Christ, the Ultimate Leader

Why Jesus is the “reason for the season”? It probably helps to understand what the season is about. The season could be summarized as a time to give gifts of appreciation, love, and devotion to others. It has been a custom for centuries for kingdoms to bring gifts to each other as an alliance with, or tribute to, another kingdom. Although the season of Christmas isn’t about building alliances with others, it is about bringing cheer and happiness to someone which helps build stronger relationships. 

God began His gift giving by creating life, then giving a promise of an even better life. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 describes our “giving gifts of love to others” as a way to honor Christ and proclaim the good news. It’s kind of an echo of His “surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 

God’s indescribable gift was found in Jesus (John 3:16), who showed us how to live (1 Peter 2:20-21; Phillipians 2:3-5), not just in His presence, but His influence. Consider how Jesus’ understanding of scripture as a tool to guide us amazed people during His ministry, Matthew 7:28-29, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (even before His ministry began, Luke 2:47). 

Jesus’ way of living and interpreting scripture leads us in a powerful way to the Promised Land that the Israelites failed to enter because of their lack of trust in Moses’ (really God’s) leadership (Hebrews 3:19). Today, we are “blessed because we follow Him even though we don’t see [Him]” (John 20:29). To follow Jesus is to trust his leadership, to trust his authority in our lives, and to trust his words (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

So, how would we “exchange gifts” with Jesus? He described the commitment to live by His ways and follow Him in Luke 9:57-62, which ultimately is about our surrendering our will to His and knowing that His will establishes an amazing foundation for a beautiful life. It pleases God to see people trust in His son and to follow His example in life. 

His leadership gives us peace and comfort. We don’t have to do this alone. Thankfully, God has consistently worked through other people to become the peace and comfort we need in our most troubling times. Therefore, giving gifts to those who have brought peace and comfort to our lives, or who have modeled wisdom and compassion, should be a natural expression of gratitude. It’s for this reason that leadership should be so highly valued within the body of Christ.

Wisdom from God

At the end of King David's life, he made preparations for one of his sons to take the throne. Solomon was the Son of Bathsheba, one of David's wives that came about at a dark time in David's life. Solomon was able to see the pressures associated with leadership, so he asked God for help. After he took the throne we read his prayer in 1 Kings 3:7, 9, "Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties… So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

God granted him wisdom to lead. We should know that all of us, especially leaders, need to remember James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Great leadership is bathed in godly wisdom. Solomon writes a series of "wise sayings" to his sons in Proverbs 1-9. He begins these 10 pieces of wisdom letting them (and us) know their purpose.

Proverbs 1:2-6, "[The proverbs are] for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise."

Ultimately wisdom is seen as well as heard. Good leadership practices what it promotes. When the world sees godly wisdom, in a way they get to see a glimpse of God.

1 Corinthians 1:20-24, "Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

"The list" found in 1 Timothy 3, or Titus 1, serves as attributes associated with godly wisdom. Just like Solomon, leaders need to be seen turning to God for guidance and seeking His wisdom to lead people closer to Christ.

Good Hearts

During the holiday season, it can be challenging to buy gifts that people really want or need. Although, most of us understand that it’s the thought that counts. In other words, a gift giver's heart is in the right place when they were choosing a gift to give.

God has given us a gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit, “the seal for the day of our redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). This beautiful gift helps us to tune into God’s heart, His will. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 2:11, “Who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” Although God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), we still have what we need.

Consider 2 Peter 1:3-8, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Lord says that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9), which means I need God’s Spirit to guide me towards making better decisions and acting in better ways. How does that guidance manifest itself? Our first response is probably “scripture.” While that’s true, it’s best when the scripture is presented by someone that cares enough about us to help us “get back on track” (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19- 20).

The Bible talks about the heart about 950 times, which means our heart must be right. It’s what God was looking for in every leader He ever chose. David prayed in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

David’s prayer was a prayer of repentance for sins he had committed as a leader of God’s people. He knew he needed God’s holy spirit to guide him as a king (leader). David had succumbed to the world’s way of leadership (corruption, selfishness, greed, etc.), which Samuel had warned the Israelites would happen (1 Samuel 8:11-18). David had been appointed as a different kind of leader, so too are the leaders in the church called to a higher standard than that of the world (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-27, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave…” It was within this same way of thinking that Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to appoint men with “good hearts.” Ultimately, he says “the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5). 

Shepherds

Leadership is developing people and helping others reach their full potential, according to one online dictionary. Sadly, it’s a beautiful concept that is often overlooked in our world today. 

Scott Mann is a retired Green Beret, who teaches leadership to organizations. During his 18 years of service in war-torn places, Scott began to realize how important building trust among the community is in order to overcome some of the biggest hurdles in organizational leadership. “Rooftop leadership is having a crystal-clear vision of a better world that doesn't yet exist, and the dynamic ability to inspire others to help you build it.” - Scott Mann 

How does that translate for a church? The truth is leadership has a powerful impact on the health and direction of a congregation. But how and who are the questions that people want to know when seeking new leadership. Thankfully, we have a lot of material to refer to in order to see what God had in mind when it comes to leadership. 

Typically, preachers and teachers focus on 1 Timothy 3 or Titus 1 as the primary source that details the qualities of good leaders. While that is very concise and helpful, the entire story of God’s redemptive plan adds even greater detail to the kinds of leaders that serve the way God wants them to. 

Throughout the Bible, especially the “history” portion of scripture, judges and kings are recognized for doing good (rarely) in the eyes of the Lord, or for doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. In fact, the phrase, “___ did evil in the eyes of the Lord” is used 40 times in the Old Testament (NIV). The fact that so many didn’t hit the mark should serve as good examples for us of what NOT to do in Godly leadership. As Paul said in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” 

As the qualities Paul highlights in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, a shepherd ought to be “well-thought of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, be attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap” (taken from the Message Bible). 

The fact that the Bible is full of detailed examples of leadership should help us to see why it is so important that qualities like these be found in those who are helping a group of believers reach their full potential in the work of the Lord. These qualities complement the mission of the church, “...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Season of Cheer

Have you ever heard people talk about spreading Christmas cheer? There is something about this time of year that brightens the moods of folks.

In a quick Google search I found several ways to share your cheerfulness: Share baked goods with friends, donate things to the needy, go caroling, decorate your house, volunteer serving food at a shelter, or go shopping for presents. These were a few things listed, but what's the Bible say about Christmas cheer?

It's important to note that Christmas, as we know it, isn't in the Bible. However, Jesus did similar things (listed above) to bring "Christmas cheer." Technically, Christ(s)-mas loosely means "worship according to Christ" or "this is how you worship God."

Jesus answered John's messengers when asked, "Are you [the Christ] or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19). He said, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.” (Luke 7:22-23)

Each of these miracles and messages brought "cheer" to those who "didn't stumble" because of who He was. Jesus had many people follow Him; some were genuinely interested in hearing about the future promises of God, and others were "cheerful" because of what they got from Christ's generosity (John 6:26-27; Phillipians 1:12-18).

The reality is that we create cheer by doing things for others that brighten their day. So that magical Christmas feeling isn't limited to December. Sometimes we have to "create" a cheerful environment in a situation that normally isn't cheerful at all, (much like Jesus in Luke 7).

Another example of this is found in the announcement of Jesus' birth (arrival to earth). The angels said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

Being saved from death and separation from God is definitely worth being cheerful about, but think of what this meant for Jesus. It was part of God’s plan to bring cheer or joy (which is the root word for cheer in koine Greek), but it is rooted in sacrificial love for others… a truly "Christmas" concept!

The Holiday Spirit

Paul describes the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 

“Even so…”— the reality is that, although we are one, we still have things we deal with that make us feel different than others. The holiday season is supposed to be a wonderful time to reunite with friends and family and to reminisce about old times. But what if your friends and family aren’t really part of your life? What if they represent a life you left behind? Or what if you encounter other relationship obstacles? In you, or them? 

Jesus made it clear that there was a family stronger than blood. Probably the most obvious scene is in Mark 3:31-35 when some people came to where He was teaching and said, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for You.” It was His response that seemed weird at first, “Who are My mother and My brothers? Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.” Following Christ can have an effect on how we view our family. Read Matthew 10:34-37 or Luke 12 to see the high call that Jesus is giving us. 

However, Jesus still concerned Himself with His family. For instance, in John 19:25-27, Jesus arranged for His mother to be taken care of. “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” Why? Didn’t Mary have other sons and daughters? (Mark 6:3). Regardless of the reason, He took the initiative to ensure her wellbeing. 

But why mention this at the onset of the holiday season? Because depression may occur at any time of the year, but the stress and anxiety during the months of November and December are statistically worse. There may be other emotions beyond stress that impact the holiday spirit. Things like; routines are put on hold, or there is an increased number of get-togethers (which can cause some people to feel anxious), reminders of some people in the family they no longer have, due to death, distance, or decisions. Even cold weather can bring people down. 

But as Christians, we should look for ways to be a blessing to others. There are many ways to do that, but I’m reminded of the simple, but powerful “law of Christ” mentioned in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This holiday, consider some ways you can lighten the burdens on the people you care about most. 

Veterans Day

"I thank my God every time I remember you." – Phillipians 1:3. 

"It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 when the world celebrated as a treaty was signed ending what was to be "the war to end all wars" — World War I. 

"One year later, on what came to be known as Armistice Day, Americans came together to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who served during the war. Soldiers who survived the war marched in parades and were honored by speeches and ceremonies recognizing their contribution to peace throughout the world. 

"Congress declared Armistice Day a national holiday in 1938. By this time, with unrest in much of the world, Americans realized World War I would not be the last war. After the Second World War, which was even bloodier than the first, Armistice Day continued to be observed. In 1954, Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to include veterans of all United States wars." (from an article on Crosswalk.com) 

Veterans Day is about recognizing those who have laid down their life so that you could have freedom, and those willing to face death for the same cause. As believers in Christ, there are tremendous parallels to a day like Veterans Day and what Christ did for us. 

Romans 5:9-10, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” 

His death brought about a deeper conviction to live according to God’s design. Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Those “ways” are modeled in Jesus. 

Jesus’ decision to do his father’s will rather than his own is what Jesus wants from us as well. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” 

Happy Veterans Day to our men and women for following in the footsteps of our savior through your selfless service, and we honor those who gave their lives to defend our nation.

Obey the Gospel

The goal for Christians all over the world is for people to “obey the Gospel.” The word Gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term god-spell, meaning “good story.” Paul declares to the Roman Christians in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (the good news), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the Gospel (good news) the righteousness of God is revealed…”

The Good News IS that God is bringing salvation to the world! Therefore, it is helpful to recognize what we need salvation from before we can truly appreciate the “good news” that there’s a way to escape it. Paul continues in Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…” Ultimately, sin is what we need to be rescued from. Thankfully, part of the reason Jesus came was to reveal the truth about God’s purpose for mankind and His will on earth. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Those teachings point to a way of living, a kingdom principle that changes how I think, act, and what I focus on. Paul says in Romans 15:1-5, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel (the good news) I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel, you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Paul continues by explaining the challenges of faith in this announcement of God’s Son as part of a new kingdom (15:50). Our belief in God’s plan to send His Son to be the king that no human has been is key in what it means to obey the Gospel.

It’s my obedience to the principles outlined in the message and actions of Jesus that allows me to be “transformed by the renewing of my mind…” that allows me to “be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” This begins the same way it did for those people on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension into heaven: repent of my old ways, and be baptized (immersed) into the life of the king, Jesus! So, I have what I need to know to “obey the good news of a new king.” Obeying the king means I “do what He says” - joyfully! (John 14:15)

James 2:8, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” 1 John 5:3, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome…” Obeying the Gospel begins with submitting to His ways, as seen in the act of baptism, and continues in how I live out the principles of God’s kingdom. Unfortunately, many people will not accept the kingship of Christ, which has consequences… 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Peter 4:17. It must be our job to help the world to see the beauty of following a new kind of king—Jesus the Christ!

Sign of Jonah, Part 2

Jesus often said things that confused people. “I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48)... “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (53). Or John 2:19, which takes place after Jesus cleared the temple and the religious leaders said, “What gives you the right to do that?” Jesus’ response: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Their response shows us they didn’t have a clue what that meant. They said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” There are other verses, but you get the picture. Jesus said things that either wouldn't have been understandable at that time, or things that would’ve required a spiritual revelation.

1 Peter 1:10-12, “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” 

Without the Holy Spirit, as 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 describes, we wouldn’t understand. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived; the things God has prepared for those who love Him, these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God…” 

All this helps us realize some of what Jesus said in His “sign” He gave to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:39-41, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.” 

It’s helpful to try to determine if the story of Jonah was really about the miraculous acts God orchestrated in order to bring a message of mercy to the Ninevites? Or was it about the hard-heartedness of Jonah for refusing to see what God saw in the Ninevites? How does that matter? Why? Whatever the answers, Jesus saw this as a great sign of God’s authority for his Pharisee antagonists. How do you apply the story of Jonah?

The Sign of Jonah

Jonah… He’s a childhood storybook favorite. He’s the prophet of God who was swallowed by a great fish! His story is one of the more familiar of the “Bible stories” in American culture. Many storybooks end with Nineveh’s repentance to God because of Jonah’s short, but obviously effective, message. “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). But how important is that story? How does it fit into the overall story of the Bible, or of Jesus and salvation? The difficult parts of that story often are overlooked, to make it more kid-friendly. Unfortunately, many people don’t quite grasp the significance of this 8th century B.C. prophet and how his story helps to “make straight the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1:3). 

During Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders failed to see any of the “signs” in the prophets that pointed to Jesus as the Messiah, even though He fit every prophecy made about Him. So, when the Pharisees began to criticize Jesus’ teachings or actions, they said in Matthew 12:38, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you!” Ultimately, they were asking Jesus to prove He had the authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, or do any of the things He was doing, something they had already recognized, according to Nicodemus’ statement in John 3:2, “We know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him.” 

Jesus’ response to the pharisee’s demand for a sign was “the sign of Jonah”!? Was it about repentance? After all, the Ninevites “believed” the message of Jonah (Jonah 3:4, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”) Or was there something else, a sign that would later be understood by its accurate, and impossible fulfillment. Jesus said in Matthew 12:39-40, “...For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth…” 

Jesus’ big “sign” for them was going to be His resurrection! This was the sign for all believers, forever. It’s what compels us; it’s what gives us hope. This is why Paul claimed in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Later in that same letter (1 Corinthians 15), he focuses on Jesus' resurrection as the pivotal part of that event. Whether or not Jesus’ sign was sufficient for the Pharisees, they didn’t want to believe that His supreme power over all things, including death, was real. 

What sign are we looking for to determine if God’s promises are true? The Bible is packed with nuggets that point to Christ and His power over all things both in the Old and New Testament, our job is to have “eyes to see, and ears to hear” (Matthew 13:15). 

Who is Jesus?

"Who do people say I am?" This is a question Jesus poses in Matthew 16, Mark 8, and Luke 9. There were a lot of ideas being circulated, most of them false. Peter nails it: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God! " (Matthew 16:15). 

We may be tempted to overlook the significance of his answer in our Christian culture today. By this time, Jesus was under heavy scrutiny by the religious leaders, His followers were fluctuating, and Jesus was revealing how different His kingdom really was. All of these things could have played a role in Peter's conviction. 

The question of who Jesus is, is an important one and is often unanswered by many Christians. But who He is greatly impacts how I follow Him. 

In 2022, we are going to dive into an in-depth study of the life of Christ and the culture He came to live in. In the meantime, how do you answer the question Jesus asked His followers? 

Years later, after denying Christ, stumbling in his leadership (Galatians 2:11-14), persecuted by some (presumably 2 Timothy 3:12); he had this to say about who Jesus was: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time… (19) the precious blood of Christ, the lamb without blemish or defect…" (1 Peter 1:3-5)

It is apparent by this time he was thoroughly convinced that Jesus was the Son of God and that knowledge necessitated an attitude that reflected that claim. So he says, in 1 Peter 2:9, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light… (12) [therefore] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us… (17) Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 

Part of loving the family is praying for them, which means we must know about their struggles. Join in proclaiming the name of Jesus to those that need encouragement

Monday Night for the Master

The medical journal, The Lancet, recently published an article that describes an alarming problem that potentially looms on the very near horizon. The article described the long-term effects that longer periods of isolation, even less than 10 days, can have on people. One of the authors of the article stated, “We are witnessing the deterioration of relationships. Rather than connecting people, restrictive measures are creating rivalries and arousing discord between people… Social isolation has been linked to cognitive impairment, reduced immunity, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and ultimately, mortality… This pandemic will inevitably lead to redefining our relationship styles, which will no longer be based on proximity but on distance. Physical contact will be replaced by negotiated sharing, while the digitalization of lives, already started with the advent of social media, technology, and virtual reality will be further emphasized…”

While that can be extremely depressing, the authority of God’s word gives us the direction and the process to address these issues in our culture. First of all, God’s word was written during times of extreme negative conditions (wandering in the wilderness, pre- and post-captivity, Roman oppression, congregational tensions). That should give us comfort to know that God has always had a plan to save people in desperate situations. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…”

Many of Paul’s conclusions to his letters, end with a greeting for people at a particular congregation, or instructions to help keep the body working in harmony with God’s word. The Monday Night for the Master mission has a similar goal: to encourage people who may feel alone and isolated from people around them. We care about the body of Christ; therefore, our first task should be to care for the people we worship with.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

We are Christ’s ambassadors bringing hope from the fears of this life and the hope for the afterlife. That’s what motivates us to continue to reach out, even during the stress of our time in history. The Monday Night for the Master is a mission to do just what scriptures encourage us, and instruct us to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

There may be many psychological effects of isolation, of extended time away from people, but we can help serve as the bridge back to a life within a community built on Christ. Please prayerfully and actively help us to reach those who need a call or a card to lift up their spirits. 

Restoration

What does restoration mean to you? 

• Hosea 4:6, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge…” 

• Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” The same verse in the King James version starts, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” 

In order to restore anything, you have to have a vision of what it should look like and knowledge about what is needed to complete it. That’s true for renewing anything: cars, houses, furniture, or lives. 

Jesus often encountered people with broken lives that needed restoring, and some of them weren’t the people you’d expect. 

In Matthew 8:6, a Roman centurion came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” We often focus on his confidence in Christ’s authority to heal from anywhere. And Jesus praises him for his faith that was unseen anywhere in Israel (Matthew 8:10). Immediately before this though, Jesus had just finished a sermon that was meant to mimic Moses’ address on Mt. Ebal (Deuteronomy 27-29), a sermon Moses had given right before he sent the people over the Jordan towards the Promised Land. In that instance, God was going to drive out the faithless Canaanite people. Now, Jesus had a non-Israelite come and demonstrate tremendous faith in who he was. 

The Israelites needed restoring, but some of the first examples of faith in His power to restore were people other than the Jews. Another time, a Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus for healing against all odds. Matthew 15:22, “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.'” She boldly asks for Jesus’ power even when it didn’t sound like she was going to get it at first. Like the Persistent Widow (Luke 18), she kept her faith strong. 

Although many Jews believed, there were still many who rejected Him. However, all of them would have acknowledged that Israel needed restoration or deliverance from the Romans. They wanted their kingdom back, but they lacked the vision to see Jesus as the one who could do it (at least at first). 

In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, He tells her, “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Although “salvation is from the Jews,” the Jews weren’t the ones eager to have a restored life. What does this tell us? That sometimes those who have had the good news of a restored life right in front of them all their life, fail to recognize what that looks like or how to find it. Thankfully, Jesus brings it all out in the open where we can all make the decision to have a renewed life. He brings life, He brings hope for the future, and He brings peace to our lives. Let’s have “eyes to see, and ears to hear.”

Powerful Blood!

Having the right bloodline is important. In many cultures, it could be the difference between life and death, success and failure. And the Bible is all about being part of the right bloodline. 

Ruth, for instance, was added to the right bloodline and changed her life forever, but we can add that it was her faith and loyalty that allowed her entrance into a royal bloodline. Consider that in church﹘the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:24)﹘when we are added to the church (Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:27), we are added to His body, or into His bloodline. 

There is a special characteristic that's recognizable among God's royal family. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:16-20 that we will “know them by their fruit.” God’s people, those who are part of His bloodline, will demonstrate distinct characteristics that mimic our Maker. The Israelites wanted a bloodline to rule over them made up of “kings like everyone else has.” But more often than not, those of the human royal bloodline didn't fit the mold; they hardly had any of the faith and loyalty that Ruth modeled. 

It's in Christ (His bloodline) that we now have hope to be what God wants from His children. We are redeemed from an old way of life, and a powerful change takes place in the blood. Apart from that bloodline, we are hopeless. 

Throughout the Bible, blood redeems us from the price against us that we could not pay. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold (you were redeemed) ... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 

Blood is life! (Genesis 9:4) "But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13). Colossians 1:20 says, "And [God] reconciles to Himself all things… by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." Jesus made a divine bloodline available for us, and it changes our life. Praise God for life-giving blood

Change Your Mind

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."—(Romans 12:2)

One of the most climactic passages in the Bible (in my opinion) is found near the middle of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Romans wasn’t the first epistle Paul wrote, but it is definitely regarded as one of the most profound and probably the most referenced defense of the Gospel addressed to believers. One of the important things we gain from reading it is to see how Paul addresses real-life arguments and misunderstandings of the role of Christ for humanity. 

The truth is that we all have things we don’t understand well about what it means to live for Christ. Even Paul and the other apostles struggled with understanding at times and doing what the good news reveals about God’s will for us and what that means in everyday life. 

The Jews thought they understood being a Jew pretty well. In fact, they took a lot of pride in that idea without realizing what it all really meant. Eventually, those who were seeking to worship the Father in spirit and in truth realized they would have to change the way they thought about…everything in order to do the will of the Father. 

Being a Jew wasn’t bad, any more than being a Pharisee; it was acting rebellious or hypocritical that was bad. It seemed their titles blinded them from what God was calling them to be. Nothing is different for us. Being an American isn’t bad, any more than being of a particular race, or having a certain IQ, or earning however much money you earn. It’s thinking differently that is the real challenge. 

God had a very important ritual that He established for those living prior to Christ’s arrival: The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Atonement just means reparation for a wrong or injury, which in humanity’s case is sin! God was willing to atone (cover over) sin on our behalf. It was a day that involved many prayers of thanksgiving and sacrifices to demonstrate their understanding of the importance of that event. Sadly, they struggled with really getting it; they hadn’t changed their minds yet! 

It took Jesus coming to the earth to model for us how to live, and being willing to be the perfect sacrifice, the lamb who would take away the sins of the world! Once He lived and was sacrificed for us, this could finally make more sense. The challenge still remains, though, that we must change the way we think about life and godliness. 

Romans 12 highlights many amazing practices that help us in that. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality…” (Romans 12:9-13)

Grandparenting

Acts 2:39, "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call." 

A gray-haired woman in her 70s walked down the aisle of a plane, stopped by an empty seat, and asked the person sitting next to it, “Excuse me, do you have any grandchildren?” When the very surprised person responded, “Yes, I do!” the woman moved on down the aisle. Asking the same question, the person next to the empty seat stammered, “No, but we wish we did.” Sitting down, the woman said, “Wonderful! Now, I will tell you about mine!” Does that sound like you? 

Bragging on your grandkids is a blessing I hope you don’t take for granted. But that time as a grandparent is more than showing off pictures to strangers, it’s about showing Christ to those precious little people who bring you so much joy. Yet, a growing number of grandparents are on repeat mode of parenting. For them, those little people aren’t just weekend visitors but permanent residents and their responsibility. Whether or not this describes your situation, grandparents play a huge role in the emotional and spiritual development of a child. 

I’m speaking from the perspective of a parent just entering the teenage phase. Although I have no experience as a grandparent, I can see the tremendous value of their presence in my kids' lives. What should young parents expect from their parents' involvement in the lives of their children? Here are a few things that grandparents' experience and wisdom can do to aid the parent in the heat of the battle:

Be proactive and seek ways to get involved and stay involved in their life. Many times, a younger person will end up mimicking the actions of those who are constantly in their life. This may also require you to become familiar with texting, Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, etc. Besides, that may be a great opportunity to spend time with your grandkids letting them teach you a thing or two about technology. (You may also be able to introduce them to the art of sending cards and writing letters.) 

Keep the main thing, the main thing. There’s nothing more important than for all of us to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21. 23). However, that means we never quit trying to shape, encourage, inspire, train our children to put God first. Psalm 71:18, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” How are you doing with that? 

Surround your grandchildren with a hedge of prayer, when you’re with them and when you’re alone. Listen to them. Invite them into your life, but remember that they will want you to be part of their life, too. Do your giving while you are living. Send a grandchild to Bible School. Help as many families as you can find with the support and hope they need by your actions. Although grandparenthood sounds amazing, it’s important to remember that it’s not over until we are called home. Stay in the action, help those who need it, and love others passionately.

What Does That Mean?

Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and wondered what it meant? Sure, all of us have. There are things that are said in Scripture that require a little digging to understand. “Exegesis” is a word used to describe a careful study of Scripture to discover the original and intended meaning of what was written. You’ve probably heard someone say, “Back in those days...” when referring to something Paul said to a congregation. Exegesis tries to overcome the gaps between an ancient text and modern understandings. There’s a reason we don’t feel compelled to “greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Peter 5:14, Romans 16:16), or bring out the foot-washing basin when we have someone over to the house (John 13:14). Exegesis can help us understand why we don’t literally pluck out our right eye or cut off our right hand if they cause us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30). 

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” In Acts 18:26, Aquila and Priscilla used some kind of exegetical model to help Apollos understand “the way of God more accurately.”

Occasionally, we’ll come across passages that really leave us scratching our heads: “For this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.” (1 Corinthians 11:10). Although there may be many speculations, good exegesis takes into account the overall theme and purpose of God’s inspired word for us. We should feel confident that God wants us to know His will, which includes repentance, following Him, being clothed with Christ, and loving our neighbor, just to name a few things. 

So, does God intend for us to understand passages like 1 Corinthians 11:10? Yes, but with maturity. Perhaps we need to also consider there are things in the Bible we don’t really need to know at this time. Eve sought knowledge that wasn’t helpful to her walk with God (literally), David sought after knowledge that was harmful to his kingdom in 1 Chronicles 21 when he took the census. In both of these examples (Genesis 3 and 1 Chronicles 21) the reader can understand by looking deeper into the text that God wanted them to be grateful and content with what they had. 

It takes a lot of wisdom to slow down and try to grasp the bigger picture before we start detailing it out. Studying God’s Word can seem overwhelming, but when you remember this is His message to help reveal what He’s looking for in us, that can make a big difference. Remember these words from Paul in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

God of Risks

Financial advisors often ask their clients about their risk tolerance. Risk tolerance is defined as the acceptable level of loss of any particular asset (time, money, reputation, etc.) a person is willing to take. People who are risk-averse do everything in their power to not subject any part of their life to loss. While that may be responsible, it's not realistic. We are constantly surrounded by risks, some more detrimental than others, but the challenge is understanding when a risk is unnecessary. 

Have you ever considered the many risks God has taken with mankind, and that He asks us to take as well? From the very beginning, God took a risk by creating a being with free will that could rebel. Even beyond that, of all the people in the world, He chose the Israelites as a people to call His own. Deuteronomy 7:7-8, “The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath, He swore to your ancestors…” Or the multiple times He chose the weakest, youngest, most insignificant people to be His messengers, prophets, and most inspirational people. Not to mention His choice of the apostles! He knew all of these risks and their outcomes before He even began, yet this shows you what He thinks about taking a long shot. 

Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” And yet, He took the risk. Time after time Jesus invested in those the world said were not worth the risk. His bold actions proved He wasn’t concerned about staying within His social group or encountering opposition. In fact, Jesus modeled very well the statement we read about many times in scripture, “Be strong and courageous and do not be afraid, the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go” 

It wasn’t just risks in getting God’s message to His creation; it was eventually asking the creation to continue the sharing of the promise of God to all those people in the world. His great commission speaks of going out into the “unknown” parts of the world, “...into all the world…”, therefore, as we realize we’ve been made in the image of God, then we realize we must act as God acts—and He is bold. Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…” Perhaps it's the command seen in 1 Peter 5:6 that seems to be the riskiest move for us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” Humility is risky; it makes us vulnerable, but it's an essential part of being with God in eternity (1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34). Being humble is completely in your power, and it’s through that act that we see great rewards. 

Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” His risk is our reward!

Culture of Christ's Mission

What’s the hardest thing about starting something new? Fear of failure? For many folks, starting something new means there is an entirely new set of rules, norms, customs, relationships, etc., that have to be considered in order to be successful. While starting new things can be exciting for some, it’s scary for many others. However, like most things, the more you do it (experience), the more you feel comfortable with what you’re doing and who it’s with. 

In Hebrews 5:11-14, we’re reminded that there is a point when we should be able to share this message or encourage others with the truth about Jesus. “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” 

We have a responsibility to share this good news with the world (Matthew 28:19-20). After all, that’s how the kingdom of God began (people spreading the good news about it), and as Paul says in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'” 

As Christianity declines in the U.S., we need to ask why. How much of the neglect of the good news is because we don’t try? Or, how much of it is because we don’t know how to express it to a culture that we’re not used to? 

Communicating truth to a culture that doesn’t believe in truth seems challenging, but is it impossible? The early Christians had their own cultural obstacles to overcome in order to teach and preach the good news. Paul knew he was speaking primarily to people of the Greek-thinking culture. They didn’t think in the monotheistic Judaism model that the Jews did. Those teachers of the truth would have to learn how to communicate with the Hellenistic culture of those influenced by the Roman empire. So do we. No excuses! 

1 Peter 2:11-12, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” (Hebrews 10:24). This may end up thinking of fresh, new ideas in order to accomplish it. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Inspiration

One of the fundamentals of Christianity is believing the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, and His sacrifice for our sins. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). The gospel (good news) is revealed to us through the Bible. If we didn’t have anything written down about the events that led up to Jesus fulfilling the promises of God, we wouldn’t have a very reliable understanding of what defines the good news. “By this gospel, you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.... According to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:2-4). We have been given the written accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry to help give us confidence in his claims to be the savior of the world, the only way to achieve eternal life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Yet, upon this fundamental fact that God’s words outline His will for us, we see such misunderstanding or complete ignorance about how to use the teaching, or the rebukes, or the correcting, or being trained in righteousness; and we see how that has impacted our culture. Therefore, an important question we must ask is, “Do I believe ALL of these words are from the Creator?”

The word inspiration (God-breathed) becomes the focus of this dilemma. One definition of the word is, “the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.” Others might focus on this influencing and motivating power being based on God ﹘ divinely imparting His will so we can know what to do. 

Peter says in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 

1 Corinthians 2:12-13, “What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”

Many people have difficulty understanding how the Bible helps them with personal problems now, which brings inspiration into question. While many believe in the idea of the Bible being inspired, they live as if they have to still search elsewhere to find solutions to their problems. The Bible is filled with hundreds of examples of people rejecting or accepting God’s teaching (through prophets, priests, or kings), His rebukes (2 Samuel 12), His correcting (Hebrews 12:9-11), or His training towards righteousness (Hebrews 5:14; John 13:13-15; 1 Peter 2:21). But, just like Eve should have used discernment to determine if what the snake was telling her was true or not, we too have to seek discernment to understand the essence of the Biblical examples and teachings we read. This takes being mature, “...solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Paul's Persuasion

Luke 1:68-79 records a praise from Zechariah, John the Baptist’s dad, for seeing how he never should have doubted God’s blessing of a child. God is faithful! His situation reminds us of Abraham and Sarah and their lack of children to carry on their family line. Just as the history of God’s people really begins with Abraham and continues throughout the Israelite’s continued disbelief in his promises, the Gospel of Luke picks up with a similar theme, and yet that’s where the “good news” comes in. 

Zechariah’s name means “The Lord has Remembered.” Yet it was really Zechariah who had forgotten God’s ability to fulfill His promises. As a priest, Zechariah was familiar with the rituals of worship, but apparently, he wasn’t persuaded of God’s power. However, after several months of silence, he was persuaded that God had not forgotten them. John, his son, would be the forerunner for the Messiah—Immanuel, “God with us.” 

Sometimes in our lives, we need persuasion to accept the hand of God in our lives. It’s easy to focus on the negative, or the fearful, or the failures of ourselves or the people around us, but God has demonstrated that there is no power able to keep Him from doing what He said He would do. 

Romans 8:31-39, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies... (38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

When you read through Luke’s effort to persuade Theophilus to either follow Jesus (or have more understanding of who he is following), we can see some amazing parallels that pull Theophilus, or any reader, back to the motif (design patterns) of God fulfilling His promise way back in the Old Testament. Throughout that effort to persuade us to trust Him, Satan constantly tries to put obstacles in the way of us understanding this. “We are not ignorant of His schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). 

The goal of the Gospel accounts is to help us see how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise, and that by believing in Him, there is hope for tomorrow. “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies…” (Luke 1:68-71).

Play by the Rules

The Olympics are essentially the greatest contest of athleticism between nations of the world. Going to the Olympics is a dream for athletes of all ages. But getting there is no accident. It takes a lot of hard work, a love for the sport, good technique, financial support...to name a few things. But, like many contests, there are rules that have to be followed. This year there have already been protests concerning the rules—specifically Rule 50. 

Rule 50 is about framing a neutral venue at the Olympics: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” In an age of limited speech and cancel culture due to offensive icons, why would this be an issue at the Olympics? Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:5, "Anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules." What are the rules for the Christian in a culture that is both easily offended, and blatantly materialistic? 

Regardless of the actual issues in the media right now concerning Olympic protests, consider the “stand for your rights” from a spiritual perspective. I’m not downplaying any motivation behind any kind of protest; at the heart of it, there is a message on their mind that they believe the world needs to hear. Jesus showed up to a culture that was politically super-charged. A lot of anxious and violent energy was brewing in the hearts of many Jewish people as they anticipated the Messiah’s arrival to bring liberation! 

Yet, Jesus showed us how to conduct ourselves many times, and He spoke extensively about it in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). That sermon echoed Moses’ sermon by saying, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all His commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world” (Deuteronomy 28:1). 

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:11-12, “I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world…” (NLT) 

Expressing ourselves is important to many people, but knowing when and how to share your innermost thoughts and feelings is vital to social stability. Jesus often told those He healed to tell no one what happened but to go show themselves to the priest (Matthew 8:4; Luke 5:14). 

Satan is deceitful and works within our minds to convince us to throw caution and respect to the wind and “say what’s on our mind” at any cost. Sadly, that brings more pain than peace. Consider how you can demonstrate the proper spiritual restraint at the right time.

The Lamb of God

"Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" What a powerful statement by John the Baptist (John 1:36). This claim ties several things in our faith to events that happened in the Old Testament. 

Do you think people who lived prior to Jesus' arrival, would have been able to recognize that John's statement revealed the role of the messiah? 

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

These inspired teachings help us have confidence in knowing what the will of God really is. Paul said, "don't be foolish but understand the will of the Lord." (Ephesians 5:17) 

As we reflect on the scriptures that helped to reveal this fact about Jesus to John, we can better understand God's will. The history of the Jews was built on these fundamental teachings, or demonstrations of God. First, Abraham was given a promise of a son that would lead to an inheritance of a nation. (Genesis 12). After Abraham received his son, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his "inheritance," (Genesis 22) but God spared his son and offered him a substitute sacrifice… a ram! 

Later, God delivered the Israelites (the nation that came from Abraham) from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 11-15), after the last plague. The Israelites were told to offer a substitute for their lives by offering a lamb in their place. 

So, when John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," he's identifying Jesus as the substitutionary lamb that had been seen all throughout the Torah (old testament). Revelations 5:6,9, "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders... And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood, You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation."

Purity

As responsible parents, giving our children ‘pure’ things is important. We wouldn’t want to tell our kids to go get a drink out of the pond or go rummage through the dumpster for lunch, nor would we endorse a sexually active lifestyle, because all of these things aren’t good for them on many different levels (physical and spiritual). God also does not want His children engaged in activities that bring upon them the effects of impurity. 

Purity is an important part of God’s instructions to the Israelites after they left the Egyptian culture and were preparing to enter into the Canaanite culture. These purity laws weren’t just to ward off diseases, although as we read those dietary laws especially, we can see the value in that. However, the purity guidelines pointed towards something else that predates Egypt, or even civilization–the choice. By clearly defining the foods and practices that ultimately pollute the mind or the body, they had a better idea of how to honor God. So, Leviticus was given as a guide or a map that was filled with laws and rituals that point to purity, which revealed God’s nature as well. 

Leviticus 11:44-45, “Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore, be holy, because I am holy.” These were more than a list of laws and practices to ‘observe or die!’ 

These were intended to help reshape our thinking about the things humans choose to come in contact with every day. Throughout the book of Leviticus, most foods or actions were avoidable. Occasionally, there were situations that were beyond their control, but there were instructions on how to indemnify their purity. 

Ultimately, these laws are about choices. In our culture, we recognize that our “pure” foods are presented as choices. Organic? Processed? Natural? Artificial? Those are all choices that you have to make to determine a future result in your body. God’s laws are intended to do the same thing but on a different level. Not just concerned with the glow of your skin or the flow of your blood, but about the way you think about life all around you. 

Sadly, the ritual takes precedence over the function, or blessing of purity. Paul said in Romans 1:24-25, “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” 

They failed to see the blessing of purity in life. They made choices like Eve made in the garden; choices that caused them to lose something she had in her midst but traded it for a lie! Sometimes the rituals we engage in help to remind us of a future goal (physically but especially spiritually). Leviticus helps to point to the concept of delayed gratification. This is choosing to say “no” to something now, so I will be positioned to enjoy something else later. Jesus showed us a way of life that blesses us both now and forever

Freedom

Independence Day not only represents the creation of a new nation, but also the creation of a new civilization, one founded on the principles of freedom, self-government, and equality from a different angle. 

In Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775, he begins by saying, “In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free… we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!” 

After multiple attempts to resolve the dispute between Great Britain and America, a fight was inevitable. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:17-19, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God…” 

Thankfully, we realize that when we stand for Godliness, we’re not standing alone. In fact, we’ve been given many promises concerning our struggle and the victory we can have hope in when God is with us. Deuteronomy 20:4, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." 

There are many encouraging scriptures that remind us that we are not fighting against evil on our own. God’s spirit guides us daily in the truth for the sake of His kingdom. Jeremiah 20:11, “But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before Him, my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated…” 

The main thing to remember is why. Why oppose another? Why go to war? Throughout history, many nations have had to fight for their freedom; but when we consider the nation of “the church,” we have to understand how different it is from a nation about self. In fact, even freedoms like “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” must come to defer to God’s kingdom. 

As Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for y
ou,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That future is in the Lord. It is a kingdom He fights for that doesn’t function the way other nations do. His kingdom celebrates new life where His citizens “really love others. [They] hate what is wrong, [and] hold tightly to what is good. [They] love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other…” (Romans 12:9-10). 

The Praise Psalms (the last 5 psalms in the book) are designed to focus on why we praise God for all his many attributes. In Psalms 148:13-14, amidst a praise for creation, it concludes with a reminder for all people to “let them all praise the name of the Lord. For His name is very great; His glory towers over the earth and heaven! He has made His people strong, honoring His faithful ones…”

What is Holy?

You might be thinking of the Holy Bible,, or a Holy-day (Holiday), or maybe when you think of Holy, you think of purity, goodness, or righteousness. All of these resemble some aspect of ‘Holy,’ but it’s hard to say that any one of these things accurately defines holiness.

Holy is defined as “something dedicated or consecrated to God; sacred.” Although the word is almost exclusively used in religious settings, it isn’t necessarily limited to religious things. Ultimately, holiness is reserved for something set apart from the regular or normal for the purpose of reflecting on something highly esteemed. Psalms 99:9, “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.”

Therefore, we must be careful not to assume that just because it’s done in a church building, or in the name of Jesus, that it fits the criteria of Holy. Holiness has more to do with a deep genuine relationship than ritualistic actions. Jesus helped the woman at the well (John 4) understand that when she asked,  "Which place was more holy?" He described to her the kind of people that God is looking to be in a relationship with. He said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (4:23)

How would you describe your ‘seeking process’? Are God’s desires highly esteemed in your eyes? Within Jesus’ answer, He points to the way through which God has made pleasing worship available—through Jesus (John 14:6, Hebrews 11:6), but within His words, He also describes a heart that is eager to love God, passion in devotion to Him, and in a way that aligns with who God is and what pleases Him. 

Consider this passage from Rom 12 as a description of what Holiness really looks like, and how that display of Holiness is, at least in part, a good definition of what it means to worship him in Spirit and in truth. Rom 12:9-12, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord…”

The Lord's Prayer

The path of righteousness was illustrated, in a literal journey, with Jesus during His ministry. People joined His travels from town to town; they came out to one place or another to hear him preach and teach. Jesus often invited people to “follow me” (Matthew 4:19), recalling Moses making a journey to the Promised Land.

There were times when Jesus sent people out to ultimately see if they could point others to Jesus (Luke 10), and they came back excited that others listened to them and demons even obeyed them! But Jesus seems to softly rebuke them by reminding them that He had watched “Satan fall from heaven” (10:18-20). Then Jesus said a prayer to His Heavenly Father… “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

What did they hear in this prayer? Jesus tells a story of the Good Samaritan as an iconic view of acting Christlike on this journey of life.

Then His followers asked Jesus a question about prayer that many people still would like to know. They asked in Luke 11:1, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” A reader’s natural question might be, “What did John teach about prayer?”

But the Bible doesn’t really say what John taught; however, like Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan, John taught how we are to treat others (Luke 3:10-14). Jesus doesn’t quote anything that John taught, but He focused on the coming kingdom and offering thanksgiving just like John did. Jesus said in Luke 11:2-4, “Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation, [but deliver us from the evil one].”

How does this prayer reflect Jesus’ love and appreciation for His father? How does it help you to do the same for your father? We focus on Fathers on Father’s Day; consider how their example of provisions, mercy, and protection have changed your journey for the better.

What is Hope?

What is hope? It’s been defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The key is that it is something that hasn’t happened yet. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith in a similar way, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Faith, like hope, is something that may require a lot of patience before its fully realized. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 concerning the importance of faith through trials, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

But what if you had no promises of a better tomorrow? No relief from suffering, no peace! As Proverbs 13:12 says, “hope deferred (delayed—indefinitely) makes the heart sick…” In other words, we need hope to get through the day-to-day grind that drives us into depression or to help us persevere.

In essence, that’s the story of God’s promise to a people (now all people) who follow and trust Him. Jesus came to become the hope of salvation, the avenue of peace, the way to heaven! But prior to His arrival, the Israelites didn’t have a lot of hope. They’d lost their kingdom and their prosperity, and they even lived in captivity for several generations. Once “free,” they only had a broken-down dream of peace and prosperity. They were hopeless, but they made efforts to rekindle that hope.

One thing they did was rebuild Jerusalem in an attempt to restore the worship that was done there (in part—read Malachi for a picture of how it wasn’t up to God’s standard). It was during this time that many historians believe that the Psalms of Ascent were written and sung. They were a series of 15 Psalms from 120-134 that reflected the trials of life while going to Jerusalem, the place of their hope. These Psalms still carry a lot of hope for us, regardless if it isn’t about Jerusalem. Their “Jerusalem” was where God’s promises had been visually recognized in earlier times. The hope was that it would one day be restored to its former glory. Thankfully, we’re not waiting on a town to be rebuilt in order to have hope; we know that hope comes through Christ!

Romans 5:1-5, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Mission Work

What is the work of the church? Ultimately, most would describe it as the Great Commission mentioned in Mathew 28:19-20. But “going out in the world” has plenty of challenges. As Jesus said in John 15:20-27, “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me... When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about Me. And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning.” 

The Apostles may not have fully grasped the dangerous mission Jesus was commissioning them to undertake, but no doubt about it, it was dangerous. In fact, the danger is still there. As John said in his Gospel concerning the True Light, “Light is come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil...” (John 3:19)

One of the dangers might be our attitudes that develop after constant rejection, constant rebellion, and constant abuses among those who claim to be followers. Paul addressed this many times throughout his Epistles. The challenges, therefore, us to maintain godliness even when there’s opposition. Preaching the truth is important, but living the truth is truly impactful. 

This is where, as they say, “The rubber meets the road.” This has always been an issue; from the early history of the Israelite nation who constantly rebelled and had many prophets try to set them straight, all the way to today. A tremendous way to end problems that impact our effectiveness in spreading the Word of God is to follow Jesus’ example. This passage from Philippians 26 is believed to have been an early Christian hymn sung in worship. Meditate on the humility modeled by Jesus and ultimately the impact it had on the world: 

“Who, being in the very name God, 

 did not consider equality with God 

something to be used to His advantage; 

rather, He made Himself nothing 

 by taking the very nature of a servant, 

 being made in human likeness. 

 And being found in appearance as a man, 

He humbled Himself 

by becoming obedient to death— 

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place 

 and gave Him the name that is above every name, 

that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 

 in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

 and every tongue knowledge 

 that Jesus Christ is Lord 

 to the glory of God the Father.” 

This is an upside down way to do mission work in a world that hates the very light that will save them. But thank God, we have been shown the way!

A Hero's Journey

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.” 

When most of us think of graduation, we think of kids. Whether it’s kindergarten, high school, or college, the connection with graduation seems inextricably linked to the young. And this makes sense because the thing we think about most with young people is what they are going to do. Who they are going to become. Where they are going to go. There’s so much potential and future, and it’s exciting to consider. The future is where hope dwells, the future is where dreams are possible, it’s where people can become someone, or do something that will greatly bless others. 

We all have futures, and we are always graduating into new opportunities and seasons of life. To think we only have exciting futures when we are young, well, that isn’t from God. (Remember Abraham and Sarah. They had their whole future change around the age of 99!) 

So as you go, whether you are young or old, go boldly and seize every opportunity that comes before you. Why? Because we have a peace in us that is greater than anything we can find in this world, and we can take courage in the fact that no matter what “maybe” our future turns out to be, Christ will be there with us every step of the way. 

Most of these words come from a devotional thought from the Skit Guys, a pair of comedians who share a long-time friendship encouraging people along the journey of life. In our Hero’s Journey, the real test of life happens after we decide to become a bonafide follower of Jesus. 

It seems that, not too long after coming up out of the water, when we feel so relieved, the temptations show up with increased intensity, emotions may feel more polarized than before, and even our convictions can be an obstacle on the Hero’s Journey. 

Remember these words of Paul, at the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is a crown waiting for me. It is given to those who are right with God. The Lord, who judges fairly, will give it to me on the day he returns. He will not give it only to me. He will also give it to all those who are longing for him to return.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

The Hero's Journey

Imagine you’re spending the first days of your summer relaxing by the pool, or working in the flowerbed, or just trying to take it easy, when a stranger approaches you and invites you on a special mission. After the initial “stranger danger” reaction, let’s assume this person is sane and really believes there’s a special prize for whoever finishes this mission. What do you do? It could be risky, it could be expensive, and you might be ridiculed for going on the journey. 

It doesn’t take much imagination to realize that’s kind of the invitation to follow Jesus. While the first invitation may remind you of some kind of action/adventure movie, the invitation to follow Christ is often very tranquil or symbolic in comparison—or so it seems. 

Joseph Campbell wrote a book called The Hero with a Thousand Faces, in which he describes the Hero's Journey, a common pattern in nearly every hero story, especially the ones involving a quest. His model starts with the status quo, someone who isn’t looking for change but has a call to adventure. This is where faith begins to take place (Romans 10:17), believing that the quest truly is a worthy one. 

Once the proper gear is obtained and assistance, the hero begins the journey. The cycle continues through departure, trials, facing danger, crisis (James 1:2-4). Although this is only the first half of his model, it makes a great place to stop and think about this pattern in our journey with Christ. Once we’ve come to a sense of contentment, or humility, or genuine love for others, the remainder of the journey should seem to be more rewarding. However, for many people, the journey up to these moments of conflict causes them to abandon the quest. Or as Jesus illustrated in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13, some seed fell on the rocky soil and had no roots, and some fell among the weeds and briars and were choked out by the worries of the world. 

It takes great perseverance and determination to face the giants on this journey. It takes great faith to see beyond the dangers to the prize ahead. As Paul said in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” 

On this hero’s quest, there is a clear goal and a clear mission. We’re reminded in Matthew 28:18-20 of the Great Commission. Many other stories and letters reveal the seriousness of the mission, the stakes involved, and the reward for staying with it. This scenario really is true. 

Do you believe it? 

Will you join the quest?

Acknowledgement

Life is filled with challenges—family, faith, work, extracurricular, etc. Nearly every aspect of our life will have the occasional setbacks, fears, disappointments, or unknowns. The question is how will we reflect on those events when they are over? 

After Jesus was betrayed and during His crucifixion, He demonstrated an amazing example of respect even while going through a storm. He said in John 19:25-27, “Woman, here is your son,” and to [John], “Here is your mother.” From that time on, John took her into his home. This was Jesus' way of caring for His mother after He was be gone. 

There have been many people that have helped each of us overcome something bad or to achieve something great. Paul said in Galatians 6:6, “The one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.” 

Frequently, Paul ends his epistles, “instructions in the word,” by acknowledging those who have been a blessing to him by their contribution to his work in some way. Romans 16 is one of the longest lists of those he wanted to thank. Paul gave his greetings to Rufus, who he says is “chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.” (16:13) 

It’s easy to thank our mothers, because they typically are the ones that nurture us, cheer us on, console us, encourage us. Their contribution to our success may be behind the scenes at times, but it’s such a beautiful thing to be able to honor them for what they’ve done for us. 

It may be tempting to skip over the acknowledgments in a book, or to ignore the “thank you's” to people we don’t know in a graduation or an acceptance speech, but each of those names represents someone who made a contribution to getting someone to the point of being recognized as a hero, a survivor, or a success.

As Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians, he takes the time to thank those who made a difference to him. No matter how his letters started, it was part of his discourse to take the time to recognize those who helped him, those who he misses, and the great examples among those he’s writing to. Be sure to take the time to thank, or at least acknowledge those who have made a difference to you—especially your mother!

Unity Over Tolerance

What’s the difference between unity and tolerance? One definition of tolerance could be putting up with someone, or something, you are not particularly in favor of, for the sake of fellowship with other people. While that’s not altogether a bad thing, it could be potentially dangerous; Paul reminded us that “bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Yet, it’s our association with others that allows the gospel to be shared. Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are [immoral]... In that case, you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister [who is immoral].” 

Therefore, there is a higher standard for those of us who belong to Christ’s kingdom. “His ways are higher than our ways” (Isaiah 55:8), and we now live and think like Christ—at least that’s the goal. But we’re reminded often of how often we sin, how often we criticize, how often we lust, how often we hold a grudge, how often we cheat in some way. While we sin often, and while we’ve been warned about the dangers of associating with ungodly people, we are still called to be unified! This seems nearly impossible, and from a worldly perspective, it seems many “believers” are not very unified. 

Unity is a huge theme throughout the Bible. In fact, after God made humans and then they rebelled, the entire rest of the Bible is the efforts God is going through so that we can be unified again.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians addresses some key principles needed for people prone to sin, need to practice in order to obtain Christ-likeness. When you only “put up with” others, the opportunities to plant eternal seeds into the hearts of people is overlooked. To achieve unity, you must continually remind yourself what you have in common, what your goals are. 

Colossians 3:1-4, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and [our] life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is [our] life, appears, then [we] also will appear with Him in glory.” 

Thankfully Jesus desired more than to simply tolerate us; He sought for unity with us (John 17). Hebrews 4:14-16, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

"How many times do I have to tell you?" said every parent

What is it about cleaning a house that’s so hard? What is it about sharing your things that is so tough? What is it about forgiving people that is so challenging? From birth to death, we all struggle with these. The reality is that these aren’t difficult—as long as our pride and ego don’t get in the way

When reading the handful of letters written by the Apostles to congregations to encourage them to live more fully to the will of God, we should notice something: many churches struggled with the same problem(s). If the Apostles were still writing letters to congregations, probably most churches would receive a letter encouraging them to continue in demonstrating genuine love and respect for others.

This simple message cuts to the core, dividing the Godly from the ungodly. Yet this simple message can get cluttered by teachings that don’t highlight the Greatest Command (Matthew 22:37-39). There is a real danger of people explaining the Truth in ways that cause a person to misunderstand God’s mission.

Ironically, the seeds of false teaching impact how confident we are about sharing it with others. The incorrect teachings, plans, and theories about God’s will floating around out there can cause us to be timid about sharing our hope of eternal life!

Paul said in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Jesus said about the Pharisees in Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” And as He continues in the Sermon on the Mount, He outlines how we should respond to others: help out, share, forgive, etc. Matthew 7:12 could serve as a summary of His sermon, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Paul said to the Corinthian congregations, “You yourselves are our letter [of recommendation], written on our hearts, known and read by everyone…” (2 Corinthians 3:2). What a tremendous goal: to be a “light on a hill,” to be a picture of Truth being lived out amongst our communities!