Orchard Church | Pastor Jim Jackson: Recent Episodes
Orchard Church | Pastor Jim Jackson
Life of David Pt. 25
When It's Your Last Day
1 Chronicles 28:1-10, 19-21
1 King 2:1-4, 10-12
Peace Of Mary | Season Of Advent Tag Team Preaching With Pastor Zac (High School Pastor at Orchard Church) and Pastor Jim Jackson
Upside Down Kingdom Pt. 9 Dealing With Your Word Matthew 5:33-37
Swear to the God ABOVE In most ancient cultures, to invoke a god’s name was to say something about that god’s character (Deut. 18:20). In Egypt, taking an oath in a god’s name was binding, but as those gods didn’t exist, breaking it had no divine consequences. Israel was allowed to take oaths in the LORD’s name (Heb. YHWH, Ex. 3:14) but never falsely, rendering Him as also non-existent (c. 1440 BC; Lev. 19:12; Deut. 6:13-15; 20:10). Names are a picture of a person’s personality, position, and power. Israel was to be a light to the nations about the true God (Deut. 26:18, 19). So, Israel wasn’t to use God’s name as profanity, which was blasphemy (‘to treat with irreverence or as common’). When God’s name was uttered, especially in business or in reference to the truth of a matter, it was to guarantee authenticity and integrity. To use YHWH to lie (‘in vain’) in business or in a legal matter, caused the harmed person to dishonor the true God and brought judgment on the violator (Ex. 20:7; Matt. 12:36, 37). Names represent the character of families, teams, cities, nations, and ultimately God. God’s family is to represent their family Name well!
Represent the God WITHIN By the time of Jesus (30 AD), Jews were using God’s name in a way that devalued His character. To correct this, Jesus tells his disciples not to swear an oath by God at all. But they were to have such godly character that their words could be believed without an oath. Christians are ‘small-Christ’ versions, in that they represent Jesus both in name and in action. Christians are the most like Christ when they resemble Christ the most! As believers have the true God living in their heart, they should be acting that way in the world. The God of integrity on the inside should produce believers of integrity on the outside (John 14:23; Eph. 3:17)! Words are an extension of a person both for good or for evil (Luke 6:45). Christians are to be ambassadors to a lost world that needs to experience the true Jesus through true believers (2 Cor. 5:18-20). True believers are the truest example of the true God when they truly act in truth (John 8:31, 32)! Lying and manipulation aren’t from God. For Christians, their word should be their bond and their promise should be their guarantee—at home, at work, at school, and at play. For the Christian, what gets said is what gets done (Ps. 15:1-5; Prov. 12:22)!
God's Design For Motherhood | the fam pt. 7
Mothers are to be STRONG
Mothers are to be WISE
Mothers are to be PRAISED
Pastor Jim Jackson, 4/16/23 the fam pt. 3—God’s Design For Men Eph. 5:25-30
Men are built to Lead, Men are built to Protect, & Men are built to Provide.
Pastor Jim Jackson, 10/30/22
God Of The New—Ep. 8, God Gives A New Future
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ghosted Ep 4 | The Holy Spirit Creates Family | Ps. Jim Jackson
Welcome to Orchard Church, where we Engage with love, Equip with truth and Empower with faith. Pastor Jim is in his # Ghosted teaching series where we learn together exactly who is the Holy Spirit and what he does.
Ghosted Ep 3 | The Holy Spirit Convicts | Ps. Jim Jackson
Welcome to Orchard Church, where we Engage with love, Equip with truth and Empower with faith. Pastor Jim is in his # Ghosted teaching series where we learn together exactly who is the Holy Spirit and what he does.
Welcome to Orchard Church, where we Engage with love, Equip with truth and Empower with faith. Pastor Jim is in his # Ghosted teaching series.
# Ghosted - The Holy Spirit Gives Wisdom | Pastor Jim Jackson
1 Corinthians 2:6-13
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Pastor Jim Jackson, 5/15/2022
We Endure Ep. 26 - Signs Of The Last Times
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Pastor Jim Jackson, 3/20/22 We Endure, Pt. 21—The Behavior Of A Soldier 2 Timothy 2:1-7 A Soldier is strengthened by GRACE
Timothy had become discouraged and depressed as the pastor at Ephesus. Though Timothy was in his late 30’s, as his spiritual father, Paul viewed him as his child (Gr. teknon, ‘offspring, young son’) in the faith. In this role, Paul encouraged him not to give up the fight but endure difficulty. Men are to provide emotional stability, physical protection, and spiritual guidance for those in need. During emotional instability, relational chaos, or spiritual confusion, Timothy was to be strengthened (Gr. endunamoō, ‘to enable with power’) by grace from Jesus. As God dwells with believers, He is our ever-present lifeline in battle (Ps. 46:1-3; Eph. 3:16-18)!
A Soldier shares in SUFFERING
Timothy was to find strength to get through hard times from Jesus and look for other men who were faithful as well. From these men, he was to choose leaders that could teach and disciple others. Faithfulness opens doors of opportunity; flakiness closes doors of blessing. Like a good soldier at war—who knows people’s lives are at stake if he flees—he is to stay and share in the suffering (Gr. kakopatheō, ‘undergo hardship’) of battle. Christians aren’t to look for a way out but a way through the fire! Like family, believers are made by God to rejoice together and go through hardship together (Rom. 12:15; 1 Tim. 3:15, 16). Life is better together!
A Soldier stays on MISSION
Because of the intense nature of pastoring and pressure from culture, it can be easy for pastors to become emotionally fatigued or spiritually distracted. Fatigue can lead to wanting to quit or becoming preoccupied by focusing the church on non-Gospel issues. Like a soldier who doesn’t get to choose his own mission, pastors aren’t to get entangled (Gr. emplekō, ‘to braid together, intertwine’) in cultural values, politics, or personal pursuits. Distractions are a diversion leading to death. An athlete can train and focus their body for competition, but if they don’t compete by the rules, they will be disqualified. And, if a farmer doesn’t work hard and correctly tend to his crops so they grow, he won’t eat. Likewise, as people’s spiritual lives are on the line, a pastor who doesn’t stay on mission for the Gospel is a failure. Mission matters most!
God built humans to live in COMMUNITY Sometimes you will feel ABANDONED
Always keep seeking CONNECTION
A Legacy That Lasts | We Endure pt 17 | 02/27/2022 - Live 3rd Service | Orchard Church | Pastor Jim Jackson
Principles For Christian Living | We Endure Ep. 17 | 02/20/2022
1 Timothy 6:17-21
Pastor Jim Jackson
Fighting the Good Fight | We Endure pt 16 | 02/13/2022 - Live Service | Orchard Church | Pastor Jim Jackson
Fighting The Good Fight 1 Timothy 6:11-16
1) Fight the good fight by FLEEING the present
2) Fight the good fight by PURSUING the future
3) Fight the good fight by ENDURING to the end
Pastor Jim Jackson, 2/6/22 We Endure, Pt. 15—Learning The Secrets of Contentment 1 Timothy 6:3-10 Some teachers TWIST scripture to support their ideas After telling Timothy about the kind of elders/teachers who should be honored, Paul describes those who should be rejected (1 Tim. 5:17-19). During the first century, many teachers and preachers would travel to churches sharing their message, some of whom were false teachers. False teachers would arrogantly disagree, start disunity and dissension, and draw people away to follow them. The essence of false teaching perverts the person and mission of Jesus and twists scripture to manipulate people (Matt. 7:15-20; Acts 20:28- 31; 2 Cor. 4:2, 5; 2 Pet. 3:15, 16). The clear teaching of—and submission to—scripture is a hallmark of godly pastors (1 Pet. 5:1- 4). False teachers elevate their feelings and dreams, focus on money or materialism, and offer nothing to the church but criticism and self-service. Biblical belief is not only cognition but conduct. People act on what they believe, and the greatest judgment is on those teaching unbiblical error and encouraging others to do it (Matt. 23:1-3, 15, 25, 26, 33; James 3:1). Taught right + live right = is right! Contentment is the key to a FULFILLING life Ephesus was a wealthy Roman port city. In a culture where wealth was considered evidence of God’s blessing, some believers struggled with contentment. False teachers distorted the fact God loves to bless His children, with the idea that the godly will have gained. While it is true that the favor of God can bring finances, the lack of it doesn’t mean a lack of God’s favor. Believers can be thankful and rejoice always knowing God loves them (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:16-18). Evidence of God’s blessing isn’t always cash, but it’s always contentment! Scripture supports the principle of hard work and maximizing opportunities, but some Christians focused on wealth and had left the faith. This path starts with dissatisfaction, then coveting, and then greed. Money is morally neutral and isn’t evil, but the love (Gr. philarguria, ‘love of silver, money) of it is (Prov. 15:27; 23:4, 5; Mark 4:18, 19; Heb. 13:5). Don’t seek stuff more than your Savior! The best way to keep wealth from destroying your soul is to be heavenly-minded and earthly generous (Deut. 8:17, 18; Prov. 10:22; Matt. 6:19-24, 31-33). A fulfilling life comes from an appreciation for God, thankfulness to God, and contentment from God. God promised to provide for our needs, not our greed!
Slavery was the BACKBONE of Roman society From 100 BC to 117 AD, the Roman Empire expanded so far it controlled nearly 20% of the earth’s population. As it expanded, the army sold captured soldiers and their families to slave traders waiting behind battle lines to deliver them to Rome. In one campaign against the Gauls (59-51 BC; modern France/Belgium/Germany), Julius Caesar captured nearly 1 million people as slaves. God ordained Jesus’ life would happen—and Christianity would be born into—a first-century Roman Empire with slavery as its economic backbone. God often allows sinful political systems to exist to shine His spiritual light. Jesus himself was born to a poor Jewish family ruled by Roman tyrants (~4 BC; Augustus/Tiberius). Jesus was never politically or socially free one day in his life. Jesus never told his followers to worry about their freedoms or social position but rather live godly lives inside of their circumstances. Circumstances don’t dictate our value, God does (Matt. 5:11-16, 43-48; 6:31-34)! Christian slaves and masters were to reflect JESUS In Ephesus, a person could become a slave as a war-captive, not paying taxes to Rome, personal debt, or as an abandoned infant. But as the gospel transformed first-century households, husbands, wives, children, and servants were to live out a new domestic code— Christlikeness (Eph. 5:22-6:9). With no social, political, or economic clout, they were to change culture by showing change in their own lives. Christians should worry more about their witness than their freedom, more about eternity than their autonomy. Many slaves were paid a stipend, could work off their service, or be set free if the masters desired. But regardless,
Christian slaves were to act like Jesus in word, deed, and work ethic. Especially if the masters were believers, they were to benefit them! Masters were to care for them like brothers and look to free them (1 Cor. 7:20-24; Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:23, 24, 4:1; Phm. 12-16). The power of the Gospel isn’t in how good things are for us, but how good God is to us! The words master (Gr. kurios, ‘lord, master’) and slave (Gr. doulos, ‘servant, slave’) didn’t have negative connotations in the NT but described living for Christ (Matt. 20:25-28; John 13:13; Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Pet. 2:16). Soon, Christianity would decrease slavery and bring reforms under Emperor Constantine (319 AD). The love of the Lord changes lives!
FINANCIALLY honor the honorable elder Elders have the difficult task of overseeing the eternal aspects of believers’ lives of which they’ll give account to God. To complete their calling, they must have unique gifting and high character standards for their public and private life, unlike any other profession. The level of integrity for their actions and attitude in the church and at home are so demanding, few should ever pursue it (1 Tim. 3:1-7; James 3:1). As pastoring is a calling, not a job, the people are to respond with respect, love, and support (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17). Godly pastors are like gold! Part of the support is financial, where the people’s giving to God is for men to support their families as they minister to families. Those who excel should receive double honor (Gr. diplous timē, ‘twofold value, money, esteem’), especially those who preach and teach well. Elders/pastors can be volunteers or bi-vocational, but some are called to lead the church full-time and should be paid to live at least to the level of their people (1 Cor. 9:14). Love the pastors that lead you well! Correct the DISHONORABLE elder Paul tells Timothy there may be times accusations are made against an elder/pastor. He is to take all of them seriously and discover the truth by determining if there are witnesses. Realizing there are people who may be jealous, have ulterior motives, or are emotionally toxic, accusations shouldn’t be based on unsubstantiated charges or personal feelings. There is a process for protecting the godly against lies. However, when the charges are true and are serious enough to disqualify a man, a pastor may have to be removed temporarily or permanently. Elders who sin or dishonor God publicly should be called out publicly, so people know that no one is above biblical correction and victims are protected by godly men. There is a process for protecting victims against sinful behavior. Don’t make elders QUICKLY Because of the seriousness of shepherding people for God— and the damage done when godly men do ungodly things—making men elders should be done slowly and infrequently. Choosing an elder/pastor should be done based on the long-term fruit of watching his life. Past decisions are the best indicators of future decisions!
We Endure, Pt. 12—Qualifications for Care 1 Timothy 5:9-16 Christians HELP the helpless for God Once Paul instructed Timothy that elderly parents should be cared for by their own family, he describes the type of people the church should care for (1 Tim. 5:1-8). Timothy is to enroll (Gr. katalegō, ‘set down on a list’) widows that meet a certain criteria; being over 60, a faithful wife, a reputation for working hard raising children, being hospitable, and is devoted to serving others. This means these women were members of the church as they were known by their service and character. Membership matters! God’s heart is to show His care for the most vulnerable and destitute in the church as an example to the world. The church and every believer aren’t called to fill every need or finance every request. Just because someone doesn’t want to help themselves doesn’t mean they are helpless (2 Thess. 3:6-13). God’s money should be spent God’s way!
After reinforcing that Timothy’s gift of teaching God’s word was vital to the life of the church, Paul describes how the Gospel affects relationships by age and gender (1 Tim. 4:11-16). While Timothy was younger than some in the church and had the authority to correct older men, he was to do so with an attitude of respect and care. Correction served with arrogance rarely produces godly change. Timothy was to mentor younger men like an older brother, treat older women like his own mother, and relate to younger women like a sister. As the church is designed like a family, pastors are to counsel and care like a father (John 1:12; Eph. 2:19). Probably being single in his mid-thirties, Timothy had unique challenges as a pastor in a culture that valued age and marriage. Being the most eligible bachelor in the church and knowing sexual temptation, Paul tells him to act with ‘all purity’ (Gr. pas hagneia, ‘in every way clean/chaste’) towards the single women. Because women take verbal and touch cues and men take visual and physical cues, believers are to relate and date like brothers and sisters until marriage. As humans are ‘free information’ beings, sexual availability signals come from behavior, talk, and dress. God designed the marital covenant as the dividing line between sexual expression and sexual restraint (Heb. 13:4).
Joseph, the son of Jacob, was the youngest of 12 boys. Because his father had him at such an old age, he grew up as his father’s favorite. Jacob, also known as Israel, made Joseph a robe or coat of many colors. When Jacob demonstrated his love for Joseph, his brothers became very jealous. Eventually, the brothers sold him into slavery for 20 shekels of silver. Then they told their father that Joseph was killed by a fierce animal. When you lie and hurt others, you dishonor God. While in Egypt, Joseph became a successful man. Eventually, Joseph was falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown in prison (Genesis 39:1-23). In prison—where Joseph spent a lot of time—he became even more successful. Time is the only resource that everyone has the same amount of and has the same value. It’s just a matter of what you are willing to invest into God’s kingdom that matters (John 9:4; Eph. 5:15-17; James 4:13-14). When you Honor God with your time, he will bless you, so use it wisely.
After Jesus’ birth in the lower room in a house, Joseph and Mary probably stayed at a relative’s house in Bethlehem before going back to Nazareth. When Jesus was around a year old, men called magi (Gr. magoi, ‘magician’) who specialized in studying wisdom literature, astronomy, and the magic arts, travelled from Persia, east of Israel (modern Iran/Iraq). Many Jews were taken there when Babylon conquered Judah and deported some of them in 605 BC, including Daniel, who was considered a ‘wise-man’ (Dan. 5:11). Believers should face short-term difficulty with perseverance knowing their obedience will serve a long-term good (Rom. 8:28). Through the Jews, the magi had access to Balaam’s prophecy that a ‘star’ would come out of Jacob and the time of the arrival of the Messiah (Num. 24:17; Dan. 9:24, 25). About 4 BC, they noticed an astronomical anomaly and providentially recognized it related to the birth of the Messiah of Israel. As priests and kingmakers, there was probably a large entourage who came from Babylon (~ 800 miles). God not only called poor, illiterate shepherds, but also the educated elite to show that all kinds of wise men still seek Him (Luke 2)!
In the Old Testament law, God required every firstborn male—which was considered the ‘strength’ of the herd or family—to be presented to Him (Ex. 13:2). As the firstborn son was set apart for God, the parents had to redeem or ‘buy back’ their son from service to the Lord with 5 shekels of silver (Num. 3:12; 18:14-16). God set a precedent that the future leaders of the families and clans would belong to Him from the day they were born. God expects men to lead with humility and love for others. This presentation would be a perpetual reminder that the nation belonged to God and they would find peace in trusting Him not their own strength. Human peace comes through submission to God (John 16:33; 2 Thess. 3:16). As lovers of God, Joseph and Mary came from Bethlehem to Jerusalem forty-one days after Jesus’ birth to redeem him from service to the Lord at the Temple. Being poor, instead of a lamb, Mary gave two turtledoves; one for her purification and one for her sin offering (Lev. 12:6-8; Luke 1:47). While Joseph gave Jesus as his son of peace, as God’s Son, Jesus would become the Prince of Peace for the whole world (Is. 9:6; John 3:16)!
Shepherds down through the ages have been primarily lower class and often poor and uneducated. In a family, shepherding was usually done by the youngest son or hired out by owners that could afford it. Bethlehem was a rural town five miles from Jerusalem with open fields for grazing sheep. Though shepherds graze sheep any time of year, because of winter storms, most would put them in pens near the towns after October. As these were in the open fields at night, Jesus’ birth may have been in the summer or early fall. God’s interaction can come at any time of the year or at any time of our lives! The shepherds were watching over their animals by taking three-hour shifts to protect them. Then, an angel descended and terrified the shepherds with his presence (Gr. megas phobos; ‘feared with massive fear’). Sometimes God uses divine reality to startle us awake from human complacency. The angel told them that in King David’s birthplace, the ultimate King had been born! Unexpectedly, God revealed the greatest news in history to illiterate, lower-class men with no social clout. God delights in using the forgotten and marginalized to do the unforgettable and central (1 Cor. 1:26-30)!
When Joseph met Mary, he was probably in his late teens to early twenties, living in his father’s house in Nazareth. For Joseph, becoming a responsible man able to support a wife meant learning a trade or occupation—probably from his father, Jacob. God has tied masculine responsibility to occupational reality. While it isn’t known how well they got along, Joseph may have developed a deep love for his heavenly Father from his love for his earthly father. God often uses earthly examples to teach heavenly principles. Although we don’t know what kind of man Joseph’s father was, we do know it was customary in Jewish culture for the father to find or approve a wife for his son—often a distant relative. While Mary was probably a teenager, Jacob likely saw her devotion to God and approved of their marriage (Luke 1:38, 46-49). Marks of loving God are submission to the authority over you and incorporating godly counsel into decisions (Prov. 12:15; 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 6:1-3).
Mary grew up in a rural area of northern Israel in Nazareth and came from a family with no great social influence. Like most young women of her time, she would have been happy to marry a man she loved, start a family, and please God by being the wife and mother she was called to be. While not special by cultural standards, Mary knew she was special to God. Believers know their value is in God’s evaluation (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10)! Mary was probably a teenager when introduced to Joseph, who was likely a distant relative. In Jewish marital customs, after spending time together, Mary would make her feelings about Joseph known to her father and he would present Joseph’s father with the marriage agreement. God often works through cultural norms to do something culturally spectacular. Just as with Joseph, Mary agreed to sexual abstinence and purity as part of the contract. As a young Jewish woman, her desire was to honor God and her husband by preparing herself for marriage. This would involve learning domestic skills and preparing to become a wife and mother. Mary was an ordinary woman in an ordinary town with ordinary looks expecting an ordinary future.Sometimes the mundane sets the stage for the miraculous!
Timothy was told that Paul’s scriptural instruction wasn’t optional to tell the church nor optional for the church to obey. He was to command (Gr. paraggellō, ‘to transmit an order or charge’) and teach (Gr. didaskō, ‘to impart instruction’) God’s word without reservation. Pastors are servants of God and are required to tell His truth regardless of their feelings, political pressure, or cultural values. Preachers are to be the conduit of God’s truth. As the people learn, they can then apply it and start to please God. God set the pastor as the instrument of information so God can be the instrument of transformation (Heb. 13:17). Scripture isn’t suggestions to ponder from God but are requirements to please God. Most issues in the Christian life aren’t from lack of knowledge but lack of obedience!
Once Paul exposed aspects of false teaching, which replace or add to the Gospel and Christian living—like forbidding marriage or abstaining from foods—he described how to avoid it (1 Tim. 4:1- 3). Timothy was to be made strong (Gr. entrephō, ‘to physically nourish, train the mind’) by the ‘words of faith’ and ‘good doctrine’ (Gr. didaskalia, ‘teaching, instruction’). Both terms refer to the OT scriptures as well as the letters authorized by the Apostles of Jesus which became the NT (Prov. 30:5, 6; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 3:16). Bad doctrine brings ungodly living; good doctrine brings godly blessing! Believers are to follow (Gr. parakoloutheō, ‘to accompany close by the side’) the Bible without swerving. What you believe is how you live; how you live is the direction of your life; the direction of your life determines where you end up (John 8:12)!
Earlier in his letter, Paul described the men who should be teaching and the men and women who should be serving (1 Tim. 3:1-13). The reason these qualifications exist, is that the church is the household of God and the foundation of truth in the world as the word is preached (1 Tim. 3:15). The truth of God is displayed in the world by His people of truth. Paul warned that some teachers who once proclaimed the truth will leave (Gr. aphistēmi, ‘to withdraw, remove oneself’) the faith (Gr. pistis, ‘conviction of the truth’). This means they weren’t unsaved pastors or teachers but believed the truth and got sidetracked by Satan to lead people astray (2 Tim. 4:3, 4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3). Sometimes a church will take on the values of its pastor or culture, rather than its God. Most pastors or churches don’t die fiery deaths; they die slow fades as they leave their mission!
Despite having the disciples of Jesus as pastors and the Holy Spirit doing miracles, the first church still had interpersonal issues. But instead of leaving the church or creating division, the people chose seven godly men to help, and fixed the issue (Acts 6:1-7). The presence of problems in a church is never the issue, the lack of unity always is. The apostles were probably surprised to be leading a church of thousands just months after Jesus’ resurrection. While the growth was exciting, it created organizational challenges. To allow the elders to continue in prayer and teaching, deacons (Gr. diakonos, ‘to serve, assist’) were chosen to help. A great future is always birthed from great challenges handled with great faith in God!
After describing an orderly worship environment and prohibiting women from teaching men in an assembled gathering, Paul tells Timothy who should have that role. Like marriage—where a man takes the responsibility of leading, loving, and providing for a wife and children—a man must desire the responsibility not just the role. If any man aspires (Gr. oregomai, ‘to reach out to grasp’) to be an overseer/elder/pastor (Gr. episkopē, ‘to inspect, superintend’; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4), he desires a good task (Gr. ergon, ‘toil, labor’). Overseeing is the hard work of leading others. A man must be able to lead himself, lead others, and lead others to lead others. A man wanting to lead a church should have a history of being followed by men. If you think you are a leader, turn around, if no one is following you, you’re just out for a walk (Rom. 12:6-8)!
After instructing Timothy to focus on the supremacy of the Gospel and prayer—rather than social or political issues at church—he specifies how that should happen. Christian men should lead by praying and lifting holy (Gr. hosios, ‘undefiled, pure’) hands to God. Throughout scripture, lifting hands was a form of submission and appreciation and was to be done as an outward display of a right heart to God (Neh. 8:6; Ps. 63:4; 134:2; Lam. 3:41). They are to pray without anger (Gr. orgē, ‘violent emotion’) or quarreling (Gr. dialogismos, ‘debating, arguing’). Rather than creating chaos and dissention, men are to create an environment of stability and unity. A man’s prayer life can be hindered by his home life (1 Pet. 3:7).
After comments encouraging Timothy to remain steadfast in pastoring the church at Ephesus, Paul begins with the most urgent thing on his mind—prayer. Believers are to pray at all times and connect with God, who dwells in them (1 Thess. 5:16-18; Rom. 8:26, 27). Biblical prayer isn’t random thoughts or wishful thinking but a focused, soul-conversation with God (Col. 4:2; Phil. 4:6). Often, God allows believers to be ruled by the ungodly. But Christians are to supplicate (Gr. deēsis, ‘to petition’) to God, pray for, and be thankful for their rulers—praying God will change their unbelief and use them. A Christian’s main weapon of political and social change is prayer! Prayer aligns the hearts of believers with God and moves the heart of God for believers. The purpose of prayer is to bring God glory; the power of prayer is the ability to change human history!
Paul grew up in a strict Jewish home in Tarsus. He spoke multiple languages, had a genius-level IQ, was educated by the famous rabbi Gamaliel, and had a passion to serve God through Judaism (Phil. 3:4-6). Paul described himself as a former blasphemer of Christ (Gr. blasphēmos, ‘to speak evil about’), a persecutor, and being insolent (Gr. hubristēs, ‘prideful arrogance leading to evil action’). Believing Jesus as a failed Messiah, he persecuted Christians by arresting and approving of their murder until he was miraculously transformed by the risen Jesus (Acts 8:1-3; 22:3-8; Gal. 1:13). There is no past God can’t redeem for good (2 Cor. 5:17)!
I know that once people live their lives on the earth, they are made beautiful angels that are free to roam the universe. It makes me feel good to know that people I love are angels looking down on us on earth. God keeps filling heaven with more angels every day!
As a believer in Jesus, I know that I am a child of God, and that He leads my life. Because of this reality, I have confidence when I encounter difficulty that God won’t allow anything in my life I can’t deal with. My situations will never be too much for me!
Knowledge can be understood from several aspects: simple knowledge (intellectual ascent), acceptance, application. So, is it good deeds, or is it faith? Yes! Faith is a lot like physical exercise. It’s something you do more than something you have. Understanding it intellectually is vastly different than understanding it behaviorally. When done right, it’s a lifestyle, not a series of isolated events.
Faith is an action word: Abel “offered” a sacrifice, Noah “prepared” an ark, Abraham “obeyed” the Lord. (Hebrews 11:6)
Ever since I can remember I had same or both-sex attractions. I know I was born this way and since I can’t choose how I feel, other people must approve of my lifestyle. My feelings and desires are my guiding principles in making decisions, including if I feel trapped in the wrong body and want to transition to the other sex. My gender is a different thing than my biological sex. And, as my sexual identity is nonbinary, I reject heteronormativity. I need to live my truth!
Over the course of my life, I have done things I regret and have caused me guilt. In the moment, I thought those things would make me happy. But the pleasure I gained was short-lived while the guilt I have has stayed with me. My culture tells me everything is fine, but I know I’m lost and broken. I feel overwhelmed with my sin.
Believers aren’t ‘born-again’ to be orphaned but are born into a spiritual family to care for them. Being a Christian isn’t about your salvation, but about your sanctification. The goal of salvation isn’t to go be with Christ in heaven but to be like Christ on earth. Believers need to grow up under the discipleship of more mature believers for training, encouragement, and accountability (Matt. 28:19, 20; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 10:25; 13:17). There didn’t need to be a class or official acknowledgment in the first century as there was only one church in a town or region and baptism was the official membership. The church is described as members of a family and of a body—meaning believers aren’t saved for the sake of themselves, but for the sake of serving others! We are saved to ‘do life’ together!
Christians are to proclaim that God wants to transform the culture through social good. God’s grace isn’t to save people from sin or punish rebellion against Him, but rather to express His love by believers doing positive things and helping others. This good work will eventually produce ‘heaven on earth’ from which Jesus will rule. Everyone will be changed by the grace of God!
When I encounter something I am not sure I should do or buy, I live by the motto of ‘You only live once’ and that guides my decision making. Since I may never get this opportunity again, I don’t think about the future or the repercussions or God’s wisdom, but choose ‘fun’, ‘adventure’, and ‘living a little’. This gives me an excuse to live in the moment. Live the most while you can!
Unlike all of us, Jesus the son of God always followed the will of His Father. While Jesus was dealing with his impending crucifixion, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives where he often prayed. Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 Luke 22:39-42). Jesus followed the will of His Father, so should we! The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Rome, ‘For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Following God will give us freedom from the wages of sin which is death. (Romans 6:23)
My life is about my goals, my family, and the pursuit of things that make me happy and satisfied. I design my life around me, and I expect others to support my view of living. Those that don’t, I consider enemies of my happiness and fulfillment. The things that bring me happiness are a right of my humanity and no one can take it from me. The reason I live is for me (Eccl. 2:1-11)!
God built the universe and humans to make Himself known. All of creation, from galaxies to genetics, are evidence of His genius and handiwork. Of everything God built, humans are the only creation made in His image and who can appreciate Him the most (Gen. 1:1, 27-31). God exposes His nature and expresses His brilliance through the excellence of His creative ability. People can know there’s a God by what God has done (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:19, 20)! Not only does creation speak of a Creator, but the Creator has actually communicated with humanity by speaking to, living among, and writing to humans (Gen. 3:8; Ex. 3:4-6; John 1:1, 14; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). God has not been silent or hidden!
The Bible describes God as being omniscient. This means He has all-knowledge and an infinite understanding of anything that is possible of being known. God never has to learn anything or be taught or use discernment, as all possible situations and outcomes are known perfectly by Him. God knows everything that can be known (Ps. 147:5; Is. 40:28; Jer. 23:24; Rom. 11:33-36)! This reality means God is the ultimate teacher and instructor, as He not only knows all things, but He knows all the right things. The God of all-knowledge desires to give His knowledge to those without it (Ps. 32:8)!
The Bible speaks of God as an eternal, perfect Being who is the Creator of everything. As part of His creation, He made angels, the physical universe, and humans—who are created in His image (Gen. 1:1, 27). Of the things God made, everything has a recognition of its Maker and the excellence of God’s person and power. Even inanimate objects ‘know’ their Creator (Ps. 96:11-13; Rom. 8:19-21; Rev. 5:13)! This recognition by the created, produces a reaction about the greatness of the Creator. Especially for angels and humans, they should never stop praising God for who He is and what He has done. The created owes praise to the Creator (Ps. 66:1-4; 150:1-6)!
At the beginning of creation, God built the universe by speaking it into existence (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:3). Before sin, the universe was ideal with no death, deterioration, or dysfunction (Gen. 1:31; 2:16, 17). God always does things with excellence to the best of His ability—which also happens to be perfect! Excellence is the highest and best of something. God not only built the world with excellence but also acts in the world with excellence. This means that God always acts in accordance with His character—which is also perfect! The virtue of God always chooses the highest and best in a given situation because of His internal character. God both creates and interacts with excellence, because He is excellence!
One of the defining aspects of the God of the Bible is He is described as the singular Creator of all things. This means that all things owe their existence to Him and they only continue to exist because He allows them to (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16, 17; Heb. 1:3). Even the ‘laws’ of Physics owe their existence to a Law-Giver! God is also the foundation of good, without which, humanity wouldn’t know or appreciate any goodness. Evil and death aren’t creations of God but are judgments against the rebellion against His goodness. Yet even in judgment, God’s amazing grace can be accessed because of His love. As the basis of the existence of the universe, goodness, and grace, God should be bragged about for what He has done (Ps. 19:1; 57:5; 1 Chron. 16:24). A good God should get good press!
The Philippians are instructed by Paul to focus on the things that are lovely (Gr. prosphilés, ‘to be friendly towards something worthy of personal affection or of being prized’). The word has the idea that some things are of such high quality that it naturally draws out love and care towards it. God is ‘lovely’ in the sense that His essence and character are perfect. This means He is of such high quality, He should naturally draw out love, praise, and worship from humans (Ps. 100:1-5; 150:1-6). God’s loveliness should attract our love! Humans are designed by God to recognize and respond to high- value things or people. As God is the highest-value thing in the universe, people should love the God who loves them!
After Paul told the Philippians to think about whatever is right, they are to focus on what is pure. Because God is eternal and can never change or morph—who He is will always be the same. As God’s essence can’t have anything added or removed, He is the only perfect, pure Being. Our value for purity comes from the standard of who He is (Ps. 102:25-27; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5). God is both flawless in who He is and how He acts. With God as the foundation of what is true and right, His standard of morality is the standard by which all behavior is measured. True perfection has purity with no flaws, and God is the ultimate example (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:30)!
God’s eternal character is the foundation of how truth can be known. And how God acts, comes from that reality. God doesn’t randomly decide what is right based on His feelings, but what is right is naturally produced from who He is. God proclaims what is right, and that standard for moral beings—like humans—defines if a person is ‘righteous’ or not. We know what is ‘right’ because God is right (Ps. 19:8; Is. 45:19). While God can choose to interact in the cultural norms and customs of any particular time, what is ‘right’ never changes (i.e., murder, sexual standards, lying, worshiping other gods, etc. have been and will always be, sin). Also, because the Bible records people acting a certain way doesn’t mean Godapproves of it. God is consistently right, so we can be too!
After starting with truth, the Apostle Paul instructs the Philippians to focus on the things worthy of being honored. The reality of honor has its origin in the appreciation of God’s perfect character. As humans are created in God’s image with the ability to know things about Him, an aspect of that is the reverence that comes from knowing God’s perfection (Gen. 1:27). A lack of honoring God is evidence of not knowing God! The beginning of honor starts with humbly acknowledging the value of others, of whom God is the greatest (1 Sam. 2:30; Prov. 15:33; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 5:13). Humans are built to honor and what they honor is a reflection of their values!
Throughout scripture, God is described as eternally existing with no beginning and no end (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 13:8). This reality is important because if God can’t change in His nature, then His character can be trusted as the foundation of truth. The Bible sees truth as objective (exists whether anyone knows, acknowledges, or experiences it) rather than subjective (exists only when an individual knows, acknowledges, or experiences it). Much of philosophy and human reason views truth as being created only when the individual makes it true for them. The Bible regards truth as arising from God Himself. In this sense, all truth is God’s truth, and as God lasts forever, so will His truth. God’s truth is so fundamental to living, that without His objective truth, there is no subjective truth!
In God’s timing, Jesus allowed himself to be arrested and crucified (Matt. 16:21; 20:18, 19). Because of the humiliation and brutality, the Romans rarely crucified other Romans except for treason or rebellion, and almost never women. After Jesus was whipped, beaten, and tortured he was nailed to a cross and hung there for six hours before he died. Before taking him down, a guard pierced his rib cage and heart to make sure he was dead (John 19:33, 34). God allowed a crucifixion, so death was certain to everyone. Joseph and Nicodemus took Jesus down from the cross, washed his bloody body, wrapped him in linen, put fragrant oils and spices on him and laid him in the tomb. Because Jesus was buried on Friday at sundown before the Jewish Passover (Saturday), no Jews were allowed to deal with dead bodies until sunup on Sunday. Sometimes, God allows the impossible to show what He can make possible!
1400 years earlier, the Israelites were delivered from Egypt by God putting to death the first-born of Egypt. To celebrate the deliverance, Israel held the Passover festival, which remembered when the angel of death ‘passed over’ Israelite houses covered by the blood of a lamb (Ex. 12:21-23). On his way to the festival, Jesus stopped with his disciples at the house of Lazarus in Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem. This was where he had previously raised him from the dead showing his power over life and death (John 11:25, 26, 38-44). Jesus has compassion as a man but has the power as God! From Bethany, Jesus sent his disciples to get a donkey at Bethphage to ride into Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy and display himself as Messiah-king (Zech. 9:9). God orchestrates history; it’s up to believers if they are going to participate!
In north Jerusalem, above the Temple, there was a pool called Bethesda, meaning ‘house of mercy’. The pool was possibly stirred by an angel who may have used the natural mineral properties to heal people or may have caused a miracle of healing. Sometimes healing is from natural processes and sometimes supernatural—God can use both. People laid under five covered porches waiting for the ‘stirring’ to occur. A man had been going there for 38 years with his infirmity (Gr. astheneia, ‘feeble, weak’). Passing by, Jesus goes to the pool to disrupt the man’s disability with mercy. God cares for us in our suffering. Both human ability and disability have a purpose. God’s desire is to be loving and merciful to us in our pain and to show us who we are through our pain (2 Cor. 12:6-10).
After the nation of Israel split in two after Solomon’s reign, the Assyrians invaded the north in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:1-6). They exiled most of the Jews to Assyria and sent Assyrians to rule the land. As they intermarried with the Jews, their ‘half-breed’ children, known as ‘Samaritans’, were hated by southern kingdom Jews. As Jerusalem and the temple was in the south, the Samaritans were rejected, so they made a place of worship up north at Mt. Gerizim. The gospel fixes cultural prejudice (Gal. 3:27, 28). By Jesus’ day, three routes went north to Galilee; two went around and one went through Samaria. Jesus took the rarely travelled one and had to stop from thirst at a well near Sychar. Without anything to draw water, he waited for help. Even the limitless God had limits as a man.
The majority of first century Israelites were lower class, making just enough to live day to day. As Rome ruled and taxed Israel heavily, the only wealthy Jews were businessmen, tax collectors and a minority of the religious ruling class. Wealth can be a blessing from God (Deut. 8:17, 18; 28:1-14; Prov. 10:22). Because this young man is called a ‘ruler’, it’s possible he was a Pharisee. Running and humbly bowing before Jesus, he wanted to know how to inherit (Gr. klēronomeō, ‘to become an heir’) eternal life. The man with temporary physical security was looking for eternal spiritual security for his soul. Jesus said eternal life and eternal death are real (Matt. 25:31-33, 41, 46; John 3:16, 36; 14:6; 17:3)!
Peter grew up in a small town in northern Israel called Bethsaida and was named Simon at birth (John 1:44). Eventually, the family moved to Capernaum on the coast of Galilee and ran a fishing business. Like most young men, he got married and continued working in the same line of work as his father to support his family. A plan gives flesh to a purpose (Prov. 15:22; 16:3; 21:5). Simon was probably the oldest son and a strong, brash, outdoorsy man who often spoke before he thought. He was a hard worker and natural-born leader who was confident and aggressive. Better to have a direction to change than no direction at all!
Though God allowed the Philistines to rule over Israel from the south, Samson was raised up at Zorah, a town on the border, to thwart their oppression. Being an unkillable, one-man army, God used him in miraculous ways to show God’s strength. However, over the 20 years he was a Nazirite judge, he made foolish, arrogant choices like touching a dead animal, drinking wine, marrying a Philistine, having illicit sex with a prostitute and living with Delilah. Sometimes God’s choices can make stupid choices! After Delilah was bribed to learn the secret of his strength, he falls asleep on her lap and his head is shaved. After God leaves him, he is arrested, blinded, and put in prison in Gaza to be mocked and ridiculed (Judg. 16:20, 21). When our will isn’t God’s will, our will gives us ill!
After judging Israel 20 years, Samson was now around 40 years old. Being unmarried, undisciplined, and unwise, he risks his life by visiting a Philistine prostitute in the fortified city of Gaza. Trying to trap him, the men lock the massive gate. But after leaving the prostitute late at night, Samson tears off the city gates and drags them nearly 40 miles away to Hebron. Don’t let disappointments lead to flirting with disaster. Later, he starts living with Delilah, a Philistine woman in the Sorek Valley. While there, five Philistine rulers offer her 1100 pieces of silver each to betray Samson (5500 pieces probably worth over $3,000,000—10 pieces/year’s wage; Judg. 17:10). The toxic mixture of loneliness and feeling invincible led Samson to the edge of obedience. Instead of guarding his heart, he remained in a vulnerable situation (Prov. 4:23; 7:4-27; 2 Tim. 2:22). Small cracks in character can lead to catastrophic failure.
Because the nation of Israel continued to disobey God, He let them be ruled by the neighboring Philistines to the south. Samson, who lived at a border town called Zorah, crossed over to Timnah and married a Philistine woman. At the wedding feast, the guests threatened his wife to get the answer to Samson’s riddle and, in a rage, he went and killed 30 men to satisfy his part of the deal (Judg. 14:19, 20). Rather than returning to his wife, Samson returned to his father’s house to cool down. Consequently, his wife was given to his best man by her father. Bad decisions are often made worse by anger at bad outcomes (Ps. 37:8: Prov. 14:29; 19:11; James 1:19, 20)! Regretting embarrassing his family and for what he did to his wife, Samson returns to Timnah with a peace offering. At the house, Samson attempts to go have sex with his wife to consummate their marriage but is stopped by her father. Hearing she is his friend’s wife now, Samson leaves in a rage to go home. Restraint reduces regret!
Because of disobedience, much of Israel c. 1100 B.C. was controlled by the Philistines. As a teenager in the village of Zorah, Samson walked four miles to Timnah on the Israel-Philistine border and was attracted to a Philistine woman. Be careful where you walk as your location affects your options (Eph. 5:15)! Because parents arranged marriages, when Samson tells them about her, they counsel against it. While Philistines weren’t a banned group to marry from, it was unwise as they didn’t have similar values (Deut. 7:1-4). Those that are closest influence the most (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15).
Because of Israel’s disobedience, the Philistines ruled them for 40 years. Instead of appreciating what He did and continuing to follow and love the true God, the Israelites drifted away spiritually over time. Israel replaced the God who wanted their faith with gods they could feel. You will drift away from whatever you are not focused on! Seeing them abandon the God who loved and cared for them, God gave them over to trusting in the nonexistent gods they worshiped. To punish them, the Philistines were allowed to overtake them and disrupt their lives. Cultural disruption isn’t a sign of God’s non-existence or ineptitude but is often His method of spiritual awakening. Disruption isn’t a lack of presence or power but rather a plan with purpose. When God decided to rescue them, He appeared to Manoah’s wife and prophesied she would have a son to rescue the people. Even with this news, it would be 20 years before he would be ready. God’s plan can take time, but it always arrives on time!
When a massive Midianite army invaded Israel, God called Gideon to lead a battle against them. Not being particularly skilled or brave, God gave him a mission then encouraged him with people and circumstances to complete it. Recognizing God’s hand was on his life, the people ask Gideon and his sons to rule as their king. As God had made allowance in the law for an eventual king, their desire for a man of God to rule was a good one (Deut. 17:14-17). Acknowledge who God is using and go with them! While called to lead a war, Gideon doesn’t feel qualified to lead as a king and declines for his sons and himself. Possibly feeling disqualified because of his many wives or character issues, Gideon reiterates the rule of God and is blessed. High quality decisions produce high quality results!
Gideon was called by God to defeat the massive Midianite army that had invaded their land. He devised a plan with 300 men that God chose, to surround the army at night and cause panic with pitchers, torches, and horns. When part of the army started to flee south, Gideon called the tribe of the Ephraimites to help, and they captured two Midianite leaders. It’s good to be on mission with the like-minded! Being further from the battle, the Ephraimites were called out later as the army fled south toward them. As they were fellow Israelites and relatives to Gideon, they were offended they weren’t called to the original battle. Though it was God who chose the original 300 men, Gideon soothed the perceived disrespect with words of appreciation and humility. Most of personal peace or chaos originates from the mouth (Prov. 12:18; 15:1; 18:21; Eph. 4:29).
As the Israelite nation included worship of false gods (Baal and Asherah) with their worship of the true God, God disrupted them with foreign invaders (Midianites). God then chose to rescue His people by raising up Gideon to lead the battle. The future God has for believers often has challenges and blessings! Being afraid, God sent him down at night to hear a Midianite soldier describing a dream of their defeat to another soldier. This moment gave Gideon encouragement and he worshipped God for already having gone ahead of him. What God has called you to, He is already at!
To establish Himself as the strength of Israel, God required every firstborn male—which was considered the ‘strength’ of the herd or family—to be presented to Him (Ex. 13:2). As the firstborn son was set apart for God, the parents had to redeem or ‘buy back’ their son from service to the Lord with 5 shekels of silver (Num. 3:12; 18:15, 16). God set a precedent that the future leaders of the families and clans would belong to Him from the day they were born. God expects men to lead with humility and love for others. This presentation would be a perpetual reminder that the nation belonged to God and they would find peace in trusting Him not their own strength. Human peace comes through submission to God (John 16:33; 2 Thess. 3:16). As lovers of God, Joseph and Mary came from Bethlehem to Jerusalem forty-one days after Jesus’ birth to redeem him from service to the Lord at the Temple. Being poor, instead of a lamb, Mary gave two turtledoves; one for her purification and one for her sin offering (Lev. 12:6-8; Luke 1:47). While Joseph gave Jesus as his son of peace, as God’s Son, Jesus would become the Prince of Peace for the whole world (Is. 9:6; John 3:16)!
Throughout history, shepherds have been primarily lower class and often poor and uneducated. In a family, shepherding was usually done by the youngest son or hired out by owners that could afford it. Bethlehem was a rural town five miles from Jerusalem with open fields for grazing sheep. Though shepherds graze sheep any time of year, because of winter storms, most would put them in pens near the towns after October. As these were in the open fields at night, Jesus’ birth may have been in the summer or early fall. God’s interaction can come at any time of the year or at any time of our lives! The shepherds were watching over their animals by taking three-hour shifts to protect them. Then, an angel descended and terrified the shepherds with his presence (Gr. megas phobos; ‘feared with massive fear’). Sometimes God uses divine reality to startle us awake from human complacency. The angel told them that in King David’s birthplace, the ultimate King had been born! Unexpectedly, God revealed the greatest news in history to illiterate, lower-class men with no social clout. God delights in using the forgotten and marginalized to witness the unforgettable and central!
Joseph was probably in his late teens to early twenties, living in his father’s house in Nazareth, when he met Mary. For Joseph, becoming a responsible man able to support a wife meant learning a trade or occupation—probably from his father, Jacob. God has tied masculine responsibility to occupational reality. While it isn’t known how well they got along, Joseph may have developed a deep love for his heavenly Father from his love for his earthly father. God often uses earthly examples to teach heavenly principles. Although we don’t know what kind of man Joseph’s father was, we do know it was customary in Jewish culture for the father to find or approve a wife for his son—often a distant relative. While Mary was probably a teenager, Jacob likely saw her devotion to God and approved of their marriage (Luke 1:38, 46-49). Marks of loving God are submission to the authority over you and incorporating godly counsel into decisions (Prov. 12:15; 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 6:1-3).
Growing up in a rural area of northern Israel in Nazareth, Mary came from a family with no great social influence. Like most young women of her time, she would have been happy to marry a man she loved, start a family, and please God by being the wife and mother she was called to be. While not special by cultural standards, Mary knew she was special to God. Believers know their value is in God’s evaluation (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10)! Mary was probably a teenager when introduced to Joseph, who was likely a distant relative. In Jewish marital customs, after spending time together, Mary would make her feelings about Joseph known to her father and he would present Joseph’s father with the marriage agreement. God often works through cultural norms to do something culturally spectacular. Just as with Joseph, Mary agreed to sexual abstinence and purity as part of the contract. As a young Jewish woman, her desire was to honor God and her husband by preparing herself for marriage. This would involve learning domestic skills and preparing to become a wife and mother. Mary was an ordinary woman in an ordinary town with ordinary looks expecting an ordinary future. Sometimes the mundane sets the stage for the miraculous!
Once Gideon gathered the Israelite army of 32,000, God sent 22,000 scared men home then reduced the 10,000 men that were left to 300 by drinking at a stream (Judg. 7:2-7). Knowing they will get slaughtered by the massive Midianite army, Gideon is apprehensive about his calling from God. Not only are his men overmatched by the size of the army, but he is overwhelmed by the size of his self-doubt. God will often put believers in a situation where there is no doubt about Who accomplished the victory. In the face of overwhelming odds, God doesn’t lessen the risk but increases the trust. Your faith should never be smaller than the size of your God!
Because of disobedience, the nation of Israel had fallen into serving their enemies, the Midianites. When God was ready to rescue, He raised up a rescuer and asked Gideon to start by tearing down the local cultic altars owned by his father (Judg. 6:25). Seeing that God had protected him on a small scale, Gideon then calls Israel to go to war on a large scale. Being clothed (Heb. lâbash, ‘to wrap as with a garment’) by the Spirit of God, he has gone from hiding in a wine press to calling the nation to war! The Spirit of God can empower the willing heart for new faith-filled journeys. There is not a calling without a clothing (Luke 24:49; 1 Cor. 12:4-6)! While God can do all the work Himself, He often raises people up in God’s time to do God’s work, God’s way, in God’s power. If God presents the war, He prepares believers for the war (Eph. 4:11-16; 6:10-12).
Because of disobedience, the Israelites became ruled by their enemies (c. 1150 B.C.). The Angel/messenger of the LORD (possibly pre-incarnate Jesus) sits under a tree owned by Gideon’s father and finds Gideon threshing wheat in a wine press as he feared Midianites would steal his crops. The Angel calls Gideon (Heb. ‘to cut down/destroy’) a ‘mighty man of valor’, though he has never been to battle. God sees more in us than we see in ourselves. Gideon recalls to the Angel his knowledge of God’s promise and his heart’s desire for change. The Angel affirms his desire to serve the true God and assures him He will be with him. God often raises up those who know God’s word and refuse to live in syncretism!
The city of Sodom, along with the entire region, had fallen under the control of a confederation of four rulers from Babylon. After paying a tribute for 12 years, in the 13th year they refuse, and the four kings marched out to bring them under control. Upon arriving, they defeat the rebels and plunder Sodom and the region. They take all the possessions and people, including Lot and his family. When the godly are under the control of the godless, the godly seek God! The army continues and overtakes or threatens Salem (ancient Jerusalem) where Melchizedek lives. As a king, his city is threatened; but as a priest, he trusts God with his problems until an answer comes in the form of Abraham. Even the godly will see days of difficulty while they wait for God’s answer!
After the ark landed on the mountains of Ararat, Noah and his family, with the animals, step onto dry ground for the first time in over a year. God then commands Noah and his sons to spread out and repopulate the earth (Gen. 9:1). Disruption is designed to help us refocus and realize God’s mercy. As the clan grows larger over hundreds of years, they move east and south from Ararat to the fertile Mesopotamian valley (modern Iraq). These pre-Sumerians decide to stay and build a city and a tower. God, who recently destroyed billions of living things in His judgment against sinful humanity, recognizes people are already rebelling against His word. When humanity discards God’s word, it invites divine disruption.
After rescuing His people from Egypt as slaves, God gave His covenant requirements in the form of the Law (Ex. 19:3-6). God then gave Moses a special declaration of blessing to be proclaimed over the nation by Aaron the high priest. This would often be done after the sacrificial services were performed to forgive the sins of Israel. At the completion of the ceremony the priest would lift his hands and bless the people (Lev. 9:22). Sometimes God disrupts our lives just because He wants to bless us! This blessing contained three sections—the first was of general security, the second of external success and the third of internal serenity. This is God’s ‘love note’ to Israel and the only blessing commanded to be perpetually spoken to the people. While God loves all people, He uses His personal, covenant name (LORD=YHWH; Ex. 3:15) to bless His people specifically. Being in a family has requirements and blessings!
At the beginning of creation, God creates Adam from the dirt and breathes life into him (Gen. 2:7). As God named universal things (day, night, heaven, land, etc.), He allows the man (Heb. adamah, ‘dirt/earth’) to have authority to name animals and birds. As no suitable mate is found, God creates a woman from Adam’s flesh (Heb. ‘ish/ishah’; English ‘man/woman’, ‘male/female’ show the relationship of woman as feminine counterpart of man) and gives him authority to name her ‘Eve’. By God’s design, Adam’s authority is over creation, his home, and the human race. Adam and Eve were created as unblemished, innocent humans living in an ideal setting worshiping and enjoying God together as a married couple. God’s plan was for His creation to have His attention with no disruption!
As the spoiled son (coat of many colors; Gen. 37:3), Joseph had a rough past of being hated and kidnapped by his 10 brothers, sold as a slave, falsely accused of rape, and thrown in an Egyptian prison for years (Gen. 39:6-20) Yet, even in prison he worked hard and had such integrity the captain put him in charge of the prisoners as a prisoner himself (Gen. 39:21-23)! Disruptions are the tools of God to make you better or bitter. By interpreting dreams, he became the highest leader next to Pharaoh and during the world-wide famine, controlled much of the world’s food supply. Sometimes God uses powerful disruptions to put us in powerful places!
Noah was born a 10th generation descendant from Adam separated by 126 years. Throughout his life he was known as a man of justice, integrity, and love for God. Sadly, this combination of characteristics set him apart from every other person on earth. While everyone else chased pleasure and violent self-oriented pursuits, Noah devoted himself to knowing and honoring God. God, who knows all human hearts, finds only Noah’s acceptable (Gen. 6:7, 8). Don’t let other people’s plans disrupt your pursuit of God’s will!
Peter was a first-century fisherman. He was in business with his brother, Andrew, and a pair of other brothers: John and James. Fishing was hard, grueling work. It was strenuous, it lasted all night, and it took a lot of fish to be profitable. Peter was a driven young man earning an honest living and providing for his household. His life was going well, according to his plan.
Abraham was born about 2100 BC in the city-state of Ur in Mesopotamia (200 miles south of modern Baghdad in Iraq). Here, he married Sarah and settled down to raise a family. But after the death of Abraham’s brother, Haran, their father Terah set the clan out for Canaan. Going north along the Euphrates river they stopped halfway and settled in the city of Haran. Sometimes, your plans are affected by other people’s decisions. After living there for years, Terah died and God called Abraham to go to Canaan (Acts 7:2-5; Heb. 11:8). Not knowing exactly where he was going, Abraham in faith went with his wife, servants, and nephew Lot, hundreds of miles south to Canaan. The blessing of God often overflows from men of God to others. Go with people of God who are going where God is going!
Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry, he talked about dying; which was surprising for a healthy, 30-year-old male. Yet, he didn’t just talk about dying, but about what kind of death he would undergo (Matt. 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:17-19). This kind of death would be a slow, brutal, humiliating, public crucifixion and was one of the surest ways of knowing someone died. Jesus didn’t have a ‘death wish’; he wished to honor God with his death (John 3:16, 17). This obedience meant God accepted punishing His perfect son in place of punishing sinful humans, called ‘penal substitution’. This atonement satisfied the wrath of God against sinners (Rom. 3:25; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 3:5). Jesus couldn’t just live a perfect life, he had to die the perfect death. While his physical death was minorly valuable, his spiritual death was eternally valuable. The worst death is not how you physically die in this world but where you spiritually die in the next (Matt. 10:28; 25:41, 46).
Over three years earlier, Judas was part of a large crowd that followed Jesus intermittently as he traveled Israel. Eventually, Jesus chose twelve men from the crowd to be with him on a daily basis for teaching and training. His intent was to multiply himself as a teacher in his students (Luke 6:12-16). The disciples were not just to learn from their master but to become like him (Luke 6:40). Christianity is not merely about what you learn (scholarship) but mostly about how you live (discipleship)! Though Jesus was aware who would betray him, he continued to train and love Judas for years. Right up until Judas chose to leave the last supper to betray him, Jesus cared for him so much, he even washed his feet (John 13:1-5, 27). Sometimes your heart is broken the deepest by those you love the most!
Jesus was heading south and passed along the border of Galilee and Samaria. Samaria was an area between southern Israel (Judea) and northern Israel (Galilee). The Samaritans were known as half-breed Jews from the Assyrian conquest of 721 B.C. and were hated by northern and southern Israelite Jews (2 Kings 17:22-24). Ethnic prejudice and hatred starts in a heart of sin not the heart of God (Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 2:13, 14). As Jesus came to a border village, 10 men with a skin disease called leprosy (Gr. lepra, ‘scaliness, to peel, flake’) called out to him. Leprosy was a bacterial infection producing skin lesions and nerve damage which, over time, created disfigurement. Leprosy was the most feared condition in the ancient world as it had no cure and was a death sentence. God allows hostility and desperation to exist so His peace and life can shine!
While Jesus had healed many just by speaking, here he spits in the dirt and, instead of placing it on the eyelids so it could be wiped off, Jesus wiped it onto his eyes (Gr. epichriō, ‘to smear’). This re-creation of his eyes with dirt and a divine touch parallels God breathing life into Adam after creating him from the dirt (Gen. 2:7). This healing method would also test the man’s faith with the possible embarrassment of a cruel joke by going to Siloam, a public pool, with mud on his face. Sometimes, a miracle waits on our participation. The eye is one of the most amazing body parts as it relies on the completed construction and orchestration of all the parts to work. Not to mention the chemical signals that must be processed correctly between the eye and brain for the brain to do the ‘seeing’. The miracle of the eye needs a miracle worker to fix it!
After spending the majority of his ministry within the borders of Israel to the Jews, Jesus goes north to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon by the Mediterranean Sea. These two cities were wealthy, coastal shipping ports. They were heavily influenced by sailors and merchants who brought their sinful lifestyles and cultic practices from all over the world. The darker the time, the brighter the light shines! While there, Jesus meets a local woman with a demonically possessed daughter. Though this Canaanite (‘pagan person of the land’) has many religious options like the temple of Eshmun, who is a local god of healing, nothing she has done has worked. Lostness can propel people to seek a way out of being lost (Acts 17:26, 27).
After Jesus miraculously fed 12-15,000 people, he realized they wanted to start a revolution with him as their leader (Matt. 14:21; John 6:15). Not wanting himself or his disciples to get distracted by political or social issues, he sent them to the other side of the Sea of Galilee in a boat. For believers, good concerns should never overshadow the greatest concern—the mission of Jesus to save people (Luke 19:10). Having only one boat, the disciples weren’t sure how Jesus was going to join them but as they rowed away, he went up into the hills to pray (John 6:22). As the Sea of Galilee is about 8 miles across and 700 feet below sea level, cold eastern air can rush over the mountains and onto the lake in minutes creating treacherous conditions. For any boat too far from shore, winds can blow the vessel out to the middle of the lake, capsizing it and killing the sailors. God often allows storms to soften people’s hearts!
At this point, Jesus is two years into his public ministry and at the height of his popularity. He has been healing people all over Israel of incurable diseases and handicaps, driving out demons, and restoring sanity and wholeness to thousands. Word about him is spreading to the common man and to secular and religious rulers, both Jewish and Roman. All kinds of people are being exposed to the saving Light (John 1:29; 8:12)! In an attempt to escape the relentless crowds, Jesus takes a boat to a deserted place by Bethsaida (Luke 9:10-12). However, people hear about it and follow him there. The crowd coming from the Decapolis and surrounding area was about 5000 men plus women and children, making the size 12-15,000 people (Matt. 14:21). People have a need to be near the Greatest!
The disciples had just arrived on land from almost dying on the Sea of Galilee in a storm. This event taught them to trust Jesus with their lives. At the shore, the crowd sees ‘them’ but recognizes ‘him’. The goal of a disciple is to point people to Jesus (Gal. 2:20)! A new relationship with Jesus is a new identity from Jesus. Being a disciple is finding your identity in your teacher. The more you’re taught the more you know, and the more you know the more you should do. As believers, our identity is in Christ not money, music, relationships, a political party, sports teams, our background, or color of skin. What God is doing on the inside is greater than anything that’s on the outside (John 1:12, 13; Gal. 3:26-28)!
As Jesus got out of the boat on the shore of Capernaum, he was mobbed by people who wanted his attention and those needing to be healed. In the crowd was a woman who suffered from continual bleeding for 12 years. As Jesus called her ‘daughter’, she may have been in her twenties and had dealt with this issue all her adult life since the start of her menstrual cycle. God’s design of femininity creates beauty as well as challenges. This condition would’ve caused her to be anemic, sick, and emaciated. Also, she would have felt public shame as it probably kept her unmarried and made her ceremonially unclean, keeping her from worshipping at the Temple (Lev. 15:19, 25). Sadly, medical knowledge of the day was more superstitious than helpful. It ended up harming rather than helping her and made her broke. Humanity’s difficulty is God’s opportunity!
After God mercifully rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, He led them to the Promised Land by Moses and gave them Laws to follow as His covenant family (Ex. 19:5; Deut. 6:22-25). These Laws were made to bless people by safeguarding them physically and allowing connection with God spiritually. God’s boundaries are regulations of mercy not restrictions of meanness (Deut. 4:5, 6, 40)! Observing the Sabbath day (Heb. shabbâth, ‘intermission, rest’; Saturday) was one of the most serious obligations. Which, if broken on purpose by doing work, could result in death (Ex. 31:13-15). On a Sabbath, the disciples were hungry. Walking in a field, they picked heads of grain, shucked them in their hands and ate them. Seeing it, the Pharisees rebuked Jesus for letting them ‘work’ on the Sabbath by ‘harvesting’ and ‘making’ a meal. Yet, this was allowed in the Law as it was part of unforeseen, necessary action (Lev. 23:22; Deut. 23:24, 25). Jesus corrected them by saying priests do work on the Sabbath and David ate bread meant for the priests and received no punishment (1 Sam. 21:6). God’s grace is for the good (Ps. 145:8)!
In the first century, the nation of Israel was under Roman rule. The Jews hated the Romans because their authority was brutal. And they were heavily taxed to support Roman control, making most Jews feel like captives in their own country. Entering Capernaum, a centurion (Gr. hekatontarchēs, ‘captain of 100 men’) stationed there sent Jewish elders to implore Jesus to come heal his servant (Gr. doulos, ‘indentured servant, slave’). As a man paid to have control over people, he still cared for others—including building the Jewish synagogue. The centurion realized that for all his authority, in some things he was powerless and was at the mercy of a Jew. Difficult social situations can set the stage for powerful Gospel presentations!
As Jesus returned from the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd greeted him (Luke 8:26). In the crowd was a man named Jairus who was a ruler (Gr. archōn, ‘first in rank, chief’) of the synagogue in Capernaum. This privileged position was appointed by elders and his responsibilities were all the affairs of the synagogue. A typical first-century service would include 10-11 men who would recite prayers and various parts of the Law and Prophets as well as a teaching from a Rabbi (Luke 4:16, 17). Being responsible for the accurate teaching of God’s word, he would stand next to the man reading scripture in case he made a mistake. As it’s rare for a person in the general public to be named in the Bible, Jairus was probably a well-liked, well-known man viewed by many as their spiritual father and pastor. God’s men take God’s word seriously (Titus 1:9)!
A few hours earlier in Capernaum, Jesus told his disciples they were going to across the Sea of Galilee. On the way, a storm erupted where if Jesus hadn’t done a miracle, they would’ve downed (John 8:24). On shore, Jesus encounters a naked, demon-possessed man living in tombs, unrestrained and out of control. Though the man is in an evil, ritually unclean, and humiliated state, Jesus goes out of his way to reach him. No one is too lost or broken for Jesus to seek them out (Luke 19:10)! Still wet from the storm, the disciples had experienced Jesus as God over the natural, and now they will experience Jesus as God over the supernatural. God has supernatural love for the natural sinner (John 3:16, 17; 1 Tim. 1:15)!
After Jesus did a rigorous, non-stop tour of regional Galilee preaching and healing, he decided to escape the crowd by crossing the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:1). Entering a boat, his disciples followed him onto it and he then unveiled the direction and destination (Matt. 8:23). Sometimes you don’t know where you’re going until you decide Who you’re going with! When God sets the course, He has already gone ahead of you and is with you (Ps. 23:4; Is. 41:10; Matt. 28:19, 20). The disciples trusted Jesus’ direction and were willing to go wherever he was going. The worst decision is one that relies on personal desires or data to decide on your destination (Prov. 3:5, 6).
After travelling and teaching around Galilee, Jesus returned to his home in Capernaum where earlier he had moved the family (Matt. 4:12, 13). Hearing Jesus was at home, people came from all over the region to hear him and packed his house so full, there wasn’t even room outside (Mark 2:1, 2)! People will ‘drive’ to a church that’s alive! People are built to connect with God as truth. God connects with people through His word as truth. When God’s word is preached, people know they’re hearing truth from God (John 8:31, 32; 17:17). While some will reject truth, many will accept and be blessed. Personal subjective truth is only universal truth when it aligns with divine objective truth (1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Cor. 2:13, 14)!
As Jesus travelled through Galilee, a man came to him with a skin disease called leprosy (Gr. lepra, ‘scaliness, to peel, flake’). Leprosy was a bacterial infection producing skin lesions and nerve damage which, over time, created disfigurement. Leprosy was the most feared condition in the ancient world as it had no cure and was a death sentence. The results of sin are tragic (Gen. 2:17)! Because of its ease of transmission, diseased people were to self-quarantine. The Old Testament law stated diseased people dress in torn clothes, cover their mouths with a cloth, call out ‘unclean’ while staying six feet from people in public, and live by themselves (Lev. 13:45, 46). Only two people were ever healed of leprosy; Moses’ sister Miriam and Naaman by the prophet Elisha 800 years before Jesus (Num. 12:10-13; 2 Kings 5:13-15). Leprosy is a one-way street to death!
As a rabbi, Jesus often taught in the synagogue in Capernaum where he lived. Synagogues were Jewish places of prayer and teaching that developed during the exile while Jews lived outside Israel. Being prohibited from work on the Sabbath (Saturday), Jews came to the synagogue to be taught and connect with God and others (Ex. 20:9, 10). People are made to connect in community (Heb. 10:25)! Often, teachers and scribes would read scripture and give commentary and application based on the opinions of other teachers. But Jesus taught scripture not as traditions of men, but as the living power of God (Matt. 15:9; Heb. 4:12). People were amazed to hear the words of God with the authority (Gr. exousia, ‘privilege proven from strength’) of God! If there is no power, there is no point!
The village of Nain was an unimportant stop near a major trade route going north to south through Israel. Jesus was travelling south from Capernaum and decided to stop at Nain and preach there (Luke 4:43). Jesus was from Nazareth—a town not much larger than Nain a couple miles across the valley—and knew that greatness can come out of unlikely places. Major people can come from minor areas (John 1:46)! While most of Nain’s population were probably lower-class farmers, Jesus valued ‘unvaluable people’ in ‘unvaluable places’. Even people from minor places are worth major attention!
After his baptism, Jesus began his ministry teaching people about the Kingdom of God (Matt. 4:17). While he travelled through Israel, Jesus preached about the truth of God and healed to show the power of God. Though some followed him because of his power as a miracle-worker, most packed around him because of his power as a preacher (John 7:46). The worst famine is one of the word of God (1 Sam. 3:1; 2 Chron. 15:3; Ps. 74:9; Amos 8:11)! As a master communicator, Jesus didn’t just relate information but pushed for life transformation through practical application. People’s greatest need isn’t physical restoration but spiritual reformation. Humans are built to have a thirst for the truth of God from a man of God. While miracles are temporary, the word of God is eternal (1 Pet. 1:24, 25)!
Cana was a small, prosperous town next to Sepphoris—the Roman administrative center of Galilee ruled by Herod Antipas. A couple months earlier, Jesus had attended a wedding in Cana. During the festivities, wine had run out. To facilitate faith in his disciples and to possibly help relatives, Jesus miraculously turned water to wine (John 2:9-11). This miracle, along with supernatural acts he recently did down south in Jerusalem, caused people all over to seek him. Use your popularity to influence people for good! Growing up around Galilee and working in Nazareth, Jesus had friends, family, and relatives who knew him well. Jesus’ ministry started among his closest circles and went out from there (Matt. 13:54; Mark 1:14)!
A first century Jewish wedding feast could often last up to a week and it was an honor to be invited. With the wedding guests with him, the groom had picked up his bride at her father’s house in Cana. In a procession, everyone followed him back to his father’s house where he had made a bridal chamber. While everyone waited, the bride and groom entered the room and intercourse sealed their marriage. They then exited to cheers and the celebration began. God’s design of marital sex should be celebrated! Being that Mary was concerned with the festivities—and that Jesus and his brothers were invited—the person getting married was likely his relative or Nathaniel’s (Matt. 13:55, 56; John 21:2). As the oldest son, even Jesus had family obligations! By Jesus taking time to attend and participate in the festivities showed His approval and blessing of marriage (yes, Jesus drank wine and probably danced!), like the first wedding in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:21-25). God designed life to have moments of celebration and rejoicing (Ex. 23:14; Deut. 24:5)!
Joseph and Nicodemus were rich, powerful, religious leaders. They risked their reputations, jobs, and possibly their lives by taking Jesus from the cross. They washed His bloody body, wrapped Him in linen, put oil and spices on Him, and laid Him in Joseph’s tomb, becoming ritually unclean (John 19:38, 39). Sometimes God uses the least likely to play the most important part! Upon seeing Jesus so savagely beaten, crucified, and stabbed with a spear, no one expected to see Jesus physically alive again. Because Jesus was buried on Friday at sundown before the Jewish Passover (Saturday), no Jews were allowed to do work or deal with dead bodies until sunup on Sunday. From Friday until Sunday morning, Jesus laid dead in the tomb—the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The perfect was given for the imperfect, the infinite for the finite!
Because of foreign rule and Daniel’s prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, Jews throughout the 1st century B.C. were looking for their political savior (Dan. 9:25; Artaxerxes, 444 B.C.—483 years to Messiah). Because Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead a couple weeks earlier, thousands followed him as they expected him to start ruling as the Messiah (John 11:38-44). As Jesus was nearing Jerusalem, he stopped at the house of Simon where his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were throwing him a party. Jesus had friends but was not friends with everyone! True friends do life together and will reciprocate your care for them, often better than family (Prov. 17:17; 18:24; 27:10; John 15:13).
The artist who crafted Psalm 67 desired the choirmaster with a band of stringed instruments to lead Israel in singing about the ‘way’ of God. This ‘way’ was the desire of God for humanity to know Him and be saved through Him. It was in the calling of Abram that God originally created the Israelite nation who were to be a light to all the other nations about the true God (Gen. 12:1-3). God uses temporary people to make the eternal God known. Before Abraham, people sought God, Israel was to seek God, and Christians are to seek God so He can be known and be made known (Gen. 4:26; Amos 5:4; Heb. 11:6). Your one life is your one moment to give your one life to the one thing that matters—God’s fame (Ps. 46:10)!
As David was nearing the end of his life, he wrote a song for the younger generation as an overview of what it meant to know and live for God. Because the Jews were surrounded by polytheistic cultures and were one of the only monotheistic people that knew the true God, David based his song in knowing the LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent One’). Knowing about God is different than knowing God. Once people have knowledge of God, they are to exercise faith in God as Savior and Lord and are born into God’s family. Joining the family of God is the beginning of having confidence in God. You can’t live for God and be blessed by God if you don’t know God!
David started his life as a lowly shepherd working for his father then eventually served God as king of the Israelites. Over his lifetime, he faced danger from animals and family to near death from sickness and war (1 Sam. 17:34-36; 2 Sam. 15:13, 14). Despite his afflictions and problems, David opens his song by telling believers to bless (Heb. bârak, ‘to kneel, praise, lift high’) God with all that is in them. Praising God isn’t optional based on the circumstances we are in but demanded based the character of who God is! The benefits of knowing God are not always apparent nor appreciated. But the love God has produces; forgiveness, healing, protection, oversight, material provision, and life-satisfaction. God’s love produces God’s good! While God can heal all illnesses, sometimes suffering has a greater purpose and is meant to be endured rather than eradicated.
As a nomadic people group, Israel lived in tents for 40 years as they travelled through the desert. After arriving in the Promised Land, many continued this lifestyle as herdsmen. Looking at life as a journey, David asks who was allowed to sojourn (Heb. gûr, ‘to seek refuge as a guest’) in God’s ‘tent’. To travel with God, you have to know God and go where God is going! Referencing either the eastern hill near Jerusalem where Mt. Moriah was and where the Temple would be, or the western hill next to it (Zion), David talked about dwelling (Heb. shâkan, ‘to settle down, reside’) with God on His ‘holy hill’ at the end of the journey. Sadly, it’s possible to live your life not ‘travelling’ with God and not end up dwelling with Him at the end. Having a right relationship with the right God will lead you in the right direction and you will end up at the right destination!
David wrote Psalm 8 as a song of praise to the amazingness of God as Creator and Sustainer (Col. 1:16, 17). The knowledge of God as Creator is so pervasive even animals and inanimate objects are pictured as praising God from their existence (Ps. 148:1-5; Rom. 8:18-22; Rev. 5:13). While humans can create things that haven’t existed before, they just reformulate existing material. However, God is the ultimate Creator who built all things by speaking it into existence from nothing (Gen. 1:3; John 1:3; Heb. 3:4; 11:3). The great Creator created a great creation! The true God—the LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent One’)—is spoken of as David’s Lord (Heb. 'âdôn, ‘master, sovereign’). It’s not enough to know about God without wanting to obey God!
The Sons of Korah recognized the desert climate of Israel can threaten the survival of wildlife like deer. Ideally, deer would find a stream rather than stagnant pool. This life-giving water helped deer not just survive but thrive during difficult times. Just as animals are designed to need water, humans are built to connect with God. Like a ‘living’ stream, human souls thirst (Heb. tsâmê', ‘to suffer from thirst’) to be filled by the living God (John 4:13, 14). Nothing in life can fill the emptiness of not knowing God! The highest drive of a believer should be to love God and give Him their best. Everything is nothing if God isn’t your everything (Matt. 16:26)!
Throughout history, most cultures had polytheistic or pluralistic views of deity. David describes the true LORD as Creator as opposed to the made-up ‘gods’ of men. Seeing the beauty and complexity of the earth should drive people to recognize an Owner. As the ‘King’ of creation, God is worthy of respect, honor, and worship. Your action toward something reflects your valuation of it!
Psalm 145 is the last Psalm by David. Being the composer of half of the Psalms (~75/150), David’s heart had been to follow God since his youth. David didn’t have a generic view of ‘god’. This last song is from an intimate knowledge of the true LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent, eternal’) and God. Being Creator, God is great (Heb. gâdôl, ‘exceeding large in magnitude, extent, or importance’) and His greatness is unsearchable (Heb. 'ayin chêqer, ‘unexaminable’). This greatness can’t be fully understood or explained by humans. What cannot be fully understood can still be fully appreciated! From God’s great power comes His mighty deeds in history, which should fill humans with awe and obedience (Ps. 33:8; Rev. 15:3, 4). What is great in your heart influences greatness from your hands!
Humans are built to have a loving, functional relationship with God. However, sin in the heart hinders the beginning of the relationship and the continued connection of it. Before knowing God, all people rebelliously choose their own way regardless of what God wants. Believers then, aren’t to walk (Heb. hâlak, ‘to move about’) their lives affected by someone else’s wicked (Heb. râshâ, ‘criminal’) mindset (Prov. 2:12-15). Who influences you directs your decisions, and what decisions you make directs your life (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 2:1-3). Even worse, believers shouldn’t stand (Heb. ‛âmad, ‘to remain’) with them thereby encouraging their life-choices. Worst of all, they shouldn’t ‘take a seat’ and sit (Heb. yâshab, ‘to dwell’) with those whose unbiblical ideas oppose God, thereby becoming like them (1 Cor. 15:33). Your life is shaped by family, friends, fear, or faith. Where you’re led is where you end up!
David grew up as a shepherd for his father. This was often a job for the servants, least educated, or the youngest in the family. At around 13 years old, the prophet Samuel anointed him king of Israel while Saul was already king (1 Sam. 16:11-13). Though the Spirit of God was upon him at a young age, had great character, and a lot of skill, he did not officially start to reign until he was 30 years old (2 Sam. 5:4). This over 15-year gap taught him humility, hard work, how to deal with frustration and disappointment, and patience. Patience is valuable time where you work while you wait to become what you aren’t (Ps. 37:7; Prov. 14:29; Rom. 5:3, 4; Eph. 4:2)! God’s high values of character and godliness are greater than our high values of self-assertion and success. God uses time, difficulty, and circumstance to weed out immaturity, pride, and arrogance (Lam. 3:25-33). Waiting isn’t wasted if waiting is working!
Scripture describes God as the creator and blesser of all things. God’s original intent in creation was to make a place of beauty, life, and connection (Gen. 1:31). When sin entered the world through rebellion, God’s original intent remained but the curse on sin brought death and separation (Gen. 3:17, 18). While God can’t leave sin unjudged forever, His common grace sustains good in the world (Ps. 145:9; Matt. 5:45). God’s goodness shines through the darkness of sin! For humans, transgressions (Heb. pesha, ‘revolt, rebellion, trespass’) can be forgiven (Heb. nâsâh, ‘to lift up, take away’) by repentance. Before repentance, everyone’s sins are counted and must be accounted for (Rev. 20:11-15). By God’s grace, sin is covered (Heb. kâsâh, ‘to conceal’) and isn’t counted (Heb. châshab, ‘to calculate’) against a person. Blessings come when the debt is paid!
Psalm 121 is one of fifteen ‘songs of ascents’ (Ps. 120-134) Jewish pilgrims would sing on their way to festivals at Jerusalem. As it is 2500 ft. above sea level and surrounded by valleys, a traveler always goes ‘up’ to Jerusalem. It is thought as they ascended, travelers would sing these Psalms as the city came into view and the Levites would sing them as they climbed the fifteen stairs to enter the Temple area. Meaningful times call for special songs (1 Chron. 13:8; Ps. 33:3; Rev. 5:9, 10)! As most roads followed the valleys, travelers would fear who or what was hiding at the top of hills or in caves (Ps. 23:4). Singers of this Psalm were reminded the LORD (Heb. yhwh, ‘self-existent, eternal One’; Ex. 3:14) made the hills, valleys, and caves, and there is nothing in them He can’t guard from. The God who made all things, can help protect from all things!
The sons of Korah likely wrote their songs while King David was their shepherd and spiritual leader (1 Chron. 6:32, 33). Hundreds of years earlier, their ancestor Korah was part of a rebellion against the God-given authority of Moses. Instead of being blessed by God in their calling, Korah—with hundreds of others—were destroyed in God’s judgment on their jealousy (Num. 16:28-35). Time spent in jealousy will shorten your usefulness by God and may shorten your life altogether (Prov. 14:30; James 3:14, 15). Knowing their family history, the sons of Korah encourage humanity to humbly accept the wisdom of God from Godly men. Men of God speaking the words of God are God’s gift to mankind. Life is too short to not act on the wisdom of God (Ps. 90:12; James 4:13-15; 1 Pet. 1:24, 25)!
Laziness is not the of lack desire or motivation or passion. On the contrary, laziness is a very strong motivation to serve ourselves born out of an intense desire and passion for comfort. Laziness is not the lack of a drive to do something, but is a strong drive to serve oneself. At its heart, laziness is a form of idolatry where we crave comfort because we worship ourselves instead of God. Self worship gives birth to an appetite for easiness which produces laziness. The lazy man loves and serves himself; the disciplined man loves and serves Christ.
Around 5 BC, Caesar Augustus decreed the whole Roman world was to be accounted for, including Israel. As Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, they were required to register at Joseph’s ancestral town of Bethlehem, nearly 100 miles south. Mary being nine months pregnant, it was a long, grueling trip to walk or ride. Doing the will of God won’t often be in our timing or for our convenience. As all of Joseph’s relatives would be going to Bethlehem for the same reason, family who lived there would be planning to accommodate them. Given the hospitality culture of the ancient near east, it’s highly unlikely they would have had to resort to staying in an unsafe, public inn (Gr. pandocheion, ‘all-receiving, public lodging’; Luke 10:34) when relatives were local. Travelling slowly, they probably arrived after all the extended family from out of town had already settled in the house. Being that the house was full, and/or their pregnancy was viewed as ‘illegitimate’, they were given the lower part of the house to stay in rather than the more appropriate upper room (Gr. kataluma ‘guest chamber, dining room’; Luke 22:11). Even pre-birth, God doesn’t demand the best scenario amidst the worst situation!
After Jesus’ birth in a cave/lower room in a house, Joseph and Mary probably stayed at a relative’s house in Bethlehem before going back to Nazareth. When Jesus was around a year old, men called magi (Gr. magoi, ‘magician’) who specialized in studying wisdom literature, astronomy, and the magic arts, travelled from Persia, east of Israel (modern Iran/Iraq). Many Jews were taken there when Babylon conquered Judah and deported some of them in 605 BC, including Daniel, who was considered a ‘wise-man’ (Dan. 5:11). Believers should face short-term difficulty with perseverance knowing their obedience will serve a long-term good (Rom. 8:28). Through the Jews, the magi had access to Balaam’s prophecy that a ‘star’ would come out of Jacob and the time of the arrival of the Messiah (Num. 24:17; Dan. 9:24, 25). About 4 BC, they noticed an astronomical anomaly and providentially recognized it related to the birth of the Messiah of Israel. As priests and kingmakers, there was probably a large entourage who came from Babylon (~ 800 miles). God not only called poor, illiterate shepherds, but also the educated elite to show that all kinds of wise men still seek Him (Luke 2)!
At just the right moment in history, God reached into the life of a young woman at Nazareth in northern Israel. Mary was not expecting to live a particularly extraordinary life. She was probably a teenager, poor, not especially attractive, lived in a rural area, and came from a family with no social influence. God never forgets the forgettable and gives purpose to the purposeless (Ps. 138:8)! Like most young women of her time, she looked forward to marrying a man she loved, start a family and please God by being the wife and mother she was called to be. God created femininity with a special concern and high value for family and relationships. Of all the gifts God gives women, humility that brings relational peace, not chaos, should be their highest value (Titus 2:3-5). Just as with Joseph, Mary agreed to sexual abstinence as part of their marital contract. As a believer, she desired to honor God and her future husband by reserving her sexual energy for him. While all cultures have different standards for modesty and beauty, God demands both sexes in all cultures to dress sex-specific and modestly—covering their sexual organs so as to not arouse sexual desire in others (Gen. 3:21; Deut. 22:5; Prov. 11:22; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 1 Pet. 3:3, 4). Modest is hottest!
Jacob was Joseph’s father. While nothing is known of their
relationship, Joseph possibly developed a deep love for his heavenly Father from his love for his earthly father. Often, the love people have for God is reflective of the relationship they have with their own fathers. And Joseph’s love for God may have come from seeing his own father’s love for God. Though faith can’t be ‘passed on’ to others, it can be personified so it can be personalized. As most men took up their father’s trade the fact Jesus was the ‘son of a carpenter’(Gr. tektōn, ‘wood-worker, craftsman’) meant Joseph probably learned it from Jacob (Matt. 13:55). First-century construction washard, hands-on labor, so Joseph honored God by doing what was necessary to care for his family and set an example for Jesus. God superintended the lineage of Jesus to include some men who were exemplary to those around them. Godly men are to be a blessing and not a burden to their family, church, and country. The mark of a man of God isn’t perfection but responsibility (2 Thess. 3:10-12).
Sheep aren’t athletic and have no natural defense mechanism
against predators. Without oversight and loving supervision, most
sheep will become endangered and die. Scripture describes humanity
as spiritual sheep that are defenseless against damage from living.
Like sheep in the wild, humans eventually incur pain and problems
as they walk through the valley of death (Heb. tsalmâveth, ‘deep
darkness/death/distress’) and are confronted by evil. As part of living
in a broken world, even believers will go into seasons of difficulty. In
the day of physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual trouble,
believers are to seek God first as their protection (Ps. 34:19; 46:1;
121:1-8; 138:7; 2 Thess. 3:3). The safest place is in the hand of God!
Psalm 23 is arguably the most popular piece of literature ever
written. It’s been read, spoken, and sung billions of times over 3000 years to bring comfort and encouragement to believers all over the world at all different times. While people think they’re strong, wise, and safe, the Bible views them as weak, ignorant, unable to help themselves and in need of a shepherd (Is. 53:6; John 10:11-16). We are built by God, for God, to have a relationship with the true God (Col. 1:15-20). David doesn’t view ‘God’ generically as Creator, but personally as his Savior, the ‘LORD’ (Heb. YHWH, ‘the one who is/will be’; Ex. 3:14). God is a Person who wants to get personal!
King David relied on God to rescue him from all kinds of
difficulties: from the malevolent plans of other people, from
desperate circumstances, and from the traps of sin.
David relied on God to heal him physically.
Psalm 119 is the high-water mark of all the Psalms and
throughout scripture for understanding the value of God’s word. The
lyrics are written in an acrostic pattern of 22 stanzas with 8 lines,
each stanza starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in sequence.
Despite God’s Spirit being everywhere (omnipresence), and His
personal presence being inside a believer’s life, God gave His word
to guide humanity (Lev. 26:12; Jer. 23:23, 24; John 14:23; 2 Tim.
3:16, 17). God’s word is given as the objective truth-standard, so we
don’t rely on opinions, desires, or our feelings (John 17:17)! God’s
word is described as law (Heb. torah, ‘instruction’), testimonies
(Heb. ‘edot, ‘witness of divine will’), precepts (Heb. piqqudim, ‘a
mandate’), statues (Heb. khuqqim, ‘something prescribed’),
commandments (Heb. mitsvah, ‘what is ordered to be done’), rules
(Heb. mishpatim, ‘what is given as right’). God’s word is God’s will!
As His last and highest creation, God built humans to have
relationships—with Himself, each other, and the earth (Gen. 1:26-
28). God’s relationship to humans is so thorough, He searches (Heb.
châqar, ‘to investigate, examine’) and knows them in totality.
Humanity isn’t a cosmic accident but carefully arranged lives
designed to know and love God. You are not one among billions, you
are one among one—a unique creation of God loved by Him!
The Bible describes God as the eternal, all-powerful, all-
knowing Creator whose excellence and perfection call for praise. For
believers, love for God should be holistic—involving their heart,
soul, mind, and strength (Luke 10:27). Similarly, praise for God
should evoke the best parts of human excitement; shouting, singing,
and strumming. Shouting, singing, and music are natural reactions
to truth that resonates in the human heart. Everything God does is a
result of who He is. From God’s character comes His will, which
gives His word, which then produces His work. God’s faithfulness
and love never fail because God never fails (Lam. 3:22, 23).
Believers should never fail to praise the God who never fails!
The Bible speaks of God being worthy of praise (Heb.
hâlal, ‘to boast about, celebrate’; root of hallelujah ‘praise the
LORD’). This means God’s character and attributes are of such a
quality He’s worth ‘bragging’ about. Because of this, praise is
commanded! Praise isn’t given to God because He is emotionally
needy, but because He is completely worthy. People praise what they
have a high value for—the higher the worth, the greater the worship
of it. God’s value can’t be overestimated, so a failure to praise God
is a failure to know God.
At the beginning of the universe, God was already there
(Gen. 1:1). The Bible describes God’s nature as being eternal (no
beginning) and powerful enough to create the universe up and
running just by speaking (omnipotence; Gen. 1:1-27). This
explanation makes the most sense theologically, philosophically, and
scientifically. The universe had a start and a Starter, a beginning
and a Beginner! Science (Latin scientia, ‘to know’) only discovers
and creatives only create from what the Creator created! As it isn’t
normative to believe something came from nothing, design came
from chaos, systems came from mindlessness, and beauty and
meaning came from a void without purpose, people know there’s a
God but suppress the knowledge rather than pursue it (Rom. 1:18-
20). All people hear creation’s ‘voice’ pour out (Heb. nâba, ‘gush
forth’) but not all respond to it. A creation screams a Creator!
About a year before this song, instead of going out with his
troops to war, King David stayed home. During that time, he saw a
woman bathing on her roof from his palace, which was at the highest
point in Jerusalem. Finding out she was the wife of one of his
soldiers, he brought her to the palace, slept with her and she became
pregnant (2 Sam. 11:1-5). When lust and ability meet boredom and
opportunity, sin is birthed (James 1:14, 15). Instead of repenting,
David tried to hide his sin by having her husband killed in battle.
Though it worked practically, it was wicked spiritually. Sin can be
buried but it can’t be killed (Gen. 4:10; Num. 32:23; Prov. 28:13)!
While the exact situation is unknown, King David had many
moments of stress and difficulty. Though he was a man after God’s
heart, he had family problems, physical problems, occupational
problems, financial problems, and had to run for his life multiple
times (Acts 13:22). Life-problems can lead to eating and sleeping
issues, stress, anxiety, self-harm, or anger at God or others. Feelings
are a poor indicator of our relationship with God. Feelings are real
but they might not be true. While God may feel emotionally distant,
He is always personally present. Biblically, God never ‘goes’
anywhere, it is us that leave God. If you sense relational breakdown
with God, check your heart. If it’s not a sin issue, distance can help
you learn to trust in your faith, not your feelings (Matt. 27:46)!
The psalms (Gr. psalmos, ‘striking/twanging of strings’; fromHeb. mizmor, ‘a melody, from instrumental music’) are a collectionof poems set to music (Heb. tehillim, ‘praises’). They span about1000 years (c. 1400-586 BC, Moses to Babylonian captivity) and were used by the Jews for individual and corporate worship. God gave the human voice primarily to speak and sing—which are two ofthe main ways God’s truth is communicated. Singing is a way to absorb and remember truth and witness to others (Neh. 12:46; Eph. 5:19, 20; Matt. 26:30; Acts 16:25). Though we aren’t sure of the psalms’ original melodies, believers throughout history arecommanded to sing to the LORD—even if the singing isn’t toogood! All music is spiritual, so what you sing is a reflection of the state of your heart and who or what you consider worthy. While wecan sing a ‘new song’ to God, it should always contain ‘old truth’!
At the outset of creation, God built humans as caring, helpful,
relational beings—to God, each other, and the earth (Gen. 1:26, 27;
Ps. 8:5, 6). But after sin entered the heart, relationships became
broken, and jealousy, animosity, and hatred became normal. Hate
isn’t disagreement with others but a sinful, emotional desire for harm
to come to those we deem worthy of it. Hate can also be apathy, as
we are too self-focused to care about others. Apathy is indifferent,
emotionless hate. Apathy occurs when we have passive carelessness
for those God has called us to care about (Prov. 24:11, 12; 28:27). If
love is proactive sacrificial caring for others, hate is both a proactive
and passive hurt to others. Hate leads to resentment and bitterness
which will destroy your life. Hating others is like drinking poison
hoping it kills the other person! The only thing believers are to hate
is evil—in ourselves and others (Ps. 97:10; Prov. 8:13; Rom. 12:9).
God originally built humans to have a high value for trust and
relational fidelity. From this foundation, all levels of relationships
are based (Gen. 2:15-25). Betrayal is a destruction of the fidelity that
two parties have agreed upon through unspoken, spoken, or written
means. Betrayal damages relationships—sometimes permanently.
The deeper the relationship, the greater the betrayal (Ps. 55:12-14;
Matt. 26:14-25, 48; John 13:1, 2, 18-30; Heb. 10:26-30; 2 Pet. 2:20,
21). Betrayal leads to anger, chaos, violence, divorce, and
unemployment. While separation based on something being illegal,
immoral, unethical, or unbiblical may be advised, betrayal never is.
There may be a time to leave, but never a time to be disloyal. God
expects fidelity in all levels of life; God, spouse, family, church,
work, country, etc. (Prov. 2:16-19; 5:18, 19; Mal. 2:13-16). Betrayal
starts with discontent in the heart that becomes destruction in the
hand. Where there is no faithfulness, there is no future!
Self-pity or sulking is promoted by society as an acceptable
way of dealing with personal failure, disappointment with others, or
pain. In a culture where self-pity is a virtue, much of social media is
an attempt to gain sympathy with no desire for a solution. Self-pity
can be a sinful way to passive-aggressively manipulate others to
focus on us. Self-pity is a self-focus where our greatest worship is
ourselves. Self-pity handicaps spiritual growth and leads to coping
mechanisms and escapism like drugs, alcohol, eating disorders
(anorexia, bulimia, gluttony), cutting, sexual deviancy, excessive
online gaming, etc. Self-pity comes from self-centeredness, which is
the fruit of a sinful, prideful heart (1 Kings 21:1-16). Self-pity leads
to depression, then to hopelessness, then to despair. The end-game of
self-pity is more emptiness. The biblical view is that life is difficult
but worth living by finding God’s purpose for our life (John 16:33).
You can’t choose your feelings, but you can choose your faith!
At the beginning, God made humans in His image and put in
the human soul a moral compass (Gen. 1:27). This drives the human
desire to want fairness or need justice that doesn’t exist in the insect
or animal world. When wrong has been done, humans naturally want
the offender punished or corrected (Prov. 18:5; 21:15). But when we,
those we esteem, or those we’re afraid of are the offenders, partiality
can happen which invites disaster (Gen. 34:1-31; 2 Sam. 13:10-29).
A corruption of justice erodes a society and offends God (2 Chron.
19:7; Prov. 21:3; 24:24, 25; 25:26). While societies have imperfect
systems with imperfect judges, perfect justice can happen even if it’s
carried out imperfectly. Justice delayed is not necessarily justice
denied—justice is sometimes later (Rom. 12:17-20; 2 Thess. 1:5-10).
Humans were originally built helpful, protective, and others-focused. However, with sin in our hearts, we are now self-righteous, blamers, and hostile to those who hurt or offend us (Gen. 3:12, 13). Anger and hostility are not the same. Anger can be righteous while hostility comes from an evil heart of pride and selfishness, that starts at disrespect and ends with disunity (Eph. 4:26). A heart of hostility gets hostility in return, but a heart of graciousness creates peace fromhostility (Ps. 23:5; Prov. 15:1, 18; 25:15, 21, 22). Don’t look to be offended and insulted but look to be gracious and forgiving. Lack of graciousness for others is a heart issue—usually displayed through our mouth before it reaches our hands (Prov. 4:23; Matt. 18:21-35; Luke 6:45). While hostility is usually reactive, graciousness should always be proactive. In a culture that promotes negativity, criticism, and judgment, believers are to promote positivity, helpfulness, and grace(Prov. 16:32; 19:11; 29:11; Matt. 5:44; Col. 3:13).
Everyone finds security in predictability and comfort. However, spiritual growth happens in the areas of divergence and inconvenience. The will of God is often found in our interruptions!Live with and open hand—the tighter the grip, the more damaging the removal. Flexibility isn’t lack of planning but a willingness to adapt our plans to God’s plans (Prov. 3:5, 6; 16:3). Inflexibility is a product of a prideful desire to be in control. The only constant is change, and resistance can reveal an unwillingness to acknowledge God may be doing something you have no say over (Is. 55:8, 9). All people, places, and events belong to God—God is sovereign, we are servants (Ps. 24:1; Jer. 27:5; 32:27; Acts 17:25, 26). This means that while we can make plans, God has the authority to change anything at any time—and our response to that change says more about us than God (Prov. 19:21). This is God’s world; we just get to live in it!
God built humanity with limits—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These limits are designed to give a self-check on ungodly patterns of living. Any over-indulgence is a distortion of God’s good gifts of pleasure and can result in sin. Making money, sexual contact, relational connection, sports, vacations, recreation, alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, etc., in their proper context can be spiritually healthy and a blessing to yourself and others. Lack of self-control in those areas leads to spiritual sickness, damaging yourself and others. Self-indulgence is slavery to yourself rather than slavery to your Savior—one is obedience leading to death, the other is obedience leading to life(Rom. 6:15-23). Self-indulgence is self-worship, as your greatest ‘worth’ is your fleshly pleasure in the moment. Lacking restraint leads to regret, guilt, self-loathing, debt, and death(Prov. 16:32; 25:28).
At the beginning, God instilled in humanity the recognition and need for reverence and respect—for God, other people, and all of creation (Gen. 1:26; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 11:18). As humans are the only creatures capable of giving and receiving reverence, they are also the only ones capable of dishonor and disrespect. Disrespect happens when people ignore God’s authority structure and insult God’s agent. God hates disrespect, as rebellion against authority is ultimately rebellion against Him(Rom. 13:1-7). Disrespect in word, action, or attitude arises from an arrogant, prideful heart—often displayed in self-justifying or blaming others for personal failure. Disagreement with authority should never lead to disrespect of it. Being unsubmissive or unteachable leads to disrespect, which incurs God’s anger. Reverence leads to being respected, honored, and promoted, but disrespect leads to hatred, unemployment, and death.
Because humans are made in God’s image, they have the ability to make moral decisions about what they believe is right for them. As we are built to live in concert with God’s will, any choice against that is a result of pride (Gen. 3:5, 4:7). Pride is a spiritual disposition, either in thought or deed, that exalts a distorted view of personal worth or authority (Dan. 4:28-34).We are born with a need to control and also the arrogance and pride to continue, even when what we do doesn’t work(Eph. 2:3). The problem is, many people believe in God by profession, but then live their lives as atheists in practice.There is no room for God in a heart that is full of itself (Ps. 10:3, 4; Prov. 25:27)! Ironically, self-exaltation results in humbling, while humility results in being exalted (Prov. 16:18; 27:2; Luke 14:11; 2 Cor. 10:18; 1 Pet. 5:5, 6). Pride says, ‘I will do what I will’, humility says ‘I will do what God wills’.
We naturally want to lean in the direction of self-righteousness. It is the desire to be totally correct or morally superior (Prov. 21:2). Even as Christians it is a constant temptation to believe that we can generate within ourselves a righteousness that will be acceptable to God (Rom. 3:10; Gal. 2:21). Self-righteousness is related to legalism and has an absence of grace that will lead us to be polarizing toward others.In light of all this, when we are wronged our responses can be twisted, confusing, boastful and sometimes downright evil (Eph. 4:31). These actions and ways of thinking are the outflow of our natural lean toward self-righteousness, this sinful nature produces damage against ourselves and those around us. When we act out in self-righteousness we are rebelling against God, which requires God’s forgiveness (Rom. 2:1-3). Our culture cheers on this self-righteous and boastful attitude (1 John 2:16) vs. how God would have us respond, with humility that leads to forgiveness as he forgave us (John 15:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 1:9).
As we live in a fallen, self-focused world, everyone desires their view or feelings to be the standard of truth by which others should live. When others have what we want or don’t share our perspective, deception often happens to manipulate the situation to get our way (Deut. 35:13-16; Prov. 6:12-14; 11:1; 16:30). Deception is a purposeful manipulation of a situation to an unsuspecting person for sinful benefit. Deception in action emanates from the darkness of motivation (1 John 1:6). We share Satanic values when we choose to deceive, as deception is a passive form of lying that originates from hatred of God and truth (Gen. 3:13; Prov. 12:22; Eph. 4:25; John 8:44; Rev. 12:9). Deception is native to our sinful selves but should be foreign to our saved selves(Jer. 17:9; Col. 3:9)!
God designed men to work and primarily find satisfaction from protecting and providing for themselves, their family, and others (Gen. 2:15). Men often spend the best of their physical and mental years serving their families by working hard, long hours. Paul described his time as a leader in the church as being labor (Gr. kopos, ‘weariness from intense work’) and toil (Gr. mochthos, ‘pain from hardship’), working night and day to not be a burden on anyone. Fathers carry their weight and the weight of others!
As water is weak in itself, it will always take the path of least resistance. Similarly, humans naturally pursue the easiest ways of navigating life, especially in areas they are scared or insecure. While we want the least problems, God desires the greatest payoff. The greatest payoff (Gr. therisomen, ‘to gather harvest’) for God and ourselves is not giving up on what we commit to when it becomes harder or more costly, but we finish instead. The farmer gets nothing if he’s not there at the end. Don’t look for your easy way out, look for God’s way through. As bodies become stronger through training so character is purified by adversity (Rom. 5:3, 4). Difficulty doesn’t remove responsibility!Endurance through difficulty is how the weak are made strong, fearful made brave, and the selfish made Christlike (Prov. 17:3). Precious metal is left in the fire until the impurities are removed, and the refiner’s reflection is seen in it. Metal not remaining in the fire stays impure, weak, and compromised (James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6, 7). In a give-up culture God calls us to endure-on!
The Bible speaks of foolishness or ‘folly’ as a state of living apart from the wisdom and will of God. As people are born ignorant of God’s wisdom and rebellious against His will, everyone has foolishness (Gr. aphrōn, ‘without reason, senseless’) as part of their spiritual DNA (Prov. 22:15). Foolishness can be displayed by acting in ways that rebel against God and bring shame to self and others. Foolishness resides in the heart not in the head (Ps. 14:1; Prov. 12:15; 14:16; 19:3; 26:11; 28:26). Foolishness isn’t lack of education or immaturity but choosing against godly options which people are aware of through creation, conscience, and scripture. This means a person can be mentally intelligent but spiritually foolish. Foolishness leads to sin which ultimately ends in judgment (Rom. 1:18-20; Eph. 5:5-7; Col. 3:5-7). Intelligence without godliness is foolishness!
Envy is part of the human condition regardless of where or when people live. We live in one of the most affluent areas in one of the most prosperous nations in the world at the most flourishing time in human history—yet envy is everywhere. Whether over donkeys or jets, envy starts at dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction is a disposition of perceived lack that leads to envy (James 4:1-3). Dissatisfaction is the seed that can grow into envy of wanting something else that ultimately finishes in covetousness. Coveting is the state of living where you can’t enjoy the blessing you have because of the blessing someone else has. Coveting lives in unquenchable lust for goods, contentedness lives in unquestioned trust in God. Envy robs the joy from life and kills the desire to trust God’s direction (Prov. 14:30).Dissatisfaction®envy®covetousness. Coveting doesn’t come from a lack of possessions, but a lack of contentedness(Heb. 13:5).
When we swear by someone, we appoint that person as witness of the promise and the judge if I break it.
Because Jesus was called first to the Jewish people, he spent the majority of his time with them. However, he also loved all people, and on one occasion he went north to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon (John 3:16). There, he met a woman who had a demonically possessed daughter. Although this Canaanite (‘pagan person of the land’) mother had many religious options like the temple of Eshmun—a local god of healing—she had heard about Jesus and his miracle-working ability. Disappointment with the fake should drive people to the genuine (Is. 44:19, 20; Acts 8:13). Though she isn’t a Jew, she submissively called him ‘Lord’ (Gr. kurios,‘master’) and used the Messianic title ‘Son of David’ signifying Jesus as the king of Israel. A right view of Jesus is the first step to a right life with God (John 14:6). Possibly after years of watching her daughter be physically and emotionally oppressed, she knows she is powerless to help her. She cries out for mercy knowing Jesus has power over the natural and supernatural realms. Humility accesses the willing heart of God (James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6)!
All people are mortal creations whose span of life is only known to God (Ps. 139:16). God designed living to involve using your time to be industrious rather than wasting it being lazy or a sluggard (Heb. ‛âtsêl, ‘to lean idly, be slack’; Prov. 6:6-11). Laziness is the state of underachieving with God-given physical and mental resources. Laziness isn’t the same as ‘rest’. Rest is the reward of effort; laziness is the absence of effort. Gambling, video games, and hobbies (social media, home-brewing, sports, fishing, etc.) are examples of false ‘effort-satisfaction’ events. Feelings produced by entertainment shouldn’t be confused for satisfaction produced by industry (Prov. 21:17). Industriousness seeks to be useful to God, but laziness finds a way to be useless to anyone. Laziness is not passive restfulness, but active selfishness(Prov. 12:11; Matt. 25:26, 27).
Irritability is emotional and can have many sources—lack of sleep, hormones, stress, anxiety, worry, chemicals, etc. Shortness of emotional control can produce anger, rage, and violence. Anger can be appropriate but shouldn’t arise from irritation (Eph. 4:26). The result of irritation becomes sinful when it affects behavior or creates needless, negative issues with others. Irritability (Gr.paroxynetai, ‘to make sharp, provoke’) can expose selfishness that at other times might be hidden if something is delayed, denied, or disrupted. There are no ‘bad days’, just bad reactions to unwelcome circumstances.
When the sun set on Friday, Jesus was dead. As the Jewish leaders were afraid the disciples would steal Jesus’ body and stage a ‘resurrection’, they posted guards at the tomb and sealed the stone. Any unauthorized breaking of the seal would result in death. As the sun was rising Sunday morning, an angel descended to remove the stone and the battle-hardened guards fainted from fear. Everything God does is ‘authorized’ (Is. 45:9; Dan. 4:35)! As Mary arrived, the stone was rolled away, guards gone, and an angel told her Jesus had risen. She then saw Jesus and held onto his feet proving he wasn’t an illusion or ghost. Sometimes the greatest news is given to the most unlikely, so God gets the most glory (1 Cor. 1:26-30)!
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped at a little town called Bethany. At his friends’ house, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were throwing him a party. Not only does Jesus have real friends, but they actually wantto be around him! To have friends you have to be friendly and the type of friends you have is a mirror of your values(Prov. 13:20; 17:17; 18:24; 1 Cor. 15:33). About a month previous, Jesus had done a miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead. At the party, Lazarus’ sister Martha must have been in awe watching him participate in the festivities knowing that without Jesus, this moment wouldn’t have been possible. No one knew better than Lazarus’ family that Jesus has power over death and life (John 11:25, 26; 38-44).Ultimate control is a human façade and a divine right!
In describing the spiritual struggle to live for God, Paul used the picture of a Roman soldier’s armor (Eph. 6:13-17). To complete the picture, he finished with the most important aspect of being protected and prepared—prayer. Believers are to pray at all times ‘in/by/through’ the Spirit. This is not a special state of consciousness (or else believers couldn’t do it at ‘all times’) but rather connecting with God through God who dwells in them (Rom. 8:26, 27). Biblical prayer is not random thoughts or wishful thinking but rather a purposeful, focused, soul-conversation with God(Col. 4:2; Phil. 4:6).
The Ephesian church was in a Greco-Roman culture that promoted sexual unrestraint, slavery, idolatry, materialism, and gluttony. As a wealthy port city, distractions were everywhere—from athletics to business, to festivals and drinking parties. To live for God, believers were to be strong in the strength (Gr. kratos, ‘vigor, power’) from God, by the Holy Spirit dwelling inside (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). Though believers passively receive the strength of God, they are to actively use it. Power without practice is purposeless. Ephesus hosted the Pan-Ionian games of which wrestling was a main sport. Wrestlers would lose if they lost their footing, were tripped, or were thrown on their back or shoulder. Paul used this close-contact event to illustrate the spiritual struggle where believers are to stand (Gr.stēnai, ‘to make firm, establish’) against the devil’s (Gr. diabolou, ‘slanderer’) schemes (Gr. methodeia, ‘deceit, trickery’; 2 Cor. 2:11). Satan can’t defeat a believer who stands in God!
In the first century, Rome imported slaves as its economic backbone from Europe, the Mediterranean, Spain, Syria, and Greece. As a Roman city, Ephesus had 50,000 slaves—the most valuable being doctors, architects, musicians, and sculptors. Those who broke the law, had financial debts, or were war captives were sold in the agora. For some it was punishment, for many it was unjust. These people would now become part of a household, temporarily or for life. The Ephesian church was just a few years old and had families that had slaves for various reasons, so Paul instructed them about Christian household behavior. Where there is Christ, there should be order and care! While the Bible recognizes the reality of slavery in a culture, it never condones it but manages it, with a goal of ending it (1 Cor. 7:21-23). Christians live by the laws of the land and work to change ungodly ones (Rom. 13:4-7). Christianity and the Gospel would be instrumental in the eventual fall of institutional slavery in Rome andAmerica! The Gospel works from the inside out!
Like most Greco-Roman cities, Ephesus practiced pater familiasor ‘father of the family’. This meant the father or oldest son had dictatorial control over his house, and children had no rights or value before puberty. However, biblically all humans, regardless of life-stage, have infinite value and are worthy of respect, love, and protection because humans are built by God(Ps. 127:3; 139:13-16). In God’s wisdom, He created a time of ignorance and innocence called ‘childhood’. This time of growth is designed to help a person learn submission, humility, and self-discipline during their most formative years. The lessons they learn or don’t learn will be the strengths or weaknesses they have as adults. Adults are children of their childhood (Prov. 22:6). Children are people on loan from God, and the home is a training ground to help them avoid sin and accept serving. Parenting’s aim is to not to make children happy, but holy!
God created Adam as the first human and at the first wedding in Eden, God presented Adam with a wife (Gen. 2:18-25). This first family shared a common God, DNA, and a desire to live in harmony. While God created them equal in value, they were made different by design. God built the husband to be the head and authority over the wife and family (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23). God designed the family like a team, where people are of equal value personally, but are unequal positionally. When a man chooses a woman as a wife, he is volunteering to take responsibility for her. Femininity finds security in masculine responsibility(1 Tim. 5:8). What began as a beautiful authority structure designed to bless, became a struggle for control after sin entered the heart (Gen. 3:16; Prov. 21:9). Whereas wives would now fight the authority overthem, husbands would now fight the responsibility for those underthem. Unless a husband temporarily disqualifies himself by abuse, mismanagement, or something being illegal, immoral or unbiblical, a wife should get his input and never overstep his decisions. Generally, masculinity’s logic and practicality stabilizes and guards femininity’s emotional and relational perspective. Authority from God means accountability to God, so men should live lives worth respecting and following.
By the first century, Ephesus had many powerful and educated women, just as in other Mediterranean areas (Acts 13:50; 17:4, 12). As there were people from all social classes in the church, they needed to be taught God’s design for their homes. The sexes didn’t evolve but God created them to complement one another in marriage (Gen. 1:27; 2:18). From the beginning the sexes were equal in value but designed differently. After sin entered Adam and Eve’s hearts, their complementary design became destructively competitive (Gen. 3:16). From this point, husbands would struggle to love their wives and wives would struggle to control their husbands. An abuse of God’s design doesn’t mean discarding it but rather a recovering of it. The Bible doesn’t promote sexismbut rather servantism. Sexism says, ‘You can’t do it because you are the wrong sex.’ Servantism says, ‘You are called to do it because you are the right sex’. The Bible doesn’t say ‘all women submit to all men’ or ‘wives submit to other husbands’ but only to the man the woman has chosen to marry. A woman realizes her value is from God and accepts her role to help bring order and peace to herself, husband, and home.
The Ephesians lived in a wealthy area with a lofty view of themselves and physical luxuries. Yet Paul described their culture as spiritually dead and unable to please God. He encouraged their culture to ‘wake up’ out of moral darkness and let Christ shine into their lives (Eph. 5:14). Because Jesus had transformed their hearts, believers were to examine their lives carefully (Gr. akribōs, ‘accurately, diligently’) so as to honor God. Your feet follow your focus (Ps. 32:8; 119:104, 105)! A believer can either live wisely by applying godly teaching or live unwisely thereby dishonoring God and destroying their life (Prov. 1:7, 28-33). Believers must recognize the time (Gr. kairos, ‘right moment, opportunity’) they live in and redeem evil times for God’s glory. As everyone’s life is time-bound, a person’s life is dictated by how they manage their time. Time management is a physical certainty that affects a spiritual reality.
The fundamental message of the Bible is how mortal man can be reconciled to Almighty God. There is also a subtext of real-world compassion. When believers recognize a need which should be met, rather than thinking, “‘They’need to do something about it”, Christians should think, “Ineed to do something about it.” Jesus has charged His church with being vehicles of compassion and care. (Deuteronomy 15:11) (Matthew 5:42) A compassionate response is evidence of a transformed heart…
The Ephesians came from a selfish, materialistic, greedy, sensualistic culture. So, Paul tells them what a new life from God looks like. Instead of absorbing Greco-Roman cultural values and acting out those lifestyles, Christians are to imitate (Gr.mimētēs, ‘to mimic’) God. While not able to imitate God in His power, believers are to follow His pattern of behavior. As God’s primary motive and action toward people is love, believers are to do the same. True love is not emotion but action (John 3:16). Being formerly spiritual orphans, believers have become children of God through faith in Jesus. As God is love and now a believer’s new Father, a child should watch, learn, and do what Dad does (1 John 4:8). Believers make the invisible God visible when they live lives worth imitating (1 Cor. 11:1). We love the greatest when we sacrifice the most!
The Ephesians came from a ‘me first’ and ‘success at any cost’ type of culture where morality changed with the situation. The church was made from social classes of sailors, military, politicians, merchants, slaves, very wealthy and very poor. Paul now relates how the new life of Jesus should look in a believer’s life (Eph. 4:24). The mouth is the main communicator of a person’s values and desires. It shouldn’t be used for corrupting talk (Gr. sapros, ‘unfit for use, putrid’) like lying, negativity, or gossip, but rather building people up with the truth of God. The easiest evaluation if God has entered the heart, is from what exits the mouth(Luke 6:45; James 3:1-12)!
When Paul came to Ephesus 10 years earlier, he found a large, rich, Greco-Roman city (Acts 18:19). As he shared the Gospel, many Ephesians became Christians. Years later, Paul now told them to no longer walk (Gr. mēketi peripatein, ‘stop moving forward’) in the ways of their culture. Which, despite Ephesian success and education, they had futile (Gr. mataiotēs, ‘empty of truth’) minds and therefore a darkened (Gr. skotizō, ‘to obscure/cover in darkness’) understanding of God. To the blind, darkness is light(Luke 11:34, 35)! This ignorance about God wasn’t due to God not being obvious or desiring to love and reach people. But it was from their hardened (Gr. pōrōsin, ‘to petrify/be dull’) hearts, leading their lives away from God (Rom. 2:5). The way you walk, is where you wind-up!
After his incarnation, Jesus’ mission was to die for humanity’s sins on the cross (1 John 2:2). After resurrecting, but before returning to heaven (from where he came as God), Jesus promised he would send the Holy Spirit who would gift people to do the work of God (Acts 1:4, 5). The beginning of the first church is a pattern for all true churches to follow—sinners who believe in Jesus, transformed by his power, and gifted to serve others (Acts 2:41, 42).
The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesian church from house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16). He reminded them that God’s power in and through them was so amazing, nothing should stop them living for God. In view of this power, Paul urged (Gr.parakaleō, ‘to strongly encourage, beg’) the believers to view their lives as a walk (Gr. peripatesai, ‘to tread all around’) that has a direction. Everyone can walk, but not all people stay on the right path (Ps. 1:1-6)!A believer’s ‘walking’ should show choices that demonstrate worthiness (Gr. axiōs, ‘appropriateness, suitability’) to carry the name ‘Christian’. Paul exemplified the fact that even during difficulty, every Christian can honor God. People’s choices demonstrate who or what has the highest worth in their life.
Paul told the Ephesian Christians that when people put their faith in Jesus, he takes up residence in their heart (Eph. 3:17). This indwelling of God leads people to make different choices than they would have made previously and accept godly counsel they would have rejected before. A new life leads to a new way of living (Prov. 28:26)! In finding new life with God, believers experience His love that surpasses human knowledge. The best ‘love life’ comes from the love living in your heart!From God’s presence in a believer’s life comes His ability to do far more abundantly (Gr. huper ek perissos, ‘beyond limits, infinitely’) than anything humans could imagine. Like always being able to add a number to the largest number or drawing a bigger circle, whatever the limits of human ability, God is still greater. The greatest Strength comes from within!
1 John 4:8 shows us God is love. We know Jesus is God by verses like John 10:30 in which Jesus reveals, “I and the father are one”, and this means Jesus is love. By knowing Jesus to inherently be love, we can better come to understand what love is and who God is by observing the life of Jesus through God’s definition of love as given in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Mary was young, poor and probably not especially attractive. She lived in the rural area of Nazareth and came from a family with no great social influence. Like most young women of her time, she would have been happy to marry a man she loved and please God by being a godly wife and mother. Greatness doesn’t have to come out of great surroundings. Mary was probably a teenager when she met Joseph. In Jewish marital customs, after meeting him and spending time together, Mary would then make her feelings about Joseph known to her father and he would present Joseph or his father with the marriage agreement. Just as with Joseph, Mary agreed to sexual abstinence and purity as part of the contract. A person’s view of sex is an expression of their view of God(1 Pet. 4:3-5). As a believing woman, her desire was to honor God and her future husband by preparing herself for marriage. This would involve learning domestic skills to run a home and preparation for becoming a wife and mother. Mary was an ordinary woman in an ordinary town with ordinary looks expecting an ordinary future. God can take the plain and make it beautiful and use the ordinary to do the extraordinary!
Anna probably married as a young woman, then after seven years her husband died. When she met infant Jesus she was 84 years old. She was likely widowed for over 60 years and didn’t remarry or have children which allowed her to continually pray and fast at the Temple. A person’s priorities pave their path (Prov. 3:5, 6). Anna didn’t let disappointments, setbacks, or loneliness ruin her desire to serve God. She wouldn’t have chosen many of the things that had happened to her, but in God’s sovereignty He allowed them. Despite heartache and problems, she trusted and honored God through it all.Anna made a conscious effort seek the Lord daily and made a habit out of putting God and His will first (Matt. 6:33). People become what they believe and personify what they practice.
In the Law, every firstborn male belonged to God as he was the ‘strength’ of the herd or family (Ex. 13:2). As Israelites that loved God, Joseph and Mary came from Nazareth to Jerusalem to redeem Jesus from service to the Lord at the Temple forty-one days after his birth. Because they were poor, instead of a lamb, Mary gave two turtledoves—one for her purification and one for her sin offering as she recognized her need for a Savior (Lev. 12:3-6; Luke 1:47). Finances have nothing to do with being faithful (Hab. 3:17-19)! This was the first of many trips that Jesus would make to the Temple. Even God-in-the-flesh was shown the importance of honoring his heavenly Father by his earthly father. Joseph set an example for his family by following God’s laws and leading his family in worship to God (Deut. 6:6-9). Families often follow the priorities of the father!
Before the time of Christ, multiple nations had ruled Israel for hundreds of years with brief moments of independence. Just before the first century, Rome controlled Israel through the ruthless client-king Herod the Great. In 20 BC, Herod began to remodel and expand the Temple in Jerusalem that Jesus attended throughout his life. After Herod died in 4 BC, three of his sons began to rule. Their incompetency, coupled with their brutality and Roman influence, increased the desire of the Jewish people for God to send a Messiah to save them. God often uses the darkness of political leaders to help people seek the light of godly leaders (Prov. 29:2)!
God’s plan of salvation by faith in Jesus was hidden throughout history until it was shown to Paul. This meant all people now had access to God without going through a religious system. This bold entry into God’s kingly presence created a sense of honor that drove Paul to his knees in worship. God’s sovereignty promotes human worship (Rom. 14:11). The greater the worth in affection, the greater the worship in action!God’s rightful place in being worshipped by humanity is so complete, every family (Gr. patria, ‘descent from common origin’) finds its ultimate start from the fatherhood of God (Acts 17:24-28). Besides being the Creator and Savior of humanity, God gives believers power (Gr. dunamis, ‘force, strength’) to live a godly life. God is the Starter from where we start!
In his earlier days, Paul persecuted Christians by arresting and even killing them (Acts 9:1). But after Jesus transformed him, Paul became a Christian and set out to serve God by telling others about Jesus. Paul knew from his violent and evil past that he deserved no mercy from God. In remembering those times, Paul was open and transparent and didn’t make excuses but rather drew humility from it (1 Tim. 1:12-14). Excuses enable pride, ownership enables progress!Paul was willing to have an honest look at his past to let others know what he had been saved from. People who have been saved the ‘most’ appreciate the Savior the greatest(Luke 7:47).
Originally, God chose Abraham’s descendants for the purpose of displaying the true God to the world. However, by the first century, Jewish culture had devolved into hatred of all other people groups. As a strict religious Jew, Paul resisted Gentile contact and saw them as unloved by God. Paul even hated Jewish Christians, believing Jesus to be a fraud Messiah until he met the risen Jesus and his life was transformed (Acts 9:4-6, 15). From this time on, he called Jesus the ‘Christ’ and Jesus gave him the mission of reaching Gentiles with God’s love, which was a mystery (Gr. mustērion, ‘a secret, hidden thing’) before then. Paul became the greatest Christian in history; planting churches, writing scripture, and was even imprisoned to reach Gentiles (Acts 28:17; Rom. 15:15-19). God can soften the hardest heart and reorient the most perverse priorities!
Believers have ACCESS to God
After referencing the dividing wall (Soreg) at the Temple that warned non-Jews (Gentiles) like the Ephesians not to enter on threat of death, Paul defined their new access to God. During his ministry, Jesus preached peace with God to those spiritually ‘near’ to God (the Jews with the Law), and to those ‘far’ from God (the Gentiles with no knowledge of God; Matt. 4:17). This meant bothJews and Gentiles who believed in Jesus now had access to God without a pope, priest, or pastor (Rom. 5:1, 2; 1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus is the way and the means to God, so those without God can know God(John 14:6)!
The Apostle Paul was born a devout Jew who followed the Law and supported Jewish traditions like circumcision (Gal. 1:14). He was of Abraham’s descendants (the Israelites/Jews) to whom God gave His Law and promises to bless them (Gen. 18:18, 19). As they were God’s chosen people, all others (Gentiles) were outside His personal connection and blessing. By not having God’s Law or interaction, all other cultures were lost and blind to God’s salvation (John 4:22). Lost without the Law, separated without the Savior.
Paul described all humanity as having an in-born spiritual nature that isn’t ‘good’ or even neutral toward God. But it is rather hostile and self-righteous, deserving punishment as children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). Yet after describing this hopeless situation, Paul writes the two greatest words ever penned—‘But God’. Into this bleak condition God extends His offer of mercy to those who deserve none. Mercy is notreceiving what you do deserve!In mercy, God saves people by forgiving their sins by His grace (Gr. charis, ‘unearned, unmerited favor’). Grace is receiving what you don’tdeserve (Titus 3:5-7)! In God’s mercy His judgment is restrained, but in His grace His blessing is gained. Grace is the proactive passion of God to bless the people He loves forever!
After Paul described the amazing relationship the Ephesians had with God through Jesus, he recalled their former state. Before Jesus, they were dead (Gr. nekros, ‘dead/corpse’) in the waythey lived their lives. This meant that all their actions—even things they or their culture considered ‘good’—was valueless before God. ‘Good’ is subjective to people, but objective to God!Paul described their actions as trespasses (Gr. paraptōmasin, ‘to fall away, deviate’) against God’s written laws, and sins (Gr. hamartiais, ‘failure to hit the mark’), which are violations of God’s overall moral standards that all people are aware of (Rom. 2:14, 15). Nothing helps you appreciate where you are, like looking back at where you’ve been!
Ephesus was a Roman city that drew from the best human wisdom, being deeply influenced by Greek philosophy. Before the Ephesians heard the Gospel, they believed they saw reality clearly, but were actually spiritually blind. Once they became believers, the Holy Spirit took residence in their heart and gave them ‘eyes’ that were enlightened (Gr. phōtizō, ‘to shed rays’) to comprehend spiritual things (2 Cor. 1:22; 4:6). One of these was the hope that comes from knowing God (Rom. 15:13). The Ephesians had wealth, education, and technology, but at the end of it all had no hope in the present or for the future. Hope without God is no hope at all!
As Paul hadn’t physically been to Ephesus in years, the church had grown and there were many people he didn’t know. Yet even during his travels and incarceration for the Gospel, he had heard second-hand about the reputation of the church. The Ephesians were known as genuine believers with a culture of love toward others. A church without love is a church without God (John 13:34, 35; 1 John 4:7)! The DNA of a church is the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of its existence—one is seenthe other is sensed. A biblical church’s reputation should be one of truth in Jesus and love for others (1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 3:18). Your reputation greets people before you do!Just as abusing and neglecting your own body is dysfunctional, the Body of Christ—global and local—should be cared for. People know love when they know God’s love. Self-love is emotional and tied to our view of ourselves, which is distorted and broken. We don’t need a better self-image of us, we need a better Savior-image in us!
Throughout history, an inheritance from parents would often be the most significant and gracious gift a person could receive. Gaining an inheritance meant you were a special part of the family, and depending on value, could set a person up for life. An inheritance was often the highest value of a parent from their lifetime of work(Prov. 13:22; 22:1). As angels were created to be God’s messengers, God had no ‘family’ before creation. Though God was Self-satisfied in the community of the Trinity, He chose to create a ‘family’ from humanity to show His love, goodness, and graciousness. For those He predestined to be in His family through Jesus, God gave them rights to everything He owns (Luke 12:32)!
Previously in his life, Paul had been a violent man and a murderer who thought he was doing God’s will by persecuting Christians (Acts 22:4; 1 Tim. 1:13). What he thought was obedience that was making him right with God was actually offending God and compiling sin against himself. Self-appointed action for God without knowledge of God leads to self-deception and condemnation. Instead of being rightly condemned for his sin, after accepting the grace of God through Jesus, Paul and all believers are spiritually blessed as they are metaphorically inChrist. Being ‘in’ or ‘of’ something gives you all the benefits of belonging!The fact God chose (Gr. eklegomai, ‘to select, pick out’) believers before creation meant He had a plan and purpose to make them holy and blameless (Gr. amōmos, ‘flawless, faultless’). God cleans up the uncleanable (1 John 1:9)!
Paul, whose Jewish birth-name was Saul, was born to devout Jewish parents c. 5 AD in the Roman ‘free city’ of Tarsus—making him a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28). He spoke multiple languages, had a genius-level IQ, was well educated, and had a passion to serve God through the religion of Judaism (Phil. 3:5, 6). Believing Jesus to be a failed Messiah, he persecuted Christians as a cult until he was miraculously transformed by the risen Jesus (Acts 8:3; 22:4-8; Gal. 1:13). Paul was a fiery man of conviction who believed he was servingGod while actually opposingGod. Blindness isn’t realized until sight sees the light!Consequently, he gave his life to spread the Gospel as an apostle (Gr. apostolos, ‘delegate, ambassador’) of Jesus. There is no past God can’t redeem for good (2 Cor. 5:17)!
Throughout history, Shechem had been a pagan worship center in Canaan where God met Abraham hundreds of years before (Gen. 12:7). Joshua called the whole nation there for a ‘family meeting’ as this was the place they had gathered years earlier after the defeat of Ai (Josh. 8:33; 24:1). Special times of commitment call for special places of committing. During the covenant ceremony, Joshua retold the story of God’s goodness and graciousness. God had fulfilled His promise of giving Israel a home, though they had been rebellious. Believers should remember, retell, and reinforce the rule of God in their family to the younger generations (Deut. 11:19; 31:12, 13). Knowledge of God should be taught and caught!
Hundreds of years earlier—while Abraham was living in Canaan—God promised to give that land to his offspring (Gen. 15:7-21). Over time, Abraham’s offspring—the nation of Israel—became slaves in Egypt but God delivered them from Egypt and eventually established them in Canaan through Joshua (Ex. 6:1-8; Josh. 21:43-45). A good God is always good to His word(Ps. 33:11; Is. 46:10)! After all 12 tribes were allotted their land, 2 ½ tribes (Reuben, Gad, Manasseh) stayed east of the Jordan River, outside Canaan. As the Jordan was a natural barrier, the eastern tribes built an altar to match the sacrificial altar in Canaan as a sign of unity. Nothing is greater to long-term health than unity (Ps. 133:1; John 17:23; Eph. 4:3)!
After Israel had split the land of Canaan in two by defeating cities in central Canaan, over the next few years they systematically went south and then north conquering most major kingdoms. While there were local or regional clans left for individual Israelite tribes to fight, Israel had finished warring as a nation (Josh. 11:23). Now, as they were getting ready to settle the land, Joshua divided the land into the tribal allotments promised by Moses (Num. 26:55; Josh. 14:5). As Caleb was one of two spies (the other was Joshua) who encouraged Israel to enter Canaan 45 years earlier, he was given the special area of Hebron (Gen. 49:29-33; Num. 13:30). Faith with action has a reward (2 Chron. 16:9; Heb. 11:1; James 2:26)!
In fear, the people of Gibeon deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them after the Israelites had defeated Jericho and Ai (Josh. 9:3-6). Hearing that Gibeon, which was a major city of Canaan with mighty fighting men in it, had made peace with Israel, the surrounding Canaanite kings unified to destroy it. A change in allegiance can bring about a change in affiliation. Friends and family can become foes when faith to follow God is found(Matt. 10:32-39).
After the defeat of Jericho and Ai, various kings and tribal leaders from central Canaan that were enemies, banded together to fight Israel. Sometimes the good work of God will meet a united front of evil(Prov. 29:27; John 15:18). The people of Gibeon—who were next on the warpath after Ai—heard that Israel was to destroy all the Canaanites but make peace treaties with neighboring nations (Deut. 20:10-18). So, they devised a plan and sent delegates to Joshua at Gilgal with dry bread, empty wineskins, and worn out clothes and sandals saying they were from a foreign land asking for a covenant of peace. While they looked like they were from hundreds of miles away, they were only 20! Survival is often the fuel of creativity.
In Romans 1:18 – 3:20, Paul taught us that no one will ever be able to make himself righteous before God (Rom. 3:20). Further, Paul said that since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23 – 24). God’s “grace” means his “unmerited favor.” Paul explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8 – 9). The Bible emphasizes that God’s grace is even shown to those who especially don’t deserve it (Rom. 5: 6-11). Grace, then, is God’s favor freely given to those who do not deserve this favor. Living the Christian life results from God’s continuous grace. (1 Cor. 15:10).
In a last attempt to get God to curse Israel, Balak takes Balaam to a high area where he can see the entire nation below. He then builds seven altars hoping God will let Balaam curse Israel. Instead, for the third time, Balaam reveals God will bless and protect Israel, including cursing those who curse them! At this, Balak struck his hands together and told him he wasn’t going to honor or pay him. Sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing (Ps. 15:1-4, 84:11). Finally, Balaam speaks for the fourth and last time about Israel’s eventual domination over surrounding Canaanite nations, including Moab. Most of this would happen later during the life of the warrior-king David, the ‘star’ and ‘scepter’ out of Israel (2 Sam. 8:1-5).
When Balaam arrived with his entourage at the border of Moab, the king Balak met him with a royal welcome (Num. 22:36). Balak then took him up to a high place on a mountain so he could see a portion of Israel camped down in the valley. High places were thought to be closer to the gods and where it was easier to read the stars for astrology. The prophet instructs Balak to build seven altars to sacrifice a bull and a ram upon. Throughout history, bulls and rams were expensive and vital to survival, so to sacrifice them was a common form of remorse for sin and asking the gods for help or blessing (Lev. 1:3, 4). The number ‘seven’ represented perfection or completion. So, Balaam hoped the sacrifice would appease God, and Balak hoped they would manipulate God into cursing Israel. God isn’t impressed by performance or ceremony, but desires worship from a true heart (1 Sam. 15:22; Prov. 15:8; 21:3 Is. 1:11). God desires your action and your motivation to match(John 4:23, 24).
When Balak, the king of Moab, sent messengers to the prophet Balaam to come curse Isarel, Balaam asked God. And when God forbid him, he sent them back to Balak (Num. 22:4-6). Balak then sent more men and money, and though Balaam already knew God’s answer, he asked God again. This time, God let him go but was angry he went. Fear the day when what God previously said was wrong, now feels right! Balaam then left with his servants and the messengers from Balak. On the way, the Angel of the Lord (possibly pre-incarnate Jesus; Josh. 5:14, 15) goes to oppose him but the others don’t recognize what God is doing. The worst place for a believer is in rebellion, where God allows the desires of the heart and provides others who back up a rebellious decision (1 Cor. 15:13)! Trusting the heart/feelings rather than God’s word, leads to a seared conscience and a grieving of the Holy Spirit(Eph. 4:25-32; 1 Tim. 4:1, 2)!
At the end of their 40-year wandering the desert, Israel was led by Moses to Canaan, east of the Dead Sea. There, they skirted Moabite land and came to the land of the Amorites. When Moses asked the Amorite king Sihon for peaceful passage, he refused and went to war. Israel then defeated his army and the armies of Bashan who were their neighbors to the north. This gave Israel control of large portions of land east of the Jordan River that they hadn’t intended on taking. When believers are obedient, sometimes they are blessed through those trying to harm them(Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28)!
After two significant military victories (defeat of Jericho and Ai), Israel was now home in Canaan. To honor God’s faithfulness, Joshua built an altar of uncut stones at Mt. Ebal twenty miles north of Ai. A believer’s life should be full of thankful remembrances to God. Joshua then put plaster on the stones and wrote the Law on them, as when Moses got the 10 commandments (Ex. 31:18). On the altar, the priests sacrificed burnt offerings (representing atonement for sins) and peace offerings (representing thankfulness for God’s goodness). So, as the priests went up to sacrifice, they were literally standing on God’s word! Even as a God-ordained leader, Joshua doesn’t make up his own rules but humbly does all things according to God’s word, given through his predecessor (Ex. 20:25; Deut. 27:1-8). God’s men do God’s work God’s way given in God’s word!
Weeks earlier, Joshua completed one of the greatest military miracles in history with the conquering of Jericho. Soon after that, he had his greatest setback, as he failed to take the small town of Ai because God wasn’t with Israel. But after removing Achan, who had broken God’s covenant by taking restricted goods from Jericho, God renewed His relationship with Israel and Joshua (Josh. 7:11, 15). Repentance brings restoration. Knowing Joshua is gun-shy about moving forward, God encourages him to reengage His calling to be courageous and not fearful or dismayed (Heb. khaw-thath', ‘to fall down, give up’).When depressed, remember Whoseyou are and whatyou are called to do. When at the bottom of the pit, look up!
After Israel miraculously captured a fortified Jericho, the next city to be confronted was the relatively small Ai (Josh. 6:20). Joshua was confident 3000 men could easily take it but as the army approached, a small amount of men from Ai came out and killed 36 Israelites, sending the army retreating. While the Bible doesn’t say that Joshua’s strategy was wrong, if he would have sought God first, he might have been told the issue and not sacrificed men. Leaning on past victories can lead to laziness which leads to loss. Self-assurance precedes self-destruction (Prov. 16:18). Seek the One who knows what you don’t know before you find out what you didn’t know!
Jericho is arguably the oldest inhabited city in history. It was built on a steep 30-degree inclined hill with rugged desert on one side, the Jordan River on the other, and two nearly impenetrable walls encircling it. It had one large gate surrounded by six-foot-thick, thirty-foot-high mud brick walls that were difficult to destroy or burn. Taking the city required either charging the gate or trying to tear down the walls which would incur severe casualties. Or put the city under siege to starve it out, but because of storerooms of grain and a spring of water inside, it could take months or years. What man has made nearly impossible, God has made surely completed!
Once Israel crossed the Jordan River, they were now ‘home’ in Canaan. Through spies, the reputation of Israel’s God went ahead of them, so the kings of Canaan lived in fear. No one dwells in safety when they dwell apart from God. Though they may hate it, even a believer’s enemies can’t dispute the presence of God in their life! The first step of Israel’s new journey was to clean up past leadership failure by circumcising the males. As the male was responsible to build up and lead his home in godliness, circumcising his sexual organ was a physical representation of his spiritual covenant with God (Gen. 17:10-14). Human disobedience doesn’t delete divine directions! This act, which should’ve been done at birth over the last 40 years, now has to be done on grown men—many in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s—with no pain-killers and sharp rocks! So many males were circumcised, they called the place Gibeath Haaraloth (‘hill of foreskins’!). It’s always more painful to obey God later!
Throughout history, producing children, especially sons, was paramount. Because of infant mortality and that most of the world was agrarian, a large family could be vital to survival. If a wife couldn’t conceive after some time, and if a man was wealthy enough, he might take another wife. Not everything recorded in the Bible is encouraged by God! It’s possible that Elkanah married Peninnah upon discovering Hannah couldn’t bear children. Elkanah loved Hannah and tried to make up for her lack of children with other things, but Hannah knew having his children was the greatest privilege. It was often thought in antiquity it was a curse from God to be barren. But God knows the unique struggle of women wanting children and provides comfort to the hurting heart.
When Israel arrived at the Jordan river, it was at flood stage, possibly ½ mile wide, with 15-20 feet deep rushing water. Normally, it may have taken 3 months for the water level to drop so they could walk, swim, or barge across. But when God is ready, He waits for no man and stalls for no nature. When the priests with the ark touched the water and it stopped flowing, they stood in the middle of the river. Israel then focused on the ark so they would know the way to go. Your focus dictates your future! As a nomadic people, Israel shouldn’t have escaped Egypt, survived 40 years in the desert, and crossed the Jordan river. Yet like all drama stories, God will often lead to the impossible, so He can do the incredible. Pursuing the Author guarantees you’re in the right story!
On the eve of crossing into Canaan, Joshua told Israel to consecrate themselves. Special movements of God can require special preparation from God’s people. He then put the priests carrying the ark of the covenant to lead the crossing ¾ mile ahead. Joshua then proclaimed God’s promise and told the priests to step into the Jordan. Victory is never attained without the possibility of failure. Touching the water, it heaped up (Heb. nêd, ‘to pile up, mound’) 18 miles upstream at Adam (modern Damia, Jabbok/Zarqa river) so all of Israel walked over on dry ground as at the Red Sea (Ex. 14:22)! The journey to victory begins with the first step of faith forward. When God leads the way, believers should go the way!Often, God’s promise isn’t produced without personal participation.
Forty years previously, Joshua was sent to spy out Canaan with 11 other spies. They were to discover who and what was in the land and give a report. Returning to Israel, 10 spies gave a faithless report, but Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to faithfully move forward. Instead of listening to them, in fear, Israel abandoned God’s directives. So, God judged their faithlessness and all the adults died over the next 40 years in the desert except for Caleb and Joshua (Num. 13:1, 25-33; 14:34-38). Now, Joshua sent in two of his own spies (spies redux—possibly sons of the first spies!) to discover the best way forward. Sometimes the best leadership lessons come from watching the failure of others and learning what not to do!Information is king. God expects His people to be wise and make the best decisions with current information. God expects believers to walk in faith not stupidity.
After Moses died, God told Joshua that His purpose for the people still remained. He was to lead Israel through the Jordan river and claim the land that God had given them (Josh. 1:2). Victory starts with the beginning of a reason for it. Joshua saw the purpose was bigger than himself, so he needed to rally others to the cause (Josh. 1:6). Leaders lead. Good leaders lead with purpose. Great leaders lead with great purpose. The greater the purpose, the greater need to transfer passion. A purpose must be relayed, reconnected, and reinvigorated to the next generation or it will be retired.
After the death of Jacob/Israel in Egypt (c. 1885 BC; Gen. 49:33), his twelve sons continued to live and propagate until hundreds of years later the family of Israel had become a ‘nation’. Fearing Israel would turn against them in war, the Egyptians enslaved them until they were rescued by Moses (Ex. 1:10; Ps. 77:20). Because of unbelief they were not allowed to go into the Promised Land (modern Israel) but wandered in the desert for 40 years where God still mercifully took care of them (Neh. 9:20, 21). Even during human failure, God is faithful, so people should be thankful. Believers are to reference the past but not reside there.
The Passover festival, which remembered when the angel of death ‘passed over’ Israelite houses covered by the blood of a lamb, was about to happen in Jerusalem (Ex. 12:21-23). On his way to the festival, Jesus stopped with his disciples at the house of Lazarus in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem. This was where he had previously raised him from the dead showing his power over life and death (John 11:25, 26, 38-44). Learn from the best, the student is only as good as the teacher (Luke 6:39, 40)! After having given his disciples a physical lesson on the resurrection, Jesus sends two of them to get a colt. With Jesus, there are no minor errands!
Working and labor isn’t a necessary evil of life, but a way of glorifying God (Eccl. 2:24; Col. 3:23). Even land was expected to produce or it was viewed as worthless (Gen. 3:17, 18; Heb. 6:8). However, God didn’t expect people, animals, or land to be worked to death, but to rest from producing also. In His mercy, He told Israel and their animals to take a day off every 6 days, and the land to take a year off every 6 years (Heb. shabbâth, ‘to stop, intermission’; Ex. 20:8-11; Lev. 25:1-5, 20-22). Just as God didn’t have to take as long as 6 days to create the universe, neither did He have to rest on the 7 th day (Gen. 1:31-2:3). He did both to give humanity a pattern on how to live—work hard and be productive, and rest completely and be in peace.
At the beginning, God didn’t have to make anything, but chose to create the universe for His own creative pleasure and satisfaction (Gen. 1:31; Rev. 4:11). God sets the standard of work— personal pleasure comes from personal performance.
At the beginning, God created men and women to be attracted to one another in the deepest emotional, physical and spiritual bond through their sexual union (Gen. 1:28; 2:23, 24; SoS. 1:1-4, 12-2:7). Unlike animal sexuality, human sexuality is physical and spiritual, making it connected to morality based on the image of God. Sex is special like nuclear power—when under control it blesses people, when out of control it destroys lives. The Bible acknowledges the power of sex but always promotes and protects it within marriage. At the first marriage, God made their relationship ‘good’ and the first command was ‘have a lot of sex’! Even after sin, the married bed (Gr. koite, ‘couch’) was to picture pre-sin Eden.
The home was originally designed to be relationships of harmony. When God created Adam, He built him with needs that were only met by another person. At the first wedding in Eden, God presented Adam with a wife (Gen. 2:18-25). This first family shared a common God, DNA, and a desire to meet the other’s unique needs. God built men and women to live together, love together, and last together in harmony. Marriage is a mirror and a molder, designed to show you yourself and where change is needed. Marriage wasn’t made to make you primarily happy, but primarily holy!