June 2
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”
(John 13:15,17, NLT)
(John 13:15,17, NLT)
In a very poignant moment, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. He did this as a sign of humility and service. He did this as “an example to follow” according to John 13:15. Jesus, the Son of God, was not above doing the work of a servant. He did not see work for others, even mundane work, as a degrading action. He elevated the service of others to a new level of faithfulness.
Some people in our world see manual labor, acts of humility, and service to others as “beneath” them. They see it as embarrassing or degrading or even unholy work. In the 1980’s, when the AIDS epidemic was just beginning, a man called the office in my church to speak to the pastor. When I got on the phone, he asked to visit with me. When I asked why he wanted to talk about, he said he had been diagnosed with AIDS and just needed someone to “open up to” about it. I asked if he was a member of a church. He said he was not. Then, he revealed to me this part of his situation, “Pastor, I’m dying. I just want to talk to someone who knows God. I was brought up a Christian. I gave it up. Now, I just need to reconnect with God somehow. I’ve called fourteen churches so far and nobody will meet with me. Could we just talk, please?” We talked. He opened his heart. He shed many tears. We prayed together. He left. I never saw him again. Chances are, he didn’t live much longer after we met.
What bothered me the most about caring for this man was that he couldn’t find another pastor to speak with him. His soul was crying out for a reconnection with God but because of his past situation and his present illness, he was seen as an outsider and ignored. I’m sure not all pastors would have ignored him. However, in our small town, I know he tried to meet with at least a quarter of them but could not for various reasons. Sadly, I’m afraid that one of the reasons pastors would not meet with him was because his disease had social stigmas attached to it. Some pastors were afraid of AIDS. Some just didn’t want to be seen with a man who was diagnosed with the “shameful disease”, as some called it.
Jesus met with sinners, people with diseases, people with spiritual issues. He even touched people with leprosy. Jesus met at the homes of tax collectors. He associated with a woman at the well who had quite the reputation. Jesus also washed His own disciples’ feet. Jesus was the perfect example of love and humility. He also expected the faithful to “follow” in His footsteps, humbly reaching out to others. That is made crystal clear in John 13:15.
Today’s scriptures also contain a little word, “do”. Jesus said, “Do as I have done to you.” Again, Jesus was giving an example. However, His words go beyond a simple command to be an example. Jesus expected His followers to “do” something with their faith. It wasn’t enough for them just to hear the gospel in worship or say the right words when repeating the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus expected His true followers to “do” the work, “do” what is needed to be righteous, “do” mission work for the poor and needy, “do” the work of a disciple and apostle. It wasn’t enough for Jesus to just “say” He would like to wash the feet of the disciples. He set an example. He did it. He didn’t talk about it. He did it.
Have you ever met a person who was “all talk and no do”? That was an old saying decades and even centuries old that described a person who was known to talk a lot about an issue but never got around to doing anything about what was needed. So too, there are a lot of “armchair quarterbacks” who love to yell at their TV while watching an American football team. They question the decisions of the coach or challenge the skill of the players. All the while they are making a fuss about the game, they aren’t playing the game. They aren’t coaches. They aren’t professional football players. They can talk up a storm. But, in the end, they are all talk. People who are “all talk and no do” love to make opinion statements or complain about something but they never end up making a difference or help fix a problem.
Among many Christians, there is the tendency to be “all talk and no do”. They might be heard complaining about the work of the pastor but do not offer to help the pastor get the needed work done.
They are more than ready to gossip about others in the church while never doing much more than gossiping. Some people are content to sit at a committee meeting and discuss an issue in the church never to really “do anything” about the issue.
At a pastor’s gathering, I had the chance to talk to a Baptist pastor from Tennessee. I asked him how things were going in his church. He had this sad look on his face, then remarked, “We are stuck in the mud in our church. There is a big need for a safe and faith-based daycare in the community. We have the facilities. We even have several members who would gladly bring their children to the daycare. Yet, for three years all we have done is talk about it in committee. Nobody wants to lead the project. The committee is even afraid of bringing to the congregation the information that we will need $140,000 to upgrade our security systems, fire suppression systems, and add other building code requirements to make it happen. So, all we do is talk about the need. With this issue, we are just stuck in the mud and going nowhere.” How many times have Christians seen a need but never reached out, talked about a faith issue but never solved anything, or heard of a hungry family but never brought food? It happens far too often.
Jesus set us an example to follow. He was willing to get on His knees and do the work of washing the disciples’ feet. Is there some work in your life, in your family, in your church, or in your community that needs completion? What must you “do” to make needed changes in your own life? Is the time for talking done, and the time for action upon you? Let the Holy Spirit be your guide to what needs to be done in your world. What can’t wait for more discussion and needs to be helped right now?
Some people in our world see manual labor, acts of humility, and service to others as “beneath” them. They see it as embarrassing or degrading or even unholy work. In the 1980’s, when the AIDS epidemic was just beginning, a man called the office in my church to speak to the pastor. When I got on the phone, he asked to visit with me. When I asked why he wanted to talk about, he said he had been diagnosed with AIDS and just needed someone to “open up to” about it. I asked if he was a member of a church. He said he was not. Then, he revealed to me this part of his situation, “Pastor, I’m dying. I just want to talk to someone who knows God. I was brought up a Christian. I gave it up. Now, I just need to reconnect with God somehow. I’ve called fourteen churches so far and nobody will meet with me. Could we just talk, please?” We talked. He opened his heart. He shed many tears. We prayed together. He left. I never saw him again. Chances are, he didn’t live much longer after we met.
What bothered me the most about caring for this man was that he couldn’t find another pastor to speak with him. His soul was crying out for a reconnection with God but because of his past situation and his present illness, he was seen as an outsider and ignored. I’m sure not all pastors would have ignored him. However, in our small town, I know he tried to meet with at least a quarter of them but could not for various reasons. Sadly, I’m afraid that one of the reasons pastors would not meet with him was because his disease had social stigmas attached to it. Some pastors were afraid of AIDS. Some just didn’t want to be seen with a man who was diagnosed with the “shameful disease”, as some called it.
Jesus met with sinners, people with diseases, people with spiritual issues. He even touched people with leprosy. Jesus met at the homes of tax collectors. He associated with a woman at the well who had quite the reputation. Jesus also washed His own disciples’ feet. Jesus was the perfect example of love and humility. He also expected the faithful to “follow” in His footsteps, humbly reaching out to others. That is made crystal clear in John 13:15.
Today’s scriptures also contain a little word, “do”. Jesus said, “Do as I have done to you.” Again, Jesus was giving an example. However, His words go beyond a simple command to be an example. Jesus expected His followers to “do” something with their faith. It wasn’t enough for them just to hear the gospel in worship or say the right words when repeating the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus expected His true followers to “do” the work, “do” what is needed to be righteous, “do” mission work for the poor and needy, “do” the work of a disciple and apostle. It wasn’t enough for Jesus to just “say” He would like to wash the feet of the disciples. He set an example. He did it. He didn’t talk about it. He did it.
Have you ever met a person who was “all talk and no do”? That was an old saying decades and even centuries old that described a person who was known to talk a lot about an issue but never got around to doing anything about what was needed. So too, there are a lot of “armchair quarterbacks” who love to yell at their TV while watching an American football team. They question the decisions of the coach or challenge the skill of the players. All the while they are making a fuss about the game, they aren’t playing the game. They aren’t coaches. They aren’t professional football players. They can talk up a storm. But, in the end, they are all talk. People who are “all talk and no do” love to make opinion statements or complain about something but they never end up making a difference or help fix a problem.
Among many Christians, there is the tendency to be “all talk and no do”. They might be heard complaining about the work of the pastor but do not offer to help the pastor get the needed work done.
They are more than ready to gossip about others in the church while never doing much more than gossiping. Some people are content to sit at a committee meeting and discuss an issue in the church never to really “do anything” about the issue.
At a pastor’s gathering, I had the chance to talk to a Baptist pastor from Tennessee. I asked him how things were going in his church. He had this sad look on his face, then remarked, “We are stuck in the mud in our church. There is a big need for a safe and faith-based daycare in the community. We have the facilities. We even have several members who would gladly bring their children to the daycare. Yet, for three years all we have done is talk about it in committee. Nobody wants to lead the project. The committee is even afraid of bringing to the congregation the information that we will need $140,000 to upgrade our security systems, fire suppression systems, and add other building code requirements to make it happen. So, all we do is talk about the need. With this issue, we are just stuck in the mud and going nowhere.” How many times have Christians seen a need but never reached out, talked about a faith issue but never solved anything, or heard of a hungry family but never brought food? It happens far too often.
Jesus set us an example to follow. He was willing to get on His knees and do the work of washing the disciples’ feet. Is there some work in your life, in your family, in your church, or in your community that needs completion? What must you “do” to make needed changes in your own life? Is the time for talking done, and the time for action upon you? Let the Holy Spirit be your guide to what needs to be done in your world. What can’t wait for more discussion and needs to be helped right now?
June 5
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”” (Revelation 14:13, NLT)
I met Harry many years ago. He was injured on the job site. His recovery took almost a month. During that month, a lawyer talked Harry into suing the company. Though the company was found to be at fault, the lawyer went after the company to get as much damages as possible. Though Harry would have no problem returning to work after his injury healed, the lawyer made it sound to the courtroom as if Harry had suffered life-altering injuries. The court awarded Harry more than a million dollars. What did Harry do? He stopped working, lived a life of leisure, and at the young age of forty-two, decided to take it easy for the rest of his life. He got up late every day. He didn’t take on a new job or learn a new vocation. He sat at home and watched TV most of the day. He saw the lawsuit as a great blessing. However, this financial windfall wrecked Harry’s life, made him supremely lazy, and resulted in his early death at fifty. Was the money from the lawsuit a blessing from God? I doubt it. Harry’s settlement caused him to become lazy, bored, drink alcohol to excess, and sit in front of his TV for hours. His wife enjoyed the money but saw her husband change from hard working to lazy, thin to fat, and giving to apathetic. She even spent more time doing God’s work than Harry did, even with all that time on his hands.
Joe was intelligent and driven. He was a dedicated father and valued friend. He was the kind of guy you could count on when you needed a hand or needed advice. Joe was a close friend to his pastor and a leader in his church. When Joe was forty-two, his wife got cancer. She died eight months later. Joe was heartbroken. Then, two years later, Joe met Sally. Sally helped lift Joe out of depression. She was a divorced woman with three kids of her own. Joe was thrilled to have a second chance at love. He saw Sally as a huge blessing from God and married Sally after six months of wonderful dates. However, three years after their marriage, Sally divorced Joe. It was a bitter divorce, where Sally took Joe for half of everything. Joe lost his home and was a bitter person for years. He hated women in general. He believed all women were conniving and cruel. He left his church and broke ties with all his old friends. Joe’s bitterness eventually caused him to lose not only his health but his life. Contrary to what Joe thought years before, Sally was not the blessing from God she seemed to be initially.
Both Harry and Joe were Christian men. Both Harry and Joe thought they knew God. Both Harry and Joe thought God had blessed them greatly. They mistook a financial windfall and a second love as blessings from God when, in fact, neither the money nor the new love interest was in any way a heaven-sent gift. One might even argue that both men were deluded by Satan into believing that they were blessed by God when they were not. It is all too easy to mistake the meaning or presence of God’s real blessings in your life. What might seem like a blessing at the time might actually be a curse. What might seem like a gift from God might be Satan’s ploy. A hard knock in life might be the blessing from God that uplifts you in due time. A financial burden may be what drives you to trust in God’s providence. Only time and God’s insight can make clear what are God’s blessings. Only by revelation of God’s Spirit can you see through the smoke and mirrors of life to perceive the actions of God’s hand.
One way to determine if something is a blessing from God is by how it affects your relationship with God. All God’s blessings have a way of bringing you closer to God when combined with true faith and obedience. All blessings have the added effect of sprinkling spiritual benefits all around. If God blesses a faithful man with a financial windfall, that wealth will benefit the poor, the needy, the church, and many more. If God blesses a faithful woman with a child, that woman will grow in faith as the child grows to adulthood, whether the child is godly or not. If God blesses a company with profits, you will usually see that company respond with an outpouring of sharing and jobs and security in the community life.
Blessings from God may be easy to accept or cause struggles and challenges. However, the effects of God’s blessings will ultimately result in faith and joy and an outpouring of praise. A true blessing from God may make life easier or it may make life more difficult for a while. Blessings from God may even seem like bad luck at first, but they ultimately result in joy or peace or a renewed commitment to God’s love.
A husband and wife went through a difficult series of challenges. First, she lost her job as a secretary at a government agency. Two months later, he lost his job as a surveyor. The husband and wife struggled greatly for a good while. After months of job searching, the wife was hired at a Christian outreach ministry. She ran the office. Some would see her work as simply secretarial. It was much more than that. Many children who passed through her office saw her as a trusted motherly figure and felt safe in her office. Employees would often seek out her advice or ask for her prayers. She was a big pray-er! As for the husband, he too found a new job. Instead of a surveyor, he started his own business as a contractor. As his construction business grew, he teamed with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for the needy. He donated many hours and materials to help a good number of widows, needy families, and overwhelmed single parents. When the husband and wife originally lost their jobs at the same time, they saw this period in their marriage as difficult and fearful. What they only realized later was that their job losses were a great blessing sent from God that helped them both to find new and wonderful places of employment where they could share their faith and talents in the most perfect of ways!
The scripture for today from the book of Revelation mentions the power of God’s blessings. First, it claims that those “who die in the Lord” are blessed. Why would death ever be a blessing? Well, according to this scripture, the death of the faithful and obedient will result in their eternal “rest from their hard work” in Heaven (Revelation 14:13). AND, “their good deeds would follow them” to eternity. Blessings from God not only affect your life in this world… they follow you to eternal life.
Blessings from God may come in many forms. Some of those forms may initially appear as difficulties or failures or trials or burdens. However, with time and faith and spiritual insight, you will soon see their benefits. Blessings from God may also come in the forms of forgiveness or grace or financial support or help of some sort. No matter how God’s blessings come to you, the benefits of God’s blessings will follow you for a while in this life and forever in eternity. Blessings from God will sprinkle all kinds of good things in your heart and soul and community and world. AND, they follow you into the afterlife.
What are some of the blessings you have received from God? Did you recognize them as blessings right away or discover them later? Was there ever a time when you thought something was a blessing come from God when it was really another one of Satan’s mischievous deceptions? Don’t underestimate the spiritual learning that comes from answering the questions in this paragraph! Only upon discernment can you understand the meaning and role and place of God’s blessings in this scripture and in your life!
“Where true faith is, it will induce obedience; and where it does induce obedience, it will always, in one form or another, bring a blessing.” (W. Hay Aitken, as found in Thoughts for the Quiet Hour)
Joe was intelligent and driven. He was a dedicated father and valued friend. He was the kind of guy you could count on when you needed a hand or needed advice. Joe was a close friend to his pastor and a leader in his church. When Joe was forty-two, his wife got cancer. She died eight months later. Joe was heartbroken. Then, two years later, Joe met Sally. Sally helped lift Joe out of depression. She was a divorced woman with three kids of her own. Joe was thrilled to have a second chance at love. He saw Sally as a huge blessing from God and married Sally after six months of wonderful dates. However, three years after their marriage, Sally divorced Joe. It was a bitter divorce, where Sally took Joe for half of everything. Joe lost his home and was a bitter person for years. He hated women in general. He believed all women were conniving and cruel. He left his church and broke ties with all his old friends. Joe’s bitterness eventually caused him to lose not only his health but his life. Contrary to what Joe thought years before, Sally was not the blessing from God she seemed to be initially.
Both Harry and Joe were Christian men. Both Harry and Joe thought they knew God. Both Harry and Joe thought God had blessed them greatly. They mistook a financial windfall and a second love as blessings from God when, in fact, neither the money nor the new love interest was in any way a heaven-sent gift. One might even argue that both men were deluded by Satan into believing that they were blessed by God when they were not. It is all too easy to mistake the meaning or presence of God’s real blessings in your life. What might seem like a blessing at the time might actually be a curse. What might seem like a gift from God might be Satan’s ploy. A hard knock in life might be the blessing from God that uplifts you in due time. A financial burden may be what drives you to trust in God’s providence. Only time and God’s insight can make clear what are God’s blessings. Only by revelation of God’s Spirit can you see through the smoke and mirrors of life to perceive the actions of God’s hand.
One way to determine if something is a blessing from God is by how it affects your relationship with God. All God’s blessings have a way of bringing you closer to God when combined with true faith and obedience. All blessings have the added effect of sprinkling spiritual benefits all around. If God blesses a faithful man with a financial windfall, that wealth will benefit the poor, the needy, the church, and many more. If God blesses a faithful woman with a child, that woman will grow in faith as the child grows to adulthood, whether the child is godly or not. If God blesses a company with profits, you will usually see that company respond with an outpouring of sharing and jobs and security in the community life.
Blessings from God may be easy to accept or cause struggles and challenges. However, the effects of God’s blessings will ultimately result in faith and joy and an outpouring of praise. A true blessing from God may make life easier or it may make life more difficult for a while. Blessings from God may even seem like bad luck at first, but they ultimately result in joy or peace or a renewed commitment to God’s love.
A husband and wife went through a difficult series of challenges. First, she lost her job as a secretary at a government agency. Two months later, he lost his job as a surveyor. The husband and wife struggled greatly for a good while. After months of job searching, the wife was hired at a Christian outreach ministry. She ran the office. Some would see her work as simply secretarial. It was much more than that. Many children who passed through her office saw her as a trusted motherly figure and felt safe in her office. Employees would often seek out her advice or ask for her prayers. She was a big pray-er! As for the husband, he too found a new job. Instead of a surveyor, he started his own business as a contractor. As his construction business grew, he teamed with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for the needy. He donated many hours and materials to help a good number of widows, needy families, and overwhelmed single parents. When the husband and wife originally lost their jobs at the same time, they saw this period in their marriage as difficult and fearful. What they only realized later was that their job losses were a great blessing sent from God that helped them both to find new and wonderful places of employment where they could share their faith and talents in the most perfect of ways!
The scripture for today from the book of Revelation mentions the power of God’s blessings. First, it claims that those “who die in the Lord” are blessed. Why would death ever be a blessing? Well, according to this scripture, the death of the faithful and obedient will result in their eternal “rest from their hard work” in Heaven (Revelation 14:13). AND, “their good deeds would follow them” to eternity. Blessings from God not only affect your life in this world… they follow you to eternal life.
Blessings from God may come in many forms. Some of those forms may initially appear as difficulties or failures or trials or burdens. However, with time and faith and spiritual insight, you will soon see their benefits. Blessings from God may also come in the forms of forgiveness or grace or financial support or help of some sort. No matter how God’s blessings come to you, the benefits of God’s blessings will follow you for a while in this life and forever in eternity. Blessings from God will sprinkle all kinds of good things in your heart and soul and community and world. AND, they follow you into the afterlife.
What are some of the blessings you have received from God? Did you recognize them as blessings right away or discover them later? Was there ever a time when you thought something was a blessing come from God when it was really another one of Satan’s mischievous deceptions? Don’t underestimate the spiritual learning that comes from answering the questions in this paragraph! Only upon discernment can you understand the meaning and role and place of God’s blessings in this scripture and in your life!
“Where true faith is, it will induce obedience; and where it does induce obedience, it will always, in one form or another, bring a blessing.” (W. Hay Aitken, as found in Thoughts for the Quiet Hour)
June 7
“He [Jesus] it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:14, NRSV)
The scripture for today explains the crux of Jesus’ mission to this world. Jesus was sent by God the Father for two main reasons according to Titus 2:14; namely to “redeem us from all iniquity” and to “purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds”. These two objectives form the basis for Jesus’ mission to our world. However, they also form the basis of God’s mission to you.
To become a true follower of Jesus, you need to recognize that when born into this world you need to
a) be redeemed from iniquity (sin) and b) be purified so to do good deeds. Without being redeemed and purified, you will not be able to stand righteous in the presence of God. Also, without being redeemed, you cannot hope to be a true follower of Jesus.
All human beings are born into a sinful fallen world. This world is tainted by evil influences and Satanic corruption. From the beginning of time, people have fallen for these ungodly worldly pressures. In doing so, they went against God. Adam and Eve were both influenced by the conniving serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They were fed a lie by Satan and went against the will of God. Even though Adam and Eve knew God personally, they were still influenced by the evil and lies of Satanic perversion. They needed redemption and purification to be made right again with God.
Throughout the Bible, even righteous people fell to the influences of sin. Samson was manipulated and betrayed by Delilah into a sinful lifestyle. Saul consorted with the witch of Endor. David committed adultery with Bathsheba. Ahab and Jezebel chose to follow Baal and attack holy prophets. Peter denied Jesus three times. Judas betrayed Jesus. I could go on and on. Every human being deals with the temptation of sin and the lure of evil. It is a constant threat, especially to the faithful. In order to fight evil influences and worldly profanities, the scripture for today reminds you that redemption and purification are required. There is no other way to become a beloved child of God.
Thomas was a lifelong Christian. He was active in his church. He was married and had two children. His life was blessed in many ways. Yet, Thomas’ soul was restless. He lived with temptation next door. His neighbor, Tammy, was a divorced woman living alone. She was very good-looking and got along very well with Thomas and his family.
One day, while cleaning the yard, Tammy struck up a conversation with Thomas. She needed a bent hinge on her shed fixed and didn’t know how to go about doing that. She stopped Thomas in his yard and asked his opinion. Thomas came over to her house and fixed the hinge, realigning the door. It was a very hot summer day, so Tammy offered Thomas a beer in thanks for his great work. The two talked for a long while in the yard. Tammy then got on her bathing suit and went to swim in her pool. Thomas watched from afar. His lust began to burn.
Over the next couple of months, Thomas made a point to watch Tammy by her pool in her bathing suit. He offered to help her with other projects. Slowly, the attraction grew between the two. Then, when Thomas’ family was away for the weekend, Thomas and Tammy had an affair. The affair continued on and off for several months. Though Thomas thoroughly enjoyed the physical aspects of the affair, his soul began to fight back. His conscience tortured him. Even his dreams began to be filled with regret. Despite the fact that Thomas would even pray and ask God for forgiveness for the adultery, Thomas went back to Tammy’s arms over and over. In the end, their hidden trysts became public. Then, everything blew up on Thomas.
Thomas’ wife filed for divorce. Thomas had to move out and began to live in an apartment. Thomas’ friends took sides. People began to talk. Thomas’ children blamed their dad for the broken family. Thomas stopped going to church, feeling guilt and shame for his affair. A lot went wrong.
In the eight months following the affair coming to light, Thomas’ life was a roller-coaster filled with waves of guilt and shame and regret and disappointment and loneliness. Then, one Saturday, he contemplated suicide. Shocked at his negative thoughts, Thomas met with the pastor for advice. The pastor immediately asked Thomas to confess what he had done. Then, the pastor worked with Thomas to confess his sin to God and ask for forgiveness. Thomas recommitted his life to Jesus. This was classic redemption. Then, over months, Thomas and his pastor worked through how to reconcile his mistakes, atone for his sins, and make amends. Through this portion of the counseling, Thomas was working with Jesus to purify his life. He fought the temptation of lust. He stopped drinking. He began to turn his life around. He rejected the feeling to commit suicide. He came back to church. He consistently prayed for direction and guidance. Presently, Thomas is back with his wife. He would tell you that he is much humbler and more forgiving and loving. He enjoys talking with church friends about the grace of God. He is committed to being faithful to God. It’s easy to see that Thomas has worked with Jesus to purify his thinking and soul and life.
Redemption and purification saved Thomas. It has been saving people in this world since the dawn of time. Without holy redemption and purification, there is no other way to live a faithful life, do consistent good deeds, and be right with God. Redemption and purification form the basis for everyday holy living.
After a man visited a Billy Graham Crusade, he told me, “I never knew how much sin affected my life until I went to the Crusade. I never realized I need Jesus to change things. I thought I could be good all on my own without any help from God. I was all wrong.” Redemption and Purification ultimately come from God. They were made clear to all humanity with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. No person can find redemption and purification from worldly evils without the action of our saving God. You will never be able to overcome the temptations thrown at you by evil forces in this fallen world without the direct action and protection of God in Christ. Without God, people may do good deeds for a while, but not for long. Evil influences twist the mind, distort the truth, and fabricate tempting lies. You will always need God’s intervention made perfect through redemption and purification.
Is there some worldly influence that today threatens your soul, your peace, or your mind? Are there temptations that wheedle their way into your thoughts? Do worldly ideals feed your lusts? Look to God for redemption and purification. Seek communion with Jesus in order to find saving grace. Purify your thoughts and actions and spiritual life with the help of God. Don’t fall prey to the lies of this world. Otherwise, there will be no peace in your soul… ever.
To become a true follower of Jesus, you need to recognize that when born into this world you need to
a) be redeemed from iniquity (sin) and b) be purified so to do good deeds. Without being redeemed and purified, you will not be able to stand righteous in the presence of God. Also, without being redeemed, you cannot hope to be a true follower of Jesus.
All human beings are born into a sinful fallen world. This world is tainted by evil influences and Satanic corruption. From the beginning of time, people have fallen for these ungodly worldly pressures. In doing so, they went against God. Adam and Eve were both influenced by the conniving serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They were fed a lie by Satan and went against the will of God. Even though Adam and Eve knew God personally, they were still influenced by the evil and lies of Satanic perversion. They needed redemption and purification to be made right again with God.
Throughout the Bible, even righteous people fell to the influences of sin. Samson was manipulated and betrayed by Delilah into a sinful lifestyle. Saul consorted with the witch of Endor. David committed adultery with Bathsheba. Ahab and Jezebel chose to follow Baal and attack holy prophets. Peter denied Jesus three times. Judas betrayed Jesus. I could go on and on. Every human being deals with the temptation of sin and the lure of evil. It is a constant threat, especially to the faithful. In order to fight evil influences and worldly profanities, the scripture for today reminds you that redemption and purification are required. There is no other way to become a beloved child of God.
Thomas was a lifelong Christian. He was active in his church. He was married and had two children. His life was blessed in many ways. Yet, Thomas’ soul was restless. He lived with temptation next door. His neighbor, Tammy, was a divorced woman living alone. She was very good-looking and got along very well with Thomas and his family.
One day, while cleaning the yard, Tammy struck up a conversation with Thomas. She needed a bent hinge on her shed fixed and didn’t know how to go about doing that. She stopped Thomas in his yard and asked his opinion. Thomas came over to her house and fixed the hinge, realigning the door. It was a very hot summer day, so Tammy offered Thomas a beer in thanks for his great work. The two talked for a long while in the yard. Tammy then got on her bathing suit and went to swim in her pool. Thomas watched from afar. His lust began to burn.
Over the next couple of months, Thomas made a point to watch Tammy by her pool in her bathing suit. He offered to help her with other projects. Slowly, the attraction grew between the two. Then, when Thomas’ family was away for the weekend, Thomas and Tammy had an affair. The affair continued on and off for several months. Though Thomas thoroughly enjoyed the physical aspects of the affair, his soul began to fight back. His conscience tortured him. Even his dreams began to be filled with regret. Despite the fact that Thomas would even pray and ask God for forgiveness for the adultery, Thomas went back to Tammy’s arms over and over. In the end, their hidden trysts became public. Then, everything blew up on Thomas.
Thomas’ wife filed for divorce. Thomas had to move out and began to live in an apartment. Thomas’ friends took sides. People began to talk. Thomas’ children blamed their dad for the broken family. Thomas stopped going to church, feeling guilt and shame for his affair. A lot went wrong.
In the eight months following the affair coming to light, Thomas’ life was a roller-coaster filled with waves of guilt and shame and regret and disappointment and loneliness. Then, one Saturday, he contemplated suicide. Shocked at his negative thoughts, Thomas met with the pastor for advice. The pastor immediately asked Thomas to confess what he had done. Then, the pastor worked with Thomas to confess his sin to God and ask for forgiveness. Thomas recommitted his life to Jesus. This was classic redemption. Then, over months, Thomas and his pastor worked through how to reconcile his mistakes, atone for his sins, and make amends. Through this portion of the counseling, Thomas was working with Jesus to purify his life. He fought the temptation of lust. He stopped drinking. He began to turn his life around. He rejected the feeling to commit suicide. He came back to church. He consistently prayed for direction and guidance. Presently, Thomas is back with his wife. He would tell you that he is much humbler and more forgiving and loving. He enjoys talking with church friends about the grace of God. He is committed to being faithful to God. It’s easy to see that Thomas has worked with Jesus to purify his thinking and soul and life.
Redemption and purification saved Thomas. It has been saving people in this world since the dawn of time. Without holy redemption and purification, there is no other way to live a faithful life, do consistent good deeds, and be right with God. Redemption and purification form the basis for everyday holy living.
After a man visited a Billy Graham Crusade, he told me, “I never knew how much sin affected my life until I went to the Crusade. I never realized I need Jesus to change things. I thought I could be good all on my own without any help from God. I was all wrong.” Redemption and Purification ultimately come from God. They were made clear to all humanity with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. No person can find redemption and purification from worldly evils without the action of our saving God. You will never be able to overcome the temptations thrown at you by evil forces in this fallen world without the direct action and protection of God in Christ. Without God, people may do good deeds for a while, but not for long. Evil influences twist the mind, distort the truth, and fabricate tempting lies. You will always need God’s intervention made perfect through redemption and purification.
Is there some worldly influence that today threatens your soul, your peace, or your mind? Are there temptations that wheedle their way into your thoughts? Do worldly ideals feed your lusts? Look to God for redemption and purification. Seek communion with Jesus in order to find saving grace. Purify your thoughts and actions and spiritual life with the help of God. Don’t fall prey to the lies of this world. Otherwise, there will be no peace in your soul… ever.
June 9
“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29, NRSV)
The scripture for today from Ephesians 4:29 contains caution. It urges the follower of Christ to “let no evil talk come out of the mouth”. To explain what “evil talk” implies, I looked up the Greek word used in this verse by the Apostle Paul. Taken in context, “evil talk” is talk that is “unwholesome”, “decaying”, “destructive”, or “of little worth”. By way of understanding, destructive criticism is meant to hurt someone irreparably. It is meant to tear down a person’s heart, mind, or spirit. Constructive criticism is meant to help a person, to bring healing and wholeness and redemption. The “evil talk” in the scripture for today implies words that are meant to hurt, to cause suffering, to be unhelpful, or to manipulate for evil intent. That is why the scripture goes on to say that the only talk that should come out of the faithful mouth is that which “is useful for building up” and “gives grace to those who hear”.
I found it very interesting that the Greek dictionary I used to study this verse stated specifically that “evil talk” does not mean something is offensive to a person. What might seem offensive may in fact be something godly, helpful, healing, or full of grace. When a person is bound by sin, the loving correction of a faithful person may seem “offensive” when it is completely loving and helpful. That doesn’t mean a person will accept loving or healing or helpful words. It just means that the faithful person should be careful to use words that are loving and healing, even if another person may find them offensive.
However, this verse does not give a person the right to go around judging and throwing around opinions as he or she sees fit. Even if a person is religious, that person may be overbearing and judgmental! This verse is meant as a caution to every person of faith, to think before speaking and to speak only those words that the Holy Spirit deems right for that moment.
Words are important. They can make or break a heart and soul. All loving people find it difficult at times to find the right words for an occasion, use the right words in an argument, and choose words that heal rather than words that will cause irreparable harm. That is also why Paul wrote just a few verses before our scripture for today that the true follower of Christ should “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Notice here that you are not just to speak the truth, but speak it in love, speak it using God’s wisdom, speak the truth with loving intent. It may be all too easy to speak the truth in a harsh way and even with evil intent!
In his comments on Ephesians, John MacArthur wrote that “you can learn much about a person’s character if you listen long enough to what he says. In the same way, others learn much about you as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart?” (Drawing Near, p. 177)
While sitting in a restaurant booth contemplating what to say for his next sermon, a pastor overheard a heated argument between a woman and her daughter two booths away. Though the woman half-whispered, her words were clear to the pastor, “Laura, you will never amount to anything. You are just like your father. I hate you. I’m leaving. Here’s the money for breakfast. Go to hell!” With that, the woman stormed out of the restaurant. The twenty-something young woman sat there in silence. She dabbed at her eyes. Tears had soaked her shirt. She tried to hide her hurt and shame. It was a terrible thing to overhear.
As the pastor contemplated what to do for the hurting young woman, he could not find the right words. He didn’t want to inject himself into her booth… he didn’t know her, and she might be fearful at a stranger’s approach. So, after a short prayer, feeling that the Holy Spirit wanted him to do something, he wrote down a few simple words. He left money for his bill, got up from the booth, walked toward the door and dropped the note in front of the girl, and continued toward the exit. On the note, he had scribbled, “God loves you very much. Never forget that!” As the pastor turned to open the door he looked back toward the young woman with a soft smile. Then, the woman mouthed five simple words, “Thank you so very much!”, while touching her heart. The tears rained down her cheeks.
Words are crucial. They are the tools we use to communicate to one another. They are also used by God to communicate life-giving wisdom and grace and so much more. Words can be used for evil purposes as well, but God never uses words to engender evil. Even when God curses something, it is not to promote evil but instead to eradicate it.
Today’s scripture is a reminder to watch what you say and how you say it. Do your words ever signal evil intent, even when you don’t mean it? Does your body language send the wrong message, even when your words seem right for the situation? Words are conveyed with much intent. Your body language can even nullify your words or give them evil intent without your being aware of the subtle nuances involved! Your words can be a holy gift or a soul-destroying piece of work.
Anyone who tells you that communicating is easy is lying to you. It is difficult to share the right words at the right time with the right intent and the right body language. However, when the right words come out as God intends, healing will break forth. You have the power to use words to bring life and healing, evil and destruction, hope and peace, or damnation. Choose your words wisely. Let the Holy Spirit guide the process!
I found it very interesting that the Greek dictionary I used to study this verse stated specifically that “evil talk” does not mean something is offensive to a person. What might seem offensive may in fact be something godly, helpful, healing, or full of grace. When a person is bound by sin, the loving correction of a faithful person may seem “offensive” when it is completely loving and helpful. That doesn’t mean a person will accept loving or healing or helpful words. It just means that the faithful person should be careful to use words that are loving and healing, even if another person may find them offensive.
However, this verse does not give a person the right to go around judging and throwing around opinions as he or she sees fit. Even if a person is religious, that person may be overbearing and judgmental! This verse is meant as a caution to every person of faith, to think before speaking and to speak only those words that the Holy Spirit deems right for that moment.
Words are important. They can make or break a heart and soul. All loving people find it difficult at times to find the right words for an occasion, use the right words in an argument, and choose words that heal rather than words that will cause irreparable harm. That is also why Paul wrote just a few verses before our scripture for today that the true follower of Christ should “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Notice here that you are not just to speak the truth, but speak it in love, speak it using God’s wisdom, speak the truth with loving intent. It may be all too easy to speak the truth in a harsh way and even with evil intent!
In his comments on Ephesians, John MacArthur wrote that “you can learn much about a person’s character if you listen long enough to what he says. In the same way, others learn much about you as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart?” (Drawing Near, p. 177)
While sitting in a restaurant booth contemplating what to say for his next sermon, a pastor overheard a heated argument between a woman and her daughter two booths away. Though the woman half-whispered, her words were clear to the pastor, “Laura, you will never amount to anything. You are just like your father. I hate you. I’m leaving. Here’s the money for breakfast. Go to hell!” With that, the woman stormed out of the restaurant. The twenty-something young woman sat there in silence. She dabbed at her eyes. Tears had soaked her shirt. She tried to hide her hurt and shame. It was a terrible thing to overhear.
As the pastor contemplated what to do for the hurting young woman, he could not find the right words. He didn’t want to inject himself into her booth… he didn’t know her, and she might be fearful at a stranger’s approach. So, after a short prayer, feeling that the Holy Spirit wanted him to do something, he wrote down a few simple words. He left money for his bill, got up from the booth, walked toward the door and dropped the note in front of the girl, and continued toward the exit. On the note, he had scribbled, “God loves you very much. Never forget that!” As the pastor turned to open the door he looked back toward the young woman with a soft smile. Then, the woman mouthed five simple words, “Thank you so very much!”, while touching her heart. The tears rained down her cheeks.
Words are crucial. They are the tools we use to communicate to one another. They are also used by God to communicate life-giving wisdom and grace and so much more. Words can be used for evil purposes as well, but God never uses words to engender evil. Even when God curses something, it is not to promote evil but instead to eradicate it.
Today’s scripture is a reminder to watch what you say and how you say it. Do your words ever signal evil intent, even when you don’t mean it? Does your body language send the wrong message, even when your words seem right for the situation? Words are conveyed with much intent. Your body language can even nullify your words or give them evil intent without your being aware of the subtle nuances involved! Your words can be a holy gift or a soul-destroying piece of work.
Anyone who tells you that communicating is easy is lying to you. It is difficult to share the right words at the right time with the right intent and the right body language. However, when the right words come out as God intends, healing will break forth. You have the power to use words to bring life and healing, evil and destruction, hope and peace, or damnation. Choose your words wisely. Let the Holy Spirit guide the process!
June 11
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27, NIV)
Jesus died on a cross. He died to save your soul for all eternity. He died on that crossed wood in order to redeem your life from sin and evil. Jesus used that cross to break the curse upon all humankind.
The cross is huge in the history of Christianity. Some people knew the symbol of the cross even before they became Christian. The cross was such an important sign of Christianity that Christian explorers etched crosses in stone when they traveled to exotic places, Christian followers placed crosses on the tombs of the dead, and Christian devotees wore crosses around their necks. Christians used crosses in thousands of big and little ways, even placing the cross on the altar of many a church from ancient times onward until today.
While many people associate the cross with Jesus, few recognize that the cross is also a symbol to denote the mission of the faithful. According to Jesus’ own words as found in Luke 14:27, if you desire to be a disciple of Jesus, you must carry your own cross: “whoever does not carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”. Did you know that you will be expected to carry your own cross as you follow Jesus?
Some Christians do not understand that the faithful will always have a burden to bear, a cross to carry, when following Jesus. The Christian life is not all joy and rainbows! There are great needs in this world. Missions and missionaries need tending. Work needs to be done. Churches need to be pastored. Leaders need to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28). The work Jesus began continues. Though redemption has been secured in Jesus, your own endeavors in Jesus’ name need completion.
When Jesus died on that cross, His final words were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). With these words, Jesus’ work was completed. He was sent to “seek and save the lost” and fulfilled that purpose. Your work, for Jesus’ sake, began when you were born. God endowed you with special spiritual gifts in order to protect, save, minister to, and love others. Your work is your burden. It is your cross to bear. Your situation in life will require sacrifice and burden, suffering and dedication. You were NOT called to just sit in a pew in order to go to Heaven. You are NOT called a Christian because you were baptized long ago. You are deemed a Christian because you follow Jesus. And, because you follow Jesus, you must carry your own cross in honor of Jesus’ sacrifice. When you die, I hope you can say your work "is finished".
Jamie never envisioned he would have a son with Downs Syndrome. However, that is what happened. When his wife gave birth to their beautiful baby boy, it soon became apparent that the boy had the illness. Jamie knew that not only would his son be disabled in a variety of ways, but his son would also live a shorter life. Downs Syndrome causes physical, emotional, intellectual, and length of life limitations that are all too apparent.
As Jamie and his wife doted on their son, Danny, they shed many tears knowing what Danny would have to endure because of Downs Syndrome. Jamie’s wife went through depression believing she had failed her son genetically. Jamie went through his own difficulties as he contemplated that his son may not graduate college, get married, have his own children, and more. Jamie and his wife even felt guilty about their own depressive thoughts, knowing that Danny would bear the brunt of his illness.
When Danny died at the tender age of thirty-one, his funeral was very difficult for Jamie and his wife. Some of the comments made by people made the couple angry. One person said it had to be a blessing that Danny died since he had Downs Syndrome. Another person hinted that Jamie’s life would be easier without a son with so many “limitations”. Jamie did not see Danny as a son with “limitations” as much as a beautiful, loving soul. Danny could light up a room. He loved to hug people. He laughed constantly. He enjoyed life in so many ways. After a hard day at work, Jamie often thoroughly enjoyed walking in the door at home to see Danny running to give him a hug!
Several months after Danny’s death, Jamie was at a Bible study gathering where they were looking at Luke 14:27. As they studied this verse, focusing on Jesus’ words, Jamie began to think, “Was Danny my cross to bear?” Then, as if Jesus were in the room, Jamie felt the Holy Spirit speak to him, “Danny had his own cross to bear. Yours was not Danny. Yours was bringing faith in Jesus to Danny and then helping Danny share that love with others.” Nobody else in the room heard the voice of the Holy Spirit. Nobody else realized the power of that realization. But the tears that ran down Jamie’s face gave a hint to the spiritual revelation happening in that very moment.
During your life, you may carry different crosses for Jesus. What you may think is your cross to bear during one period of your life might not seem like a burden in another part of your life. What might feel like a cross to bear may actually be something else. Any way you look at it, Jesus needs you to carry out some burden, fulfill some task, follow through on some promise, and reach out in His name. You were baptized in Christ with a mission and purpose. Do you know what it is right now? On looking back in your life, can you see what it has been or how it may have changed through the years?
You may think your cross to bear might be dealing with illness, working through old age, or living with the death of someone you love. While it may be possible that your cross to bear may involve such issues, chances are that your cross to bear will more so involve showing love when another might hate, making disciples, sharing your faith, offering a prayer, helping, healing, bringing encouragement, or being a voice of hope. Jesus’ cross was not just a physical burden. There was a spiritual war going on with the cross. Satan wanted Jesus forgotten. Rome wanted Jesus silenced. The Jewish authorities wanted Jesus to go away. But, the cross changed life on this earth, brought redemption to the front, and offered grace to the world. So many people think their cross to bear involves hardship. While this may be a part of it, your cross to bear will ALWAYS have a huge spiritual component.
When Jamie looked back at the life and death of his son, Jamie realized the opportunity for faith that came with being a father to Danny. I hope you too come to realize the cross you bear so that others may come to see Jesus in you. Remember: if you are a disciple of Jesus, you WILL carry a cross. It is better you know why you carry that cross today…
The cross is huge in the history of Christianity. Some people knew the symbol of the cross even before they became Christian. The cross was such an important sign of Christianity that Christian explorers etched crosses in stone when they traveled to exotic places, Christian followers placed crosses on the tombs of the dead, and Christian devotees wore crosses around their necks. Christians used crosses in thousands of big and little ways, even placing the cross on the altar of many a church from ancient times onward until today.
While many people associate the cross with Jesus, few recognize that the cross is also a symbol to denote the mission of the faithful. According to Jesus’ own words as found in Luke 14:27, if you desire to be a disciple of Jesus, you must carry your own cross: “whoever does not carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”. Did you know that you will be expected to carry your own cross as you follow Jesus?
Some Christians do not understand that the faithful will always have a burden to bear, a cross to carry, when following Jesus. The Christian life is not all joy and rainbows! There are great needs in this world. Missions and missionaries need tending. Work needs to be done. Churches need to be pastored. Leaders need to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28). The work Jesus began continues. Though redemption has been secured in Jesus, your own endeavors in Jesus’ name need completion.
When Jesus died on that cross, His final words were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). With these words, Jesus’ work was completed. He was sent to “seek and save the lost” and fulfilled that purpose. Your work, for Jesus’ sake, began when you were born. God endowed you with special spiritual gifts in order to protect, save, minister to, and love others. Your work is your burden. It is your cross to bear. Your situation in life will require sacrifice and burden, suffering and dedication. You were NOT called to just sit in a pew in order to go to Heaven. You are NOT called a Christian because you were baptized long ago. You are deemed a Christian because you follow Jesus. And, because you follow Jesus, you must carry your own cross in honor of Jesus’ sacrifice. When you die, I hope you can say your work "is finished".
Jamie never envisioned he would have a son with Downs Syndrome. However, that is what happened. When his wife gave birth to their beautiful baby boy, it soon became apparent that the boy had the illness. Jamie knew that not only would his son be disabled in a variety of ways, but his son would also live a shorter life. Downs Syndrome causes physical, emotional, intellectual, and length of life limitations that are all too apparent.
As Jamie and his wife doted on their son, Danny, they shed many tears knowing what Danny would have to endure because of Downs Syndrome. Jamie’s wife went through depression believing she had failed her son genetically. Jamie went through his own difficulties as he contemplated that his son may not graduate college, get married, have his own children, and more. Jamie and his wife even felt guilty about their own depressive thoughts, knowing that Danny would bear the brunt of his illness.
When Danny died at the tender age of thirty-one, his funeral was very difficult for Jamie and his wife. Some of the comments made by people made the couple angry. One person said it had to be a blessing that Danny died since he had Downs Syndrome. Another person hinted that Jamie’s life would be easier without a son with so many “limitations”. Jamie did not see Danny as a son with “limitations” as much as a beautiful, loving soul. Danny could light up a room. He loved to hug people. He laughed constantly. He enjoyed life in so many ways. After a hard day at work, Jamie often thoroughly enjoyed walking in the door at home to see Danny running to give him a hug!
Several months after Danny’s death, Jamie was at a Bible study gathering where they were looking at Luke 14:27. As they studied this verse, focusing on Jesus’ words, Jamie began to think, “Was Danny my cross to bear?” Then, as if Jesus were in the room, Jamie felt the Holy Spirit speak to him, “Danny had his own cross to bear. Yours was not Danny. Yours was bringing faith in Jesus to Danny and then helping Danny share that love with others.” Nobody else in the room heard the voice of the Holy Spirit. Nobody else realized the power of that realization. But the tears that ran down Jamie’s face gave a hint to the spiritual revelation happening in that very moment.
During your life, you may carry different crosses for Jesus. What you may think is your cross to bear during one period of your life might not seem like a burden in another part of your life. What might feel like a cross to bear may actually be something else. Any way you look at it, Jesus needs you to carry out some burden, fulfill some task, follow through on some promise, and reach out in His name. You were baptized in Christ with a mission and purpose. Do you know what it is right now? On looking back in your life, can you see what it has been or how it may have changed through the years?
You may think your cross to bear might be dealing with illness, working through old age, or living with the death of someone you love. While it may be possible that your cross to bear may involve such issues, chances are that your cross to bear will more so involve showing love when another might hate, making disciples, sharing your faith, offering a prayer, helping, healing, bringing encouragement, or being a voice of hope. Jesus’ cross was not just a physical burden. There was a spiritual war going on with the cross. Satan wanted Jesus forgotten. Rome wanted Jesus silenced. The Jewish authorities wanted Jesus to go away. But, the cross changed life on this earth, brought redemption to the front, and offered grace to the world. So many people think their cross to bear involves hardship. While this may be a part of it, your cross to bear will ALWAYS have a huge spiritual component.
When Jamie looked back at the life and death of his son, Jamie realized the opportunity for faith that came with being a father to Danny. I hope you too come to realize the cross you bear so that others may come to see Jesus in you. Remember: if you are a disciple of Jesus, you WILL carry a cross. It is better you know why you carry that cross today…
June 12
“And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:11–13, NLT)
The scripture above speaks of the end times, when people will fall away from God. “False prophets will appear” (Matthew 24:11). False prophets will “deceive many people”. The result? “Sin will be rampant everywhere” and “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). The times will be perilous for the faithful. It will be a struggle. Only “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 11:13). There will not be many who make it. False leaders in the church, sin, the deceptions of Satan, and the loss of love will cause many to fall away from true faith. Few will worship God in truth and righteousness.
As you look through this dire prediction about the end times, do you notice what is the first sign of the end times in these verses? You might call this the first sign of doom for the church. According to Matthew 24:11, the beginning of the end times will be ushered in with the help of “false prophets”. These false leaders will take over the authority in the church. Knowingly or unknowingly, they will “deceive” church people. This will inevitably lead to sin growing “rampant”.
I find it unsurprising that it will be through false leadership, false prophets, that the end times will be ushered in. When leaders in the church become deluded by evil and sin, all kinds of terrible results appear.
In the 1970’s, preacher Jim Jones led a revolutionary new movement that promised a paradise free from oppression. He founded the Peoples Temple in Guyana and urged the faithful to follow him. After a series of faith-based initiatives and tests, he urged his people to drink Flavor Aid in a communion-type of ritual. However, he had the drink laced with cyanide. 909 people died, including 304 children.
David Koresh loved to study scripture. He was enamored with the book of Revelation. Claiming to be a born-again Christian in the Southern Baptist church, he felt called by God to join the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He joined a splinter group of that denomination, where he was singled out for leadership. He claimed he had the gift of prophecy. He told others in the church that God spoke to him, called him to lead others, and called him to do a few unusual things, like marry a 12-year-old girl. In April of 1993, he demanded his followers hole up and fight the U.S. Government. During the gunbattle that ensued, 79 people died in a fire, including 21 children.
These two men led their followers to death, citing biblical examples and a connection to God. While their stories have been blown out of proportion by the media, many other types of dangerous leaders in the church have gone unnoticed. Some have even been protected by social media and/or influential groups. There were hundreds of priests convicted of child molestation and abuse in the United States. There are leaders in Christian churches that promote sex change operations, because God and/or society “made mistakes” with people’s sexual identity. There are presently pastors in some churches who believe in pedophilia. There are church leaders who believe divorce is not sinful. Some see open marriage as a viable option for the faithful. In some Christian churches, leaders have replaced the Christian flag with the pride flag. Some pastors do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. Some pastors disavow any belief in the Holy Spirit. I know pastors who are practicing Wiccans, others who practice nature worship. Some church leaders from the 1990’s who gathered at a convocation in Minnesota urged people to adopt Sophia as the name for God, because it is a feminine noun. I could go on and on.
Now, just before you get the wrongful feeling that all pastors are a bunch of crazy, sinful loonies, realize that these beliefs are popular in their respective cultures, seminary teachings, and church member views. Many churches have people in them who believe such garbage, too.
BUT, never forget that there are faithful leaders, faithful pastors, and faithful people out there….more than a few. The Holy Spirit can help to direct you to them!
I have been told that I do not belong as a pastor in today’s world. Why? I believe that the Bible is God’s word. I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I contend that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe marriage is between a man and woman according to Jesus’ statement in Mark 10. I believe that Jesus was a real man who died on a cross in the first century. I believe Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead. I believe the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed are still relevant today. I believe that the Ten Commandments still apply. I believe God’s love applies to all people. Believe it or not, these beliefs are controversial in today’s worldly climate. I have even been told by some that my days as a pastor are numbered because of these beliefs.
As I study the scripture for today, I am reminded that when people (especially leaders) fall away from God’s truth, all manner of sin will break forth. This can happen in the family, the community, and whole nations. Though false prophets have been in the church since the beginning, that problem is growing in modern times. False prophets may be in your church. The influence of false leadership may be even now affecting your life. Please realize that God wants you to live faithfully, free from slavery to sin and evil, growing in faithful love. God does not want you to be deluded by sinful thinking, nor by false prophets. Always be on guard for both.
The scripture for today ends with a hope, a wish: “Those who endure to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Keeping faithful to God will not be easy. You will have to endure all kinds of worldly pressures and evil temptations to remain in God’s grace. However, the difficult choices will be worth it. God will protect you in ways you cannot comprehend. The love of God will engender all kinds of benefits to body and soul. The peace of God will fill your heart and mind. Your prayers will bring strength and healing to yourself and others. Lives will be touched. Souls will be saved. Grace will abound. Heaven will be your destiny. Jesus will be waiting and watching for you.
As you look through this dire prediction about the end times, do you notice what is the first sign of the end times in these verses? You might call this the first sign of doom for the church. According to Matthew 24:11, the beginning of the end times will be ushered in with the help of “false prophets”. These false leaders will take over the authority in the church. Knowingly or unknowingly, they will “deceive” church people. This will inevitably lead to sin growing “rampant”.
I find it unsurprising that it will be through false leadership, false prophets, that the end times will be ushered in. When leaders in the church become deluded by evil and sin, all kinds of terrible results appear.
In the 1970’s, preacher Jim Jones led a revolutionary new movement that promised a paradise free from oppression. He founded the Peoples Temple in Guyana and urged the faithful to follow him. After a series of faith-based initiatives and tests, he urged his people to drink Flavor Aid in a communion-type of ritual. However, he had the drink laced with cyanide. 909 people died, including 304 children.
David Koresh loved to study scripture. He was enamored with the book of Revelation. Claiming to be a born-again Christian in the Southern Baptist church, he felt called by God to join the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He joined a splinter group of that denomination, where he was singled out for leadership. He claimed he had the gift of prophecy. He told others in the church that God spoke to him, called him to lead others, and called him to do a few unusual things, like marry a 12-year-old girl. In April of 1993, he demanded his followers hole up and fight the U.S. Government. During the gunbattle that ensued, 79 people died in a fire, including 21 children.
These two men led their followers to death, citing biblical examples and a connection to God. While their stories have been blown out of proportion by the media, many other types of dangerous leaders in the church have gone unnoticed. Some have even been protected by social media and/or influential groups. There were hundreds of priests convicted of child molestation and abuse in the United States. There are leaders in Christian churches that promote sex change operations, because God and/or society “made mistakes” with people’s sexual identity. There are presently pastors in some churches who believe in pedophilia. There are church leaders who believe divorce is not sinful. Some see open marriage as a viable option for the faithful. In some Christian churches, leaders have replaced the Christian flag with the pride flag. Some pastors do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. Some pastors disavow any belief in the Holy Spirit. I know pastors who are practicing Wiccans, others who practice nature worship. Some church leaders from the 1990’s who gathered at a convocation in Minnesota urged people to adopt Sophia as the name for God, because it is a feminine noun. I could go on and on.
Now, just before you get the wrongful feeling that all pastors are a bunch of crazy, sinful loonies, realize that these beliefs are popular in their respective cultures, seminary teachings, and church member views. Many churches have people in them who believe such garbage, too.
BUT, never forget that there are faithful leaders, faithful pastors, and faithful people out there….more than a few. The Holy Spirit can help to direct you to them!
I have been told that I do not belong as a pastor in today’s world. Why? I believe that the Bible is God’s word. I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I contend that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe marriage is between a man and woman according to Jesus’ statement in Mark 10. I believe that Jesus was a real man who died on a cross in the first century. I believe Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead. I believe the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed are still relevant today. I believe that the Ten Commandments still apply. I believe God’s love applies to all people. Believe it or not, these beliefs are controversial in today’s worldly climate. I have even been told by some that my days as a pastor are numbered because of these beliefs.
As I study the scripture for today, I am reminded that when people (especially leaders) fall away from God’s truth, all manner of sin will break forth. This can happen in the family, the community, and whole nations. Though false prophets have been in the church since the beginning, that problem is growing in modern times. False prophets may be in your church. The influence of false leadership may be even now affecting your life. Please realize that God wants you to live faithfully, free from slavery to sin and evil, growing in faithful love. God does not want you to be deluded by sinful thinking, nor by false prophets. Always be on guard for both.
The scripture for today ends with a hope, a wish: “Those who endure to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Keeping faithful to God will not be easy. You will have to endure all kinds of worldly pressures and evil temptations to remain in God’s grace. However, the difficult choices will be worth it. God will protect you in ways you cannot comprehend. The love of God will engender all kinds of benefits to body and soul. The peace of God will fill your heart and mind. Your prayers will bring strength and healing to yourself and others. Lives will be touched. Souls will be saved. Grace will abound. Heaven will be your destiny. Jesus will be waiting and watching for you.
June 15
“But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20, ESV)
In the Old Testament, Jezebel was a queen known for sinful behavior. She worshipped idols. She was corrupt. She oppressed and murdered people of God, especially prophets. She used her political power to pollute the faith with sinful and evil ideologies. God punished her greatly.
In the time of the New Testament, John of Patmos was given visions of the end times. He wrote down these visions in what we know today as the book of Revelation. In Revelation 2, John is told by the “Son of Man” to issue important messages to seven churches (Revelation 1:9-11). One of those churches, Thyatira, was warned about a sinful woman in the congregation. Her name was also Jezebel. We do not know for certain if her actual name was Jezebel or if she was given that nickname by John because she acted like the Old Testament Jezebel. What we do know is that she was causing sin to break out in the congregation.
What sin was named by the Son of Man in the case of Jezebel? It was the sin of tolerance…. for the congregation tolerated this sinful woman to continue her evil ways and yet remain an influential church member. Revelation 2:20, our scripture for today, tells the story. Here, the Son of Man says, “This I have against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” Thus, the congregation was sinning by allowing Jezebel to bring her evil ways into the church. By doing so, she was corrupting the church and evil was growing among the faithful.
In today’s world, we hear a whole lot about “tolerance”. In June, groups celebrate “tolerance and diversity” during “Pride Month”. Even the White House had a big celebration during the second week of June in 2023. President Biden put Pride flags front and center at the White House, moving the American flag aside to make room. Mainstream media celebrated the White House’s statements about the wonderful acceptance of LGBTQ with tolerance and inclusion and diversity and understanding. At that gathering at the White House, trans-gender women and men took off their shirts to reveal the scars of surgeries used to change their gender. The president smiled as pictures were taken of the event. It was all done to promote “tolerance” among people who believed that “Pride Month” is a great value to American culture.
The danger with tolerance of anything and everything is that at some point, when sin and evil are accepted with tolerance, you end up promoting the sin and evil that can permeate these celebrations. Now, for example, Pride Month has devolved into not a time of respect for people who are different but a promotion of the trans-gender lifestyle with a demand that people accept whatever lifestyle is popular at the moment.
Along with the “tolerance” movements, we have seen problems mushrooming all over the globe. Kids in elementary schools are having sex-change operations at an alarming rate. Young children are being placed on puberty-blocking drugs to help them “change” their gender. Teachers are claiming that the scriptures are wrong.. God did not make people “male and female” as Genesis 1:27 states. They claim that there are hundreds of genders. All this over-emphasis on tolerance and a rejection of godly values has led to the largest suicide rate among teens in history, with transgender teens hit hard. And, studies show that more than fifty percent of young girls are taking anti-depressants to cope with all the “tolerance” they see. School boards are removing Bibles from libraries, citing the Bibles are full of intolerance. Books promoting gender transitions and gender ideology have been added to these same libraries.
When you “tolerate” sin in the church, the world is corrupted. When you quietly “tolerate” sinful living in your world without nary a word of complaint, soon it comes back to corrupt the church with evil. While businesses are blessed by governments for “tolerance” in their accepting of alternate lifestyles, these same businesses and governments express disdain and intolerance for godly beliefs and worship.
This scripture does not suggest that you should be intolerant and judgmental of anyone who doesn’t believe what you do. This scripture is warning you against practicing tolerance toward sinful practices in your presence or your church. It won’t take long before those sinful practices come home to roost.
Chuck Colson gave this insight into the matter: “I believe that we do face a crisis in Western culture, and that it presents the greatest threat to civilization since the barbarians invaded Rome. I believe that today in the West, and particularly in America, the new barbarians are all around us. We have bred them in our families and trained them in our classrooms. They inhabit our legislatures, our courts, our film studios, and our churches. Most of them are attractive and pleasant: their ideas are persuasive and subtle. Yet these men and women threaten our most cherished institutions and our very character as a people. Today’s barbarians are ladies and gentlemen. Yet behind their pleasant, civilized veneer lurks an unpleasant intolerance that threatens the very processes of pluralism and freedom they claim to defend.” (6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths)
The more that Christians express “toleration” for sinful behavior in the church and around them, there will come a time when persecution against God and godly people will be the inevitable result. “Tolerance” is a virtue. When Jesus saw the adulterous woman about to be stoned, HE stopped her potential murder with the phrase, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7). In the case of Jezebel and her sinful behavior in Thyatira, “tolerance” may also be evil. You need to work out with God where to draw the line.
In the time of the New Testament, John of Patmos was given visions of the end times. He wrote down these visions in what we know today as the book of Revelation. In Revelation 2, John is told by the “Son of Man” to issue important messages to seven churches (Revelation 1:9-11). One of those churches, Thyatira, was warned about a sinful woman in the congregation. Her name was also Jezebel. We do not know for certain if her actual name was Jezebel or if she was given that nickname by John because she acted like the Old Testament Jezebel. What we do know is that she was causing sin to break out in the congregation.
What sin was named by the Son of Man in the case of Jezebel? It was the sin of tolerance…. for the congregation tolerated this sinful woman to continue her evil ways and yet remain an influential church member. Revelation 2:20, our scripture for today, tells the story. Here, the Son of Man says, “This I have against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” Thus, the congregation was sinning by allowing Jezebel to bring her evil ways into the church. By doing so, she was corrupting the church and evil was growing among the faithful.
In today’s world, we hear a whole lot about “tolerance”. In June, groups celebrate “tolerance and diversity” during “Pride Month”. Even the White House had a big celebration during the second week of June in 2023. President Biden put Pride flags front and center at the White House, moving the American flag aside to make room. Mainstream media celebrated the White House’s statements about the wonderful acceptance of LGBTQ with tolerance and inclusion and diversity and understanding. At that gathering at the White House, trans-gender women and men took off their shirts to reveal the scars of surgeries used to change their gender. The president smiled as pictures were taken of the event. It was all done to promote “tolerance” among people who believed that “Pride Month” is a great value to American culture.
The danger with tolerance of anything and everything is that at some point, when sin and evil are accepted with tolerance, you end up promoting the sin and evil that can permeate these celebrations. Now, for example, Pride Month has devolved into not a time of respect for people who are different but a promotion of the trans-gender lifestyle with a demand that people accept whatever lifestyle is popular at the moment.
Along with the “tolerance” movements, we have seen problems mushrooming all over the globe. Kids in elementary schools are having sex-change operations at an alarming rate. Young children are being placed on puberty-blocking drugs to help them “change” their gender. Teachers are claiming that the scriptures are wrong.. God did not make people “male and female” as Genesis 1:27 states. They claim that there are hundreds of genders. All this over-emphasis on tolerance and a rejection of godly values has led to the largest suicide rate among teens in history, with transgender teens hit hard. And, studies show that more than fifty percent of young girls are taking anti-depressants to cope with all the “tolerance” they see. School boards are removing Bibles from libraries, citing the Bibles are full of intolerance. Books promoting gender transitions and gender ideology have been added to these same libraries.
When you “tolerate” sin in the church, the world is corrupted. When you quietly “tolerate” sinful living in your world without nary a word of complaint, soon it comes back to corrupt the church with evil. While businesses are blessed by governments for “tolerance” in their accepting of alternate lifestyles, these same businesses and governments express disdain and intolerance for godly beliefs and worship.
This scripture does not suggest that you should be intolerant and judgmental of anyone who doesn’t believe what you do. This scripture is warning you against practicing tolerance toward sinful practices in your presence or your church. It won’t take long before those sinful practices come home to roost.
Chuck Colson gave this insight into the matter: “I believe that we do face a crisis in Western culture, and that it presents the greatest threat to civilization since the barbarians invaded Rome. I believe that today in the West, and particularly in America, the new barbarians are all around us. We have bred them in our families and trained them in our classrooms. They inhabit our legislatures, our courts, our film studios, and our churches. Most of them are attractive and pleasant: their ideas are persuasive and subtle. Yet these men and women threaten our most cherished institutions and our very character as a people. Today’s barbarians are ladies and gentlemen. Yet behind their pleasant, civilized veneer lurks an unpleasant intolerance that threatens the very processes of pluralism and freedom they claim to defend.” (6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths)
The more that Christians express “toleration” for sinful behavior in the church and around them, there will come a time when persecution against God and godly people will be the inevitable result. “Tolerance” is a virtue. When Jesus saw the adulterous woman about to be stoned, HE stopped her potential murder with the phrase, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7). In the case of Jezebel and her sinful behavior in Thyatira, “tolerance” may also be evil. You need to work out with God where to draw the line.
June 18
“And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, ESV)
Have you ever read a scripture and said to yourself, “I have never seen that before!”? It may even have been a familiar passage, but you looked at it differently. Suddenly, the familiar words, seen through fresh eyes, saw something different, something special! That’s what happened to me when I read the scripture for today.
While perusing my meditational books, Job 42:10 came across the page. I read it, then read it again. Did I see it right? Looking more closely, I saw that when Job remained patient and faithful through his suffering, “the Lord restored the fortunes of Job” (Job 42:10a). BUT, I missed the second half of this first sentence in the verse. The Lord blessed Job “when he had prayed for his friends” (Job 42:10b). Job’s friends had done so many things wrong. One of Job’s friends suggested that Job deserved his suffering. Another even hinted that Job let go of his faith. The words of another seemed to hint that Job should just “give up”. In response to the friends’ poor judgments, God’s wrath was kindled (Job 42:7). God was upset that Job’s faithful friends had gotten God’s plans all wrong. But, instead of being indignant at the friends, Job simply made an offering to the Lord God on their behalf. Job prayed for their forgiveness. The Lord’s heart was softened. And not only did the Lord forgive the friends, “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10c). The Lord blessed Job greatly.
What really fired up God’s blessings was Job’s faithfulness not only to God but on behalf of his friends. Job was willing to pray and sacrifice FOR THEM! In essence, Job didn’t get his huge blessing UNTIL he had shown grace and forgiveness and love toward his friends. Only when Job prayed to God for his friends did the blessings flow.
I believe there is a huge piece of wisdom in this verse. Sometimes, people do not receive blessings from God because they are too caught up in their own issues to pray for others. They are so caught up in their own drama that they don’t even have the time to offer grace and forgiveness and prayers and intercession for others! It’s a selfish form of religiosity.
And God notices such prideful selfishness.
In 1998, I had a very difficult few months of ministry. During Lent that year, I led three worship services a week, was working on my Doctorate, and suffered through a terrible cold virus. On top of that, six members of our church died, one a week for six straight weeks. I had six funerals to plan, not to mention all the hospital and hospice visits that were needed. I was working seventy hours a week to keep up. My wife was overwhelmed as well with emergency calls and all the interruptions to our family life. One Tuesday night at two o’clock in the morning, I got the call that another member had died. The boys and my wife were shaken by the late-night call. As I dressed and got into my cold and dark car to drive to the hospital, I let the car warm up for a few minutes. As it warmed up, I said a prayer asking God to help me to deal with everything. Being so tired, words were not forming very well in my mind. I met the family at the hospital, prayed with them, helped them to work through the death of their beloved mother, and then left back toward home at 5AM.
When I got home, I crawled into bed. I would have to be up in three hours for office work. I had three appointments that morning. I could barely keep my eyes open. As I fell into bed, I thought I would fall right asleep. I was exhausted! Instead, my mind started racing. I began to worry about what I would do for the funeral; would I be able to function that morning at my office, what about the counseling session I would lead later that day? I felt piled on. I felt overworked. All the work and worry overwhelmed me. I thought about taking some chamomile to help calm my nerves. I thought about drinking a bit of wine, but at 5AM? Then, I realized my error. I needed to pray.
I began to pour out my heart, telling God how tired I was, asking for more strength. Then, I let my own pain go.. and just prayed for the families working through grief. I prayed for a friend who was going through divorce. I prayed for my wife and sons. I prayed for a woman dealing with a sexual assault who had come to me for help. I prayed for several others. Then, as I finished my prayer, I realized that my nerves were calm. After getting my own hurts out in the open with God and then praying for others, I saw all the many things God was doing through me. It became apparent that my life was a great blessing to others. It began to sink in how much God loved me and that Jesus died for me. I fell into a deep sleep praying that morning and woke up later with a renewed spirit. Letting go of my own pain and praying for others had clarified my blessings. I also felt God’s Spirit bringing healing to my body and soul in response to my prayers.
Sometimes, the blessing doesn’t come just from praying. It comes from letting go of your own pain and then praying for others!
It is so easy to get mired in your own head, in your own issues, in your own causes, and in your own responsibilities. Then, your prayers are all about you… your pain, your wishes, your desires, your needs, your future. Even the most faithful can fall into this trap where their prayers become all about their own “stuff”. Should praying for others be an afterthought?
God’s character is one of sharing and caring. God could have been self-absorbed. Instead, God created humankind in His image. God brought forth light and life and creation. God is all about love for others. Jesus was sent to “seek and save the lost”. Shouldn’t faithful people be less self-absorbed and more loving toward others? Based on today’s scripture, it may be that many people don’t receive double the blessings from God because they are too self-absorbed and not loving enough!
I read an article recently by a person who was fed up with worldly ideals. The person regretted all the focus people were making on their own happiness. A boy is unhappy being a boy and wants to get a sex-change operation to be a girl. A man is going through a midlife crisis and longs for an adulterous affair to spice up his life. A young woman is jealous of her best friend for being rich and entitled…. when, in all reality, she wants to be the rich entitled one!!! On and on, the author made remarks on how people today are so solely focused on their own happiness, their own wealth, developing their own little fiefdoms, their own pet peeves, their own causes. When people get too self-absorbed, society breaks down. When a church becomes too inward-looking, people stop being saved through their ministry. When you become selfish and prideful, God’s blessings slow to a halt.
Job was doubly blessed when he prayed for his friends. Maybe, you need to pray for others a little more. Maybe, just maybe, you need to stop focusing on your own wants and desires so to reach out in Jesus’ name. Do you want God’s blessings to flow? Pray to God on behalf of those who need HIM the most!
While perusing my meditational books, Job 42:10 came across the page. I read it, then read it again. Did I see it right? Looking more closely, I saw that when Job remained patient and faithful through his suffering, “the Lord restored the fortunes of Job” (Job 42:10a). BUT, I missed the second half of this first sentence in the verse. The Lord blessed Job “when he had prayed for his friends” (Job 42:10b). Job’s friends had done so many things wrong. One of Job’s friends suggested that Job deserved his suffering. Another even hinted that Job let go of his faith. The words of another seemed to hint that Job should just “give up”. In response to the friends’ poor judgments, God’s wrath was kindled (Job 42:7). God was upset that Job’s faithful friends had gotten God’s plans all wrong. But, instead of being indignant at the friends, Job simply made an offering to the Lord God on their behalf. Job prayed for their forgiveness. The Lord’s heart was softened. And not only did the Lord forgive the friends, “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10c). The Lord blessed Job greatly.
What really fired up God’s blessings was Job’s faithfulness not only to God but on behalf of his friends. Job was willing to pray and sacrifice FOR THEM! In essence, Job didn’t get his huge blessing UNTIL he had shown grace and forgiveness and love toward his friends. Only when Job prayed to God for his friends did the blessings flow.
I believe there is a huge piece of wisdom in this verse. Sometimes, people do not receive blessings from God because they are too caught up in their own issues to pray for others. They are so caught up in their own drama that they don’t even have the time to offer grace and forgiveness and prayers and intercession for others! It’s a selfish form of religiosity.
And God notices such prideful selfishness.
In 1998, I had a very difficult few months of ministry. During Lent that year, I led three worship services a week, was working on my Doctorate, and suffered through a terrible cold virus. On top of that, six members of our church died, one a week for six straight weeks. I had six funerals to plan, not to mention all the hospital and hospice visits that were needed. I was working seventy hours a week to keep up. My wife was overwhelmed as well with emergency calls and all the interruptions to our family life. One Tuesday night at two o’clock in the morning, I got the call that another member had died. The boys and my wife were shaken by the late-night call. As I dressed and got into my cold and dark car to drive to the hospital, I let the car warm up for a few minutes. As it warmed up, I said a prayer asking God to help me to deal with everything. Being so tired, words were not forming very well in my mind. I met the family at the hospital, prayed with them, helped them to work through the death of their beloved mother, and then left back toward home at 5AM.
When I got home, I crawled into bed. I would have to be up in three hours for office work. I had three appointments that morning. I could barely keep my eyes open. As I fell into bed, I thought I would fall right asleep. I was exhausted! Instead, my mind started racing. I began to worry about what I would do for the funeral; would I be able to function that morning at my office, what about the counseling session I would lead later that day? I felt piled on. I felt overworked. All the work and worry overwhelmed me. I thought about taking some chamomile to help calm my nerves. I thought about drinking a bit of wine, but at 5AM? Then, I realized my error. I needed to pray.
I began to pour out my heart, telling God how tired I was, asking for more strength. Then, I let my own pain go.. and just prayed for the families working through grief. I prayed for a friend who was going through divorce. I prayed for my wife and sons. I prayed for a woman dealing with a sexual assault who had come to me for help. I prayed for several others. Then, as I finished my prayer, I realized that my nerves were calm. After getting my own hurts out in the open with God and then praying for others, I saw all the many things God was doing through me. It became apparent that my life was a great blessing to others. It began to sink in how much God loved me and that Jesus died for me. I fell into a deep sleep praying that morning and woke up later with a renewed spirit. Letting go of my own pain and praying for others had clarified my blessings. I also felt God’s Spirit bringing healing to my body and soul in response to my prayers.
Sometimes, the blessing doesn’t come just from praying. It comes from letting go of your own pain and then praying for others!
It is so easy to get mired in your own head, in your own issues, in your own causes, and in your own responsibilities. Then, your prayers are all about you… your pain, your wishes, your desires, your needs, your future. Even the most faithful can fall into this trap where their prayers become all about their own “stuff”. Should praying for others be an afterthought?
God’s character is one of sharing and caring. God could have been self-absorbed. Instead, God created humankind in His image. God brought forth light and life and creation. God is all about love for others. Jesus was sent to “seek and save the lost”. Shouldn’t faithful people be less self-absorbed and more loving toward others? Based on today’s scripture, it may be that many people don’t receive double the blessings from God because they are too self-absorbed and not loving enough!
I read an article recently by a person who was fed up with worldly ideals. The person regretted all the focus people were making on their own happiness. A boy is unhappy being a boy and wants to get a sex-change operation to be a girl. A man is going through a midlife crisis and longs for an adulterous affair to spice up his life. A young woman is jealous of her best friend for being rich and entitled…. when, in all reality, she wants to be the rich entitled one!!! On and on, the author made remarks on how people today are so solely focused on their own happiness, their own wealth, developing their own little fiefdoms, their own pet peeves, their own causes. When people get too self-absorbed, society breaks down. When a church becomes too inward-looking, people stop being saved through their ministry. When you become selfish and prideful, God’s blessings slow to a halt.
Job was doubly blessed when he prayed for his friends. Maybe, you need to pray for others a little more. Maybe, just maybe, you need to stop focusing on your own wants and desires so to reach out in Jesus’ name. Do you want God’s blessings to flow? Pray to God on behalf of those who need HIM the most!
June 21
“However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”” (2 Timothy 2:19, NET)
With the words in 2 Timothy, Paul hoped that the budding pastor Timothy would understand the difficulties and blessings that come with being a pastor or leader for the Lord. Twice Paul wrote to Timothy to impart wisdom in these matters. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul warned Timothy that there were problems in the churches to which Timothy was being sent. Some Christians were suffering persecution (2 Timothy 2:3). The core of the gospel about Jesus Christ was being lost or subverted. There were people who denied Jesus being the Christ (2 Timothy 2:12). There were quarrels and arguments and nitpicking (2 Timothy 2:15-16). Paul even named two men causing who were causing problems in the churches Timothy was being sent, Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17). These men didn’t believe in the coming resurrection of the saints. After mentioning all these issues, Paul wrote the scripture for today found in 2 Timothy 2:19. He summed up the foundational aspects of the faith: “the Lord knows who are his” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”
If you look at these two foundational aspects of the faith, a few important factors come to mind. In the first half of the verse, we are told that “the Lord knows those who are his”. God is faithful. God watches over those who believe. God knows their names and has HIS eyes upon them. The second important factor mentioned by Paul was that “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” This second factor emphasizes the response to God’s faithfulness. In order to be one of God’s own, a person MUST “turn away from evil.” This is the response God looks for in every person of faith. It must be a basic tenet of your belief in Jesus.
If you want to be a follower of Jesus, it is your responsibility to “turn away from evil”. According to Jesus’ own words from the Lord’s Prayer, God will “deliver us from evil”, but this does not mean that we don’t have to turn away from that evil as well. This “turning away from evil” is our required reaction. It is a basic necessity of faith. You might think this is a given, but Paul saw it as missing in some of those who desired to believe in Jesus.
Some people do not turn away from evil. Instead, they run right to it. This happens when a person in the church gossips about another, when a churchgoer desires to “get even”, or when churches are prone to fight over worldly issues. I have known Christians who fought over the placement of chandeliers and silverware in churches. There are well-known situations where Christians fought with one another over who was the best leader, who was responsible for worship, or how much money should be spent on missions. Instead of healthy debates, these people fought. There were powerplays. There was name-calling. People took sides over their pet peeves. Paul soundly criticized such actions in the Corinthian church, for example (see 1 Corinthians 1:11, 3:3, 3:5, etc.), but they continue to tear apart churches today.
Some people in the church do not run to evil in the church, but they are content to dabble in it. You might find them piously worshipping in church on Sunday but cussing and fuming on Tuesday. They might give a tithe to God in the offering plate but expect to be given special privileges for these same offerings. They might never break the Ten Commandments openly but consistently practice sinful habits on the sly. They don’t openly attack any in the church but when they are with friends, the gossip that can wreak havoc pours forth from their lips. They might be faithful at attending worship but unfaithful in sharing their blessings. They could even be model citizens but with a tendency to flirt with the opposite sex. There are many ways for people to dabble in evil instead of outright turning away from it.
Henrietta grew up in a Baptist Church “down South” in America. She came from a good family. Her grandfather was a pastor. Her brother and his wife did missionary work overseas. Henrietta loved singing in the church choir. When there was a gathering at church, she was almost always there. When asked, Henrietta would be glad to participate in clothing drives, food pantry drives, and offerings for missions. She dressed up for every occasion. But Henrietta had one glaring failing. She was a prideful woman.
When Henrietta was in her early twenties, she met Jacob. Jacob was quite the flirt. He would often “dress to the nines” when out in public. He would flatter every woman he saw, whether she was at church or in the grocery store. And Jacob had a special desire for Henrietta. When Jacob saw Henrietta, he would go out of his way to compliment her dress, notice when she had her hair done, or give many compliments to her cooking. Henrietta lapped up all Jacob’s attention. But, because of her pride, she could not see that Jacob was not to be trusted. He had a wandering eye for the ladies. He used his flirting and compliments to manipulate others.
When Jacob decided to run for the position of elder in her church, Henrietta was his greatest champion. With a secret desire to date Jacob, she spoke highly of Jacob’s work in the church. She became testy to any of her friends who expressed they didn’t trust that Jacob was right for leadership. Henrietta even went so far as to question why the pastor would want anyone else for the position of elder other than Jacob. Henrietta used her influence as the daughter of a pastor and as the sister of a missionary to impress upon others to follow her example.
When Jacob won his election as elder at her church, Henrietta was excited. However, her excitement was short-lived. When Jacob was accused of inappropriate touching by a woman in the congregation, Henrietta blamed the woman for lying. When Jacob was accused a second time of inappropriate behavior, Henrietta talked to the woman’s family to silence her. Then, word spread among the members that Jacob had a child with two different women in a neighboring town. Henrietta proclaimed it was all lies to make Jacob look bad. The problem was, Jacob had been inappropriate around women for a long time, and he did have two illegitimate sons by two different women while unmarried. Finally, convinced of Jacob’s sinful actions, Henrietta wrote him off, never to speak to him again. However, at no time did Henrietta ever ask for forgiveness for defending and burying all the lies of Jacob she believed. She never said she was sorry for silencing the women who spoke out about Jacob’s infidelities. You might even think Henrietta was “too proud” to admit to such mistakes.
According to today’s scripture, you are to confess your belief in the Lord while turning away from evil. Is there some evil that has tempted you? Are you prone to dabble in little sins? Is there a sin that you hide from others but is entrenched in your mind? Paul knew that those who do not “turn away from evil” are prone to become comfortable with it or even defend it. Out of love for you, I urge you to give no quarter to evil in your life. Do not dwell on it. Do not dabble in it. Do not allow it to wheedle its way into your heart and mind. If you let evil take the smallest hold in your life, it will spread like a virus to attack your spiritual health. It will weaken and destroy your good intentions. It will sour your sweet soul. God will be faithful. But, will you?
If you look at these two foundational aspects of the faith, a few important factors come to mind. In the first half of the verse, we are told that “the Lord knows those who are his”. God is faithful. God watches over those who believe. God knows their names and has HIS eyes upon them. The second important factor mentioned by Paul was that “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” This second factor emphasizes the response to God’s faithfulness. In order to be one of God’s own, a person MUST “turn away from evil.” This is the response God looks for in every person of faith. It must be a basic tenet of your belief in Jesus.
If you want to be a follower of Jesus, it is your responsibility to “turn away from evil”. According to Jesus’ own words from the Lord’s Prayer, God will “deliver us from evil”, but this does not mean that we don’t have to turn away from that evil as well. This “turning away from evil” is our required reaction. It is a basic necessity of faith. You might think this is a given, but Paul saw it as missing in some of those who desired to believe in Jesus.
Some people do not turn away from evil. Instead, they run right to it. This happens when a person in the church gossips about another, when a churchgoer desires to “get even”, or when churches are prone to fight over worldly issues. I have known Christians who fought over the placement of chandeliers and silverware in churches. There are well-known situations where Christians fought with one another over who was the best leader, who was responsible for worship, or how much money should be spent on missions. Instead of healthy debates, these people fought. There were powerplays. There was name-calling. People took sides over their pet peeves. Paul soundly criticized such actions in the Corinthian church, for example (see 1 Corinthians 1:11, 3:3, 3:5, etc.), but they continue to tear apart churches today.
Some people in the church do not run to evil in the church, but they are content to dabble in it. You might find them piously worshipping in church on Sunday but cussing and fuming on Tuesday. They might give a tithe to God in the offering plate but expect to be given special privileges for these same offerings. They might never break the Ten Commandments openly but consistently practice sinful habits on the sly. They don’t openly attack any in the church but when they are with friends, the gossip that can wreak havoc pours forth from their lips. They might be faithful at attending worship but unfaithful in sharing their blessings. They could even be model citizens but with a tendency to flirt with the opposite sex. There are many ways for people to dabble in evil instead of outright turning away from it.
Henrietta grew up in a Baptist Church “down South” in America. She came from a good family. Her grandfather was a pastor. Her brother and his wife did missionary work overseas. Henrietta loved singing in the church choir. When there was a gathering at church, she was almost always there. When asked, Henrietta would be glad to participate in clothing drives, food pantry drives, and offerings for missions. She dressed up for every occasion. But Henrietta had one glaring failing. She was a prideful woman.
When Henrietta was in her early twenties, she met Jacob. Jacob was quite the flirt. He would often “dress to the nines” when out in public. He would flatter every woman he saw, whether she was at church or in the grocery store. And Jacob had a special desire for Henrietta. When Jacob saw Henrietta, he would go out of his way to compliment her dress, notice when she had her hair done, or give many compliments to her cooking. Henrietta lapped up all Jacob’s attention. But, because of her pride, she could not see that Jacob was not to be trusted. He had a wandering eye for the ladies. He used his flirting and compliments to manipulate others.
When Jacob decided to run for the position of elder in her church, Henrietta was his greatest champion. With a secret desire to date Jacob, she spoke highly of Jacob’s work in the church. She became testy to any of her friends who expressed they didn’t trust that Jacob was right for leadership. Henrietta even went so far as to question why the pastor would want anyone else for the position of elder other than Jacob. Henrietta used her influence as the daughter of a pastor and as the sister of a missionary to impress upon others to follow her example.
When Jacob won his election as elder at her church, Henrietta was excited. However, her excitement was short-lived. When Jacob was accused of inappropriate touching by a woman in the congregation, Henrietta blamed the woman for lying. When Jacob was accused a second time of inappropriate behavior, Henrietta talked to the woman’s family to silence her. Then, word spread among the members that Jacob had a child with two different women in a neighboring town. Henrietta proclaimed it was all lies to make Jacob look bad. The problem was, Jacob had been inappropriate around women for a long time, and he did have two illegitimate sons by two different women while unmarried. Finally, convinced of Jacob’s sinful actions, Henrietta wrote him off, never to speak to him again. However, at no time did Henrietta ever ask for forgiveness for defending and burying all the lies of Jacob she believed. She never said she was sorry for silencing the women who spoke out about Jacob’s infidelities. You might even think Henrietta was “too proud” to admit to such mistakes.
According to today’s scripture, you are to confess your belief in the Lord while turning away from evil. Is there some evil that has tempted you? Are you prone to dabble in little sins? Is there a sin that you hide from others but is entrenched in your mind? Paul knew that those who do not “turn away from evil” are prone to become comfortable with it or even defend it. Out of love for you, I urge you to give no quarter to evil in your life. Do not dwell on it. Do not dabble in it. Do not allow it to wheedle its way into your heart and mind. If you let evil take the smallest hold in your life, it will spread like a virus to attack your spiritual health. It will weaken and destroy your good intentions. It will sour your sweet soul. God will be faithful. But, will you?
June 24
“He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”” (Mark 12:27, NRSV)
“You are wrong!”
When these words are spoken, you may want to get defensive. You might feel hurt or unloved or other strong emotions. It can be a life-altering moment to realize that you are wrong about something. Your first inclination may be to explain why you are right. You might question the person who dared say you were wrong. However, if the person speaks the truth and you are wrong, it can shatter your perception of yourself and your world. Still, wouldn’t you rather know the truth?
There was only one occasion in the gospels where Jesus said openly, “you are wrong!”. I find it interesting that Jesus even told those present were wrong twice in one gathering! On the day it occurred, Jesus was being questioned by the Sadducees. The Sadducees thought themselves very religious. They saw themselves as righteous before God. In fact, the name “Sadducee” comes from the amalgamation of Hebrew words for righteous and the name of the priest, Zadok! We are told in Mark 12 that the Sadducees did not believe in any form of resurrection. They even questioned Jesus about the resurrection using a man who had seven wives (Mark 12:18ff). In Jesus’ response to them, He mentioned twice that they were wrong about the resurrection; in Mark 12:24 and in the scripture for today. Jesus informed the Sadducees that God is “not the God of the dead, but the living”. Then, he put them in their place by stating forcefully, “you are quite wrong” (Mark 12:27)
Jesus was adamant that His followers realize that there is a resurrection of the dead. There is life after this life. On other occasions, Jesus mentioned that after life in the flesh in this world, there is a future in Heaven or Hell, depending on your choices and God’s grace. Later, when Jesus was resurrected Himself, it was proof positive that resurrection is not only possible but inevitable. So, the sum of Mark 12 is a challenge with two questions: “What kind of future do you want? and Will it be Heaven or Hell?”
In a wonderful meditation on this scripture for today, Diana Wallis wrote: “The Bible tells us that our personalities persist, go on. The Sadducees, who did not believe in angel or spirit or resurrection, once came to Jesus with that question about the seven-times-married woman who had survived all her husbands. The Sadducees wanted to know whose wife she would be in the Resurrection. Jesus told them that they misconceived the nature of the Resurrection and the future life. He reminded them of what God said to Moses at the burning bush: “Have you not read, … ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ God is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Personality, the you, the me, goes on.” (Take Heart, p. 188)
Of all the things Jesus taught, He wanted to make sure that His followers knew about the resurrection of the dead. That is why Jesus called the Sadducees wrong twice in these verses. It was Jesus’ ultimate stamp upon history, that there will be a resurrection of the dead.
I had a very interesting and fun conversation with a close friend of mine in my third church. As we were eating together one day, she said to me, “Since I will probably die first (she is 35 years older than I am), after I die, I’m going to let you know I’m in heaven.” I laughed and responded, “You do that! It would be very nice knowing I’ll see you again.”
On July 21, 2019, I was lying in my bed reading. I had taken a break from a project in the house. It was a Sunday. It was a pretty day. As I was lying there, enjoying what I was reading, I felt a hand touch my arm and rub up and down on it as if it were caressing me. I could hear my wife in the kitchen preparing dinner, so I knew it wasn’t her. I was alone. It was such a loving touch. I didn’t understand what happened. But, it so shocked me that I leapt out of bed and ran in the kitchen and told my wife, “Someone just caressed my arm!” Many times before in my ministry, metaphysical things happened around me. Often, God would let me know of a death in the congregation or a terminal illness before I even got a phone call. Sometimes, while praying with a person, I could sense their spiritual hurt or pain or joy or even their future. I always considered it a gift of prophecy of a sort. But, as I spoke to Laura on that July 21st, I responded, “It felt as if it was the touch of a ghost. But, I could feel a loving caress. I don’t understand who it could be. I don’t’ know anyone right now who is dying or who would need to visit me.”
The next day, I got a call from the daughter of the woman who told me that when she died, she would let me know she was in heaven. I didn’t even know the friend was sick! She hid it from me. However, she made sure to come and visit me when she was on her way to Heaven. Even now, in this moment, I can feel what it was like to feel her loving caress where she touched me on my right arm.
Some people might be spooked by such an event. I am thankful to God. It is one more little glimpse I have been given of the resurrection of the dead.
Jesus wanted to make sure His followers were convinced of resurrection. He wanted them to be prepared for Heaven. He wanted to warn them of Hell. Still, don’t just believe in Jesus because there is a Heaven or Hell. Don’t just love Jesus because you want to go to Heaven. Don’t love Jesus only because you want to be reunited with loved ones in Heaven. Love Jesus because He is your Savior and Redeemer. Love Jesus because He died for you on a cross. Love Him because He is preparing a place for you in Heaven. In the end... just love Jesus, will ya!
When these words are spoken, you may want to get defensive. You might feel hurt or unloved or other strong emotions. It can be a life-altering moment to realize that you are wrong about something. Your first inclination may be to explain why you are right. You might question the person who dared say you were wrong. However, if the person speaks the truth and you are wrong, it can shatter your perception of yourself and your world. Still, wouldn’t you rather know the truth?
There was only one occasion in the gospels where Jesus said openly, “you are wrong!”. I find it interesting that Jesus even told those present were wrong twice in one gathering! On the day it occurred, Jesus was being questioned by the Sadducees. The Sadducees thought themselves very religious. They saw themselves as righteous before God. In fact, the name “Sadducee” comes from the amalgamation of Hebrew words for righteous and the name of the priest, Zadok! We are told in Mark 12 that the Sadducees did not believe in any form of resurrection. They even questioned Jesus about the resurrection using a man who had seven wives (Mark 12:18ff). In Jesus’ response to them, He mentioned twice that they were wrong about the resurrection; in Mark 12:24 and in the scripture for today. Jesus informed the Sadducees that God is “not the God of the dead, but the living”. Then, he put them in their place by stating forcefully, “you are quite wrong” (Mark 12:27)
Jesus was adamant that His followers realize that there is a resurrection of the dead. There is life after this life. On other occasions, Jesus mentioned that after life in the flesh in this world, there is a future in Heaven or Hell, depending on your choices and God’s grace. Later, when Jesus was resurrected Himself, it was proof positive that resurrection is not only possible but inevitable. So, the sum of Mark 12 is a challenge with two questions: “What kind of future do you want? and Will it be Heaven or Hell?”
In a wonderful meditation on this scripture for today, Diana Wallis wrote: “The Bible tells us that our personalities persist, go on. The Sadducees, who did not believe in angel or spirit or resurrection, once came to Jesus with that question about the seven-times-married woman who had survived all her husbands. The Sadducees wanted to know whose wife she would be in the Resurrection. Jesus told them that they misconceived the nature of the Resurrection and the future life. He reminded them of what God said to Moses at the burning bush: “Have you not read, … ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ God is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Personality, the you, the me, goes on.” (Take Heart, p. 188)
Of all the things Jesus taught, He wanted to make sure that His followers knew about the resurrection of the dead. That is why Jesus called the Sadducees wrong twice in these verses. It was Jesus’ ultimate stamp upon history, that there will be a resurrection of the dead.
I had a very interesting and fun conversation with a close friend of mine in my third church. As we were eating together one day, she said to me, “Since I will probably die first (she is 35 years older than I am), after I die, I’m going to let you know I’m in heaven.” I laughed and responded, “You do that! It would be very nice knowing I’ll see you again.”
On July 21, 2019, I was lying in my bed reading. I had taken a break from a project in the house. It was a Sunday. It was a pretty day. As I was lying there, enjoying what I was reading, I felt a hand touch my arm and rub up and down on it as if it were caressing me. I could hear my wife in the kitchen preparing dinner, so I knew it wasn’t her. I was alone. It was such a loving touch. I didn’t understand what happened. But, it so shocked me that I leapt out of bed and ran in the kitchen and told my wife, “Someone just caressed my arm!” Many times before in my ministry, metaphysical things happened around me. Often, God would let me know of a death in the congregation or a terminal illness before I even got a phone call. Sometimes, while praying with a person, I could sense their spiritual hurt or pain or joy or even their future. I always considered it a gift of prophecy of a sort. But, as I spoke to Laura on that July 21st, I responded, “It felt as if it was the touch of a ghost. But, I could feel a loving caress. I don’t understand who it could be. I don’t’ know anyone right now who is dying or who would need to visit me.”
The next day, I got a call from the daughter of the woman who told me that when she died, she would let me know she was in heaven. I didn’t even know the friend was sick! She hid it from me. However, she made sure to come and visit me when she was on her way to Heaven. Even now, in this moment, I can feel what it was like to feel her loving caress where she touched me on my right arm.
Some people might be spooked by such an event. I am thankful to God. It is one more little glimpse I have been given of the resurrection of the dead.
Jesus wanted to make sure His followers were convinced of resurrection. He wanted them to be prepared for Heaven. He wanted to warn them of Hell. Still, don’t just believe in Jesus because there is a Heaven or Hell. Don’t just love Jesus because you want to go to Heaven. Don’t love Jesus only because you want to be reunited with loved ones in Heaven. Love Jesus because He is your Savior and Redeemer. Love Jesus because He died for you on a cross. Love Him because He is preparing a place for you in Heaven. In the end... just love Jesus, will ya!
June 26
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help.” (Daniel 6:10–11, NLT)
The prophet Daniel was living in Babylon due to his being taken prisoner and made a slave after the war in Jerusalem during the 6th century BC. Despite living in Babylon, Daniel kept his faith. He prayed to God daily, “three times a day”, as stated in Daniel 6:10. Then, Darius the Mede took over the throne of Babylon. Following the bad advice of some of his corrupt and anti-God leaders, Darius signed into law that anyone caught worshipping or praying to God (instead of to Darius!) would be arrested and thrown into a den of lions (Daniel 6:7). This didn’t stop Daniel from faith in God. Daniel kept praying to God religiously. However, because of the new King’s edict, Daniel was breaking the law in Babylon. Daniel was set up and being watched by Babylonian detractors (Daniel 6:11). When Daniel began to pray one day, they had him arrested and brought to the King.
Because Daniel was breaking the law of the land, going against the edict against prayer and worship of anyone other than the king, he was found guilty. Though King Darius had great respect for Daniel, the King was forced to cast Daniel into the lions’ lair. Being present when Daniel was cast into the lair, the King explained that he believed Daniel would be spared and “delivered” by “his God”. In the end, Daniel was delivered by God, as the lions did not devour Daniel. The corrupt and anti-God leaders then were publicly shamed and themselves cast into the lions’ den. Daniel was not only protected by God but vindicated by God.
As you look back over today’s scripture, notice how Daniel’s faith in God and prayers to God went unchanged, even when they went against the law. Daniel did not flaunt the fact that he was going against the King’s decree. Instead, he quietly and faithfully continued to give thanks and praise to God. Daniel’s enemies in Darius’ court sought to convict Daniel and have him killed. They used the law to attack Daniel. They wanted to stop Daniel, Daniel’s faith, and worship of Daniel’s God. In the end, they could not stop Daniel nor God.
Even though it went against social norms, the law, and respect for the king of Babylon, Daniel continued to offer prayers to God three times a day. Daniel knew it was right to pray to God. Daniel’s prayers were linked to his integrity. Daniel didn’t pray because it was socially accepted or even legal. He prayed because He believed wholeheartedly in Almighty God. Out of personal integrity, Daniel could not stop praying to God. He could not stop believing in God. He could not give up practicing his faith. Even King Darius respected Daniel’s integrity and prayers, offering up the belief that God would protect Daniel even in the Lions’ Den.
Upon reading the scripture for today, John MacArthur noted that in Daniel’s faithfulness, we find “a direct link between prayer and integrity” (Strength for Today). In essence, a person who has true faith will pray, even when it is against the law. Also, out of integrity, the person who believes in God faithfully will not neglect to pray. There is a direct correlation or link between a person who has faith, the continual prayers offered up by that person, and a person who has godly integrity. If you want to be a person of true faith, your prayer life MUST be constant. You need to pray often and with fervor. Also, out of personal integrity, you need to commit yourself to God and to prayers to be a dedicated child of God. A truly faithful life must include personal integrity and a willingness to pray religiously.
MacArthur went on to explain:
“It is no coincidence that those whom God uses most effectively are those who are most fervent in prayer. David, for example, called upon the Lord in the morning, at noon, and at night, and the Lord heard his prayers (Ps. 55:17). Daniel followed the same pattern, praying three times a day from his roof chamber, where he could look out above the rooftops of Babylon toward Jerusalem.
Houses in Babylon often had latticework over their windows to allow ventilation, and Daniel would be visible through that latticework as he faced Jerusalem, prayed for its restoration, and gave thanks to God. He knew that Darius had issued a decree making it illegal to pray and that violating the decree would give his enemies opportunity to accuse him, but he would not forsake prayer or compromise his convictions. He would continue to call upon the Lord and leave any consequences to Him.
That was a bold decision for Daniel to make, especially in light of the punishment he would face. Would you be as bold if you knew that your prayers would lead to persecution and possible death? Perhaps more important, are you that committed to prayer even when you aren’t facing persecution? I trust that you are. The seriousness of the spiritual battles you face requires faithfulness in prayer.”
A good friend of mine, who is a pastor, was going through a difficult period in his life. Due to the stress of his work, he had gained weight and his blood pressure numbers went up month after month. Because my friend was a good pastor, the church increased their requests. As the church grew, his work multiplied. As he became well established, more and more people came to him asking for prayers, help, advice, counseling and more. My friend was beginning to burn out.
After a few months of absence, I ran into my pastor friend at a pastoral conference. He looked like death warmed over! He was pale. His eyes were bloodshot. He was overly quiet, reserved, and lacking enthusiasm for God. At a break in the conference, I sat next to him. I inquired about his family, his church, and his health. When he told me how overworked and stressed his life had become, I listened intently. At a break in the conversation, I asked, “By the way, how is your prayer life?” He shared that he was so tired, he often just fell asleep at night before he even began his bedtime prayers. He also confessed that his prayers had been full of asking God for strength. In essence, my friend was using his prayer time to cope with his overwork, not seek God’s voice and healing. My friend’s prayer life faltered. He only prayed when he had the time, and he never seemed to have time. Though he had a strong love for God, the lack of prayer time began to cause his faith-life to unravel. He was falling apart.
True to MacArthur’s insights into this scripture, my friend may have had much integrity, but his prayer life was suffering. This led to his faith being diminished. This further led to his health deteriorating. There is a strong connection between godly integrity and faithful praying (and one’s health!). If integrity falters, one’s prayer life will soon suffer as well. If one’s prayers are lacking or non-existent, godly integrity will go by the wayside.
How is your prayer life lately? Is it suffering? Are your prayers rushed or lacking? Have you been asking for much in prayer while offering too little praise and adoration of Almighty God? As there is no doubt between godly integrity and a fulfilled prayer life, make sure you are committed to both. Without godly integrity, you won’t be strong when persecution or trials come your way. Your prayers will become infrequent and lack enthusiasm. Without a passionate prayer life, your strength and integrity will flounder and eventually fail, taking your health with it.
In the end, this scripture questions whether you are ready to 1) be faithful even when others will persecute and humiliate you because of it… 2) be steadfast in your prayer life no matter what pressures you deal with… and 3) hold fast to God even when it hurts. I pray your godly integrity and prayers are not only intact but strong. Your family, your church, your health, your decisions, your future, and those closest to you will all be affected by your integrity and prayer life.
Because Daniel was breaking the law of the land, going against the edict against prayer and worship of anyone other than the king, he was found guilty. Though King Darius had great respect for Daniel, the King was forced to cast Daniel into the lions’ lair. Being present when Daniel was cast into the lair, the King explained that he believed Daniel would be spared and “delivered” by “his God”. In the end, Daniel was delivered by God, as the lions did not devour Daniel. The corrupt and anti-God leaders then were publicly shamed and themselves cast into the lions’ den. Daniel was not only protected by God but vindicated by God.
As you look back over today’s scripture, notice how Daniel’s faith in God and prayers to God went unchanged, even when they went against the law. Daniel did not flaunt the fact that he was going against the King’s decree. Instead, he quietly and faithfully continued to give thanks and praise to God. Daniel’s enemies in Darius’ court sought to convict Daniel and have him killed. They used the law to attack Daniel. They wanted to stop Daniel, Daniel’s faith, and worship of Daniel’s God. In the end, they could not stop Daniel nor God.
Even though it went against social norms, the law, and respect for the king of Babylon, Daniel continued to offer prayers to God three times a day. Daniel knew it was right to pray to God. Daniel’s prayers were linked to his integrity. Daniel didn’t pray because it was socially accepted or even legal. He prayed because He believed wholeheartedly in Almighty God. Out of personal integrity, Daniel could not stop praying to God. He could not stop believing in God. He could not give up practicing his faith. Even King Darius respected Daniel’s integrity and prayers, offering up the belief that God would protect Daniel even in the Lions’ Den.
Upon reading the scripture for today, John MacArthur noted that in Daniel’s faithfulness, we find “a direct link between prayer and integrity” (Strength for Today). In essence, a person who has true faith will pray, even when it is against the law. Also, out of integrity, the person who believes in God faithfully will not neglect to pray. There is a direct correlation or link between a person who has faith, the continual prayers offered up by that person, and a person who has godly integrity. If you want to be a person of true faith, your prayer life MUST be constant. You need to pray often and with fervor. Also, out of personal integrity, you need to commit yourself to God and to prayers to be a dedicated child of God. A truly faithful life must include personal integrity and a willingness to pray religiously.
MacArthur went on to explain:
“It is no coincidence that those whom God uses most effectively are those who are most fervent in prayer. David, for example, called upon the Lord in the morning, at noon, and at night, and the Lord heard his prayers (Ps. 55:17). Daniel followed the same pattern, praying three times a day from his roof chamber, where he could look out above the rooftops of Babylon toward Jerusalem.
Houses in Babylon often had latticework over their windows to allow ventilation, and Daniel would be visible through that latticework as he faced Jerusalem, prayed for its restoration, and gave thanks to God. He knew that Darius had issued a decree making it illegal to pray and that violating the decree would give his enemies opportunity to accuse him, but he would not forsake prayer or compromise his convictions. He would continue to call upon the Lord and leave any consequences to Him.
That was a bold decision for Daniel to make, especially in light of the punishment he would face. Would you be as bold if you knew that your prayers would lead to persecution and possible death? Perhaps more important, are you that committed to prayer even when you aren’t facing persecution? I trust that you are. The seriousness of the spiritual battles you face requires faithfulness in prayer.”
A good friend of mine, who is a pastor, was going through a difficult period in his life. Due to the stress of his work, he had gained weight and his blood pressure numbers went up month after month. Because my friend was a good pastor, the church increased their requests. As the church grew, his work multiplied. As he became well established, more and more people came to him asking for prayers, help, advice, counseling and more. My friend was beginning to burn out.
After a few months of absence, I ran into my pastor friend at a pastoral conference. He looked like death warmed over! He was pale. His eyes were bloodshot. He was overly quiet, reserved, and lacking enthusiasm for God. At a break in the conference, I sat next to him. I inquired about his family, his church, and his health. When he told me how overworked and stressed his life had become, I listened intently. At a break in the conversation, I asked, “By the way, how is your prayer life?” He shared that he was so tired, he often just fell asleep at night before he even began his bedtime prayers. He also confessed that his prayers had been full of asking God for strength. In essence, my friend was using his prayer time to cope with his overwork, not seek God’s voice and healing. My friend’s prayer life faltered. He only prayed when he had the time, and he never seemed to have time. Though he had a strong love for God, the lack of prayer time began to cause his faith-life to unravel. He was falling apart.
True to MacArthur’s insights into this scripture, my friend may have had much integrity, but his prayer life was suffering. This led to his faith being diminished. This further led to his health deteriorating. There is a strong connection between godly integrity and faithful praying (and one’s health!). If integrity falters, one’s prayer life will soon suffer as well. If one’s prayers are lacking or non-existent, godly integrity will go by the wayside.
How is your prayer life lately? Is it suffering? Are your prayers rushed or lacking? Have you been asking for much in prayer while offering too little praise and adoration of Almighty God? As there is no doubt between godly integrity and a fulfilled prayer life, make sure you are committed to both. Without godly integrity, you won’t be strong when persecution or trials come your way. Your prayers will become infrequent and lack enthusiasm. Without a passionate prayer life, your strength and integrity will flounder and eventually fail, taking your health with it.
In the end, this scripture questions whether you are ready to 1) be faithful even when others will persecute and humiliate you because of it… 2) be steadfast in your prayer life no matter what pressures you deal with… and 3) hold fast to God even when it hurts. I pray your godly integrity and prayers are not only intact but strong. Your family, your church, your health, your decisions, your future, and those closest to you will all be affected by your integrity and prayer life.
June 29
“There you shall remember your ways and all the deeds by which you have polluted yourselves; and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed.” (Ezekiel 20:43, NRSV)
When I was young, there was a television commercial that hit home with me. The commercial was sponsored by the “Keep America Beautiful” non-profit group. It portrayed an American Indian man paddling his canoe in a river. As he came to shore, he saw the land was polluted with all manner of litter, from Styrofoam cups to discarded trash. As the American Indian looked upon beautiful America, a tear came to his eye. This beautiful land had been polluted by people who did not care for the environment nor protect the world from waste. The tears of that American Indian will forever be associated in my mind with thoughtless pollution of our God-blessed land.
When God created humankind, HE planned for them to have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). Created in God’s image, humanity was commanded to tend to this world. We were not created to trash and destroy the land and water. God brings life with creation. Pollution of our world leads to suffering, disease, and death. Even now, humanity suffers due to the pollution of our world. Nano-particles used in cosmetics have caused disease in fish. Chemicals dumped into the ocean wreak havoc with whole oceanic ecosystems. A floating “island” of garbage has been found in the Pacific Ocean called the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”. It blocks the sunlight in a 620,000 square mile section of the sea, causing death and destruction wherever it goes. Chemicals in our food poison our bodies and lead to disease. Did you know that the environment in China has been so polluted and defoliated that to look good to the media, the Chinese Government goes out periodically to paint the landscape green in order to look natural? Yes, they spray green paint to cover plants that are withering and dying!
Though it is a terrible waste and seriously sinful to pollute the environment that God has given us, it also is shameful to pollute humanity with evil and idolatry and sin. As garbage needless tossed out pollutes the environment, so too evil can pollute your soul and the spiritual lives of all people. While many people associate pollution with accumulated trash and garbage, sadly people forget that spiritual and moral pollution can just as easily kill a soul or a whole community or even the earth.
In the scripture for today, God longs for the day when the people of Israel repent and return to Him. At the time this scripture was written, Israel had sinned greatly. Sin then caused the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. God spoke the words in Ezekiel 20:43 to remind Israel that in the future, they would remember that period of history as a time when “evils” committed by Israel “polluted” the land. Their sinful deeds caused God to punish them. War with Babylon was the inevitable result. God hoped to teach the people of Israel to “loathe” their pollution of body, Temple, land, and soul.
Have you ever been to a landfill or city dump? It stinks! The rotting of refuse causes an awful odor to be produced. When you are in the presence of that odor, you want to recoil, get away, cover your nose, and look for fresh air! In like manner, when God sees sin and evil, God recoils. A sinful life is odious to God. The pollution of the soul that evil brings upon a person causes sickness to the body and rotting of the spirit. That is why scripture teaches that we must be “made clean” by God through forgiveness and grace. That is why we use clean water for baptism. It is a symbol of the washing and cleansing of the body and soul and mind of those who are dedicated to Jesus.
Looking back upon Jesus’ life, one of the most spiritually polluted people at the time was Herod the Great, the King of Israel. Herod is well known for his building projects. He rebuilt whole sections of the Temple including the Western Wall, which still can be seen today. He built beautiful palace fortresses in Jerusalem and Masada. He built the huge man-made harbor dedicated to Caesar at Caesarea Maritima. He was a powerful man, not to be trifled with. He was a favorite of the Roman Curia. However, Herod also was a terrible human being. He murdered his family members. His lavish building projects impoverished thousands. He also is well-known in the gospels for his attempt to kill Jesus and his ordering the murder of all the infants in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:16).
Herod is a perfect example of a man with a soul polluted by evil deeds. What became of Herod the Great? History tells us that Herod died an “excruciating death”. Worms ate his intestines and genitals. Infections caused fevers and delusions. Some scientists believe that as Herod’s kidneys shut down, he developed Fournier’s gangrene. This caused portions of his body to die off slowly, causing terrible pain and suffering.
You might say that Herod died of terrible diseases. And you’d be right. However, long before Herod suffered so, his soul was greatly polluted by evil deeds. His treatment of the people, his disrespect for God and faith, his murderous rampages and rampant taxation all caused the pollution of his sacred soul. After polluting his life with evil deeds, Herod suffered with the pollution of his mind, then body, then country, then Temple. Not long after Herod’s death, the Temple was destroyed a second time. One might argue that the same spiritual and moral pollution that caused the destruction of the Temple during the time of Ezekiel caused the destruction of the Temple not long after the reign of Herod.
Beware the evils and sins of this world that can pollute your body, mind, and spirit. They have a way of destroying everything and everyone they touch.
Is there some area of your life that needs to be cleaned up? Is there a past sin that has left some garbage in your heart or mind? Let God cleanse your heart and soul and mind and body of any evil or sin lurking therein. Repent. Turn to the Lord. Pray to be made clean!
When God created humankind, HE planned for them to have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). Created in God’s image, humanity was commanded to tend to this world. We were not created to trash and destroy the land and water. God brings life with creation. Pollution of our world leads to suffering, disease, and death. Even now, humanity suffers due to the pollution of our world. Nano-particles used in cosmetics have caused disease in fish. Chemicals dumped into the ocean wreak havoc with whole oceanic ecosystems. A floating “island” of garbage has been found in the Pacific Ocean called the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”. It blocks the sunlight in a 620,000 square mile section of the sea, causing death and destruction wherever it goes. Chemicals in our food poison our bodies and lead to disease. Did you know that the environment in China has been so polluted and defoliated that to look good to the media, the Chinese Government goes out periodically to paint the landscape green in order to look natural? Yes, they spray green paint to cover plants that are withering and dying!
Though it is a terrible waste and seriously sinful to pollute the environment that God has given us, it also is shameful to pollute humanity with evil and idolatry and sin. As garbage needless tossed out pollutes the environment, so too evil can pollute your soul and the spiritual lives of all people. While many people associate pollution with accumulated trash and garbage, sadly people forget that spiritual and moral pollution can just as easily kill a soul or a whole community or even the earth.
In the scripture for today, God longs for the day when the people of Israel repent and return to Him. At the time this scripture was written, Israel had sinned greatly. Sin then caused the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. God spoke the words in Ezekiel 20:43 to remind Israel that in the future, they would remember that period of history as a time when “evils” committed by Israel “polluted” the land. Their sinful deeds caused God to punish them. War with Babylon was the inevitable result. God hoped to teach the people of Israel to “loathe” their pollution of body, Temple, land, and soul.
Have you ever been to a landfill or city dump? It stinks! The rotting of refuse causes an awful odor to be produced. When you are in the presence of that odor, you want to recoil, get away, cover your nose, and look for fresh air! In like manner, when God sees sin and evil, God recoils. A sinful life is odious to God. The pollution of the soul that evil brings upon a person causes sickness to the body and rotting of the spirit. That is why scripture teaches that we must be “made clean” by God through forgiveness and grace. That is why we use clean water for baptism. It is a symbol of the washing and cleansing of the body and soul and mind of those who are dedicated to Jesus.
Looking back upon Jesus’ life, one of the most spiritually polluted people at the time was Herod the Great, the King of Israel. Herod is well known for his building projects. He rebuilt whole sections of the Temple including the Western Wall, which still can be seen today. He built beautiful palace fortresses in Jerusalem and Masada. He built the huge man-made harbor dedicated to Caesar at Caesarea Maritima. He was a powerful man, not to be trifled with. He was a favorite of the Roman Curia. However, Herod also was a terrible human being. He murdered his family members. His lavish building projects impoverished thousands. He also is well-known in the gospels for his attempt to kill Jesus and his ordering the murder of all the infants in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:16).
Herod is a perfect example of a man with a soul polluted by evil deeds. What became of Herod the Great? History tells us that Herod died an “excruciating death”. Worms ate his intestines and genitals. Infections caused fevers and delusions. Some scientists believe that as Herod’s kidneys shut down, he developed Fournier’s gangrene. This caused portions of his body to die off slowly, causing terrible pain and suffering.
You might say that Herod died of terrible diseases. And you’d be right. However, long before Herod suffered so, his soul was greatly polluted by evil deeds. His treatment of the people, his disrespect for God and faith, his murderous rampages and rampant taxation all caused the pollution of his sacred soul. After polluting his life with evil deeds, Herod suffered with the pollution of his mind, then body, then country, then Temple. Not long after Herod’s death, the Temple was destroyed a second time. One might argue that the same spiritual and moral pollution that caused the destruction of the Temple during the time of Ezekiel caused the destruction of the Temple not long after the reign of Herod.
Beware the evils and sins of this world that can pollute your body, mind, and spirit. They have a way of destroying everything and everyone they touch.
Is there some area of your life that needs to be cleaned up? Is there a past sin that has left some garbage in your heart or mind? Let God cleanse your heart and soul and mind and body of any evil or sin lurking therein. Repent. Turn to the Lord. Pray to be made clean!