Genesis 1:1 – 2
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
I have only included the first two verses of the creation story because it is too long to share here. But if you have the time, read all of Genesis Chapter 1.
The reason that I chose this for today is that we need to understand something. That creation by God did not end on the sixth day. My very first class for Course of Study the teacher talked about a creator God. I remember listening to him but not fully comprehending what he was saying. The reason for that is the same for most of us. We need to come to the realization that God continues to create every day. There is no limit to God’s creation because there is no limit to God. We as humans cannot understand this because we are finite beings.
Most of our earthly problems stem from the idea that there is a finite amount of everything, including the love and gifts of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. And because of this belief in limited supply we then are drawn to compete for that limited love and gifts. We then work to acquire more of these gifts and hoard them so when they do run out. Guaranteeing we then will still have ours when the supply runs out. But if we transition to a belief that God, being infinite, continues to create then we move past the need to accumulate and into the space of sharing. We then can give as God would want us too. Because there is no fear that we will run out. Only when we place our faith in an infinite God and God’s promise of love and grace can we see and live into what Jesus calls the Kingdom of Heaven. That peace comes not from the finite we can earn but to the infinite God can give. And with this, we know that God’s well will never run dry.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
I have only included the first two verses of the creation story because it is too long to share here. But if you have the time, read all of Genesis Chapter 1.
The reason that I chose this for today is that we need to understand something. That creation by God did not end on the sixth day. My very first class for Course of Study the teacher talked about a creator God. I remember listening to him but not fully comprehending what he was saying. The reason for that is the same for most of us. We need to come to the realization that God continues to create every day. There is no limit to God’s creation because there is no limit to God. We as humans cannot understand this because we are finite beings.
Most of our earthly problems stem from the idea that there is a finite amount of everything, including the love and gifts of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. And because of this belief in limited supply we then are drawn to compete for that limited love and gifts. We then work to acquire more of these gifts and hoard them so when they do run out. Guaranteeing we then will still have ours when the supply runs out. But if we transition to a belief that God, being infinite, continues to create then we move past the need to accumulate and into the space of sharing. We then can give as God would want us too. Because there is no fear that we will run out. Only when we place our faith in an infinite God and God’s promise of love and grace can we see and live into what Jesus calls the Kingdom of Heaven. That peace comes not from the finite we can earn but to the infinite God can give. And with this, we know that God’s well will never run dry.
1 John 4:19 – 20
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Love, Love, Love, the very thing that is commanded by God for all to do. To love God and to love our brothers and sisters. That word love is used 46 times in 1 John 4 alone and as many times as 645 times (New Living Translation) in the New Testament. But just like anything else it is not enough to say the words if they are not put into deeds. There are many today that claim to love God yet express hate for others. When this is done we are not living as God has commanded.
We find ourselves struggling to love our brothers and sisters. We need to remind ourselves of the term “imago Dei” Image of God. This is how we were all created and how God sees us all. We then must work towards seeing all in the image by which they were created, not the image the world projects them to be. In doing this we can then work towards our own sanctification while modeling God’s love for those that might need to see it most.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Love, Love, Love, the very thing that is commanded by God for all to do. To love God and to love our brothers and sisters. That word love is used 46 times in 1 John 4 alone and as many times as 645 times (New Living Translation) in the New Testament. But just like anything else it is not enough to say the words if they are not put into deeds. There are many today that claim to love God yet express hate for others. When this is done we are not living as God has commanded.
We find ourselves struggling to love our brothers and sisters. We need to remind ourselves of the term “imago Dei” Image of God. This is how we were all created and how God sees us all. We then must work towards seeing all in the image by which they were created, not the image the world projects them to be. In doing this we can then work towards our own sanctification while modeling God’s love for those that might need to see it most.
𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟓: 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟑
𝟐𝟎 𝐖𝐨𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥,
𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬,
𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.
𝟐𝟑 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞,
𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭.
We need to remember what it was that led to the exile that Isaiah writes about. The fundamental failure was that the people were lead away from God’s covenant by leaders that were not consistent in their following of the mosaic law. And through their lead became the selfish beings that humans are when they live outside of God. They started to put their faith in men, not God.
The same has been true throughout history and we are cycling back again. We are bombarded everyday by two realities. We must then choose which is the one that is in service of God and which is driven by man. What we must recognize is that what we see in our world today is God’s plan skewed to meet man’s desire. We must test all by the full word of God, not just the parts that match our world view.
God’s view of the world is one of love of others, of being a servant first, and celebrating the diversity of God’s continued creation. So, when we are trying to decide in whom to put our faith there is only one answer. Our faith must remain in God and all God’s word. When we do this by his will, we then receive that peace that is promised in scripture. And in so doing recognize good from evil and light from dark.
𝟐𝟎 𝐖𝐨𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥,
𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬,
𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.
𝟐𝟑 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞,
𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭.
We need to remember what it was that led to the exile that Isaiah writes about. The fundamental failure was that the people were lead away from God’s covenant by leaders that were not consistent in their following of the mosaic law. And through their lead became the selfish beings that humans are when they live outside of God. They started to put their faith in men, not God.
The same has been true throughout history and we are cycling back again. We are bombarded everyday by two realities. We must then choose which is the one that is in service of God and which is driven by man. What we must recognize is that what we see in our world today is God’s plan skewed to meet man’s desire. We must test all by the full word of God, not just the parts that match our world view.
God’s view of the world is one of love of others, of being a servant first, and celebrating the diversity of God’s continued creation. So, when we are trying to decide in whom to put our faith there is only one answer. Our faith must remain in God and all God’s word. When we do this by his will, we then receive that peace that is promised in scripture. And in so doing recognize good from evil and light from dark.
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
As I was preparing for this week’s devotionals my mind went to the Golden Rule. We were all taught this as children. Over my years of teaching, I would frequently use this as an example within the classroom. When I started teaching as soon as I would mention the Golden Rule the students would know immediately what I was referring to. But as the years went on I found myself needing to explain what I was referring to. And by the time that I retired from teaching I quit using the term Golden Rule. Instead I explained what it was.
I write this so that we as Christians might take ownership in this demise. This is not something that the school should teach but something that a society has to choose to emphasize. And to take this one step further, not only do we need to teach the words that were shared first with us in the Sermon on the Mount but we need to model them in our lives. Too many Christians today claim that the Golden Rule is how we should live but then exhibit behaviors that are contrary to it’s very teachings
Below is the graphic that I choose for this devotional. The things that are attached to the title are the behaviors that we are called to show in our everyday lives. These are not words we preach to others but must put into action. It is also the action that we should demand of our leaders. Please take a moment today and reflect on how you might better live by this simple rule for which Christ commands his followers to obey.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
As I was preparing for this week’s devotionals my mind went to the Golden Rule. We were all taught this as children. Over my years of teaching, I would frequently use this as an example within the classroom. When I started teaching as soon as I would mention the Golden Rule the students would know immediately what I was referring to. But as the years went on I found myself needing to explain what I was referring to. And by the time that I retired from teaching I quit using the term Golden Rule. Instead I explained what it was.
I write this so that we as Christians might take ownership in this demise. This is not something that the school should teach but something that a society has to choose to emphasize. And to take this one step further, not only do we need to teach the words that were shared first with us in the Sermon on the Mount but we need to model them in our lives. Too many Christians today claim that the Golden Rule is how we should live but then exhibit behaviors that are contrary to it’s very teachings
Below is the graphic that I choose for this devotional. The things that are attached to the title are the behaviors that we are called to show in our everyday lives. These are not words we preach to others but must put into action. It is also the action that we should demand of our leaders. Please take a moment today and reflect on how you might better live by this simple rule for which Christ commands his followers to obey.
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟑:𝟏𝟐 - 𝟏𝟒 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞)
𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞. 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐁𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝—𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.
I find the words of Paul here so encouraging. Far too often we in our pursuit of perfection we feel like failures. And with that comes a sense of despair and even hopelessness. We can never be perfect as humans. So, what is the point of even trying? This is the evil of this world working to separate us from God’s love and the good that we can all do. Evil does not win when we fail. Evil wins when we give up.
If we were meant to be perfect, then there would be no reason for grace. Time and time again in scripture we are told that it is by grace not works that we are saved. But that there is a joy and peace that we receive in those moments when we live as Christ called us to. And as we grow in our faith and understanding of God’s will In our lives, we achieve a calm assurance in knowing that we are God’s children.
So do not let your imperfection drag you down. Celebrate your success. Recognize your shortcomings. Work towards the progress of becoming more Christ-like. Accepting God’s grace for you in all that you do.
𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞. 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐁𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝—𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.
I find the words of Paul here so encouraging. Far too often we in our pursuit of perfection we feel like failures. And with that comes a sense of despair and even hopelessness. We can never be perfect as humans. So, what is the point of even trying? This is the evil of this world working to separate us from God’s love and the good that we can all do. Evil does not win when we fail. Evil wins when we give up.
If we were meant to be perfect, then there would be no reason for grace. Time and time again in scripture we are told that it is by grace not works that we are saved. But that there is a joy and peace that we receive in those moments when we live as Christ called us to. And as we grow in our faith and understanding of God’s will In our lives, we achieve a calm assurance in knowing that we are God’s children.
So do not let your imperfection drag you down. Celebrate your success. Recognize your shortcomings. Work towards the progress of becoming more Christ-like. Accepting God’s grace for you in all that you do.
𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟑 – 𝟒 (𝐍𝐈𝐕)
𝟑 𝐈𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝟒 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞
We must all remain humble in all that we do. This does not mean that we are not to celebrate those times when we do the right things. We most certainly should. But it is as important to recognize when we fall short as well. No one is perfect. In fact, we are far from it. And we cannot improve until we recognize our shortcomings and resolve to improve.
Jesus taught us to remove the plank from our own eye before we looked for the spec in our neighbors. Humility, empathy and love are the characteristics Christ called for us all to be those by which we live. And we must work hard to make these the base in which we interact with all.
𝟑 𝐈𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝟒 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞
We must all remain humble in all that we do. This does not mean that we are not to celebrate those times when we do the right things. We most certainly should. But it is as important to recognize when we fall short as well. No one is perfect. In fact, we are far from it. And we cannot improve until we recognize our shortcomings and resolve to improve.
Jesus taught us to remove the plank from our own eye before we looked for the spec in our neighbors. Humility, empathy and love are the characteristics Christ called for us all to be those by which we live. And we must work hard to make these the base in which we interact with all.
2 Timothy 3:1 – 5 (The Message translation)
3 1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.
Be careful of who you follow. There are always powers at work that are working against God’s love. This has been true from the start of time and will continue to be so until Christ comes again. So, the question becomes, who do you follow? When all are claiming that they are the true believers while those that oppose them are the heretics, who is right? I think this version of the scripture gives us a good place to start.
Let us think in terms of how Paul taught. Do they produce the fruit of the spirit or the opposite?
Love Indifference
Joy Despair
Peace Chaos
Patience Anger
Kindness Cruelty
Goodness Evil
Faithfulness Idolatry
Gentleness Harshness
Self-Control Self-Indulgence
Do they have empathy or are they narcissistic? Do they show grace or are they unforgiving? In conclusion do they Love God and neighbor (everyone is our neighbor) fulfilling the two greatest commandments taught by Jesus.
This is the test that should be used when deciding who will lead you on a path towards righteousness.
3 1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.
Be careful of who you follow. There are always powers at work that are working against God’s love. This has been true from the start of time and will continue to be so until Christ comes again. So, the question becomes, who do you follow? When all are claiming that they are the true believers while those that oppose them are the heretics, who is right? I think this version of the scripture gives us a good place to start.
Let us think in terms of how Paul taught. Do they produce the fruit of the spirit or the opposite?
Love Indifference
Joy Despair
Peace Chaos
Patience Anger
Kindness Cruelty
Goodness Evil
Faithfulness Idolatry
Gentleness Harshness
Self-Control Self-Indulgence
Do they have empathy or are they narcissistic? Do they show grace or are they unforgiving? In conclusion do they Love God and neighbor (everyone is our neighbor) fulfilling the two greatest commandments taught by Jesus.
This is the test that should be used when deciding who will lead you on a path towards righteousness.
Matthew 4:18 – 20
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Since we missed this week’s worship due to bad weather, I have decided to share some of my thoughts from this week’s sermon about the calling of the disciples. There are two points that I want to make from this piece of scripture.
The first is that we need to rethink how this call was answered. Jesus had been teaching for a while when the call was made to Peter and Andrew. It is quite likely that they had heard and seen Jesus many times before this moment of decision. In fact, if you read further, you see where James and John are called shortly after. In the Luke version they are referred to as Simon’s partners. So, I think it is safe to say that there had been prior discussions about Jesus as to who he was. Yes, there was a spontaneous response to Jesus’s call, but it was preceded by previous discussions and contemplations.
The second part then is for each of us to consider. We have all spent much time reading, studying and discussing the word of God. But most of us are still sitting in the boat. What has God laid on your heart that you should do and for whatever reason you have not answered that call. The reasons for each person are different and change over time. But the result is the same. We stay in our boat because it is where we are comfortable. We do not want to make waves; we do not want to make people uncomfortable. We are happy where we are. But Jesus is calling all of us to serve God not ourselves.
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Since we missed this week’s worship due to bad weather, I have decided to share some of my thoughts from this week’s sermon about the calling of the disciples. There are two points that I want to make from this piece of scripture.
The first is that we need to rethink how this call was answered. Jesus had been teaching for a while when the call was made to Peter and Andrew. It is quite likely that they had heard and seen Jesus many times before this moment of decision. In fact, if you read further, you see where James and John are called shortly after. In the Luke version they are referred to as Simon’s partners. So, I think it is safe to say that there had been prior discussions about Jesus as to who he was. Yes, there was a spontaneous response to Jesus’s call, but it was preceded by previous discussions and contemplations.
The second part then is for each of us to consider. We have all spent much time reading, studying and discussing the word of God. But most of us are still sitting in the boat. What has God laid on your heart that you should do and for whatever reason you have not answered that call. The reasons for each person are different and change over time. But the result is the same. We stay in our boat because it is where we are comfortable. We do not want to make waves; we do not want to make people uncomfortable. We are happy where we are. But Jesus is calling all of us to serve God not ourselves.
𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟕:𝟏𝟓 – 𝟐𝟎 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)
“𝐁𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭, 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚; 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲. 𝐀 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝.
We hear much about the antichrist and the end times. But if you read scripture there are warnings of many antichrists. This is any person or group that perverts the Gospels of God for their own benefit. These have been in existence from the beginning of the church and will continue until Christ’s second coming. Just as is said in 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟕:𝟐𝟏.
𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞, ‘𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝,’ 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧.
How do we know who to follow and who to believe? We look at their character. Do they live as they preach? Do they have the heart of a servant putting the needs of others before their own? Do they teach love of all neighbors while working for the salvation of all? Are they humble in applying grace to others while acknowledging their own failures? Are their action to the glory of God or themselves? For each of us to accomplish this we must remain both in the word and the Spirit of God. Networking with other Christians to keep us centered in the word. Testing that which is told to us against scripture, with help from the Holy Spirit.
Knowing and serving God is to changes us, make us more loving and working towards our personal holiness. We are to be living into the teachings of Jesus.
“𝐁𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭, 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚; 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲. 𝐀 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝.
We hear much about the antichrist and the end times. But if you read scripture there are warnings of many antichrists. This is any person or group that perverts the Gospels of God for their own benefit. These have been in existence from the beginning of the church and will continue until Christ’s second coming. Just as is said in 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟕:𝟐𝟏.
𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞, ‘𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝,’ 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧.
How do we know who to follow and who to believe? We look at their character. Do they live as they preach? Do they have the heart of a servant putting the needs of others before their own? Do they teach love of all neighbors while working for the salvation of all? Are they humble in applying grace to others while acknowledging their own failures? Are their action to the glory of God or themselves? For each of us to accomplish this we must remain both in the word and the Spirit of God. Networking with other Christians to keep us centered in the word. Testing that which is told to us against scripture, with help from the Holy Spirit.
Knowing and serving God is to changes us, make us more loving and working towards our personal holiness. We are to be living into the teachings of Jesus.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑𝟏:𝟖 – 𝟗 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)
“𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞,
𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬.
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞!
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞!”
I find this particular scripture very relative to how I am feeling right now. We as followers of the word of God have been called to be the defenders of the marginalized within society. I have over the years found great wisdom and relevance in the book of Proverbs.
If you take the time to understand the period leading up to the exile of Israel to Babylon this occurred because of their perverting of justice toward the marginalized within their community. This was advanced by their choosing to worship other gods for which these practices were acceptable. Throughout history this has been repeated. Most times ignored by Christians but in some cases even condoned.
I do not see myself as a prophet like Isiah or Jerimiah. I am just a humble local preacher. But I fear for those that have fallen for these false gods. That has let “the others” be demonized in the name of some mythical solution to a man-made problem. I pray every day that we who believe in Jesus, those that claim the mantle of Christianity will return to the teachings of Jesus and God in both word and deed. Jesus is the way the truth and the light. Only through God and our willingness to follow God’s command of unconditional love can we even hope to truly improve this fallen world.
“𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞,
𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬.
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞!
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞!”
I find this particular scripture very relative to how I am feeling right now. We as followers of the word of God have been called to be the defenders of the marginalized within society. I have over the years found great wisdom and relevance in the book of Proverbs.
If you take the time to understand the period leading up to the exile of Israel to Babylon this occurred because of their perverting of justice toward the marginalized within their community. This was advanced by their choosing to worship other gods for which these practices were acceptable. Throughout history this has been repeated. Most times ignored by Christians but in some cases even condoned.
I do not see myself as a prophet like Isiah or Jerimiah. I am just a humble local preacher. But I fear for those that have fallen for these false gods. That has let “the others” be demonized in the name of some mythical solution to a man-made problem. I pray every day that we who believe in Jesus, those that claim the mantle of Christianity will return to the teachings of Jesus and God in both word and deed. Jesus is the way the truth and the light. Only through God and our willingness to follow God’s command of unconditional love can we even hope to truly improve this fallen world.
