Grace / Forgiveness, Loving / Kind, Peace / Rest

Our Authority Comes from God, Not Man

Paul was always clear from whom his authority originated as an apostle. It was never from men. It was from God. Having a firm grasp on this is so important for pastors and others in authority within the church. Knowing whom we serve and from whom our authority comes makes it much clearer whom we should seek to please. We should not worry over how many people fill the seats of our church or “like” us on social media. It is not that you can’t use that as a reference for reaching an audience, but be careful not to judge your success that way, lest you be drawn to serve men instead of God by telling them what they want to hear instead of what God wants you to share.

I also appreciate that as Paul opens his letter to Galatians, he puts emphasis on the grace and peace characteristic of a healthy relationship with God. We are drawn immediately to focus on the purpose of the death and resurrection of Christ and to whom the glory is due.

What a wonderful way to launch a letter engaging brothers and sisters in Christ.

Galatians 1:1-5

Introduction

     1Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:

      3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Let us challenge ourselves to remember that authority comes from the Father. He is the one whom we should please. He is the one who brings grace and peace.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Introduction to Books of Bible

Introduction to Galatians

We are going to start a walk through Galatians.  As a way to get started, I like to share just a touch of backstory, or context. I am copying from my Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible (NASB), whose Executive Editor is Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. This is an excellent resource and I highly recommend it. It is a very high-quality Bible that I enjoy having in a form I can hold in my hands.

Galatia was a Roman province… It is now southern Turkey. The purpose of this Epistle was to eradicate the doctrinal errors which had been recently introduced by hostile Judaizers and to urge the Galatian Christians to hold firmly to what they had been taught by Paul at the beginning. The people were generally impressionable, fickle, and quick-tempered… Paul had started these congregations on his first missionary journey (Acts 13 and 14) with considerable success, proclaiming “a door of faith” open to them (Acts 14:27). Then he revisited them on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-6) and again on his third missionary journey (Acts 18:23). In the meantime, Judaistic teachers had subverted his work by teaching a new type of legalism to these innocent Gentile believers. 

I will caution that what Paul was addressing in Galatians is often misunderstood, consistent with his other letters and with Peter’s warning in 2 Peter 3:15-16.

15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 

We need to take caution jumping to popular conclusions people claim about what Galatians has to say about our relationship to the Law of God through Moses. (Read more… Understanding the Law – What Does It Mean Today?)

As we read and study Galatians, we will not only seek to understand the word in context of the times, but also seek the timeless principles that apply throughout time to any period, like today… and beyond.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please let Holy Spirit open up our minds to fully understand the depth of the knowledge you have captured in Galatians. Prepare us to receive, learn and grow. Help us to understand Your word in proper context and also how to apply it to our lives today.  Thank You that Your word is more than just text on a page, but a history of Your relationship with man and the instructions You want us to receive to direct all aspects of our lives. In the name of Yeshua, our Messiah, we pray. Amen.  

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Consequences of Sin, Curse, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Obeying God, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin

Why Has the Way of the Wicked Prospered?

It seems so common that God’s people are far from Him, living in rebellion despite acknowledging Him with their lips. We experience this still today. God wants restoration. God wants to be in a relationship with His people. However, when the people choose to reject Him, there are consequences.

This is true as a nation but also as individuals. Consider the theme carefully as you read. Apply it to our nation and also to your life as an individual. If there are any areas where you need to submit to God, do so. Ask Him to show you. Surrender your life completely to Him.

Sometimes when God is addressing the mistakes of His people, it makes it look like the wicked are prospering with God’s favor, but it is really all about God’s relationship with His people.  God is not blessing the wicked. God is disciplining His children in hopes they will return to Him.

As a side note, I greatly appreciate that God allows us to seek answers from Him, to be genuine and honest with Him, when we don’t understand things we see going on or things we are experiencing. Jeremiah was able to have a honest conversation with God without fear of condemnation for asking about what did not make sense to him.

Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah’s Prayer

1Righteous are You, LORD, when I plead my case with You;

Nevertheless I would discuss matters of justice with You:

Why has the way of the wicked prospered?

Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

2You have planted them, they have also taken root;

They grow, they have also produced fruit.

You are near to their lips

But far from their mind.

3But You know me, LORD;

You see me

And examine my heart’s attitude toward You.

Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter,

And set them apart for a day of slaughter!

4How long is the land to mourn,

And the vegetation of the countryside to dry up?

Due to the wickedness of those who live in it,

Animals and birds have been snatched away,

Because people have said, “He will not see our final end.”

5“If you have run with infantrymen and they have tired you out,

How can you compete with horses?

If you fall down in a land of peace,

How will you do in the thicket by the Jordan?

6“For even your brothers and the household of your father,

Even they have dealt treacherously with you,

Even they have called aloud after you.

Do not believe them, though they say nice things to you.”

God’s Answer

7“I have forsaken My house,

I have abandoned My inheritance;

I have handed the beloved of My soul

Over to her enemies.

8“My inheritance has become to Me

Like a lion in the forest;

She has roared against Me;

Therefore I have come to hate her.

9“Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me?

Are the birds of prey against her on every side?

Go, gather all the animals of the field,

Bring them to devour!

10“Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard,

They have trampled down My field;

They have made My pleasant field

A desolate wilderness.

11“It has been made a desolation;

Desolate, it mourns before Me;

The whole land has been made desolate,

Because no one takes it to heart.

12“On all the bare heights in the wilderness

Destroyers have come,

For the sword of the LORD is devouring

From one end of the land even to the other

There is no peace for anyone

13“They have sown wheat but have harvested thorns,

They have strained themselves [k]to no profit.

So be ashamed of your produce

Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”

14This is what the LORD says concerning all My wicked neighbors who do harm to the inheritance with which I have endowed My people Israel: “Behold, I am going to drive them out of their land, and I will drive the house of Judah out from among them. 15And it will come about that after I have driven them out, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land. 16Then, if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the LORD lives,’ just as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people. 17But if they do not listen, then I will drive out that nation, drive it out and destroy it,” declares the LORD.

God wants to be in relationship to us, His people, as individuals and as a whole group. However, we get to choose. Will we pursue Him in holiness or live our own way? More to the point, what will you do as an individual? Pray that He would show you any areas where you need to make changes in your life and then do it.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms, Seeking God

Examine Me, O Lord, And Try Me

For those of us who are striving to live according to God’s word, truly applying it to our lives in how we live, Psalm 26 is a wonderful prayer with which to come before our wonderful Creator.

Psalm 26

Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection.

A Psalm of David.

     1Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

      2Examine me, O LORD, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.

      3For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.

      4I do not sit with deceitful men,
Nor will I go with pretenders.

      5I hate the assembly of evildoers,
And I will not sit with the wicked.

      6I shall wash my hands in innocence,
And I will go about Your altar, O LORD,

      7That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your wonders.

      8O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house
And the place where Your glory dwells.

      9Do not take my soul away along with sinners,
Nor my life with men of bloodshed,

      10In whose hands is a wicked scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.

      11But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
Redeem me, and be gracious to me.

      12My foot stands on a level place;
In the congregations I shall bless the LORD.

As you pray, ask God to show you in what areas of your life and relationships you need to change to more fully submit to Him.

Love, Loving / Kind, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin

We Only Discipline and Rebuke Those We Love

It may not always be intuitive, but it makes perfect sense if you think about it. Whether we are talking about Yahweh or brothers and sisters in Christ, we only discipline and rebuke the ones we love. Think about your own situation. How often do you reprove or discipline a stranger? It is much more often we will reprove friends or family… brothers and sisters in Christ, or our own spouse or children. It is the same with Yahweh.

Hebrews 12

    6FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”

Revelation 3:19

19‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

There is little point reproving a mocker or a fool. They will not learn.

Proverbs 9:8

     8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

With this in mind we can certainly appreciate the spirit in which Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. His desire was to help those he loved, brothers and sisters in Christ, who were struggling to hold tightly to correct teaching and application of that teaching in their lives. Paul wished to help them now, by the letter, so he could rejoice with them when he visited… rather than spending his visit rebuking them firmly.

2 Corinthians 13

Examine Yourselves

     1This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. 2I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

      5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 6But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

      11Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the saints greet you.

      14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

I appreciate that even when Paul was being firm and direct, he did so in a way that demonstrated love. He never changed God’s instructions, but he could identify with the people he was leading and teaching. Even as he reproved them, he encouraged them and reminded them lovingly of the truth of the gospel. I suppose I also appreciate that Paul points to all three members of the trinity in his closing, each playing a crucial role in the life of a believer.

We would do well to pray for the Spirit’s help to reprove others as effectively as Paul did… both firm and loving and never compromising.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Consequences of Sin, Curse, Discipline / Guidance From God, Idols / False Gods

Cursed Is the Man Who Does Not Follow God’s Instructions

Do not expect to put your faith in something or someone other than God and then call out to Him and have Him save you. Especially if you are one of His children, He knows you have the opportunity to know better. Sometimes if we turn our back on Him, we will have to face consequences. Of course, the answer is still the same, as quickly as possible, repent and turn back to Him and ask forgiveness.

At the very least, we can see that God is very displeased when we put our trust in other things or people besides Himself. He has laid out for us instructions by which He wants us to live and He wants us to follow them and not go our own way or the way of the pagans.

Jeremiah 11

The Broken Covenant

      1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2“Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 3and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant 4which I commanded your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and do according to all which I command you; so you shall be My people, and I will be your God,’ 5in order to confirm the oath which I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day.”’” Then I said, “Amen, O LORD.”

      6And the LORD said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hear the words of this covenant and do them. 7‘For I solemnly warned your fathers in the day that I brought them up from the land of Egypt, even to this day, warning persistently, saying, “Listen to My voice.” 8‘Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked, each one, in the stubbornness of his evil heart; therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.’”

      9Then the LORD said to me, “A conspiracy has been found among the men of Judah and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10“They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.” 11Therefore thus says the LORD, “Behold I am bringing disaster on them which they will not be able to escape; though they will cry to Me, yet I will not listen to them. 12“Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to whom they burn incense, but they surely will not save them in the time of their disaster. 13“For your gods are as many as your cities, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal.

      14“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster.

      15“What right has My beloved in My house
When she has done many vile deeds?
Can the sacrificial flesh take away from you your disaster,
So that you can rejoice?”

      16The LORD called your name,
“A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form”;
With the noise of a great tumult
He has kindled fire on it,
And its branches are worthless.

17The LORD of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done to provoke Me by offering up sacrifices to Baal.

Plots against Jeremiah

18Moreover, the LORD made it known to me and I knew it;
Then You showed me their deeds.

      19But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter;
And I did not know that they had devised plots against me, saying,
“Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
And let us cut him off from the land of the living,
That his name be remembered no more.”

      20But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously,
Who tries the feelings and the heart,
Let me see Your vengeance on them,
For to You have I committed my cause.

      21Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, “Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, so that you will not die at our hand”; 22therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, I am about to punish them! The young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters will die by famine; 23and a remnant will not be left to them, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth—the year of their punishment.”

Ask yourself what areas you have in your life in which you are following the world’s ways instead of God’s ways. Ask Him to show you clearly and give you courage to change. Follow God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Guide, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

There Is None Like Our God; Trust in Him Alone

Do not let anything take the place of God in your life. We are to place our trust in Him and seek direction for our steps. Even with good things like family, jobs, and money, we should take care so as not to place our trust in them instead of God.

Jeremiah 10

A Satire on Idolatry

      1Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.

2Thus says the LORD,
“Do not learn the way of the nations,
And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens
Although the nations are terrified by them;

      3For the customs of the peoples are delusion;
Because it is wood cut from the forest,
The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

      4“They decorate it with silver and with gold;
They fasten it with nails and with hammers
So that it will not totter.

      5“Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot walk!
Do not fear them,
For they can do no harm,
Nor can they do any good.”

      6There is none like You, O LORD;
You are great, and great is Your name in might.

      7Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
Indeed it is Your due!
For among all the wise men of the nations
And in all their kingdoms,
There is none like You.

      8But they are altogether stupid and foolish
In their discipline of delusion—their idol is wood!

      9Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,
And gold from Uphaz,
The work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith;
Violet and purple are their clothing;
They are all the work of skilled men.

      10But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth quakes,
And the nations cannot endure His indignation.

      11Thus you shall say to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”

      12It is He who made the earth by His power,
Who established the world by His wisdom;
And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.

      13When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth;
He makes lightning for the rain,
And brings out the wind from His storehouses.

      14Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge;
Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols;
For his molten images are deceitful,
And there is no breath in them.

      15They are worthless, a work of mockery;
In the time of their punishment they will perish.

      16The portion of Jacob is not like these;
For the Maker of all is He,
And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;
The LORD of hosts is His name.

      17Pick up your bundle from the ground,
You who dwell under siege!

18For thus says the LORD,
“Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land
At this time,
And will cause them distress,
That they may be found.”

      19Woe is me, because of my injury!
My wound is incurable.
But I said, “Truly this is a sickness,
And I must bear it.”

      20My tent is destroyed,
And all my ropes are broken;
My sons have gone from me and are no more.
There is no one to stretch out my tent again
Or to set up my curtains.

      21For the shepherds have become stupid
And have not sought the LORD;
Therefore they have not prospered,
And all their flock is scattered.

      22The sound of a report! Behold, it comes—
A great commotion out of the land of the north—
To make the cities of Judah
A desolation, a haunt of jackals.

      23I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself,
Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

      24Correct me, O LORD, but with justice;
Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.

      25Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You
And on the families that do not call Your name;
For they have devoured Jacob;
They have devoured him and consumed him
And have laid waste his habitation.

Carefully consider in what you are placing your trust. Seek correction where you need it. Ask for him to correct without anger as in verse 24.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Arrogance, Humility, Strong in Our Weakness

God’s Grace and Power Are Sufficient

We all experience success and challenges in life. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Are we to rely on our own strength? Not at all. In fact, Paul calls us to boast in our weakness and to be content with weaknesses, insults, and distresses… with persecutions and difficulties… all for the sake of Jesus Christ. When we are weak, then we are strong.  Truly God’s ways are not our ways.

We may always come before our Father and ask for our weakness to be removed, as Paul did. However, sometimes the answer will be “no”. We are to remember that God works through our weakness in His strength. In fact, our weakness makes His strength all the more “real” when He works through us. We know it is not ourselves that have done something good, but Him working through us.

2 Corinthians 12:7-21

A Thorn in the Flesh

     7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

      11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. 12The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. 13For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

      14Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. 17Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

      19All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; 21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

Are you content in your weakness? There is a difference between being content and complacent. You can try to overcome your weaknesses through prayer and study of the word and trying to change your life to be more in accord with the scriptures. However, the point is that ultimately we will all have weaknesses and often it is that which makes God’s work through us all the more powerful to others and to ourselves.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness, Visions

Boast Not in Our Own Strength But in Our Weakness

What a confusing concept… do not boast of your own strength, but rather boast of your weakness. This is clearly God’s way and not mans’ way. Paul has reason to boast in himself if he would find it profitable, but he does not. When we boast in our strength, we put the focus on us and our accomplishments rather than God. Better we should boast in our weakness, thus focusing the spotlight on the power and glory of our Father in heaven who may accomplish mighty things through us. His strength is demonstrated best in our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:1-6

Paul’s Vision

     1Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

Be humble. Always point to the Spirit, Christ, and the Father rather than yourself. Boast in their power and glory. Praise them rather than yourself… no matter what our Creator has done through you or revealed to you.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms

The Earth Is the Lord’s, and All It Contains

The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24 reminds us that all things and all people belong to God. He created all things and is the master of all things.

Psalm 24

A Psalm of David.

1The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.

2For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.

3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?

4He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.

5He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—even Jacob.

7Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!

8Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

9Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!

10Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory.

Creation itself declares His glory.

Psalm 19:1 1The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

God reminds us that everything belongs to Him, including us and all we own! The way we spend our time and money, the way we treat people, our own motives and attitudes should all reflect God’s instruction revealed in the Bible and through the example of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Discussing a tithe can be a meaningful discussion, but God owns it all, not just a part. God holds us accountable for how we use all of our time, talent, and money, as demonstrated in the parable of the talents.

Matthew 25:14-30 

      14“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15“To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17“In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18“But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

      19“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20“The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

      22“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

      24“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

      26“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

      29“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30“Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I encourage all of you who wish to honor God with your lives to do a simple exercise over the next week or weeks. Start today. Keep track of how you spend your time. For example… sleeping, eating, playing, shopping, watching sports, studying the Bible, praying. Compare how much time you spend doing each type of activity. Using this data, review where you spend your time. How much time do you invest in your relationship with God? Is it really a priority? or an afterthought you squeeze in when you have time. How does that make you feel? What changes should you make?

Try the same exercise in reviewing your monthly expenses. Where do you spend your money? Are you stewarding it for God? This does not mean just writing a check to a church. Often we can be better stewards than many churches if we work at it. Make sure you know how your money is being spent when you give it to someone, even in churches and ministries. Is it lost in administration cost? or actually following the commands of God? To be good stewards, we must take time to evaluate how we give as well as how we spend for ourselves. I like to put money aside every paycheck to do the Lord’s work specifically. Then when I see the chance to help others in need, I can do so easily and joyfully in Jesus’ name. I also give to support churches and ministries, but only after I fully evaluate each one.

What talents has God given you? List them out. Are you using them for God? If not, write down three ways you could do so. Which one will you pursue first?

I like to repeat this evaluation periodically, maybe once every three months at first and once a year later on after you have been doing it awhile.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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