I have the privilege of being invited by Daniel Decker to be on the launch team for Justin Roethlisberger’s new book. It will be available to the public on April 24th.
After decades of research, advising professional sports teams and Fortune 500 companies, a personal health crisis led Justin to use his methods on himself.
Our society is geared to breakdown and illness, rounds of doctor visits, medicines, and protocols that treat symptoms but do not cure. This is average expectation for most people. Justin challenges us to leave average behind and choose to be different. He believes that the majority of chronic illnesses could be prevented by establishing consistent, long-term, positive habits and behavior change.
In my own book, Musings Along Life’s Journey, I shared my foray into getting healthy and my frustration with conflicting advice from experts. I concluded that there is no plan that works for me and you, but we should seek the Lord and experiment with things to see what works for each individual.
Justin gives a framework to build on in order to do this. A challenge he offers on page 198 is, “Allow your body to be the guide – not the study you weren’t involved in, or advice from an expert who doesn’t know you or have context into your life. Empower yourself and be your own study.”
As I began reading, I was skeptical of the spiritual end of his writing. In the final chapter, Justin reveals his spiritual habits of Bible reading and prayer and uses Scripture that begin a chapter for the first time. I do not fault him since it probably makes the book more appealing to others.
One spiritual theme he touched on throughout the book is that fear is a killer. Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to not fear or be anxious. The Lord knows how we were made, and He knows we can not live in fear and thrive. Another scripture brought to my mind as Justin talked about sleep is:
Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep
I have gained tools to get better sleep. Also, a better way to eat. Justin suggests eating vegetables first, protein second, and carbs last at a meal, which helps your body assimilate the food better. He also recommends a 5- minute walk after a meal.
After reading the digital copy, I eagerly await my print copy of this book. I recommend it as a framework for learning to live your best life, all for God’s glory!
Welcome to the last Chapter 8 in the New Testament. This passage shares the beginning of God’s judgment on earth and the importance of the prayers of the saints.
Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets 8 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Silence! Would you expect silence as the seal was opened? We shall see that it was necessary.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
These seven angels must hold a high status in the kingdom to stand before God. Can you imagine how loud the trumpets will sound after the silence? But hold tight! Before the Trumpet blasts, the angel with a golden censer comes to the altar with the prayers of the saints.
3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.
Our prayers are mixed with holy incense. Just as the incense the priests used in the temple, just a foreshadowing of what goes on in heaven, our prayers are a sweet smell that rises before our God. What happens when our prayers and the incense come into contact with fire from the altar?
5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
This is where people come up with the term, “Acts of God”, awesome destruction and noise from the heavens. NOW the seven angels can blow the trumpets.
6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck 7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Vegetation Struck. Hail and fire mixed with blood thrown down from heaven, 1/3 of the trees, and all of the grass burn up. In an account from a woman who encountered Jesus in heaven, green is Jesus’ favorite color. Can you imagine Jesus mourning the need to destroy all that green because of the world’s evil, sinful ways?
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck 8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
After one-third of the trees and all of the grass on the land were destroyed, something like a burning mountain hit the sea. One-third of the sea became blood: think of the plagues in Egypt when the waters turned to blood. Also, one-third of the living creatures and ships in and on the sea were obliterated.
I will not continue with the rest of the seven trumpets here, but let’s focus on the prayers of the saints that started all of this. We have been crying out for God to fix all that is wrong in this life and avenge the evil on earth for many generations. Those cries for help are piling up in heaven.
Worthy Is the Lamb Revelation 5:8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Golden bowls are full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. We who belong to Jesus are the set- apart, sanctified ones. We are the saints this verse refers to. Our prayers rise up to heaven; at least those prayed according to the will of God do.
Make sure you do not give up on praying the will of God on earth as it is in heaven. We tend to grow weary and disillusioned. This can stop us from continuing to pray, often just before breakthrough comes.
My dear readers, be encouraged. We serve a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God who is faithful to all generations. Trust him to work on your behalf and keep bringing your concerns before the throne of grace. Evil will not prevail against God’s people. He will keep us through the days of peril and storm as He has done throughout all generations. Remember, Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to [God’s] wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. It is not for us to beg the Lord to act, but for us to pray according to His will and speak out declarations and decrees in the name and power of Jesus. We can’t go wrong using Scripture as the Spirit leads. If we do not take up and use what Christ has bought for us, it will not be done here on earth as it is in heaven.
I remind you; my first major book event is only two weeks away! If you cannot attend, please pray for me to be led by the Holy Spirit.
In this edition of this series, we delve into the new Priestly Service we have obtained through Jesus Christ. Just a basic taste of the riches we have in His sacrifice.
New Priestly Service 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
Who have I in heaven but You? Our ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, has now been seated at the right hand of our Heavenly Father in heaven. This is not the earthly tabernacle that was destroyed in 70 AD, but one that will never be destroyed. The earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the one we have now.
3For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.
Paul is clarifying, comparing the earthly high priest with what we have in Jesus. What did Jesus offer?
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
God commanded Moses to follow His pattern, a copy/shadow of what is in heaven. Jesus came to earth to open the way to the actual tabernacle in heaven. Because Moses was obedient to all that the LORD instructed, we have a good idea of what it is. Although we need this background to understand what we have in Christ…
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
He is now our Mediator, and we have a better covenant and better promises. Let’s see what this means.
A New Covenant 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
So, the first covenant did not fit the bill, so a second covenant needed to be made. We are now in the days when we are heirs of this new covenant, along with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In this new era of God, it’s time to stand up as manifest sons and daughters of God and let His glory shine through us until it fills the whole earth.
My children Christopher, Harold, Eliza, and Alexander
We were blessed to have our four grown children together on Easter Sunday. If you have read my book, I introduced them with their families in the introduction. I pray that you experience a deeper intimacy and appreciation of the rich blessings we have in Jesus, our Christ. Shalom dear ones!
Welcome to the next edition of this bible study. 2 Corinthians chapter 8 tells us of the grace God blesses us with as we give ourselves to the Lord and then give what we can. This section is a major truth of living with God and supporting each other that holds true even today. Let’s work through these verses.
Abundant joy! We attended Lauren Daigle’s concert at PPGPaints arena in Pittsburgh on March 8th
2Corinthians8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
So, the churches of Macedonia were experiencing great afflictions and trials. They experienced deep poverty. Yet, they abounded in the riches of the grace of God because they found His joy and gave liberally out of the things they had.
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Abundant blooms as only our God can create!
Their hearts were in such a place, in love with fellow believers, that above and beyond their ability, they freely wanted to give to minister to the saints. I just read news from ministries that I am involved with. The Joshua Fund is ministering to those amid the war and chaos going on in Israel. Iran Alive is ministering through electronic means to the people of Iran who have had enough of Islam and their government. They hear the good news of Jesus and are eager to follow Him, even if it’s dangerous.
Also, Crossroads Prison Ministries, reaching those incarcerated with Bible correspondence lessons and mentoring. They are celebrating 40 years of ministry, multiple testimonies from Crossroads students, volunteers, leaders, and mentors. All these ways to sow into what God is doing these days, the ones I’ve mentioned are a very small portion of avenues to be part of what is spreading the gospel in these days
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
Surrender as Christ did
The Macedonians show a critical step we all should follow. First, they gave themselves to the Lord, then to the will of God, and finally, to others. The Apostle Paul is encouraging others to follow their example and experience this grace for themselves.
7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
In Christ, we are meant to abound in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, in our love for others. As we aspire for these things to manifest and develop in our lives, we should be diligent to sincerely love others as Christ loves us all.
A testament to the faith of another generation
Right now, our church knows God wants us to expand our church greatly. With human understanding, there is no way our 300 people can raise the funds necessary to make this expansion a reality, aiming toward a facility that will accommodate 1,000 people.
But God! I get multiple appeals to help others most days in my mail and email. Add to this the desire to contribute to our church building project and community needs, and it’s overwhelming. But God!
What if it is my job not to give money, but to spend time in prayer for each of these needs? Am I doing right in praying for others to give financially where I can not? Is this a time for me to examine my use of the abundance God blesses me with?
I think we are to first dedicate all we have to the LORD whose hands it comes from. Then, we should ask for wisdom to decide what is our part of blessing the opportunities that the Lord allows in our lives. We are not obligated to give to every cause that comes to us. There are many good things to support, but what is your responsibility? Only God knows, so ask Him.
Mark 14:7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always
This verse comes from Judas Iscariot saying the expensive oil Mary poured out on Jesus’s feet should have been sold and the money given to the poor. This is where discernment is needed. The appeals for our money and time and resources will never cease this side of heaven. It is good to give to the poor in body and spirit, but Jesus said we can give to them whenever we want. Of course, this doesn’t mean we are to go into debt by giving to everyone who asks or demands. Again, discernment!
I bless you to abound in all things as God allows, according to his riches found in Christ Jesus. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He cares about each one of us He created. Look to Him alone for your provision, and may you abound in all that Christ purchased for you. Shalom, my fellow pilgrims!
Welcome to the next study in this series. These passages about things offered to idols stress the fact that each of us answers to God for our own actions. Let us dig in!
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
So, knowledge makes us prideful, but love edifies others as well as ourselves. If we love God, we are known by God.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
In other words, I believe an idol is only a god to the one who believes it is one. The wise, loving person has realized the truth, that there is no other God with a big ‘G’.
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
Yes, there are many gods and lords worshiped in this world, but only one God, the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ. Belonging to Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit and the word of God, we gain understanding. Then we realize that we truly live solely in and through Him.
7However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
Let’s unpack this section. Not everyone has the knowledge that in God all things consist. He made us, and not we ourselves. If you do not understand this, you believe the idol has tainted the food. Having a weak conscience, which I understand as not having a good understanding of who Father God is, this person senses defilement if eating food dedicated/ consecrated to an idol.
8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
In other words, God doesn’t care about the food we eat. As Jesus said, what goes into the body comes out. Let’s look at Matthew 15.
Matthew 15:16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.
This is where Jesus was chastising the Pharisees. They made sure to wash the outside of the cup and ritually wash their hands, but neglected the inside of the cup and their heart. They followed religion, counting the tithe down to the smallest mustard seed, but forgot the weightier matters like mercy and grace. This leads to the rest of 1 Corinthians chapter 8. Let’s continue and see what Paul had to say.
1 Corinthians 8:9But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
The new believers were trying to find their way in the newness of salvation in Jesus Christ. They had formerly worshipped idols made with human hands, offering meat to them and then eating it without knowledge of God. This made them weak and susceptible to error. For them, it would lead them back to idol worship, away from Christ.
11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
We wound our brethren by wounding their conscience, and thus wound Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Just because Christ has given you freedom does not mean your brethren have the same freedom. You may be able to play computer games, but it is not good for me because it is clear that I cannot limit my time playing. I should not insist that you stop playing because I cannot. The food issue is a hot one these days. If your friends are vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Pegan… any restrictive diet choice, it’s a mine field to eat at the same table. I come from a marriage where we eat a lot of meat since John is an avid hunter and fisherman. My daughter-in-law is vegan and so is her daughter. When we visit their home, I aim to eat what she has prepared. I may not agree with her choices, but it is not my right to force my ideas on her.
Lord, forgive me when I assert my freedoms on others. Forgive me when I attempt to restrict others with my restrictions or damage them with my freedoms.Holy Spirit, help me love those I rub elbows with. Help me give them grace and love to live as unique individuals in Christ Jesus. Amen.
John and I had a friend take this picture. It will be used for publicity for my speaking engagement on April 27th. This will be the first actual event since my book, Musings Along Life’s Journey, was published just a year ago. [the other opportunities never panned out] I am holding the original paperback published by Zoe Life Publisher. John is holding the paperback from our Amazon KDP publishing he helped me with. If you are a woman in the area, [the church is in the Henderson/Adams, NY area] you are welcome to come! A complimentary breakfast will be offered from 9-9:45 a.m. The Program begins at 10:00 a.m. with worship to begin the presentation. Here is the Save The Date card:
Welcome to the next installment in this Bible study. Let’s see what the Spirit highlights in the eighth chapter of Romans.
A group artwork from the Shetler family’s ministry in Africa.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
Make note: if you are in Christ, walking in the Spirit, there is no more condemnation, no more punishment As Jesus said in John 3:17, He did not come to condemn us but to reconcile us to Father God. We now have access to the law of the Spirit, which is life in Christ Jesus. This frees us from walking in the law of sin and death, the law we were born into through the sins of the fathers, stretching back to Adam. This is why Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by coming in human flesh.
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Do you walk in the righteous law of love? Love for your God and loving your neighbor as yourself? We can muscle our way into acting out this love by our own human effort, but is that truly denying your fleshly lusts and desires?
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
If we only think about what to eat, what to wear, and having the best “necessities” in life,where is our spiritual life? We can do good deeds, but if it’s to rack up points, trying to get on God’s good side, how are we any different than the heathen unbelievers around us? The carnality of our human side is set against God and the love of God in Christ.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
I find when I hear all the facts, if I fail to look towards the truth in the Bible, I fall short. With our human understanding, we hate those who fight against us. In God’s Sprit, we can love even our enemies! But is this wise? What does God say?
1 Corinthians 2: 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
So we must be careful, walking circumspectly in this evil time we live in. It is clear that we are on the path to death and destruction when we look to the world and our own strength and understanding.
Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Remember to ask for your daily manna from the LORD. This includes all the things required for what each day demands. We have a heavenly Father who knows what we need, but still delights in his children, when we ask him daily to provide. This includes daily food, shelter, and clothing. Also, grace, mercy, and love. Don’t forget peace in Christ Jesus, more than we could ask for! Remember, you need more to sustain you than physical needs. Without daily food from the Bible and the Spirit of God, we starve our spirits.
So live each day in the Spirit, denying your fleshly desires. Walk in love and understanding as you grow in the things of God found in his Word. If you fail, as we all do, quickly repent and apply the precious blood of Jesus. Continue renewing your mind and remember the old chorus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.
Welcome to the next section of Bible 8:1-8 passages. Let’s dive into Acts chapter 8.
Saul Persecutes the Church Acts 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen’s] death. At that time, a great persecution arose against the church, which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
After the 120 who gathered in the upper room were immersed/baptized in the fiery Holy Spirit, hundreds upon hundreds of people were miraculously coming into the kingdom. All the things that Jesus told them would happen when He rose up to heaven were happening! This was a marvelous time to be part of what God was doing and the spirit of unity was strong within the body of Christ. Inevitably, we hear of persecution beginning with the arrest of James and John when they offered healing to the lame man at the temple gate. Next, Stephen was arrested and stoned to death, even though he was ministering to so many people and teaching with authority. God used this persecution to His advantage.
Christ Is Preached in Samaria 4 Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
See how God caused the believers to scatter? He wanted the good news of Messiah to spread to all the world, not stagnate in Jerusalem. He is still scattering and shifting His people around to where we are needed. It is a privilege to be part of this new era in the LORD, heaven coming down to earth; the veil between the two thinning as we speak!
The following is what Jesus taught not long before Acts 8 occurred:
Matthew 5:44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Saul didn’t know it yet, but the Lord was using him in spite of himself. The one who was holding the coats of those stoning Stephen became the one the Lord used to reach multitudes of people in the name of Jesus the Messiah. Paul’s letters in the New Testament are still drawing, encouraging, teaching and training people today.
God is able to use everything for His glorious plans, even our enemies. Let us pray for those who treat us badly. Let us pray for and speak blessing over those our hearts want to condemn. As I said in my book, Musings Along Life’s Journey, If I don’t pray for them, they will be damned. The eternity of hell is so horrid, I don’t want even my worst enemy to go there! I will be speaking about my book at Smithville Baptist Church in Adams, NY in April if you are able to attend. Here is the “Save the Date” card.
2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.
Jesus frequently went into the temple and taught the people who gathered there. His ministry was not done in secret, and neither should ours!
3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.”
Here come the religious leaders, dragging a trembling woman into the midst of Jesus’s teaching. Note how they plan to catch Jesus with the law of Moses.
And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
Was the woman dragged from the bed, clutching a sheet? Did they allow her to grab her robe? Her hair was probably loose, uncustomary for that culture. Full of shame, fear, consternation, maybe? I’m sure she already knew the law and consequences. I’m sure she did not know the compassion Jesus had for her, a sinner.
6This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
Jesus spoke without a word. He knew their hearts as well as He knew the Laws of Moses. We all wonder exactly what Jesus was writing with His finger in the dirt.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
We all know what happens next. The leaders turned around and left, in shame. It began with the elders, ending with the youngest. I assumed because the eldest had more time to rack up sins.
Jesus asked the woman where her accusers were. They all left! He told her that he did not condemn her [see John 3:17] but warned her to go and sin no more.
One question that arises: Where was the other half of the adulterous couple? Was he one of the leaders?
This passage of Scripture sets many people free, especially women in Muslim communities. Jesus was demonstrating the value God puts on women. Many cultures and religions put no value on women. Note: one false version of the Bible ends this story with Jesus killing this woman because he was the one without sin, giving him the onus to stone her to death.
This brings me to my reading from yesterday’s devotions, Matthew chapter 7. I think judgement is the crux of John chapter 8. as well as Matthew 7.
Do Not Judge Matthew 7:1“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
All of us have been guilty of transgressing the law at some point in our lives. When we humble ourselves, we can see clearly. Religious piety is normal for our human bent. We experience something of God and the Spirit, then we want to hold onto it. We make it a dogma to follow.
Humanity loves having boundaries. The freedom we get from Christ and the love of God can make us uneasy. It’s much easier to have rules to follow and parameters to hold us in although, we also want to push those boundaries. Pay attention to what brings judgmental thoughts to your mind; it is probably your plank.
Coming back to Matthew 7, we like to judge those who are different, who are doing something/being something we don’t think is right. We must be careful to have a true estimation of who we are in light of Christ and God’s love.
All of us are guilty, bound for judgement by a righteous God. We have forgiveness in Jesus. Do not take it lightly! Extend it to others as you speak the truth in love. You want mercy and forgiveness, so does the one you are condemning by your thoughts/words/ actions. I leave you with these thoughts. The photo is me, getting ready to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection in baptism. I pray you get time to seek the LORD and find His Shalom. Until next time, be a blessing as you are blessed by God!
Welcome to the third installment of Bible Chapter 8:1-8. Chapter 8 of Luke begins with naming the women who followed Jesus’s ministry. Just before this, Jesus has his feet washed and is anointed by the woman with the alabaster jar of nard and her hair and tears.
8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—
From birth to cross to resurrection, 33 short years!
I believe Jesus sensed how short a time he had on earth. He made the most of that time. As his repeseatives on earth, we need this sense of urgency as we minister during the relatively short span of time we are here on this planet.
–Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Look at the devotion of these women. They lived in a culture that placed little value on women and their contributions to society. Jesus set them free from the bondage of demons, illness, infirmity, and insignificance. These liberated women joyfully provided for his needs of sustenance and lodging.
4 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable:
Notice that Jesus waited for a crowd to gather. What follows is an oft quoted passage for sermons, pertinent in light of those we share the gospel with and needs for discipline them. Keep in mind the agrarian society these people lived in.
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yieldeda crop a hundredfold.”
Have you been trampled down and devoured? Did you spring up quickly without much nourishment, withering away? Have you been choked out by weeds? Did you spring up in a fertil place with a loving mentor?
When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Do you have ears to hear what Jesus was saying? In other moves of God, many fell by the wayside. Many false religions and teaching rose up to fill the spiritual hunger caused by times like we are living in now.
This era of God’s move is meant to be sustained. Revival is meant to continue. We are to realize the failure of previous moves, and all of us are necessary to make this move of God’s Spirit continue. I leave you with two words: love and discipleship.
What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?
Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.
Pastor Cheryl’s mother is turning ninety-nine years old soon. She still remembers when she was three, playing on the kitchen floor. She asked her mother how to be saved, and mom helped her accept Jesus into her heart. Through two husbands, twice widowed, a heart attack and stroke, the death of a son, and so much more, she has stedfasly trusted Jesus. She still lives in her own home, with some help, encourages others, and shines with a holy light.
My friend Joan just turned ninety two. She still lives on her own in a small apartment. She doesn’t go out often due to intestinal problems, but she still rejoices in the Lord. She has friends who visit regularly, and her daughter gets her groceries and rides to doctor appointments. I stopped a few months ago, just when she needed help getting her porch windows set for winter. She has come to realize her limitations and how much she can do at a time. She is experiencing Emmanuel, God is with her, and just started a new Bible reading plan. Her librarian friend supplies her with good Christian books.
I visited my friend Avril. She’s in her upper 80s. She has a beautiful home on the lake. She has a cat that keeps her company and crafts she makes for charity. Avril had just used her riding mower/snowblower to clean her driveway and shoveled from there to the house. She’s recently gotten a Kindle and has 100 books downloaded. She knows when to ask for help and recently found a new church family. She drives 20 minutes to this church. She’s slowed down, but not much.
Fred and Jean are 86 & 87. They drove down to Florida mid- September, and they say it’s for their last time. A large family, I think 4 generations worth, take good care of them. They prepare the house here for Fred & Jean to occupy in the spring, then weatherize it when they leave in the fall. The family visits often and helps with what they need. We go out to dinner with them, he still goes out fishing, we play cards together, and have long chats. They know their limitations.
My brother-in-law Wes recently turned 87. Two years ago, he bought a classic car he enjoys working on. He and his wife Barb travel to lots of car shows during the season. Their house is full of trophies! He never thought he’d live this long. He is affected by his younger foolishness, but he still enjoys a good game of cards and seeing family. I believe the Lord is being patient because Wes hasn’t surrendered to Jesus yet.
After Noah’s flood, the LORD decided one hundred and twenty years is enough time for man to live with the evil flesh.
Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
NOTE: Science is pushing the boundaries to extend human lives. I do not want things injected into me to change my DNA. I don’t want the enemy’s way of longevity, I want it straight from my Father’s hands.
I believe that if we find favor and strength in the LORD, 120 years is possible. That’s why I want to work with the Lord to live as healthy as possible for as long as possible. I want to fulfill my purpose on this earth and see signs, wonders, and miracles. I want my inheritance to be a multitude of lost souls translated into the kingdom. As of January 2024, these are my thoughts on living a very long life.
Musings along life's journey 