Category Archives: Faith / Trusting God

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Let Us Neither Seek Nor Define Greatness On Our Own

David served Yahweh and Yahweh established David as king over Israel. David became greater and greater because the LORD was with him.  We should seek a similar approach. Seek first the kingdom of Yahweh. If we are serving Him, then He is more than capable of establishing us and helping us achieve what He calls us to do. We should take caution not to try to do it all on our own, in our own power and control, though clearly action is required on our part.

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

David Made King over All Israel

      1Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2“In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’” 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

Jerusalem, Capital City

      4Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. 5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). 6Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. 8He built the city all around, from the Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to focus on You first, above all things. Lead me to submit to You and Your will over my own. Help me to seek Your help in whatever I achieve and to seek to achieve whatever You call me to do. Amen. 

Shalom

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.

Faith / Trusting God, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant

Will You Follow Yeshua When He Calls?

The LORD has called me to leave behind some things in my life to pursue Him, including limiting my career by making choices to serve Him as a higher priority and leaving behind personal plans and desires in favor of what He wants. I did not get there in immediate fashion, though I wish I did. It took me time to transition and fully surrender.

On a simpler level, there are times when I feel the LORD has called me to do things that are more minor in nature such as helping someone on a particular day in an unexpected way. It is not always convenient. I admit, I am not always immediately wanting to do it, but I usually get to the right answer (not always). But Mark 1 it gives me reason to pause and reflect. I wish I responded as quickly as His disciples did when He called.

Mark 1:16-20

   16As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Give credit where credit is due. It is wonderful that these men left behind what He asked them to in order to follow Him fully, and they made big choices to leave behind their life as they knew it and pursue Him without delay. Reflect on that for awhile. What would that be like if He asked you to do that? It’s not easy for most of us.

Even in simple things, we have an opportunity to choose Him instead of ourselves. It may be laying down our short term plans to help someone else or honor Him in another way. It may not always be to leave our family and friends behind as we see in Mark 1. However, there are situations where we need to leave family and friends behind if He asks us to or if they are separating us from the right relationship with Him.

Prayerfully reflect and ask the Spirit to give you insight to your willingness to put Christ first, above your own desires and plans. Ask yourself what opportunities might there be recently or even upcoming where you should lay down your plans and pick up His plans, even if it is hard.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to be ready to lay down anything you ask me to and to be ready to follow and obey you without delay. Help me to hold You clearly in the prime position of importance in my life. Help me to encourage others to do likewise even when they may get pressure to not answer Your call by others who mean well and assume they know what is best or simply doubt that it is You who is calling someone to action. Amen.

Shalom

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.

 

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant

Will You Be Bold for Christ, Even With Personal Risk?

At the end of Matthew 27, we once again we see a stark contrast between how people react to Yeshua. Joseph of Arimathea boldly goes to Pilate to request Yeshua’s body, knowing full well that a whole crowd just called for His crucifixion when they shouted for Barabbas to be freed. Even Pilate was worried that the people would riot. Reflect for a few moments on how courageous and faithful Joseph was in his actions. He was also selfless in he gave up his own tomb to honor Christ.

By contrast, we can also see those who fear Christ even after they have murdered Him. They are not satisfied that He is dead, but now must ensure His name is also destroyed. They can only focus on the need to guard the tomb. They assume deception and treachery from Yeshua’s disciples. In truth it is a reflection of their own way of thinking and acting. The disciples were not crafty or deceitful. The chief priests and Pharisees were. The disciples did not plot and scheme or murder. Only the chief priests and Pharisees did that.

Matthew 27:57-66

Jesus Is Buried

      57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.

      62Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ 64“Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

We do not always have a choice for all things that may happen to us in our lives, but we do have a choice about how we react to it. Perhaps like Joseph we will face times when the crowd is against Yeshua and we have to make a decision whether we will be intimidated or be bold for Christ. Will we choose to follow Christ and put our trust in Him, even if it may be at our own personal risk?  Or will we just be quiet and stay out of site?  I pray the LORD helps me to be bold for Him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please grant me a boldness to stand firmly for You even when the crowd is against You, as Joseph of Arimathea did. Amen. 

Shalom

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.

Children, Faith / Trusting God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Holy, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Obeying God, Study the Word, Traditions / Holidays

Yeshua Is the Passover Lamb

As the final days of his earthly ministry were passing, Yeshua led His disciples to prepare to celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Think about that for a few moments. Yeshua, God himself living among us, chose to spend some of the closing moments of His brief earthly ministry in preparation of Passover. It was clearly important to him and for good reason.

The timing is not coincidental that Yeshua would be sacrificed for our sins at Passover time. It was intended that way by our Creator. Passover not only reminds us of deliverance from bondage in Egypt but also foreshadows our deliverance from the bondage of sin through the sacrifice of Yeshua on the cross. Yeshua was sacrificed as our Passover lamb… dying for our sins so we can be set free from sin and death.

Mark 14:12-21

The Last Passover

12On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 13And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15“And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” 16The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

17When it was evening He came with the twelve. 18As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” 19They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” 20And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21“For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

These celebrations are not “Jewish” tradition. They are not just somehow a meaningless or obsolete instruction from our Creator either. Now we who believe in Yeshua as Messiah have more reason to celebrate it than ever before! Passover and Unleavened Bread are part of God’s tradition for celebrating and remembering our deliverance from sin through Christ! It is a wonderful way to teach our children about the Creator’s relationship with His people.

Exodus 13:6-10

6“For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

We should enjoy taking part in our Father’s appointed times rather than creating our own based on the traditions of men. It is not just that He tells us to… that got me started to look into it. Now I see how powerfully these celebrations tie into the core element of my faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and what a wonderful way it is to teach my children. As I reflected personally in this regard, it occurred to me. God has some pretty good ideas. (That is quite an understatement!)

I invite you to take some small steps even today to learn more about Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread and how it is not only a celebration of Yahweh freeing His people out of slavery in Egypt, but also a celebration of our being freed from bondage to sin through the death and resurrection of Yeshua!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for preparing a path to redemption and reconciliation for us with You. Thank You for sending Your son, Yeshua, to die for our sins so that we can be forgiven. Help me to have a thankful and joyful heart and fully submit to You! Amen. 

To study more on this topic, please review our category of posts relating to Holidays/Traditions (scroll down to move from one post to another) and consider the following.

Here are a few resources where you can learn more about the Moedim, the Creator’s calendar (often called the “Jewish” calendar).

 

I encourage you to invest time studying this topic and do not dismiss it. I have found it to be powerful in transforming the focus of our celebrations off of ourselves and rightly focused toward our Creator and Savior!

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Submitted / Servant

Are You Betraying Yeshua as Judas Did?

Judas’ betrayal of Yeshua was premeditated. He did not do this on the “spur of the moment”. He planned the betrayal and plotted with those who wished to do Yeshua harm. He did it for money.

Matthew 26:14-16

Judas’s Bargain

      14Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. 16From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

While many of us will never be faced with something so direct in terms of being tempted to betray Yeshua as Judas, do not quickly pass over these verses saying to yourself, “I would never do that.” Pause and reflect. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any areas in your life in which you may be choosing not to follow Yeshua completely because of some pressure or conflict within family or work or social media. Judas betrayed Yeshua for money. Many today may choose not to defend Yeshua for fear of losing their job or not getting a raise or because other people may come against their business.

Just like when Yeshua was walking among us in His earthly ministry, today there are many who wish to silence or destroy His teachings and any who share them. If we are to serve Him, we must stand up to this and boldly proclaim that He is LORD! Many who tell themselves that they would never do as Judas did, are doing exactly that, and often it may be for money.  The situation is just framed in a different context.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to boldly proclaim Your truth and stand firm in my faith in You as Messiah. Help me to live joyfully and gracefully even though others may come against me for my faith in You. Let there be no area of my life in which I am not willing to put You first and above all else. Protect Your people and raise up the righteous that the hearts of the people would turn again to You and away from the paths of wickedness. Amen.

Shalom

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.

Courage / Fear, Discerning / Judging, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Holy / Set Apart, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Study the Word, Submitted / Servant, Teachable

A Portrait of Righteousness

Josiah became king at eight. He did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in the ways of David. Josiah came after two wicked kings who neglected the ways of Yahweh and led the people in unrighteousness. It was so bad that when Josiah received the book of the law, he was horrified at how far off course their nation had become.

2 Kings 22:1-14

Josiah Succeeds Amon

      1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2He did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.

      3Now in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam the scribe, to the house of the LORD saying, 4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest that he may count the money brought in to the house of the LORD which the doorkeepers have gathered from the people. 5“Let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of the LORD to repair the damages of the house, 6to the carpenters and the builders and the masons and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the house. 7“Only no accounting shall be made with them for the money delivered into their hands, for they deal faithfully.”

The Lost Book

      8Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. 9Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD.” 10Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

      11When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 12Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant saying, 13“Go, inquire of the LORD for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

The portrait of righteousness is highlighted by Josiah’s desire to rebuild the temple. It is further highlighted by his reaction when he learns that they are not living according to Yahweh’s law. He does not make excuses and rationalize why it is acceptable. He does not put off making any changes for a more convenient or easier time. He does not take time to think about political implications or whether the people want to make this change. He immediately seeks out Yahweh on how to make changes. He recognizes that Yahweh is not pleased. He does not simply assume “God loves us as we are”. He knows that we are called to live God’s way rather than our own and the two are different, then we need to change rather than simply ignoring some or all of God’s law.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead and guide all Your people. Help us seek out the truth of Your ways in Your law. Let us embrace Yeshua as the way to come in deep relationship with You. Help us embrace the Holy Spirit as He leads and guides us in Your ways. Give us discernment and courage to turn away from the ways of men and turn to Your ways. Let us not be satisfied to simply mix Your ways with our own, but rather turn away from all that we should. Let Your glory shine throughout our nation and the world. Amen.

Shalom.

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.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Faith / Trusting God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Obeying God, Parables, Submitted / Servant, Thankfulness, Unteachable / Foolish

The Kingdom of God Compared to a Marriage Feast

We can learn a lot about the kingdom of our God by studying the parables Yeshua used in His teaching. Matthew 22 outlines a parable of a marriage feast. I have included the full Barnes notes at the bottom of this article and I encourage all to read through it to get a broader view of the parable and context.

At a high level, Yahweh invited the Jewish people to share in the grace and forgiveness of salvation through Yeshua. He invited them well in advance so they could prepare. In large part, they rejected or ignored the invitation. Thus there were consequences and Yahweh extended the offer to the Gentiles. The Gentiles accepted the offer, but some who are invited to participate in salvation, still insist that they do so by their own works and accomplishments rather than accepting the gift of the garment of salvation through Christ. These will be excluded as none are righteous in their own right. We all need Christ.

Matthew 22:1-14

Parable of the Marriage Feast

      1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3“And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. 4“Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’ 5“But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, 6and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. 7“But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. 8“Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9‘Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ 10“Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.

      11“But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. 13“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to the gift of salvation through Christ. Let me not reject your offer or accept it with a casual attitude. Let me not rely on my own ways and my own works, but on the grace and mercy You have already extended through the death and resurrection of Christ for my sins and the sins of others. Help me to be thankful and joyful in embracing Your gift and Your kingdom. Let me not try to cling to my own ways, but embrace Yours. Amen. 

I am including the full notes for this section of scripture below, taken from Barnes Commentary on  BibleHub.com. Barnes does a nice job of laying out context and understanding of many details in the scripture.

Barnes’ Notes on BibleHub.com
Matthew 22:1
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again in parables – See the notes at Matthew 13:3. That is, he answered or made reply to the Pharisees, who had been enraged at him for what he had already spoken to them, Matthew 21:45-46. He made a still further statement, to show how the gospel would be received and treated by them. The real answer here, as is frequently the case in the New Testament, refers to what was passing in the mind, or to the conduct of those who were addressed, not to what they said.

Matthew 22:2
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

The kingdom of heaven – See the notes at Matthew 3:2. The idea here is, “God deals with man in his kingdom, or in regard to the dispensation of the gospel, as a certain king did,” etc. This parable refers, undoubtedly, to the rejection of the Jews and to the calling of the Gentiles. The gospel, with all its privileges, was offered to the Jewish people; but through their wickedness and pride they rejected it, and all its blessings were offered to the Gentiles and accepted. This is the general truth. Many circumstances are thrown in to fill out the narrative which cannot be particularly explained.A marriage for his son – Rather a “marriage-feast,” or a feast on the occasion of the marriage of his son. The king here doubtless represents God providing for the salvation of the world.

Matthew 22:3
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

And sent forth his servants – These represent the messengers that God has sent to invite people to his kingdom.To call them that were bidden – That is, to give notice to those who had before been invited that the feast was ready. It appears that there were two invitations – one considerably previous to the time of the feast, that they might have opportunity to prepare for it, and the other to give notice of the precise time when they were expected.

The wedding – The marriage-feast. The same word in the original as in Matthew 22:2.

They would not come – They might have come if they had chosen, but they would not. So all the difficulty that sinners ever labour under in regard to salvation is in the will. It is a fixed determination not to come and be saved. See the notes at John 5:45.

Matthew 22:4
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

Other servants – Who might press it on their attention. So God repeats his message to sinners when they reject it.My dinner – This word literally denotes the meal taken about noon. It is also taken for a meal in general. As marriages were, among Eastern nations, in the evening, it refers here to a meal taken at that time.

Fatlings – This word does not refer to any particular species of animals. It denotes any fat animals. As oxen are also mentioned, however, it refers here, probably, to lambs or calves, 2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Chronicles 15:26.

Matthew 22:5
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

But they made light of it – Treated it with contempt, as a thing of no consequence – an exact representation of the conduct of sinners in regard to the gospel.One to his farm – So people are engaged so much in their worldly employment that they pretend they have no time to attend to religion. The world is, in their view, of more value than God.

Merchandise – Traffic; trading.

Matthew 22:6
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

And the remnant … – That is, a part made light of it; treated it with silent contempt, and coolly went about their business. The others were not satisfied with that, but showed positive malignity. Some sinners seem to be well satisfied by merely neglecting religion; others proceed against it with open violence and bitter malice.Entreated them spitefully – Used harsh and opprobrious words. Reviled and abused them. This was done because they hated and despised the king. So sinners often abuse and calumniate ministers of religion because they themselves hate God, and can in no way else show their hatred so well.

Matthew 22:7
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

But when the king heard … – This doubtless refers to the Jews and to Jerusalem. They were murderers, having slain the prophets; and God was about to send forth the armies of the Romans under his providential direction, and to burn up their city. See the notes at Matthew 24.Wroth – Angry; displeased.

Matthew 22:8

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Matthew 22:9
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

The highways – Literally, the “exit” or “going out” of the “paths or roads.” It means the square or principal street, into which a number of smaller streets enter; a place, therefore, of confluence, where many persons would be seen, and persons of all descriptions. By this is represented the offering of the gospel to the Gentiles. They were commonly regarded among the Jews as living in highways and hedges cast out and despised.

Matthew 22:10
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Bad and good – All descriptions of people. None are good by nature; if they were they would not need the gospel; but some are worse than others, and they have special need of it. None can be saved without it.

Matthew 22:11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

A man which had not on a wedding garment – In ancient times, kings and princes were accustomed to make presents of changes of raiment to their friends and favourites, to refuse to receive which was an expression of highest contempt, Genesis 45:22; 2 Kings 10:22; Esther 6:8; Esther 8:15. It was, of course, expected that such garments would be worn when they came into the presence of the benefactor. The garments worn on festival occasions were chiefly long white robes, and it was the custom of the person who made the feast to prepare such robes to be worn by the guests. This renders the conduct of this man more inexcusable. He came in his common and ordinary dress, as he was taken from the highway: and though he had not a garment of his own suitable for the occasion, yet one had been provided for him, if he had applied for it. His not doing it was expressive of the highest disrespect for the king. This beautifully represents the conduct of the hypocrite in the church. A garment of salvation might be his, performed by the hands of the Saviour, and dyed in his blood; but the hypocrite chooses the filthy rags of his own righteousness, and thus offers the highest contempt for that provided in the gospel. He is to blame, not for being invited – not for coming, if he would come, for he is freely invited but for offering the highest contempt to the King of Zion in presenting himself with all his filth and rags, and in refusing to be saved in the way provided in the gospel.

Matthew 22:12
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Friend – Rather, “companions.” The word does not imply friendship.He was speechless – He had no excuse. So it will be with all hypocrites.

Matthew 22:13
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Cast him into outer darkness – See the notes at Matthew 8:12. This, without doubt, refers to the future punishment of the hypocrite, Matthew 23:23-33; Matthew 24:51. 

Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Many are called, but few are chosen – Our Saviour often uses this expression. It was probably proverbial. The Jews had been called, but few of them had been chosen to life. The great mass of the nation was wicked, and they showed by their lives that they were not chosen to salvation. The Gentiles also were invited to be saved, Isaiah 45:22. Nation after nation has been called; but few, few have yet showed that they were real Christians, the elect of God. It is also true that many who are in the church may prove to be without the wedding garment, and show at last that they were not the chosen of God. This remark in the 14th verse is the inference from the “whole parable,” and not of the part about the man without the wedding garment. It does not mean, therefore, that the great mass in the church are simply called and not chosen, or are hypocrites; but the great mass in “the human family,” in the time of Christ, who had been “called,” had rejected the mercy of God.

Shalom
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.

Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Learning To Pray Effectively, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

The LORD Hears the Prayer of the Righteous

Many are confused as to how or when our Creator may respond to prayer, especially as it relates to healing. The simple answer is that there is no formula. We do not control or unlock His power. We build a relationship with Him, we trust Him, we walk in His ways, and we come to Him when we seek His help. We believe that He can heal. The rest is up to Him and we need to trust Him no matter the outcome.

One interesting record of Yahweh healing someone is relating to a mortal illness that struck King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20. To keep this historical event in context, remember the introduction we read a few chapters back about Hezekiah.

2 Kings 18

 5He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. 6For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.

Hezekiah had a meaningful and submitted relationship to Yahweh as Lord. He walked in the ways of David, who was a man after God’s own heart. With this in mind, we see Hezekiah still gets mortally ill. In fact, Isaiah came to tell him to prepare to die. But the heartfelt and passionate prayers of a righteous man, Hezekiah, in this case result in Yahweh healing Him instead. This should encourage us in regards to coming before the LORD to pray and also encourage us to seek out how to lead our lives consistent with the LORD’s instruction.

2 Kings 20:1-11

Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery

      1In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” 2Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3“Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5“Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. 6“I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”’” 7Then Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

      8Now Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD the third day?” 9Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps or go back ten steps?” 10So Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.” 11Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD, and He brought the shadow on the stairway back ten steps by which it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.

We also see that Hezekiah asks for a sign as if it is just part of hearing a prophecy. Isaiah does not miss a beat in offering one up and it comes to pass. Compare that to some others who demanded a sign from Jesus in Matthew 12.

Matthew 12:38-39

     38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;

There would seem to be a contradiction, but then if we reflect back on Moses and Gideon when they first are selected by the LORD for their missions we remember that both were given signs. It would seem the key to unlock this puzzle is not in asking for a sign, but rather in our relationship with Him and in our reasons. Are we looking for God to prove He is God as we stand against Him defiantly? or are we looking for encouragement to accept His word with confidence? This is an area that can be explored in more depth to be sure.

To learn more about prayer consider the following teachings:

You can also review our category of teachings about Learning to Pray Effectively.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead me to draw closer to you. Help me have a deeper, more submitted relationship with You. Help me walk in Your ways and obey all Your statutes and commands and to do so joyfully. Please help me to be confident coming before you when I am in need and help me to trust you whether your answer is “yes”, “no”, or “maybe later”. All praise and honor and glory be to You. You are our healer. You provide us hope of resurrection and life after death even when You do not heal us physically.  Amen.

Shalom.

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, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Jesus (hearing from God), Miracles, Parables, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Bear Fruit for His Kingdom and Build Strong Faith

We can read in Matthew 21 and also in Mark  11 about an historical account in which Yeshua cursed a barren fig tree. I will introduce it here and then include reference from  Barnes Commentary on BibleHub.com which provides good background study notes.

Matthew 21:18-22

The Barren Fig Tree

      18Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.

      20Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” 21And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Let us begin by noting that Yeshua was not addressing the fig tree out of anger or because he wanted to give a gardening lesson to His disciples. He was using this as a visual and memorable teaching moment to highlight the state of the people throughout Israel.

The fig tree is a warning for all of us who follow Yahweh. Our purpose is to bear fruit for the kingdom of God. If we are not bearing fruit, then we have lost our purpose and thus may be cursed. This warning aligns well with God’s promise for a blessing or a curse for His people based on our choice in obedience or disobedience.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

26“See, I am placing before you today a blessing and a curse: 27the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; 28and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

The bottom line is we should take seriously our choices in life to obey and thus bear fruit by living for Yahweh. Do not be complacent individually, as a family, or as a nation. There are consequences. By all means, pray and ask Holy Spirit to help you and others. We do not have to do this alone. Help and encourage one another.

There is also a strong message in Matthew 21 that reinforces the importance of faith and opens up a conversation about promises in the Bible.

Matthew 21:20-22

   20Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” 21And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Some promises in the Bible are offered to all that will follow after Yeshua and some promises are directed at a specific group of individuals such as the apostles. It may not always be clear and there may be a difference of opinion.

I believe the promise in these verses about being able to do great miracles with strong faith is aimed at a specific group of disciples, and not everyone who will ever follow Christ afterwards. There is evidence of them being able to do great miracles in the Biblical record. We also can observe that not everyone who follows Christ and believes they can do miracles can do them just by having faith.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have strong faith in You and please help me to bear fruit for Your kingdom. I want to live a life that is pleasing to You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that leads and guides me and thank You for sending Yeshua to teach us, live out an example for us to follow, and die for our sins.  

I encourage those who want to study more context to continue reading the below excerpt from the Barnes commentary on BibleHub.com.

Matthew 21:19
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

And when he saw a fig-tree in the way … – This tree was standing in the public road.

It was therefore common property and anyone might lawfully use its fruit. Mark says Mark 11:13, “Seeing a fig-tree afar off, having leaves, he came,” etc. Not far off “from the road,” but at a considerable distance from the place where he was. Having loaves, and appearing healthy and luxuriant, they presumed that there would be fruit on it. Mark says Mark 11:13, “he came, if haply he might find anything thereon.” That is, judging from the “appearance” of the tree, it was “probable” that there would be fruit on it. We are not to suppose that our Lord was ignorant of the true condition of the tree, but he acted according to the appearance of things; being a man as well as divine, he acted, of course, as people do act in such circumstances.

And found nothing thereon but leaves only – Mark 11:13 gives as a reason for this that “the time of figs was not yet.” That is, the time “of gathering” the figs was not yet, or had not passed. It was a time when figs were ripe or suitable to eat, or he would not have gone to it, expecting to find them; but the time of gathering them had not passed, and it was to be presumed that they were still on the tree. This took place on the week of the Passover, or in the beginning of April. Figs, in Palestine, are commonly ripe at the Passover. The summer in Palestine begins in March, and it is no uncommon thing that figs should be eatable in April. It is said that they sometimes produce fruit the year round.

Mark 11:12-13 says that this took place on the morning of the day on which he purified the temple. Matthew would lead us to suppose that it was on the day following. Matthew records briefly what Mark records more “fully.” Matthew states the fact that the fig-tree was barren and withered away, without regarding minutely the order or the circumstances in which the event took place. There is no contradiction, because Matthew does not affirm that this took place on the morning after the temple was cleansed, though he places it in that order; nor does he say that a day did not elapse after the fig-tree was cursed before the disciples discovered that it was withered, though he does not affirm that it was so. Such circumstantial variations, where there is no positive contradiction, go greatly to confirm the truth of a narrative. They show that the writers were honest men, and did not “conspire” to deceive the world.

And said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee … – Mark calls this “cursing” the tree Mark 11:21. The word “curse,” as used by him, does not imply “anger,” or disappointment, or malice. It means only “devoting it to destruction,” or causing it to wither away. All the “curse” that was pronounced was in the words “that no fruit should grow on it.” The Jews used the word “curse” not as always implying “wrath or anger,” but to devote to “death,” or to any kind of destruction, Hebrews 6:8. It has been commonly thought that the Saviour performed this miracle to denote the sudden “withering away” or destruction of the Jewish people. They, like the fig-tree, promised fair. That was full of leaves, and they full of professions. Yet both were equally barren; and as that was destroyed, so they were soon to be. It was certain that this would be a good “illustration” of the destruction of the Jewish people, but there is no evidence that Jesus intended it as such, and without such evidence we have no right to say that was its meaning. “And presently the fig-tree withered away.” That is, before another day. See Mark. It is probable that they were passing directly onward, and did not stop then to consider it. Matthew does not affirm that it withered “away in their presence,” and Mark affirms that they made the discovery on the morning after it was “cursed.”

Matthew 21:20
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

And when the disciples saw it – That is, on the morning following that on which it was cursed, Mark 11:20.

They marveled, saying … – Peter said this, Mark 11:21 Matthew means only to say that this was said to him; Mark tells us which one of them said it.

Matthew 21:21
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Jesus answered and said … – Jesus took occasion from this to establish their faith in God, Mark 11:22

He told them that any difficulty could be overcome by faith. To remove a mountain denotes the power of surmounting or removing any difficulty. The phrase was so used by the Jews. There is no doubt that this was “literally” true – that if “they had the faith of miracles,” they could remove the mountain before them – the Mount of Olives – for this was as easy for God to do by them as to heal the sick or raise the dead. But the Saviour rather referred, probably, to the difficulties and trials which they would be called to endure in preaching the gospel.

Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

And all things … – He adds an encouragement for them to pray, assuring them that they should have all things which they asked.

This promise was evidently a special one, given to them in regard to working miracles. To them it was true, but it is manifest that we have no right to apply this promise to ourselves. It was desired especially for the apostles; nor have we a right to turn it from its original meaning. There are other promises in, abundance on which we “may” rely in prayer, with confident assurance that our prayers will be heard. Compare the notes at Matthew 7:7-11.

Shalom.

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, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Protector / Deliverer, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

To Whom Shall We Turn When Defeat Seems Imminent?

We will all face challenges, and sometimes we as a people or nation may face significant challenges. The enemy is not always a foreign nation. It may be evil and wicked people from within our own nation. They come against the truth of God’s word and the freedom to fully live for God. Of course, for many Christians around the world, it may be very real that it is a militia or military or government intent on killing them for their faith. In the United States we are generally not that far gone yet, but we seem to be trending that direction.

To whom shall we turn when defeat seems imminent. Let’s read 2 Kings 19 and study the historical account of Hezekiah. We read in 2 Kings 18 that he was a righteous king, walking in the ways of the LORD. Do not miss that important scene set. We should always come before our LORD with clean and devoted heart, already repenting for our sins and way of doing things or ready to do so as we seek Him. We should not expect much in response from God if we ask Him for help to continue living in our own sinful ways and ignoring Him or blending what He tells us to do with the traditions of men and idol worship.

When Assyria confronted and was on the verge of overwhelming Hezekiah, he turned wholeheartedly and desperately to Yahweh. He knew the situation was beyond his strength to address.

2 Kings 19

Isaiah Encourages Hezekiah

      1And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD. 2Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver. 4‘Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7“Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

Sennacherib Defies God

      8Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish. 9When he heard them say concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, “Behold, he has come out to fight against you,” he sent messengers again to Hezekiah saying, 10“Thus you shall say to Hezekiah king of Judah, ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you saying, “Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 11‘Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the lands, destroying them completely. So will you be spared? 12‘Did the gods of those nations which my fathers destroyed deliver them, even Gozan and Haran and Rezeph and the sons of Eden who were in Telassar? 13‘Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, and of Hena and Ivvah?’”

Hezekiah’s Prayer

      14Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. 15Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16“Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17“Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands 18and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. 19“Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”

God’s Answer through Isaiah

      20Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’

21“This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him:
‘She has despised you and mocked you,
The virgin daughter of Zion;
She has shaken her head behind you,
The daughter of Jerusalem!

      22‘Whom have you reproached and blasphemed?
And against whom have you raised your voice,
And haughtily lifted up your eyes?
Against the Holy One of Israel!

      23‘Through your messengers you have reproached the Lord,
And you have said, “With my many chariots
I came up to the heights of the mountains,
To the remotest parts of Lebanon;
And I cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypresses.
And I entered its farthest lodging place, its thickest forest.

      24“I dug wells and drank foreign waters,
And with the sole of my feet I dried up
All the rivers of Egypt.”

      25‘Have you not heard?
Long ago I did it;
From ancient times I planned it.
Now I have brought it to pass,
That you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps.

      26‘Therefore their inhabitants were short of strength,
They were dismayed and put to shame;
They were as the vegetation of the field and as the green herb,
As grass on the housetops is scorched before it is grown up.

      27‘But I know your sitting down,
And your going out and your coming in,
And your raging against Me.

      28‘Because of your raging against Me,
And because your arrogance has come up to My ears,
Therefore I will put My hook in your nose,
And My bridle in your lips,
And I will turn you back by the way which you came.

      29‘Then this shall be the sign for you: you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. 30‘The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 31‘For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant, and out of Mount Zion survivors. The zeal of the LORD will perform this.

      32‘Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, “He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there; and he will not come before it with a shield or throw up a siege ramp against it. 33“By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he shall not come to this city,”’ declares the LORD. 34‘For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’”

      35Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead. 36So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. 37It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Notice that Hezekiah’s prayer focused not only on the needs of the people but also considered the situation from God’s point of view. His name and reputation were being blasphemed by Assyria.

Also, as we can see in the end, God can bring victory or defeat regardless of seemingly overwhelming odds in the eyes of man.

What challenges do you need to bring before Yahweh today relating to you personally, your family, your community, the body of Christ, your state or nation?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, You and you alone are God. There are none like you. Bring me (and your people everywhere) to a point of humility and dependence on you. Help us to turn from our sins and our own ways and embrace your ways fully. Open our eyes to all you would have us do and how you would have us live. Deliver us from the wicked who come against us and against your name. Defeat the wicked and raise up the righteous. Open the eyes of the wicked to convert them so they would become your champions instead of your enemies. Help comfort and protect and lift up your people everywhere. Amen

Shalom

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.