not only the city to do well, but for those who loved the city to do well.

Application: In the terrible times we live in, especially during unrest in the middle east, it is important to ... love Jerusalem and pray for its peace. There remains the connection between this land and Yahweh, beyond the "political" issues of who occupies what areas of the land.

I expect I will someday go to Jerusalem, not because I think its ancient stones hold any magic or special traits, but because there remains a cultural association with the Lord and with Jesus that I desire to know better. In the meantime, I join with David and pray for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem and those who love the city.

Prayer: Lord, I say it again, Shalom and peace be with Jerusalem. May there be joy and peace in that place, and among that region, if it is possible within this broken world. There are challenges there associated with a proper understanding of you and your love that I cannot begin to understand, but you are working within Jerusalem for your purposes and always have been. May peace be within Jerusalem, for the sake of you and your name, or Lord. Amen.

Understanding the Second Coming

Scripture: And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

Observation: For Jews who had learned so much about ritual sacrifice, the point of Jesus' death was understood as the shedding of blood for sin. However, the idea of "once, for all" was not understood. They performed their rituals over and over. In this way, they idea of Jesus' second coming was perhaps misunderstood. Jesus had been a sacrifice for their sins, so when he comes again, that must be because ... he still has to deal with sin.

As Hebrews points out, this is not the case. Sin is a settled matter. Jesus has given himself as the sacrifice for all sin, and therefore the forgiveness of all who believe. Therefore, his return is not to deal with sin, but rather to complete the salvation for those who believe.

Application: Even today I watched a lesson where the pastor digressed a moment to remind everyone of how to properly understand God's word. The bible never contradicts itself. In this case, if it says that Jesus' sacrifice addresses all sin, this his second coming cannot be a way to address MORE sin. It must be for another purpose.

I desire to keep this in mind as I read ... that understanding God's word requires the context of his entire word. After several years now, I have read enough to have that context. I do hope I can continue to apply it to my life.

Prayer: Lord, your word is a light unto my feet. May I follow in your path, knowing and learning it more and more every day. Amen.

When are We Worse

Scripture: Was not your sister Sodom a byword in your mouth in the day of your pride, before your wickedness was uncovered? Now you are a mockery to the daughters of Aram and all her neighbors, and to the daughters of the Philistines, those all around who despise you. Ezekiel 16:56-57

Observation: The word of the Lord God is this, that having acted so badly, the children of Israel are now the ones looked down upon by all other nations. Their downfall is a byword ... as in, other nations would say "we don't want to be like Israel" or "imagine being destroyed like Judah".

This is a punishment the Jews well understood, having spent centuries being reminded of the downfall, sins, punishment, and destruction of Sodom. To be lumped in with them would be a stinging rebuke. It would be like spending generation upon generation knowing of the worst possible people in history, then being told that you yourself - and your current generation - is worse.

Application: Are we there yet?

Jesus stood in many villages, homes, and synagogues, and challenged the beliefs of the Pharisees by pointing out their duplicit ways and misguided priorities. As Christians, we all look upon those lessons and think of the term "Pharisee" now as a byword for someone who has a warped understanding of God's laws and love.

However, in what areas of my life am I being a Pharisee? I talk about faith, but don't always live it properly. Certainly I am not alone in this, as this is common for Christians who declare about the love of Jesus and joy they have in knowing they are saved by faith, but then commit all kinds of acts that are contrary to Jesus' teaching. And yes, I am one of those who does this.

To us, 'Pharisee' is they byword for a hypocrite who fails to obey the Lord. And to many in society today, 'Christian' is now spoken as an adjective for ... hypocritical. May I take this warning seriously in my life.

Prayer: Lord, I do as for your forgiveness. May I not be hypocritical this day. I love you and am delighted by your love and your gift of salvation, so may I also know you are my Lord and truly seek to live into your commands and precepts. Amen.

Without Belief in the God who Sees

Scripture: While they were killing, and I was left alone, I fell prostrate on my face and cried out, "Ah Lord God! will you destroy all who remain of Israel as you pour out your wrath upon Jerusalem?" He said to me, "The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city full of perversity; for they say, 'The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see.'" Ezekiel 9:8-9

Observation: In a vision, Ezekiel witnesses the spiritual version of the destruction of Jerusalem. God shows him the terrible acts of the people, then calls in the destroyers. One angel marks those few who are to be spared, and the others kill all the rest.

When Ezekiel questions the extent of the destruction - will God truly kill everyone left in Israel as he also is pouring out his justice upon those in Jerusalem - the Lord replies not with a yes or no, but with an understanding of justice. He states that their guilt is evident by the manner of their public actions, bloodshed and perversity. However, he also shows how this has embedded in their hearts ... the people believe God has withdrawn and perhaps doesn't even exist with authority anymore, for they claim he has forsaken the land, and does not see their actions or conditions.

The people have done what they have because they no longer believe in the love, presence, and sovereign nature of Yahweh.

Application: There is a fact I hold central in my heart ... the Lord sees me. Yes, this means he sees my mistakes, my sins, my dark anger, my impure thoughts, my lies, my errors. But he also sees my needs, my hopes, my love, my attempts. And I know he is here, he is present, he is active, and he is in authority of my life and the world around me.

There is no dark room I could go to where he would not see me. There is no other thing in which I could ask for assistance. There is no earthly provision that gives me hope. And I grown as I see others who believe - at best - that the Lord has forsaken them and the world and does not see or care or even exist.

Prayer: Lord, El Roi, Yahweh-Yireh, thank you for seeing me. I know I bring sorrow to you often, but I thank you for not turning away from me. May my faith in Jesus continue to cover my iniquities, and may I grow better under your watchful eye daily. And may the numbers of people in this land and know you are watching and in control grow more and more. Amen.

Knowing Truth and Not Obeying

Scripture: The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. Ezekiel 2:4-5

Observation: Ezekiel is confronted by the Lord while in exile in Babylon, and commissioned as a prophet. While he is not yet given a message, his charge is this ... go to the children of Israel in exile, and say to them whatever instructions the Lord gives. The Lord acknowledges that they likely won't listen. The descendants are stubborn, they have hard heads and hard hearts, and he even offers clarification about the accountability of Ezekiel for when they don't listen (he is accountable if he fails to give the message, but not if he obeys and they don't listen).

However, the Lord provides Ezekiel with one phrase, "Thus says the Lord God." The name of God given here is that of the two highest names of the God, Adonai Yahweh. In this way, there can be no question that Ezekiel is a prophet speaking for the Lord, and the people will know and understand this as a fact. It is within that context - their full knowledge that whatever Ezekiel says to them is from God - that the people will then decide whether or not to obey.

Application: I am seeing more and more how the Lord interacts with people who behave in a paradox ... they know and understand that there is a great God who rules over all creation and with direction and advise for how to live, and they actively choose not to obey God almighty. They either know the truth or have heard the truth or have an understanding of where they could go and what they could do in order to better understand the truth ... and they refuse to engage, refuse to listen or learn, reject that which they have heard, and rely on their own choices.

I like to think the people around me just need to hear the truth. However, the fact is they have heard the truth - they may even have significant knowledge about it at some level - and instead they have chosen to disobey and reject the truth.

I once had a friend tell me that they believe God exists, but have rejected everything about his teaching as meaningless to their life. That paradox cannot be reconciled, and yet God has well understood it within the hearts of man for all of time.

When we - the people of the Church - give others the good news of Jesus, they know it is the truth spoken by the Lord God almighty. Some hear, but many reject it even while believing the context. But we remain accountable for delivering the message.

Prayer: Lord, it is almost time for Christmas lights again. May I have the words of your spirit to give to others about the truth of Jesus Christ. If they are stubborn and rebellious and choose not to obey, that is a matter between you and them. But may I deliver to them the truth, in your name. Amen.

Recognize Who Brings the War

Scripture:
Proclaim this among the nations:
Prepare war,
stir up the warriors.
Let all the soldiers draw near,
let them come up.
Beat your plowshares into swords,
and your pruning hooks into spears;
let the weakling say, “I am a warrior.”
Joel 3:9-10

Observation: The Lord has declared the final days, with the Holy Spirit poured out on those who believe in him, and his "people" (the descendants in faith of Israel and Judah) restored on the earth. And so the time comes for a most unusual battle. All the other nations - those who do not believe in the Lord - are invited to war ... take their instruments of peace and refashion them into implements of death, and come attack. God will be waiting, simply sitting in a valley, and prepared to judge.

In the context of this call to war, there are two truths.

First, it is a sign of disbelief that they will turn peaceable implements into tools of war. This is the opposite of the same items discussed in the day of the Lord, when weapons are recast as farming equipment. Those who hate God find ways to turn everyday matters - even good and necessary equipment - into a fight. They turn guidance about modest living into an argument about personal choice and lifestyle. They turn the idea of loving life into a healthcare debate. They turn prayer into a political battleground. Even the weakest become aggressive over their personal "issues".

Second, I recognize that in this war, the faithful ... have no roll. We are not taking up our own weapons and fighting victoriously. Instead, we simply get to sit in the Lord's stronghold, enjoying the bountiful harvest of his land, while he makes decisions about the nations. We do not fight the hostile, angry, aggressive attackers. 

Application: I better make sure I am not fighting. I must not be someone creating "weapons" out of peaceable instruments. This is a sign of the nations at war against the Lord. Instead, I must trust that the Lord can (easily!) handle the attacks.

Yes, I get frustrated with the state of fighting in our society today. However, it is not for me to go to war against the erroneous ways of the world.

Prayer: Lord, may thy will be done this day. I truly desire to be a peacemaker, and all the more every day. I can only do this through your Holy Spirit, poured out on this old man who desires to dream your dreams. Let the enemy attack, for you are my refuge and stronghold. May I know your peace, and by that demonstrate your love to others. Amen.

Pattern of Assured Punishment

Scripture: Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:16-19

Observation: While it is common for believers to say they do not understand the ways of the Lord, there is actually a very simply pattern when it comes to questions of God's anger. If there are people who clearly hear the Lord's instruction, who personally witness his miracles, and directly receive his blessings ... and if they then deny the Lord, rebel against his laws, and disobey his instructions ... they will be punished in some manner.

In the case of the first generation of the exodus, they had seen the amazing miracles of the curses of Egypt, been saved through an incredible parting of the sea, been promised an restful existence in the promised land, and all they had to do was walk into it. They refused, and the Lord withdrew all blessing from them, requiring them to camp in the desert the rest of their lives, so that none except Joshua and Caleb would ever even see the land.

Application: I have known God's love, received his blessings, witnessed miracles. I had better not then rebel against his teaching, and refuse to obey his instructions. I may pray about how others may or may not be treated by the Lord, but my greatest error would be to fall into the pattern of the exodus and receive God's punishments instead.

I have seen and known the Lord. I must obey my Lord.

Prayer: Lord God almighty, please forgive my acts of rebellion and my failure to align to your good laws and precepts. I do not mean to rebel or to sin or to be disobedient. Again I say, please forgive me. May I always look to you for the right direction and action of my life, knowing and remembering all the amazing and wonderful things you have done throughout history, and especially in my own life. Thank you, my Lord and my God. Amen.

What We Live For

I need to stop just being alive, and start living for!

Suffering the Unbelieving Attacks

Scripture:
How lonely sits the city
that once was full of people!
How like a widow she has become,
she that was great among the nations!
She that was a princess among the provinces
has become a vassal.
Lamentations 1:1

Observation: The writer of Lamentations introduces the entire topic of this book thusly ... "how lovely sits the city that once was full of people". This is a lament about the destruction of Jerusalem. The reasons for the destruction of known ... the people turned from God, so the Lord himself coordinated the destruction of all of Israel and Judah. However, this book can be read as if it is an ode to Jerusalem.

Application: I once started reading a book about the history of Jerusalem, which was written by a Muslim. I stopped very shortly into it when I discovered the 500 page book was going to spend ~3 pages discussing the history of the city from 1,500 BC to 60 AD, ~10 pages discussing 1948 to present, and the rest discussing the period between. I am paraphrasing, but the author dismissed the biblical historical record of the city with the following argument:

-- The entirety of scriptures is NOT the word of God, but is actually a history of Jerusalem.

-- We know every historical element mentioned in scriptures is proven false.

-- Therefore we know nothing true about Jerusalem during this period and cannot rightly study it.

It occurred to me that this is how almost every attack against Christianity is structured. First, they inaccurately paraphrase something about our faith and belief. This may be a misquoting of scripture, improperly contextualizing quotes or facts, or flat-out misrepresenting the truth. Second, they attack that inaccurate paraphrase with evidence. That evidence may range from very good and strong science, to completely incorrect historical information. Finally, declaring they have demonstrated the inaccurate paraphrase to be false, the dismiss all relevance of God, Jesus, and Christianity.

This is what the above-referenced author did. He misrepresented the content and theme of scripture (it's a history of a city, not the word of God demonstrating his love, mercy, and plan for human redemption), made a false declaration (historical information in scripture has been proven wrong, which is not true even IF the point of scripture were to document history), therefore the scriptures are a worthless source of information and without them nothing can be known about this time period.

Everyone who publicly and aggressively attacks Christianity on television or the internet seems to begin by declaring "what the bible says" and doing so completely inaccurately. I could list 100 falsehoods such people declare to begin their attacks. From there, they can easily present the 'wrongness' of such beliefs, and thus conclude that Christians are ... deluded, dangerous, vile, ignorant, intolerant, and any range of other marginalizing attributes.

I do hope such people repent and discover Jesus as their Lord and savior. However, if they persist, I release them to their doom.

Prayer: Lord, if I lament for the greatness of my nation, it does not mean that my life exists to only advance and serve my nation. My life's purpose is to worship you. May I do so all the better understanding your truths. Amen.

Corrupting the Purity of Faith

Scripture: For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:13b-15

Observation: As Paul reenforces the actions to be taken by Titus on Crete, he discusses those who are believers yet rebel against proper teaching. Mostly, these are Jews. They pay attention to "Jewish myths" and to commandments given to them by non-believing Jews ... in other words, likely mixing Jewish custom and ceremony with Christian faith in a way that is causing doubt in true faith in Jesus.

This leads to an observation, that to the pure (sound believers in Jesus) all things are pure, but to the corrupt (those who prioritize myths and practices and customs and ceremonies as part of their faith) and the unbelieving (non believers) nothing is pure. In the case of understanding goodness in the world, Paul states that total disbelief in Jesus, AND belief that is intermixed with procedural requirements and practices, create the same mindset ... a corrupted idea of purity/goodness.

With faith, purity is determined by alignment to Jesus Christ, his teaching, and the practices of love and mercy. However, add anything else into the mix - like requirements of sacrifice, cleansing procedures, or prescribed words to say before an action - and purity now requires a determination outside of Jesus. And these are commandments added through attempted observation of God's commands, which Paul himself likely enforced at one time! Adding other practices - whether they are faith, government, or culturally based - is at least just as corrupting.

Application: We have many, many debates in modern society that Christians are turning into Christian debates. Some are political, some are cultural. All are outside of Jesus' teaching and his words about love and caring for others. And interestingly, all the resulting debate about such issues boil down to debates about "purity" ... what is good, what is right, what is loving ... what is pure.

If we focus on the mission of loving others in the name of Jesus, we will find the purity of things and goodness of things. If we focus on procedural correctness, rituals, traditions, myths, and debates, we will interpret nothing as good. This mindset reflects our own corruption.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for brothers and sisters struggling with corrupted debates in their minds. They are losing focus on your love. None of us can understand everything going on in the world today, but you can give us simple and clear instructions. May we all have ears to hear you, Jesus. Please give us all your loving word today. Amen.

Yet Another Impossible Outcome

Scripture: I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea before your very eyes for all the wrong that they have done in Zion, says the Lord ...
No stone shall be taken from you for a corner
and no stone for a foundation,
but you shall be a perpetual waste,
says the Lord.
Jeremiah 51:24,26

Observation: At the time this was written, the Babylonian/Chaldean empire was the ruling empire of the known world. Babylon was a mighty city with "hanging gardens" considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. Meanwhile, Zion was burned and in ruin, Jerusalem was effectively a pile of rubble, and the entire nation of Israel and Judah had been abandoned and evacuated by force. Yet Jeremiah is declaring not only that Israel and Jerusalem will be sustained, but that Babylon will eventually be wiped from the entire face of the earth, even going beyond this by stating that Babylon/Chaldea won't even be the foundation for any future empire or race.

Today, Jerusalem is alive and well, one of the major cities of the world. Many of the major cities of ancient Israel/Judah still exist. This is true despite the 70 year exile of the Old Testament, and despite a subsequent 1,900 year time in history in which Israel did not exist. Meanwhile, Babylon is long gone. It was abandoned and ruined. It's an archeological dig site. Less than 300 years after this writing, the 'ethnicity' of Chaldean was eliminated entirely, with no people-group today recognized as direct descendants.

No contemporary of Jeremiah, looking at circumstances, would have predicted anything close to this reversal, yet it happened both decisively and permanently.

Application: I am reminded today that the very existence of faith in Yahweh is proof of the existence of Yahweh, due to the unfathomable history of earthly resistance to him and the radical survival of that faith. In Israel, we see a single family that has been sustained through Millenia while massive empires and people-groups have radically attacked them, then been erased from the face of the earth. In Christianity, we see a faith that has prospered beyond any belief system in the history of mankind, despite active and open attacks against the lives and livelihoods of its believers.

Impossible, unimaginable outcomes come to pass when it comes to God, often with God declaring that the impossible will occur in advance.

There is no cornerstone from the Babylonian empire. This is a cornerstone of my faith in the Lord God almighty found in that fact.

Prayer: Lord, you are the Lord of hosts, the Lord that sees to it, the Lord our banner, the Almighty creator. May my faith be evident this day and every day. Amen.

Join in the Suffering

Scripture: Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:8

Observation: Writing from prison in Rome, Paul urges Timothy - and by this letter, all believers - to join with him "in suffering for the gospel" if that is what is required for the courage to spread the good news of Jesus.

He understands well that many people don't just resist the good news, but even fight against it, and that therefore telling the good news brings hardships. He also knows that some believers, who still do believe in Jesus and worship the Lord, yet take measures to avoid hardships and punishment, even to the point of keeping their distance from associating with Paul (he calls out the church leaders in Asia for this in v15). Yet he encourages true believers to not only not avoid hardships, but to embrace them if they do in fact come upon you. He knows that these hardships can be part of the Lord's plan to advance the gospel, as was true even in this immediately circumstance as Paul's imprisonment was part of a motion to bring faith to the entire Roman empire and eventually the totality of the "western world".

Application: I have said this before ... I believe persecution and hardships lie in store for American Christians within my lifetime. I have experienced minor persecution, and seen how matters of belief are now regarded by our society. It will get worse.

Who will join with Paul in this suffering for the gospel? While I don't want to suffer, I will never forsake Jesus, and I will stand and acknowledge my faith in any circumstance. There will come a time when doing so will bring some kind of judgement and punishment upon me ... I am willing to receive that, for I agree with Paul that I will not be ashamed of Jesus nor his testimony that lives within me, and I will rely on the power of the Lord in all things.

Prayer: Lord, I say it again, I do not look forward to nor want to receive persecution for my faith in you. However, I know I already have to a small degree, I know more is coming, and I will not be afraid. May thy will be done until the day of your return. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Disputes About Words

Scripture: Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Observation: Paul emphasizes for Timothy the primacy of the word of God, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. These teachings we know to be simple ... to love others, and to obey the scriptures, which themselves are summarized as simply to seek justice, show mercy, and be humble. However, even the early church recognized that there were people who desired to debate issues, just like the Pharisees did (and Paul being a former Pharisee knows this well).

People who debate topics and issues have a "morbid craving for controversy" and look for "disputes about words". In other words, these types of debates are born out of negative emotions like envy and suspicions, and thus are designed to advance one person either in position, authority, or worldly gain.

Application: As I consider this, I see that every attack that has come against the leaders of our church - including my wife - have come from someone who was themselves seeking a way to be considered to be an elevated leader. They are people who, without any acknowledgment by ordained church leaders, call themselves elders and prophets/prophetesses; they declare their gifts and authority without any spiritual evidence and in fact with proof that they are false. They do these things because they want to influence policy, direction, message, and teaching in order to advance some belief that is NOT part of the simple words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thinking back, this is true of ... EVERY such situation. In every case, those engaging in accusations and debate were declaring their "godliness" in an attempt to assume some gain, and their approach was to create controversy and disputes over the petty use of words.

And in every case, when church leaders rejected the idea of engaging in such petty debates, those people ... left. Further evidence that what they were seeking was not an understanding of Jesus, but some benefit they perceived in having the debate itself.

There is both comfort and sadness is knowing that these internal church issues affected saints like Paul and Timothy, and have existed for millennia.

Prayer: Lord, it is certainly true that your Church should be of one unified mind, that being in the likeness of Christ Jesus. But you also certainly know that your created humans are unlikely to ever reach such a state until we are perfected in Christ in heaven. May we continue to avoid disputes about words, and remain focused on your simple and clear teaching as the primary purpose of our earthly lives. Amen.

Active Rejection of God's Word

Scripture: Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to settle there’; but Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us, to hand us over to the Chaldeans, in order that they may kill us or take us into exile in Babylon.” So Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to stay in the land of Judah. Jeremiah 43:2-4

Observation: Even those who survive the Babylonian cleansing of Judah refuse to obey the Lord in any way. They have seen everything Jeremiah said come true, ask for the Lord's advice, and immediately declare him a liar. They are promised safety in Judah, and to themselves be able to sustain the Israeli people, and instead they choose to flee to Egypt where they are promised certain death. Once in Egypt, they then refuse to honor God at all and instead actively persist in their idol worship practices (chapter 44).

This is the truth of about the nature and condition of the Israelites ... they are not ignorant of the Lord's instructions, but rather they actively and repeatedly - with forethought and stubborn insistence - reject the word of the Lord.

Application: This is when I fail the worst ... when I actively and intentionally reject God's instructions. I do this too often, where I know I should or shouldn't do something, and act the opposite. Like Paul, I refuse to do what I love, and instead do what I hate.

I must absolutely change this, or destruction is promised to me.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for your forgiveness for my sins and wrongdoings. I am a flawed, sinful, and weak person, who can do nothing without your spirit and your strength and your love. I ask that you not just take my hand so I won't stumble, but carry me when I am falling. I need you, Jesus. Amen.

Blessing with Words Fitly Spoken

Scripture:
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
are faithful messengers to those who send them;
they refresh the spirit of their masters.
Proverbs 25:11-13

Observation: For three verses, the proverbs tell of the value of the spoken word. True words, wise rebukes, and accurately reported news carry the worth of beautiful riches, personal adornments, and life-giving refreshment. While the value is for the receiver of the words, the charge is upon others to deliver good words ... to give a word "fitly spoken", or a wise rebuke, or a faithful message.

Application: This is a double-edged lesson for me. I have been greatly harmed by the words of others, however I am far too casual in my harsh words to others.

I desire to love others, so I should consider how I may give them ... words fitly spoken. The care for others is first and foremost in our words, which can harm or can bless, and the blessing of words comes in their accuracy, their truth, their wisdom, and their timeliness.

I sincerely wish I could give others better words than I often do.

Prayer: Lord, my tongue is a terrible thing, I know. I say many things that harm others. Please forgive my careless words, and help me to love others through the thoughtful use of truthful, honest, caring words. Amen.

The Mystery of the Paradox

Scripture: Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:
He was revealed in flesh,
vindicated in spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16

Observation: Paul uses these words to summarize the "great mystery" of Christianity. We have faith in Jesus, who was and is:

-- Exists as human, but also fully exists as a spiritual being

-- Seen by angels, but also known about by all mankind

-- Known throughout the human world, but also living in heaven

The mysteries are perceived paradoxes, but they become understood in the context of the promises of God. There were always promises of a savior who was both ... the eternal lord over mankind, and himself a human ... one who reigns forever but is killed as a sacrifice ... one who is the heir of Adam and David but salvation to gentiles.

Jesus had to be a paradox, which is why he could not be well understood before his time. It is why he is not intuitively understood today. It is the ultimate mystery, that there were conditions of Messiah that were impossible, and yet made possible by God.

Application: It is true that faith is believing without understanding. There are many elements about God I do not completely understand. However, one thing I do understand is that the Lord made a series of promises that were impossible to fulfill ... then successfully fulfilled them. It may be a mystery, but it is true, and it is my faith.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your protection and safe travels. Please continue to help me grow in my faith and understanding, and discover more and more about your mysteries and your promises. Amen.

Becoming Cursed and Abhorred

Scripture:
Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations.
Proverbs 24:24

Observation: Within the wise sayings regarding honesty and partiality in judging is this statement about wickedness. This is pretty clear ... anyone who declares wickedness as good or innocent will themselves be cursed.

This is the exact charge levied by the Lord in Jeremiah 23. The Lord calls out how the prophets of Samaria sinned by prophesying in the name of Baal. However, he then declares that the prophets of Judah now do something even worse ... they "walk in lies" and "strengthen the hands of evil doers" (v14). They say to those who hate God "it will be well with you" and to those who follow their own will instead of the instructions of the Lord "no calamity will come upon you" (v17).

In other words, they approve of acts of wickedness by giving "words" from the Lord that support activities that are not consistent with the word of the Lord. The wise writer of Proverbs knew what would come next, which is curses and shame such that they will be abhorred by nations. Jeremiah says the same, that the Lord is against these prophets, and they will be cast out and endure everlasting disgrace and shame.

Application: I am so afraid that our entire society has entered this phase in our rebellion against the Lord, that we declare those who hate the Lord to be good. Our leaders declare as good and even protect those who perpetuate acts in violation of the Lord's instruction, ensuring it will be well with them and no calamity will come upon them.

Are we in actually a cursed and abhorred people? Is our nation about to become a disgrace, a byword, a taunt?

We are not a nation chose by the Lord to be his priests. However, we are a nation established by the hand of the Lord, and with original values by Christ. We have abandoned those values, and now gone beyond the evil of Samaria - worshiping our own gods - to the evil of Judah, which is declaring proper and even sanctified that which is wicked. We have dismissed God's word for our own definitions of good and truth and knowledge.

How do we return from this precipice?

Prayer: Lord, I pray today for our nation. We are lost. May we find our way back to you. And if we do not, may you have mercy on the remnant who devoutly believes in you and your word. Amen.

Clarifying Concepts of Blessing

Scripture:
The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to human beings.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any that go down into silence.
But we will bless the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 115:16-18

Observation: This passage is a promise of blessing. In verses 12-13, the psalmist declares that blessing is promised to everyone who fears the Lord, both great and small. In 14-15, he states the blessing will belong to us and our families, and they will be both earthly and heavenly blessings. However, here in verse 16-18, there is a clarification of that earthly versus heavenly delineation.

The Lord commands all things. However, he has given the earth to humans ... a fact we already knew from Genesis. In this manner, on earth humans have free will to do as they please, which includes deciding to disobey the Lord and to even completely turn away from him. These people are dead. They do not praise the Lord, and thus when they die they do not ascend into a heavenly home with the Lord, but rather they "go down into silence". While these people may find earthly blessings - good lives as defined by human terms - hear on the human-managed earth, they will not receive the promised blessings of the Lord.

Those who bless the Lord on earth will not go down into silence; we are promised blessing, and that blessing is given to us here are earth ("from this time") and into an eternal life in heaven ("on and forevermore").

Hallelujah!

Application: I declare, praise the Lord!

Yes, I desire the Lord's promised favor and blessing, here and for eternity. I also know that, due to God's granting of the earth to humans, not everything in life on earth will ever be perfect. Humans are allowed, by God's love for them, to do as they please, and I know well that sometimes others will be pleased to harm me and my family. However, that does not change God's love and blessing. In fact, it makes the future blessing of heaven all the greater, as I cannot now even comprehend how wonderful God's perfect blessing must be!

I declare, praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, while I know the issues of this world, I lean into your promised salvation and blessing. I thank you that Jesus provides the ability for me to make clear my faith in you and cover my failings, so that I may find you in every aspect of life. I look forward to heaven, while serving you hear on earth this day. Please give me my daily bread, forgive my sins, and allow me again to praise you with all my heart. Amen.