cross

The Message of the Three Crosses

9:00 AM

 

Have you ever wondered why there were three crosses that fateful day and what was the significance of each? I hope you'll never look at the three crosses the same way again after today. 

 There was a hill just outside the city of Jerusalem known as Golgotha, which is often translated today as Calvary. Long ago the Roman soldiers raised three crosses on this hill and what happened next changed the world! 

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”-Luke 23:32-34a

Most people like to focus on the center cross, but today, I'd like us to focus on all three, for each is very significant. 

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.’ But the other, answering rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you today you will be with Me in Paradise” -Luke 23:39-43


The First Cross was The Cross of Rejection 

"...one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.’

IF!? 
Such a small word, but so powerful here in this statement, for it holds the power to destroy a soul. It's clear in this thief's statement that his sins did not bother him even though he is about to die. He wasn't sorry for all he had done, but was simply searching for a way out of his predicament.  

Jesus, Himself was very clear when He said, "  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6)

John once admitted in his gospel that there was plenty of evidence to point to Jesus as being the Messiah,  “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30,31) Yet men still reject Him in spite of the evidence even today. 


Max Lucado once wrote:

“You don’t turn your back on Christ, but you don’t turn toward him either.
You don’t curse his name, but neither do you praise it.”

Rejecting Jesus can seem very subtle at times, but The Bible is very clear- we are either for Jesus or against Him. We either believe or we don't believe. There has never been any middle ground. 


The Second Cross was The Cross of Repentance 


"But the other, answering rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ 


Notice this thief's faith and reverence in Jesus' presence in spite of all the pain he is in. He begins by recognizing Jesus as who He is,  “Do you not even fear God?”

  • And then immediately admits his own guilt when he says, “We receive the due reward of our deeds.”
  • He expresses his belief that Jesus was suffering “wrongfully”. But “this Man has done nothing wrong.”
  • He then openly confesses Jesus' deity when he calls Him “Lord.”
  • And lastly, we see genuine repentance and humility, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Here on this second cross is the perfect picture of repentance, for repentance is simply a change of heart. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says it best: “For godly sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation..." (AMP)


The Third Cross was The Cross of Redemption 


"'And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you today you will be with Me in Paradise'” 


Someone once said that the greatest thing about this day is that there wasn't any miracles preformed that day. Jesus took on the weight of all our sins and died; paying sin's penalty for each of us. Here we have the picture of redemption. 


Jesus our Redeemer dying for the sins of the world. By His blood only we can be brought back to God. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”


It was a cross of suffering. Isaiah 52:14 tells us, "Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness" (emphasis mine)

A cross of shame and reproach reserved for the vilest of criminals, and Jesus suffered the mocking and verbal abuse of the people who had come to witness His crucifixion that day.

Our Lord was under no obligation to pay our debts for all we have done. Someone had to suffer for sin, so he was willing. Peter reminds us, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the un-just, that He might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit”- 1 Peter 3:18


Why would Jesus choose to give up all the glories of heaven to come down to this sinful earth to die for our sins? 

I believe John said it best in  1 John 4:9-10, “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Each one of us must choose the cross we will look to, for along with the two criminals on either side of Jesus, we too must choose between two eternal destinies:

  • Eternal separation from God.
  • Or Paradise with Jesus
I pray you too will hear your Savior say, "One day you shall be with Me in paradise."

Blessings, 

Sue

Becky Austin

Eve: God’s Promises

4:00 PM

 

Throughout time and throughout the world, the story of Eve is known. Eve was a very special part of God’s creation for she was created to be the ultimate partner and helpmate to Adam. 

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭


Adam and Eve were perfect partners and they were provided an amazing Earthly life. They were given everything they needed in the lush Garden of Eden and they enjoyed an intimate relationship with their Creator. They were loved by their Creator who wanted only the best for them. 

Perhaps when you read of her transgression you may wonder how could she have wanted more? Why did she doubt Her Creator? Why did she desire to be more than she was created to be?   


Whatever the reasons, I imagine that she fully regretted her foolish choices. She was the first to sin and suffer the consequences of sin. Not only was she removed from the Garden and God’s presence there but she also had to watch her sin impact all of mankind. Because of the first sin, we are all born with a sinful nature. As women, we also share in the consequences of being a woman in a fallen world:

“To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”” Genesis‬ ‭3:16‬ 


As disappointed and heartbroken as God was with Eve’s transgression, however, His love for her did not change. Her actions brought spiritual death but God’s love for humanity was so great that He was willing to provide a redemptive plan. Satan may have scored a small victory through tempting Eve but Eve was promised that through her seed, Satan would ultimately be defeated. He warned Satan:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”” Genesis‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬


That promise, the promise of a Savior, was made to redeem not only the sin of Adam and Eve but every sin that separates us from God as well. 

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭


God gave Eve instructions and choices. God gives us instructions and choices as well. Love is not something forced. It is always a choice. Satan knows how to tempt us and he tries to deceive us just as He did Eve in the garden so long ago. Because of our sinful nature we are born enslaved to sin and spiritually dead. But, because of Jesus and His redemptive sacrifice that pays the price of our sins, we share in all the promises that come with accepting Him as our Savior. We all have a chance to one day know the wonder of Heaven and being restored to an eternity spent in the presence of our Creator. 


For Reflection:

Do you sometimes doubt God’s intentions and goodness? 

Do you ever feel like God’s instructions limit you from something you desire?

Do you notice that the consequences of your sins impact the lives of others?

Do you share in the promises of knowing Jesus as your Lord and Redeemer? 


End Times

Look Up! {Luke 21}

5:00 PM



Monday Feb. 3, “Walking in Wisdom”


When I visited New York City, one of my favorite sights was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I was blown away by the size, beauty, and majesty of the church. I’m sure the disciples felt that same awe and amazement as they marveled at the Jewish temple with its exquisite stones, and many gifts dedicated to God. “The Jewish historian Josephus says that the temple was covered on the outside with gold plates that were so brilliant, when the sun shone on them it was blinding to look at. And where there was no gold, there were blocks of marble of such a pure white, that strangers from a distance thought there was snow on the temple.” (David Guzik)

So I can just imagine the shock and amazement of the disciples when Jesus says of the temple, “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be one stone upon another which will not be torn down.” (vs. 6) Immediately they questioned Him asking, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (vs. 21:7) Jesus responds by giving a series of signs that would signal His return. “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” (vs. 21:10-11) But more than just signs, Jesus next gives a series of warnings. Warnings of things the Lord says will take place before the day of His glorious return. 

Don’t Be Misled- Many false prophets will come in Jesus’ name saying, “I am He”! And deceitful date setters will cry, “The time is near”! (vs. 8) So how do we guard ourselves against such people? By knowing the Word of God. Whatever teaching we hear, the first thing we need to do is to go to the Bible and make sure it is line with scripture. For as 2 Peter 1:20-21 teaches, “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. Measuring everything others say against what God says keeps us from falling prey to “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. (Matt. 7:10)

You Will Be Persecuted- “They will lay their hands on you”, and “Bring you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.” Following the Lord doesn’t ensure a life of peace. In fact, He says quite the opposite. He tells us that as Christians we will be betrayed, hated, and some of us even put to death. But to that Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.” (Matt. 10:28) When persecution comes, as it undoubtedly will, we are to stand not in our own strength, but in His. Every tribulation is an opportunity to share the gospel. And Jesus says that if we trust Him, He’ll give us the perfect words to speak; words that no one will be able to refute. 

Be On Guard- Just like sprouting leaves in the spring assures us that summer will soon follow, Jesus warns that when we see the signs fulfilled, “Recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” (vs. 21:31) He cautions us to keep watching, praying, and most of all, to guard our hearts. “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (vs. 21:36)  We need to keep our eyes on the prize, living in constant awareness of His soon return. For as Jesus declares, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (vs. 33)

With all of the anger and division in the world today, like King David, I too find myself crying out,”How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult.” (Ps. 94:3) How much longer before God cries, “Enough!” Yet I do not despair. For far from the world falling to pieces, instead the pieces of God’s plan are falling into place. Time’s are, as Pastor Adrian Rogers once said, “growing gloriously dark!” The season of the Lord’s return is upon us! So be on guard! Look up! “Straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” (vs. 21:28)



Forgiveness

God Forgives And Forgets {Hebrews 7:1-9:28}

11:27 PM




“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you”....Lewis B. Smedes

At its very heart, the message of the gospel is forgiveness. We are all born into sin and enemies of God, yet because of His unequaled love for us, from the beginning the Lord provided the way to forgiveness. First with the old covenant of blood sacrifices, to the most wonderful new covenant with the sacrifice of Jesus. And the forgiveness He so graciously extends to us He wants us to extend to others. “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32) I don’t know how many times I read that verse before it finally sunk in that the “others” God wants me to be kind, tender hearted, and forgiving to included myself. 

“For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (vs. 8:12) I have always been my own worst critic. Quick to forgive anyone, but not myself. First to speak a kind word to another, saving the harshest words in speaking to myself. Able to put the mistakes of others in the past, yet putting each of mine on a movie wheel that continuously plays in my head. God says that when we both confess and repent of our sins He not only forgives, He forgets. He wipes the slate clean. He clears the history. He destroys the evidence. He removes our sin from us, “as far as the east is from the west.” (Ps. 103:12). He remembers no more. So if God doesn’t remember, why can’t I forget? 

Two of the of the greatest weapons Satan has in his armory are guilt and shame, and he wields them generously. He whose name means Accuser does just that, whispering in our ears that we are unclean, unforgivable, unworthy, and unloved. He delights in reminding us of our past sins and tries to inject our hearts with feelings of doubts about God’s truth and love. And when we give him even an inch of opening, he takes full advantage turning that inch into a mile; taking up residence and building destructive strongholds in our minds. But He is a deceiver and not to be believed for, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) 

I love the quote by C.S. Lewis that says, “I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.” I hadn’t before considered that not forgiving myself was considered sin by God. John tells us, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9), Luke tells us, “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” (Acts.13:38) To doubt the truth of these words is to call God a liar and His promises untrue. Jesus while hanging on the Cross says with His final breath, “It is finished!” (John 19:39) The Lord declared all of our sins, past, present, and future, paid in full; forgiven forever. Because of His shed blood we are deemed righteous, and to think otherwise is to sinfully diminish His great sacrifice.

Knowing in your mind that you are forgiven is one thing, feeling it in your heart is another. But I once read that forgiveness takes place in the heart of God, not in our feelings. And God says that through faith in Jesus, and with confession and repentance, our sins are forgiven and forgotten. Our Father doesn’t want us dwelling on our past mistakes, stuck in a prison of guilt and shame. He wants us dwelling in His presence enjoying the victory of His peace, love and forgiveness. So the next time you find yourself listening to the lies of the Adversary, remember that you are forgiven by God. Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving of yourself. And when we joyfully forgive and forget, we can like David sing, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him." (Ps. 32:1-2)



1 John 2

Reconciliation (Philemon 1-25)

9:00 PM




Paul writes this brief letter to Philemon, a Christian brother, asking him to forgive and take back Onesimus (his former slave). Onesimus had run away from Philemon and apparently he had stolen from him. But now he has become a Christian and is helping Paul in prison.

As Paul greets Philemon showing his love and respect, he also appeals on behalf of “his spiritual son” Onesimus:

“I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.” (12-14)

Paul’s appeal is powerful because he stood beside a guilty man and said to the owner of the slave, “I know this man is a criminal and deserves punishment. Yet this slave is now of my family, so if you punish him punish me also. I stand beside him to take his punishment.” This is what Jesus does for us before our master, God the Father!

“My little children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that you will not sin and violate God’s law. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate [who will intercede for us] with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous [the upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action]. 2 And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)

“Here we see how Paul lays himself out for poor Onesimus, and with all his means pleads his cause with his master, and so sets himself as if he were Onesimus, and had himself done wrong to Philemon. Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus also does Paul for Onesimus with Philemon. We are all his Onesimi, to my thinking.” (Luther)

Now that Onesimus is in Christ he is not a slave of sin anymore, just as we were, too:

“For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.” (Titus 3:3)

In Christ Onesimus is now a useful person -by the fact: Onesimus means profitable, useful- (1:11)

 “It is significant to note that Paul claims that in Christ the useless person has been made useful.” (Barclay)

When Paul said to Philemon, “charge the wrong of Onesimus to my account,” (18-19) he essentially did for Onesimus what Jesus did for us in taking our sins to His account:

“ He personally carried our sins in His body on the [a]cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been [b]healed.” (2 Peter 2:24)

 Paul mentioned one more thing. “Philemon, remember that I have a lot of credit on your account, because you owe me even your own self besides.” Paul could afford to pay Onesimus’ expenses because there was a sense in which Philemon owed Paul his salvation!
Onesimus was obligated to return to his master. When we wrong somebody, we must do our best to set it right. We must make an effort for reconciliation!

“So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, 24 leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Mat. 5:23-24)

 Being made a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) does not end our responsibility to make restitution; it increases our obligation, even when restitution is difficult.

When Paul mentioned: “Knowing that you will do even more than I say” (21), he writes with confidence and hope, knowing through Philemon’s testimony (4-7), that he was a generous man. So that is why Paul could expect that Philemon would take Onesimus back, not as his slave but as a brother in Christ! (Gal. 3:28-29)

“Philemon was Paul’s son in the faith, yet he entreated him as a brother. Onesimus was a poor slave, yet Paul besought for him as if seeking some great thing for himself. Christians should do what may give joy to the hearts of one another. From the world they expect trouble; they should find comfort and joy in one another.” M. Henry

When I try to put myself in Philemon’s place I ask myself: “Would I have accepted Onesimus back into my house liberally, with joy and in total forgiveness?

“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave [a]you.” (Ephesians 4:32 AMP)
“… bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.” (Colossians 3:13 AMP)

I pray my Heavenly Father for this to become a reality in my life!
Mari




fellowship

The Grace In Which We Stand {Romans 3:1-5:21}

12:00 AM


“You cannot have grace without the cross. But because of the Cross, you have full access to His grace.”...Dr. Charles Stanley

The book of Romans is one of my favorites. To me it’s the most beautiful letter Paul wrote, and I often find myself turning to its chapters when I’m feeling particularly unlovable and unworthy of God; His love, and His blessings. I love what Martin Luther wrote about the book, “Romans is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.“

In these first chapters Paul makes it known in no uncertain terms that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (vs. 3:23) Salvation comes only through the unmerited favor of God and the work of Jesus on the Cross. Because of our faith in Him we are, "justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 3:24) Such a love our Father shows us in that when we who are guilty of breaking His law and owing a debt of death, instead of collecting our penalty He Himself laid down His own life in payment. That is God’s amazing grace. And it doesn’t stop there. For not only is God’s Grace the means by which we are saved, it also describes our standing before Him. But what does it mean to stand in God’s grace?

One of the ways the enemy keeps us downtrodden is by urging us to look at ourselves through fallen eyes. Fallen eyes see unworthiness, unforgiveness, guilt, and shame. Fallen eyes see the sin we commit daily and fill us with condemnation. Fallen eyes make us wonder how God could ever love such wicked sinners as ourselves. But because of our faith in Jesus when we stand before Him, God looks at us through perfect eyes filled with His grace. “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” (vs. 5:1-2) 

The grace in which we stand counts us as forgiven, and righteous. We are deemed worthy and are placed in high favor before God. Once His enemy, we are now reconciled to Him and can walk in peace, fellowship, and love; never to be separated from God again. His grace calls us His beloved children and gives us joy knowing that we were created for His glory and will be with Him in that glory forever. Standing in God’s grace means us that no matter what the world or Satan tries to tell us, we are wanted, we are loved, and we are His!

“When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirt, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5-6)

Our Heavenly Father is, “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10) He take us, who are forever and painfully undeserving, and offers us His gift of love and Salvation through no work of our own, instead giving His only Son as our payment in full. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (vs. 5:8) Once were like tarnished pieces of silver, but when we receive Jesus as our Savior, God polishes away the grime and pollution of sin until we become shining reflections of His light. He sees us as finished, perfect, and clothed in righteousness. All of this is because we stand in His grace. And I for for one can think of no better place to be!


End Times

God’s Pieces Are Falling Into Place {Luke 20-1:21:37}

12:00 AM




During the week leading up to His Crucifixion, Jesus spent His days in Jerusalem teaching in the temple, His nights on Mount Olive. There He shared with the disciples things that would happen in the end times. These teachings became known as the “Olivet Discourse”. Here in Luke, Jesus begins when some of the disciples comment on the beauty of the temple with it’s exquisite stones and many gifts dedicated to God. Hearing their words He said, “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be one stone upon another which will not be torn down. They questioned Him saying, ‘Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (vs. 21:7)

Jesus goes on to give a series of signs that would signal His return. “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” (vs. 21:10-11) Throughout history people have argued about these signs; their meaning, and their timing. And although it’s important for us to be aware of the signs of the times, when we solely focus on these signals we miss out on what else Jesus said about end times. For not only did the Lord give us signs, He also gave us warnings. 

Don’t Be Misled- Jesus warns that many false prophets will come in His name saying, “I am He” and deceitful date setters will cry, “The time is near”. How do we guard ourselves against such people? By knowing the Word of God. Whatever teaching we hear, the first thing we need to do is to compare what they are saying to what the scriptures say. Psalm 119:105 describes the Bible as, “A lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” If we measure everything we hear against the Bible, we won’t be led off God’s path and fall prey to “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. (Matt. 7:15)

You Will Be Persecuted- Jesus warns that “They will lay their hands on you”, and “Bring you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.” Following Jesus doesn’t ensure a life of peace and ease. In fact He says quite the opposite. He tells us that we will be betrayed by those we love, we will be hated, and some of us even put to death. But Jesus instructs us, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.” (Matt. 10:28) When facing persecution we are to stand strong, using every tribulation as an opportunity to share the gospel. Jesus tells us to trust Him to give us the perfect words to speak; rejoicing knowing our endurance will be rewarded with our lives.

Be On Guard- Just like sprouting leaves in the spring assures us that summer will soon follow, Jesus warns that when we see His warning signs fulfilled, “Recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” (vs. 21:31) In patient anticipation for that glorious day, we are to watch, pray, and most of all, guard our hearts. “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (vs. 21:36) Jesus cautions us against getting distracted by earthly living and instead encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize and live in constant awareness of His soon return. “I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Rev. 3:11) 

With all of the anger and division in the world I find myself crying out as king David did,”How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exalt.” (Ps. 94:3) I wonder how much lower society will sink into wickedness before God cries, “Enough!” But I do not despair. For far from the world falling to pieces, the pieces of God’s plan are falling into place. Time’s are, as Pastor Adrian Rogers once said, “growing gloriously dark!” I truly believe that the season of the Lord’s return is upon us. So, “straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” (vs. 21:28)

God's Mercy

The Challenger Becomes The Challenged {Job 38:1-42:17}

12:00 AM


I don’t know about you, but the book of Job is one of the hardest for me to get through. It’s a book filled with suffering, unanswered questions, and a man seemingly punished because of the whim of the enemy. I too have experienced times in my life where like Job I cry out to God, “Why?” I demand to know His reasons behind what is happening in my life and challenge Him for answers. But like Job soon discovered, God is not One to be challenged. And the lesson to be learned is that He is sovereign in every and all aspect of our lives, and we need to trust that He knows exactly what He’s doing.

Chapter 38 begins with God speaking to Job, “out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man and I will ask you, and you will instruct Me!’”(vs. 38:1:3) Could you just imagine? Waiting for God to respond and He comes back with this! Eugene Peterson simplifies God’s challenge, “Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers!” And over the next few chapters God asks Job a series of questions that as a mere human, he can’t possibly answer.

In Isaiah 55:9 God declares, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” There is no way we can ever understand why God does what He does. And you know what? We don’t need to. All we need to do is obey His will even when we don’t comprehend or even agree with it. For there is only one Living God, and we aren’t Him. “He is the Creator, we are the Created. He is the Original, we are the image. He is our Friend, but not our peer.” (Dr. Charles Stanley) In verse 38:4 God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you have understanding.” God is warning that if Job, or us for that matter, dare to question His dealings with us, we’d better be able to prove that we have the same knowledge and wisdom that He does. And of course, we don’t.

I don’t think that God minds us asking questions. After all He is the One who gave us an inquisitive nature. And there’s not a single Christian who at some time hasn’t had doubts or questions. It comes with being human. Instead I think God looks at the motive behind our questioning. In verse 40:2 God asks Job, “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?” When we cry out to God from a point of pain and truly wanting to know His will, He understands. Even Jesus Himself while nailed to the Cross cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46) What gets us into trouble is when from a prideful heart we question God or His authority because we think we know better, or have the audacity to presume that the God of the universe owes us an explanation.

In the end after his encounter with God, Job understands just how wrong he was and confesses, “I have heard of You by hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” (vs. 42:5-6) And how does God respond? By blessing, “the latter days of Job more than his beginning.” (vs. 42:12)  Once again God shows that even in His sovereignty, He is loving, caring, and eager to bless our obedience. James 5:11 talks about Job this way, “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” 

As long as we are on the earth, we will all have to deal with suffering in our lives. So the next time you are knee deep in sorrow, remember that even though you may not understand the reason for your troubles, God does. And He will see you through to the other side. Because of this you, like Job can say, “Though He will slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15)


1 Samuel

Then Hannah Prayed {1 Samuel 1:1-3:21}

12:00 AM



Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. And even though he valued Peninnah because she bore him many sons and daughters, he loved Hannah who remained barren. Each year Elkanah would take his two wives to Shiloh to present a sacrifice to God and worship the Lord at the Tabernacle. And every year Hannah would endure insults hurled at her by Peninnah because “the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb”. (v. 1:5) Inconsolable, Hannah turned to the only one who could help her...God.

During our times of anguish there is much we can glean from Hannah’s story. Like Hannah, the first thing we need to do is go to God in prayer. “She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly” (v.10) Hannah knew that it was only God who could ease her pain, only He could change her circumstances and end her grief. She had faith that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Prayer is a game changer. During the most difficult times Jesus faced, He went off on His own to pray. And following His example we should do the same. 

Next Hannah makes a vow to God, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life” (vs, 10-11) Have you ever found yourself bargaining with the Lord if He answers your prayer? Making a vow to God is serious business. Hannah knew that God expected her to fulfill her promise. She understood that walking with the Lord is a two way street of both giving and receiving. God blesses us so that we in turn can bless others. Proverbs 11:25 tells us, “the generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” Hannah was willing to give back God’s blessing, and He calls us to trust Him enough to do the same.

When she finished her prayer, and received a blessing from the high priest Eli, Hannah “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (v. 18)  Although her situation hadn’t changed, Hannah didn’t spend any more time in grief and worry. Instead she rejoiced and worshiped before the Lord. Sometimes when we pray to God for the desires of our hearts, His answer is no. Not because He doesn’t love us or want us to be happy, but because He knows best. Hannah didn’t know for sure that God would bless her with the son she so desperately wanted, but regardless while she waited for His answer, she worshiped Him. A wonderful example for us all. Just like Hannah after we place our petitions in God’s loving and capable hands, we need to trust and worship Him while we wait for His answer. 

God indeed answered Hannah’s prayer, and she conceived the child she had so languished for. “She gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel saying, ‘Because I have asked him of the Lord’,” (v. 20) Because of God’s faithfulness and her vow to Him, a year after his birth Hannah brought Samuel to the temple where he ministered to the Lord. She then sang a beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving. “My heart exalts in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth speaks boldly against my enemies.” (v. 2:1) The Lord, not Samuel was the ultimate source of Hannah’s joy. He answered her prayer, redeemed her from disgrace, and silenced her enemies. How awesome is it when we rejoice in God Himself and not merely in the blessings He gives us. Are you willing and eager to praise Him not only for who He is, but for every prayer answered and every need met? When we do we will experience a joy that can only be found in Him!