Heavenly Minded for Some Earthly Good

Today we read Ezekiel 12-14 and Revelation 5.

In Revelation 5 we get a picture of the heavenly choir.
Revelation 5. 11-12  -¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,¹² saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait.  I'm not trying to rush the transition, but I am trusting the Lord for whatever lies in eternity.  How do you get ready for such a choir?  Sunday Morning Worship.  Sunday Worship is just practice for all eternity. 

...So...

When Sunday rolls around, act like you are practicing for heavenly worship...and look like it too.

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!  Think on those thoughts today. 

Heavenly and Holy

Today we read Ezekiel 8-11 and Revelation 4. 

The book of Revelation (not Revelations) is a fascinating book to study and it is also amazing what some people pull out of it.  I want to challenge you on this reading to try to pull out the message of Revelation.  We get so caught up trying to find out what is going to happen in our tomorrows and what is going to happen to us (where is America in Revelation?, etc.) that we miss the meaning that the Holy Spirit inspired John to write to the seven churches that the revelation is addressed to in Revelation 2 and 3.

In Revelation 4 John is taken up into heaven to see what is going on there.  He is actually moved like this 'in the Spirit' several times between heaven and earth.  It shows for us that while 'this' happens on earth, 'this' is going on in heaven.  I compare to a two story house.  The bottom floor is the events of earth.  The top floor is the events of heaven.  John, 'in the Spirit', gets to go up and down the 'steps' several times to see what is going on.

In Revelation 2 & 3 we got to see what was going on with the seven churches on earth.  We got to see  from the Spirit's perfect perception the good, bad, and ugly.  Meanwhile, in Revelation 4 notice what is happening in heaven.


Revelation 4.6-8 -And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: ⁷ the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. ⁸ And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

These four living creatures around the throne represent the living things of the earth.  The lion is the king of the wild frontier and represents those type animals.  The ox is the king of domesticated animals and represents them.  The eagle is the king of the air and so represents them.  The man is the king of the earthly living things and so represents us.   Notice that when they have the ability to see all things (the many eyes), what do they do?  They spend all their time giving praise to The Lord.  

Now there are a lot of little things here that we don't have time for right now, but don't miss the overarching message:  at the name of Jesus or the the throne of God every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.  We are challenged to do that on earth...meanwhile...all of heaven does it.  

Let's live heavenly today and give God praise.

Wake Up!

Today we read Ezekiel 4-7 and Revelation 3.

In the letter to Sardis that is found at the first of Revelation 3, I believe there is a message for all of us.  Revelation 3.1b-2- I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive,but you are dead. ² Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 

Regardless of your reputation, God knows your heart.  You may have a wonderful reputation and everyone believes you are a grand Christian.  Please do not forget, however, that God knows the heart.  You may have a reputation of one that has started for The Lord but has had a tough time making headway.  Please do not forget, however, that God sees your heart. 

The good news is that he is not done with any of us as long as He gives us breath. Regardless of what others think,  God knows our hearts and wants to work in each and every one of them. We simply need to wake up to the reality that we are not dead, God is not dead, and God is at work in us until we see Him face to face.

In other words, wake up!  We've got work to do.

Letters From God

Today we read Ezekiel 1-3 and Revelation 2. 

In Revelation 2 we have the first half of seven, individual letters to strategic churches in Asia Minor during difficult days in the first century.  Pagan religions were rampant and the Roman Empire seemed to be dominant.  Some Christians tried to stand strong, but many times, got too lax with the cultural standards and too weak in tolerating idolatry.  These letters are personal words  or letters from The Lord about what his 'eyes like a flame of fire' (Rev. 1.14) were seeing in their lives and their churches.  Can you imagine what John experienced on the island of Patmos as he heard these words from a voice that sounded 'like the roar of many waters.' (Rev. 1.15)?

These personalized messages tell me a few things about our Lord.  They give me hope and warning.  To the church of Ephesus Jesus said in Revelation 2.3-4 -I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. ⁴ But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 
First, it tells me we have an understanding God.  He sees our efforts and is very aware that we are not perfect, yet He is still speaking to us and is still willing to guide us.  His grace is amazing. 

It also tells me that His Standard does not change.  We are not to back up in our commitment to the Lord just because we face hard times.  We are instead to be faithful to Him and live as if He is our heart's first and primary love. 

It also tells me that He speaks to us and we need to listen.  God still speaks.  Primarily He speaks through His Word as we read it and by the power of the Holy Spirit working in our heart, He personalizes and customizes that message.   However, be clear, God still speaks...

...And we are to still listen....even today.   Follow His Lead and have a good one.

In The Midst

I have the joy this morning of writing on one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture.  In 2004 after finishing all of my doctoral seminars, I had finished all my requirements except the dissertation.  I struggled with what to write on.  I had always wanted to do indepth research on the book of Revelation and gain a better understanding of it.  I had never really been satisfied with what I had read and heard.  Most, that I have heard or read, believe that the entire book concerns what will happen in our tomorrows with no true revelance to the 1st century (at least, that they would spend any time on).  Others that I had read simply saw it has history and not as futuristic at all.  I firmly believe the answer is somewhere in between.  So I set out to start studying the book of Revelation.   The study culminated with a 250 plus page dissertation on the book, followed by a year long sermon series. 

I said all that to say:  my favorite passage in all of the book of Revelation is the following: ¹² Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.- Rev. 1.12-13

The lampstands represent the seven churches that the revelation was written to.  Those seven churches sat on a Roman postal route and the letter was intended to be copied by each and passed on.  The churches were under the pressure of the Roman Empire and looking for answers in the darkness of their world.  When John writes from the island of Patmos, his place of exile, he writes to give them hope in the midst of their circumstances.  How did he do that?  He begins by telling them how grand Christ is and where Christ is: walking among them...Christ is the midst of the lampstands.  The lampstands represent them.  

So where is God when the hard times come?  He is in the midst.  He is in there with you.  You are not alone.  He is In The Midst and in your midst.

Rest in that today.

Contagious

Today we read Jeremiah 50-51 and 3 John.

3 John 1.2-4 -Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. ³ For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers^[a] came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

The wellness of the soul is never based on the news of the times.  The Soul Stabilizer is not weakened or strengthened by what is going on around us.  We need to be leaning on Him and 'walking in His truth' even when we do not understand and even when it is not easy.  

The joy of such a walk is contagious.  Be contagious today! 

Face to Face

Today we read Jeremiah 37-39, Psalm 79, and 2 John.

As I was reading 2 John 1.12 this morning, it once again reminded me of the day that I had yesterday.

Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

A week ago we moved Dawn's father into a local nursing home here in town.  Since then, we have been blessed to spend time with him daily.  Yesterday morning I was on my morning walk and popped in on him for a few minutes.  W.C. has a lot of sufferings of long term illness and one of these is a mind that is demented.  Usually about one-third of what we talk about is spot on.   Yesterday, I made small talk with him asking him about breakfast, his rest, and how he felt.  In the course of the conversation, he told me that some of the ladies had been reading to him. I only know of him reading some passages to them, but I probed on. I asked him if he wanted me to read to him.  He said I could.  I read 1 John 5, a portion of my devotional reading yesterday.  I talked about life in Christ and then asked him how long he had known the Lord.  I love hearing people's testimonies and I was also just seeing what he could remember.  He shared specifically where he was, when it was, and mentioned a man and a church that played a significant role in his salvation and baptism!! 

I have been floating ever since!  What a powerful, crystal clear testimony!  The things of God just broke through a clouded mind and we rejoiced for a few minutes about seventy years of salvation.  

I think that is what John was talking about in 2 John 1.12.  Go to church today and talk about what the Lord has done in your life face to face. 

Hot Dogs and Life

Today we read Jeremiah 33-34,  Psalm  74, and I John 5.

Anybody that knows me knows that I love to eat.  I plan trips around the restaurants that are on the way.  I don't smoke or drink or run with women that do (I don't run with women anyway), but I like to eat.  I am not impressed with fancy.  A branch of pine on a plate is a bad sign to me.   They could have put a vegetable there.  Not impressed with dessert drizzles.  I will take an unpresentable bowl of 'naner' pudding anytime.   I like the hole in a wall restaurant that has a specialty and sticks to it.  For instance, one of my favorite restaurants is a hot dog joint.  All they sale are hot dogs, chips, and drinks (in the bottle).  No alcohol, no profanity, and no music.  Not 50 different kinds of hot dogs....just two...with or without.  Yet, there is hardly a time I go to upstate South Carolina that I don't eat at one of the spots called Skin's Hot Dogs.

I know you don't care about me and my hot dogs, but I want you to understand how I rank good.  It does not have to be fancy, royal, or plush.  It just needs to be good.

That is the way I look at life too.  I don't need everything the world can offer me.  I actually need the one thing that this world cannot offer me.  I need something 'out of this world.'    That is what I was reminded of this morning as I read 1 John 5.4 - Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

Jesus even says in John 10.10 that He has come to give us life to the fullest or life abundant.   That is what I am living for...that is who I am living for.

I hope you are....and I hope you have a great day!

A Victorious Friday

Today we read Jeremiah 31-32 and 1 John 4.

I am hoping for victory today for the football Toppers.  The first game of the year is always an exciting time.

Jeremiah 31.30 serves as a quick reminder for our Friday.  But everyone shall die for his own iniquity.  Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge. 

Does that feel cold and harsh for your Friday?  It is not meant to.  It just serves as a reminder that your wrongdoing today is only the fault of...you.   We need not blame anyone else.  No excuses today.  If I do wrong, it is on me.

We may find that we have a cleaner, more victorious Friday!  I hope you do.

Lay It Down

Today we read Jeremiah 28-30 and 1 John 3.

Jesus gave His life for us.  How should we respond?  Well, we should first give our lives to Him.  He provides us the opportunity of eternal salvation with our self-surrender.   He gives us much more than we ever could.  It is an offer we need to take quickly and wholeheartedly.

We also respond by giving our lives for others.  1 John 3.16-By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  Laying down our lives for others is not so much dying for them, but living for them. 

As Christ thought (and thinks) of us, we ought to think of others.  Let's share the love that He has invested in us with others.   

Look for opportunities today and have a great day!

Today Could Be THAT Day

Today we read Jeremiah 21, 24, 27, Psalm 118, and 1 John 2. 

I am not a fatalist.  I am typically an optimist....maybe too much of a realist...but in an optimistic way.  However, when I speak of the return of the Lord, I do not speak of it negatively, but as a reality that I am optimistic about.  What if He returned today? Have you thought about it lately?
1 John 2.28  got me thinking about it.  John writes- And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 

If you were to stand before the Lord today, would you do it hanging your head in shame or with a head up trying to take it all in?  Let's live for Him, love for Him, and abide in Him, so that when that day appears, we shall do it without fear. 

You know it could be today!  Live like it is!

Life Changing Change

Today we read Jeremiah 48-49, Psalm 67, and John 1. 

I am thankful today for a reminder of one of the greatest Biblical truths that I often reflect on  I John 1.9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It would be one thing if God was faithful to attempt to do something for us and our sin problem.  That effort and thought would be nice.  It would be another if God was able and had the power and had paid the price for our sin, our greatest problem. It would be reassuring to serve a God like that.  However, that is not the case. We, instead, serve our God who is both willing and able to forgive us of all our sins and cleanse us from every bit of unrighteousness in our lives. 

Celebrate that today by being cleansed and by telling others that they can come as they are and be forever changed.  

What a life changing truth!  Let it change your day and have a blessed day!

What Would You Write?

Today we read Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 105, and John 21.

Yesterday I focused on the last verse of the next to last chapter of John.  Today I focus on the last verse of the last chapter of John. I lean on them because John closes out giving an overall perspective.  He puts an effective summary on the whole book that is practical and helpful.  Yesterday we looked at how the events of Jesus were written so that we could have life in Jesus' Name.  Today we look at John's last statement in his gospel.  It is found in  John 21.25 -  
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

We know that we do not have all the events of Jesus' life mentioned in the Gospels.  We read nothing about his teenage years or his life from twelve to thirty.  Why?  John says there is no way to contain all the events, all the powerful words, and all the life changes.  Therefore, what we have are the events that the Holy Spirit inspired the writers to include.  

Today ponder on the events of your life that you would share...that you will share...those events in which Jesus has powerfully effected your life.  Not only will such reflection strengthen you in your walk.  It will also strengthen your testimony as you reflect upon the impact that Christ has made on you and that you can share with others. 

Reflect and share today.  

Life In His Name

Today we read Jeremiah 26, 35, 36, and John 20.

At the end of John 20 a great explanation is given about the information that is found in the book of John.  With that understanding also comes a promise.
John 20.31- ...these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Do you believe?  Do you have life in His Name?

If so, worship Him today with your community of believers in the House of God.  Have a great day!

Never Alone

Today we read Jeremiah 23-25 and John 19.

Regardless of the bad spot you may find yourself in today, God knows where you are and God will take care of His Children who have committed their lives to Him.  Judah was in a rough spot.  They were in exile, too far from home. What a sweet promise the Lord gave them:

Jeremiah 24.5-7 -  “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. ⁶ I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. ⁷ I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

It is promising to know that we are not alone today.  God is right there in the midst with us.  We will not be alone tomorrow.  He is already there.  Rest in that today!

Dark Doings

Today we read 2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 112, and John 18. 

The things done in the dark!  My, my, my!  Criminals do more crime in the dark. The unfaithful do more unfaithfulness in the dark. Kids do more damage in the dark.  Even as I write this, I have a puppy running around on the floor in front of me that keeps running to the back of the house (the dark end at 5 AM) to do puppy things in the dark.  The truth will be revealed a little later.  The dark can get you in trouble.

The real estate agents say "Location, location, location!" makes the difference.  It does for many spiritually as well. Some people get out of their town for a weekend and lose their head.  Some people drive across the county line and lose their testimony.  Some folks just do better at home.

Momma always said, "Watch the company you keep." Some folks can't help but hang with other folks that drag them down.  Make it your place to lift others up instead of being dragged down.  If you can't, stay away from them....at home...with the light on!

The pressure got put on Peter when he was with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time.  When the sun came up and the cock crowed, he came to his senses and realized what he had done.  John 18.27-  Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Live in the light today...close to home (at least spiritually)...and lifting up people and making them stronger, instead of wandering around like the prodigal doing stuff in the dark with a bunch of losers. As Momma used to say, "You're better than that!"

Have a great day...in the Light!

A Burning Inside

Today we read Jeremiah 18-20, Psalm 93, and John 17.

It was not that the prophet Jeremiah always felt comfortable with what he was to share.  It was not that he always understood what he was saying in its entirety.  He shared it because God gave him a charge to be His mouthpiece.  He shared it because he knew that it was what God wanted him to say. He shared because he had a compelling to share that he could not hold in.  In a prayer to God, Jeremiah explained it like this-   If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in.

In other words he had a bad case of the can't-help-its.  God had spoken a word to him and he had to let others know. He was changed by the message of God.  

Have you been changed by the message of God?  If you have been, God has commissioned you as well to share what you know with who you know any chance that you know that you can.  It is the same calling and clarity as Jeremiah? No.  In some ways it is much better though.  You see, Jeremiah's message only pointed to the future hope of Christ.  Now that Christ has come, the message is clear.  Christ has made it clear...in the Word....and in our hearts.  

May the hope of the good news of Christ so burn within your bones today that you cannot help but share it!

Take Heart, My Friend

Today we read Jeremiah 16 & 17, Psalm 96, and John 16.

I just want to encourage you today to keep it all in perspective.  The words that Jesus spoke in John 16.33 help us do that- I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Don't be surprised when this day throws you some curve balls.  Don't be shocked when you face some stuff that you did not expect to face.  Don't be startled when you don't handle some things as well as you think you should.  You are going to have some trials.  Some things are not going to be easy.  However, be assured, you are not alone.  The One that walks with you will give you peace.  The One that empowers you has overcome the world.

He can handle your obstacle.  He can help you with your obstacle.  Take heart.

Tomato Patch Truths

Today we read Jeremiah 13-15 and John 15.

I grew up with a basketball goal in the driveway.  Behind the goal there was a slight hill and at the bottom of that hill was the family garden.  On the first row of that garden there were usually tomatoes growing.  When someone missed and missed badly (surely it was not me), that ball would roll down that hill, gain a lot of speed, and bust on up into the tomato plants.  Usually all was fine, but sometimes, those vines suffered a tad.   I soon learned to become the prop master.   If you worked hard and fast, you could prop the broken branches to look like they were just fine.

It worked...for a couple of days.  However, if the branch of the vine was compromised, the nutrition of the vine never reached the branch.  With that kind of compromise the leaf and the fruit would begin to die. I learned that fruit only grows like it should if the fruit is hooked to the branch and the branch to the vine.

Jesus had already taught us that in John 15.5- I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Don't let the ever-coming, errant basketballs of your life disrupt your connection to the vine.  Do not merely try to prop yourself up spiritually and look healthy.  Hey, branch stay hooked to the vine daily!  Beautiful fruit can come. 

The Reminder

Today we read Jeremiah 10-12 and John 14.

In John 14 Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure.  He promises that the Holy Spirit would come to them and lead them, empower them, and equip them.  He calls the Spirit the helper.  Notice what He helps us with in John 14.26- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

He reminds us of the things that God shows us and tells us.  How does God show us that?  He shows us through His Word.  He shows us through life's events.  Take in the Word daily.  Reflect on what God has done for you.  The Holy Spirit will flood your life with sweet reminders.  

Those reminders are daily blessings.  Be blessed today!

Working Hard For Nothing

Today we read Jeremiah 7-9 and John 13.

In the days before the Bible was bound together and all the words written, God would rise up prophets to share the message of the Lord.  False prophets that said they were of God would come along too, but real, set apart, God ordained prophets would rise up and share His message with faithfulness.  It was not always proper.  As a matter of fact, usually the message was not desirable and the prophet was not appreciated by the majority of the people that he spoke to.   Jeremiah was such a prophet.  He had a burden and it was heavy upon his heart.  One of his prime concerns was pagan, godless, idol worship.  The people worked hard at worshiping something they could see when all they worshiped was what they could see. There was nothing that really made a difference in their worship.
 Jeremiah was encouraging them to worship the God that was much more than they could ever put their hands on.  Read how he describes their efforts toward idol worship in  Jeremiah 7.18- The children gather wood, the fathers kindle fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven. And they pour out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger.
The queen and the gods that he was speaking of are simply different descriptions of their idol worship.  They worked hard at it, (didn't they?)  although it is worth nothing.  
I could not help but think this morning about the stuff that takes so much of our time, effort, and resources that amount to nothing gained.  Our idols are not made of wood or metal (well, maybe they are), and they are not statues to kneel before.  Our idols today are the things that we spend our time, resources, and energy on that don't amount to anything that really lasts.  What are those idols?  Well, that is the question of the day.  
Ponder on possible idols in your life and the time, resources, and energy you spend on things that will not last.   Enjoy worship today in your church and give God the Glory He deserves!

Regardless

Today we read Jeremiah 3 & 4 and John 11.

Jesus walked up on a horrible scene.  A dear brother and a dear friend had died.  They had called for Christ to come earlier.  He did not come at the time or in the way that they had hoped.  Now it seemed hope was lost.   However, it was not.  Jesus told them in  John 11.40-Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 

Jesus told them a truth that echoes hope to each and every one of us.  
Whether he intervenes today or somewhere in our tomorrows....
Whether it is the way we expect or it is not...
Whether He appears on time or we wonder where He is...
Whether we understand it or we have thoughts of dismay....
Whether it is big and miraculous or small and meaningful....
Regardless of the circumstances, if we will hold out faith that God will intervene or understand that He already has, we will see His Glory.

Whether in this life or the next....
For today, let's take Him at His Word and watch how He works in us. 

Have a great day!

What Well Do You Drink From?

Today we read Jeremiah 1-2 and John 10.

I don't understand it.  I provide good, fresh water but they keep going back to the dirty water.  I have two dogs: a three month old miniature schnauzer and a three year old Heinz 57 hound walk-up.   Whoo (pronounced Who) spends most of the day outside chasing squirrels and keeping us safe from birds,  mail carriers, delivery dudes, and sanitation workers.  Deacon is young and indoors most of the time. Weighing in at four lbs. we are just trying to keep him safe from himself and our feet.   There is a bowl of clean water inside for them to share and a bowl of the same outside right at the back door.  It is watched carefully and replenished when needed and refreshed more often than that.  However, there is a container in the backyard that collects rain water.   It is a seldom used toy of my daughter that has naturally become a rain water collector.  If I don't empty it, it will become a place of stagnate water, a den of mosquitoes and whatever else water can bring us. It will also become a huge water bowl for my dog.  Thankfully the youngest is too small to see it yet.  The other, sometimes, gets her a lick or two out of it.

The question is: Why?  Fresh water at the back door or stale water in a manmade puddle in the yard.
It would seem obvious, yet, I will hear a lapping in the backyard from time to time.   That is hard to understand.  The Lord has that kind of frustration with us.  He talks about it in Jeremiah 2.15-
for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me,
    the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
    broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Christ Jesus gives us the everlasting well of fresh, new life to enjoy, to celebrate, to honor, and cherish.  Yet, too often we go back to our ways of living instead of his.  Too often, we do it our way when His way is so much cleaner, fresher, and better. 

Let's don't drink from our own empty, waste water resources. Let's depend upon Him daily for all we need through His Word, prayer, and obedience.  

Have a great and refreshing day!

All You Know

Today we read Zephaniah 1-3 and John 9.

In John 9 there is an account of a blind man being healed by Jesus.  The event took place at a time when the leaders of the church of that day were trying to corner Jesus and somehow silence him.  They would ask him trumped up questions or try to find witnesses to say the wrong things about him.  They went after this healed blind man as well.  He could not answer all their questions.  He just knew he had been changed.  In reference to Jesus the healed man says- “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”- John 9.25.  The man  did not know all there was to know about Jesus. He did not know where He came from, who He really was, or what theology was behind Him.  He just knew that his life had been changed. 

I want to encourage you to learn as much as you can about Christ. The knowledge of Christ is a well so deep that you could never reach the bottom of it.  I want to encourage you (and try to through this blog) to study God's Word and learn all that you can, apply all you learn, and live for the Lord.   In the meantime, learn from this healed man:  share what you know about Christ.  Never underestimate your own testimony of the power of God in your life.  God loves to use the stories of changed lives to change others.

Learn all you can, but you don't have to know it all to tell all you know.

Free!

Today we read Habakkuk 1-3 and John 8.

They were ready to go after her about her sin.  Jesus then dealt with them about their own sins.  That broke up the crowd.  He then looked at her and spoke life changing words.
John 8.10-11 -Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

He is a forgiving God.  He is a life-changing God.  What does He expect in return?  He expects repentance.  He expects us to walk away from our sins and leave them in the same place that others' stones have been dropped.  When we do, we walk in freedom.  Until then, we will never be free.

May you be free today!

Don't Miss This!

Today we read 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 35, and John 7.

I have been around people all my life that appreciate Jesus.  Many have committed their lives to Him.  Others just speak kindly of Him.  Few have been antagonistic toward Him.   However, too many miss  Him.  They know a lot about Him, are close to the action, but never get really involved.  That is not that odd...even his own brothers missed Him for a time.  John 7.5 tells us- For not even his brothers believed in him.

Now his brothers came around and became strong leaders in the church and writers of the New Testament, however, it did not start like that. 

The good news is that it is not too late to believe in Jesus.  It is one thing to commit your life to Him.  It is quite another to simply affliate with His Church or speak highly of "the man upstairs."  You need to surrender your own life and ways and follow the instruction, direction, and commission of Christ.  It is a life commitment.  Don't ever let others' watered down approach confuse you.   You need Jesus at the center of your life.  Whether you are late in life or barely reading this, I encourage you to commit your life to Christ today.  

His brothers were slow in following, but when they got, God really used them.  He will use you mightily as well if you give your life to Him.  

Finding the Word

Today we read 2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 34, and John 6.

When Josiah was king, he brought reform and got people back to God's Word.  He had them cleaning up the house of God and an amazing discovery came about.  2 Chronicles 34. 14 tells us about it: While they were bringing out the money that had been brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given through Moses. 
They found God's Word in the clean out of the church!  What is so amazing about that?  The amazing thing is that the Word was lost but they kept having church.   God's Word has to be at the center of all we do.  It is not something to be neglected.  It is not something to be ignored.  It is not something that is to be just referred to.  It is not something used just ceremonially. God's Word is to be a center of all we do in the church.

Let's dig a little deeper.  God's Word is to be at the center of our lives.  It is not to be neglected, ignored, simply referred to, or nostalgically appreciated.   It is to be a crucial part of our lives daily.

Let's dig into God's Word today in church.  I am and I hope to see you there.

Today's Hat Hanger

Today we read Nahum 1-3 and John 5.

It is a simple truth today.  It is not a truth that is circumstantial to the context in which it is written.  It is just true and something we need to be reminded of today.

John 5.17- But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

God is at work.  He is working in you, around you, and in those around you.  Remember that today.  Hang your hat on that today and have a blessed day. 

Just One Chapter

Today we read 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, and John 4.

If you ever run into anyone who does not believe they need Jesus, just take them to John 4.

v.13-14- Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 
He has water that satisfies forever and brings eternal life.

v.33- But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”
He has food you don't know anything about.  That food, however, what gives Him the subsistence He needs, is to do the work that the Father shows Him to do in and through our lives.

v.39- Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”
He knows more about you than you do and yet loves you beyond what anyone could ever love you.

v.50- Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
He gives life...and life that last forever.

We will never thirst.  He lives off doing a work in us.  He knows us best and loves us most.  He brings life eternal. 

And that is just one chapter of His Word.   Believe Him and Share Him. 

When You're Down and Out

Today we read Isaiah 65-66, Psalm 62, and John 3.

I am aware of a lot of burdens that people are carrying these days.  I don't know if it just seems to be a time of greater crisis for those around me or I am just more aware than normal.  Either way, a lot of folks are burdened and, as we bear one another's burdens, so I carry some burdens.  I hate to see people hurt.  I hate to see them suffer.  I hate to see them struggle.   Prayer is a powerful tool and intercessory prayer is especially special.  God works through such as that.  Yet, even with that, we sometimes feel as if we wish we could do more.

I know of one thing we can do, whether it is our personal burden or we are walking with those who are hurting:  we can trust in the Lord.  We can give it to Him.  We can hide in Him.  Psalm 62.8 spoke to me this morning about that:  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us.

Whatever it is that is riding hard on you these days, give it to the Lord.  He can handle it and He can comfort you.

Have a great day!