Category Archives: Arrogance

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Choosing Your Path in the Shadow of the Cross: A Reflection on True Discipleship

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As we approach the season of Passover and Unleavened Bread, we’re reminded of their significance not only to our faith’s heritage but directly to Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) and His early followers. These celebrations, deeply rooted in the liberation of God’s people, were observed by Jesus Himself, marking crucial moments in the narrative that led to His crucifixion and glorious resurrection. The Gospel of Mark, detailing events leading up to this pivotal climax, doesn’t just recount a historical timeline; it invites us to reflect deeply on our personal journey of faith.

Mark 14 presents us with two distinct responses to Christ’s presence on Earth. On one hand, we see the religious leaders, outwardly paragons of piety, secretly plotting to kill Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love and salvation walking among them. Contrastingly, a woman, known as a sinner, approaches Jesus with a heart of worship, anointing Him with costly perfume in a profound act of devotion and humility.

This juxtaposition challenges us to discern between mere outward religiosity and genuine, heartfelt devotion to God. It urges us first to look inward, examining our own approach to our faith and relationship with God. Are we merely wearing a cloak of holiness to gain the approval of others, or are we pursuing a genuine, transforming relationship with Jesus?

Mark 14:1-11 starkly illustrates the choices laid before us. The religious leaders’ intent on murder versus the woman’s act of love sets a clear distinction between using religion for one’s ends and living out a true discipleship characterized by humility and sacrifice.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture)

Mark 14:1-11

Death Plot and Anointing

1Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.”

3While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5“For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9“Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11They were glad when they heard this and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Being a disciple of Jesus means more than just holding a title; it’s about being a learner and follower, continuously seeking to mold our lives after His example. It’s about recognizing that true holiness doesn’t come from external appearances or positions within the church but from a heart fully surrendered to God.

As we ponder the path of discipleship, we face critical questions. Will we distance ourselves from Jesus, allowing pride, selfishness, or deceit to rule our hearts? Or will we choose to serve Him genuinely, embracing humility and faithfulness, even when faced with misunderstanding or scorn from the world?

The way we respond to Jesus’s invitation to follow Him shapes our journey with the Father, influencing our experience of His love and the depth of our personal relationship with Him.

Let us pray together for the grace to choose wisely and faithfully:

Father, illuminate our understanding with the truth of Your Word. Guard our hearts against the deceit of mere religious performance. Guide us to a sincere and humble walk with You, free from self-deception and pride. Grant us the courage to live as true disciples, fully surrendered to Your will, radiating Your love and grace in every aspect of our lives. May our journey reflect a deep, joyful submission to You, drawing others to Your light. Amen.

This reflection invites us to consider deeply our response to Christ’s call to discipleship. As we observe Passover and Unleavened Bread this year, let’s embrace these holy days as opportunities to draw closer to Jesus, to celebrate our liberation from sin, and to commit anew to walking in His ways.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Arrogance, Children, Courage / Fear, Discerning / Judging, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Greed, Hypocrisy, Parenting, Purposeful / Intentional, Selfishness, Study the Word, Tongue / Gossip / Slander

Navigating Perilous Times (2 Timothy 3)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of the times we live in, uncertain about how to navigate through the complexities of life?

In 2 Timothy 3, the apostle Paul offers timeless wisdom for facing adversity and standing firm in faith amidst perilous circumstances.

Reconnect: In the preceding chapters of 2 Timothy, Paul writes to his beloved disciple Timothy, imparting crucial instructions for ministry and exhorting him to remain steadfast in the face of opposition. As we delve into chapter 3, we find Paul addressing the prevailing challenges of the last days, offering guidance that remains relevant for believers today.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

2 Timothy 3

“Difficult Times Will Come”

     1But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

      10Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Summary Key Points:

  • Recognizing the Signs of the Times: Paul begins by describing the characteristics of people in the last days, warning that perilous times will come. He highlights traits such as selfishness, pride, and a lack of self-control, indicating the moral decay and spiritual deception that will abound in the end times.
  • Remaining Grounded in God’s Word: Amidst the prevailing darkness, Paul emphasizes the importance of Scripture as a source of truth and guidance. He reminds Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, equipping believers for every good work.
  • Standing Firm in the Faith: Despite the challenges and opposition, Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the things he has learned and firmly believe. He underscores the necessity of holding fast to sound doctrine, remaining faithful to the teachings passed down from the apostles, and rejecting false teachings and deceptive ideologies.
  • Persevering in the Face of Adversity: Paul himself serves as an example of endurance and perseverance in the midst of trials. He recounts his own experiences of persecution and suffering for the sake of the gospel, encouraging Timothy to endure hardship and follow his example of unwavering faithfulness to Christ.

Call to Action:

Let us heed Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3 by:

  • Studying God’s Word Diligently: Like Timothy, let us immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to shape our beliefs, values, and actions. Let us commit to regular study and meditation on God’s Word, seeking wisdom and guidance for navigating the challenges of our times.
  • Discerning the Times: In a world marked by moral relativism and spiritual deception, let us remain vigilant and discerning, recognizing the signs of the times and standing firm in the truth of God’s Word. Let us be wary of false teachings and deceptive philosophies, holding fast to the unchanging truth of Scripture.
  • Remaining Steadfast in Faith: Despite the pressures and trials we may face, let us remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in the promises of God and relying on His strength to sustain us. Let us persevere in following Christ faithfully, knowing that He is with us always, even to the end of the age.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, grant us wisdom and discernment to navigate the challenges of the times we live in. Strengthen our faith and fortify our hearts with the truth of Your Word, that we may stand firm amidst the shifting sands of this world. Help us to remain steadfast, unwavering in our commitment to You, and empowered by Your Spirit to live lives that honor and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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.

Arrogance, Compassion, Depression / Discouragement, Discerning / Judging, Encouragement, Fellowship, Help / Serve Others, Humility, Kindness / Gentleness, Tribulation, Wise

When Friends Offer Troubling Advice (Job 22)

Have you ever experienced the frustration of receiving well-intentioned advice that seems far from the mark?

In life’s most challenging moments, we often turn to friends for support and guidance, but sometimes their counsel can miss the mark entirely. Job faced similar experiences, especially in the dialogue found in Job 22.

Let’s explore the lessons we can learn from Job’s encounters with his friends.

Reconnect: In the preceding chapters of the Book of Job, we witness Job’s ongoing suffering and his friends’ attempts to explain it as a result of his sins, reflecting the idea that suffering is always a consequence of personal sin. In contrast, Job stands emphatically behind his innocence, challenging this simplistic view of suffering as divine punishment for personal wrongdoing.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture)

Job 22

Eliphaz Accuses and Exhorts Job

      1Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,

      2“Can a vigorous man be of use to God,
Or a wise man be useful to himself?

      3“Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,
Or profit if you make your ways perfect?

      4“Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you,
That He enters into judgment against you?

      5“Is not your wickedness great,
And your iniquities without end?

      6“For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause,
And stripped men naked.

      7“To the weary you have given no water to drink,
And from the hungry you have withheld bread.

      8“But the earth belongs to the mighty man,
And the honorable man dwells in it.

      9“You have sent widows away empty,
And the strength of the orphans has been crushed.

      10“Therefore snares surround you,
And sudden dread terrifies you,

      11Or darkness, so that you cannot see,
And an abundance of water covers you.

      12“Is not God in the height of heaven?
Look also at the distant stars, how high they are!

      13“You say, ‘What does God know?
Can He judge through the thick darkness?

      14‘Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see;
And He walks on the vault of heaven.’

      15“Will you keep to the ancient path
Which wicked men have trod,

      16Who were snatched away before their time,
Whose foundations were washed away by a river?

      17“They said to God, ‘Depart from us!’
And ‘What can the Almighty do to them?’

      18“Yet He filled their houses with good things;
But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

      19“The righteous see and are glad,
And the innocent mock them,

      20Saying, ‘Truly our adversaries are cut off,
And their abundance the fire has consumed.’

      21“Yield now and be at peace with Him;
Thereby good will come to you.

      22“Please receive instruction from His mouth
And establish His words in your heart.

      23“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,

      24And place your gold in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,

      25Then the Almighty will be your gold
And choice silver to you.

      26“For then you will delight in the Almighty
And lift up your face to God.

      27“You will pray to Him, and He will hear you;
And you will pay your vows.

      28“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you;
And light will shine on your ways.

      29“When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence,
And the humble person He will save.

      30“He will deliver one who is not innocent,
And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”

Summary Key Points:

  1. Eliphaz’s Accusations: In Job 22, Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, offers a harsh rebuke to Job, accusing him of various sins. He suggests that Job’s suffering is a direct result of his wickedness, asserting that God punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. Eliphaz’s accusations reflect a common belief that suffering is always a consequence of personal sin.
  2. Lessons in Empathy: Job’s experience with his friends reminds us of the importance of empathy and sensitivity when offering counsel to those in distress. While Eliphaz and others may have had good intentions, their failure to understand the depth of Job’s suffering and their rush to judgment illustrate the need for compassion in difficult times. They were trying to solve the problem instead of simply comforting and encouraging their friend.
  3. Seeking God’s Perspective: Job’s story prompts us to seek God’s perspective in times of suffering. Instead of jumping to conclusions or offering quick answers, we should approach the suffering of others with humility and prayer, recognizing that we may not fully comprehend God’s purposes.

Call to Action: As we reflect on Job 22, let us strive to be empathetic listeners and companions to those facing trials. Rather than making hasty judgments or providing easy explanations, let us pray for discernment and seek God’s perspective. When comforting friends in times of suffering, may we offer not only words of encouragement but also the gift of understanding and empathy.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the lessons found in the Book of Job. Help us to be compassionate and understanding friends to those in times of suffering. Grant us the wisdom to seek Your perspective and guidance when comforting others, and may our words and actions reflect Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Prompt: Share a personal experience where you received counsel from a well-meaning friend that missed the mark. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from that experience? How can we apply the lessons from Job’s story to our interactions with those facing trials?

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

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, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Lessons from the Ruin of Babylon for Modern Times (Jeremiah 51)

In the pages of Jeremiah 51, we uncover a fascinating tale of an ancient empire’s rise and fall. But it’s not just a history lesson; it’s a timeless message that speaks to our world today. Discover the surprising relevance of this ancient prophecy for our lives.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. The Pride and Hubris of Empires: Just as Babylon’s pride led to its downfall, nations and individuals today are reminded of the danger of arrogance and tyranny.
  2. The Role of Divine Justice: Jeremiah 51 illustrates the role of divine justice in the course of history, emphasizing the need for righteousness, obedience, and compassion in our actions.
  3. The Power of Faith: In the midst of upheaval and uncertainty, Jeremiah’s message also highlights the power of faith in God to guide us through turbulent times.
  4. The Call for Transformation: The lessons from Babylon’s fall challenge us to examine our own lives and societies, striving for positive change and a commitment to God’s values.

Jeremiah 51 beckons us to look beyond the historical narrative and reflect on the values and principles that still resonate today. As we explore the rise and fall of Babylon, let’s examine our own lives and the world we live in. How can we seek justice, humility, obedience to God, and righteousness in our actions? How can we avoid the pitfalls of pride and arrogance?

Let’s draw inspiration from this ancient text and make a commitment to live by these timeless values. Share your thoughts and be part of the ongoing conversation about the relevance of Jeremiah 51 in our lives today!

Jeremiah 51

Babylon Judged for Sins against Israel

      1Thus says the LORD:
“Behold, I am going to arouse against Babylon
And against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai
The spirit of a destroyer.

      2“I will dispatch foreigners to Babylon that they may winnow her
And may devastate her land;
For on every side they will be opposed to her
In the day of her calamity.

      3“Let not him who bends his bow bend it,
Nor let him rise up in his scale-armor;
So do not spare her young men;
Devote all her army to destruction.

      4“They will fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans,
And pierced through in their streets.”

      5For neither Israel nor Judah has been forsaken
By his God, the LORD of hosts,
Although their land is full of guilt
Before the Holy One of Israel.

      6Flee from the midst of Babylon,
And each of you save his life!
Do not be destroyed in her punishment,
For this is the LORD’S time of vengeance;
He is going to render recompense to her.

      7Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the LORD,
Intoxicating all the earth.
The nations have drunk of her wine;
Therefore the nations are going mad.

      8Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken;
Wail over her!
Bring balm for her pain;
Perhaps she may be healed.

      9We applied healing to Babylon, but she was not healed;
Forsake her and let us each go to his own country,
For her judgment has reached to heaven
And towers up to the very skies.

      10The LORD has brought about our vindication;
Come and let us recount in Zion
The work of the LORD our God!

      11Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers!
The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes,
Because His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it;
For it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for His temple.

      12Lift up a signal against the walls of Babylon;
Post a strong guard,
Station sentries,
Place men in ambush!
For the LORD has both purposed and performed
What He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

      13O you who dwell by many waters,
Abundant in treasures,
Your end has come,
The measure of your end.

      14The LORD of hosts has sworn by Himself:
“Surely I will fill you with a population like locusts,
And they will cry out with shouts of victory over you.”

      15It is He who made the earth by His power,
Who established the world by His wisdom,
And by His understanding He stretched out the heavens.

      16When 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 forth the wind from His storehouses.

      17All mankind 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.

      18They are worthless, a work of mockery;
In the time of their punishment they will perish.

      19The portion of Jacob is not like these;
For the Maker of all is He,
And of the tribe of His inheritance;
The LORD of hosts is His name.

      20He says, “You are My war-club, My weapon of war;
And with you I shatter nations,
And with you I destroy kingdoms.

      21“With you I shatter the horse and his rider,
And with you I shatter the chariot and its rider,

      22And with you I shatter man and woman,
And with you I shatter old man and youth,
And with you I shatter young man and virgin,

      23And with you I shatter the shepherd and his flock,
And with you I shatter the farmer and his team,
And with you I shatter governors and prefects.

      24“But I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea for all their evil that they have done in Zion before your eyes,” declares the LORD.

      25“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain,
Who destroys the whole earth,” declares the LORD,
“And I will stretch out My hand against you,
And roll you down from the crags,
And I will make you a burnt out mountain.

      26“They will not take from you even a stone for a corner
Nor a stone for foundations,
But you will be desolate forever,” declares the LORD.

      27Lift up a signal in the land,
Blow a trumpet among the nations!
Consecrate the nations against her,
Summon against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz;
Appoint a marshal against her,
Bring up the horses like bristly locusts.

      28Consecrate the nations against her,
The kings of the Medes,
Their governors and all their prefects,
And every land of their dominion.

      29So the land quakes and writhes,
For the purposes of the LORD against Babylon stand,
To make the land of Babylon
A desolation without inhabitants.

      30The mighty men of Babylon have ceased fighting,
They stay in the strongholds;
Their strength is exhausted,
They are becoming like women;
Their dwelling places are set on fire,
The bars of her gates are broken.

      31One courier runs to meet another,
And one messenger to meet another,
To tell the king of Babylon
That his city has been captured from end to end;

      32The fords also have been seized,
And they have burned the marshes with fire,
And the men of war are terrified.

      33For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:
“The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor
At the time it is stamped firm;
Yet in a little while the time of harvest will come for her.”

      34“Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured me and crushed me,
He has set me down like an empty vessel;
He has swallowed me like a monster,
He has filled his stomach with my delicacies;
He has washed me away.

      35“May the violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon,”
The inhabitant of Zion will say;
And, “May my blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea,”
Jerusalem will say.

36Therefore thus says the LORD,
“Behold, I am going to plead your case
And exact full vengeance for you;
And I will dry up her sea
And make her fountain dry.

      37“Babylon will become a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals,
An object of horror and hissing, without inhabitants.

      38“They will roar together like young lions,
They will growl like lions’ cubs.

      39“When they become heated up, I will serve them their banquet
And make them drunk, that they may become jubilant
And may sleep a perpetual sleep
And not wake up,” declares the LORD.

      40“I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter,
Like rams together with male goats.

      41“How Sheshak has been captured,
And the praise of the whole earth been seized!
How Babylon has become an object of horror among the nations!

      42“The sea has come up over Babylon;
She has been engulfed with its tumultuous waves.

      43“Her cities have become an object of horror,
A parched land and a desert,
A land in which no man lives
And through which no son of man passes.

      44“I will punish Bel in Babylon,
And I will make what he has swallowed come out of his mouth;
And the nations will no longer stream to him.
Even the wall of Babylon has fallen down!

      45“Come forth from her midst, My people,
And each of you save yourselves
From the fierce anger of the LORD.

      46“Now so that your heart does not grow faint,
And you are not afraid at the report that will be heard in the land—
For the report will come one year,
And after that another report in another year,
And violence will be in the land
With ruler against ruler—

      47Therefore behold, days are coming
When I will punish the idols of Babylon;
And her whole land will be put to shame
And all her slain will fall in her midst.

      48“Then heaven and earth and all that is in them
Will shout for joy over Babylon,
For the destroyers will come to her from the north,”
Declares the LORD.

      49Indeed Babylon is to fall for the slain of Israel,
As also for Babylon the slain of all the earth have fallen.

      50You who have escaped the sword,
Depart! Do not stay!
Remember the LORD from afar,
And let Jerusalem come to your mind.

      51We are ashamed because we have heard reproach;
Disgrace has covered our faces,
For aliens have entered
The holy places of the LORD’S house.

      52“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD,
“When I will punish her idols,
And the mortally wounded will groan throughout her land.

      53“Though Babylon should ascend to the heavens,
And though she should fortify her lofty stronghold,
From Me destroyers will come to her,” declares the LORD.

      54The sound of an outcry from Babylon,
And of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans!

      55For the LORD is going to destroy Babylon,
And He will make her loud noise vanish from her.
And their waves will roar like many waters;
The tumult of their voices sounds forth.

      56For the destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon,
And her mighty men will be captured,
Their bows are shattered;
For the LORD is a God of recompense,
He will fully repay.

      57“I will make her princes and her wise men drunk,
Her governors, her prefects and her mighty men,
That they may sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake up,”
Declares the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

58Thus says the LORD of hosts,
“The broad wall of Babylon will be completely razed
And her high gates will be set on fire;
So the peoples will toil for nothing,
And the nations become exhausted only for fire.”

      59The message which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the grandson of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. (Now Seraiah was quartermaster.) 60So Jeremiah wrote in a single scroll all the calamity which would come upon Babylon, that is, all these words which have been written concerning Babylon. 61Then Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “As soon as you come to Babylon, then see that you read all these words aloud, 62and say, ‘You, O LORD, have promised concerning this place to cut it off, so that there will be nothing dwelling in it, whether man or beast, but it will be a perpetual desolation.’ 63“And as soon as you finish reading this scroll, you will tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates, 64and say, ‘Just so shall Babylon sink down and not rise again because of the calamity that I am going to bring upon her; and they will become exhausted.’” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

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.

Arrogance, Humility, Psalms, Wickedness / Evil

Resist Boasting in Wickedness! (Psalm 52)

In whom shall we boast? What power do we have to control and even influence our lives that has not been allowed us by our heavenly Father.

If I am wise or strong, did this not come from Yahweh as He made me? Should I not trust in Him for all things? Let us be planted in the house of God forever, trusting in His loving kindness and not boasting in ourselves.

We certainly should not be boasting about wickedness in which we go against the ways of God!

Psalm 52

Futility of Boastful Wickedness.

For the choir director. A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

     1Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

      2Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.

      3You love evil more than good,
Falsehood more than speaking what is right.

Selah.

      4You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.

      5But God will break you down forever;
He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent,
And uproot you from the land of the living.

Selah.

      6The righteous will see and fear,
And will laugh at him, saying,

      7“Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches
And was strong in his evil desire.”

      8But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.

      9I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.

Praise to our loving Father who created all things, including each of us! How wonderful that He loves us. I will trust in Him rather than boast of my own works. There is nothing I can do that He did not first grant me the ability to do.  I will seek Him as my refuge. All honor and glory to Him!

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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.

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.

Arrogance, Bitterness / Resentment, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Lying / Deceiving, Murder, Submitted / Servant, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

A Tale of Two Responses to Christ, How Will You Respond?

Passover and Unleavened Bread are important celebrations to Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus) and His disciples. Yeshua participated in these holy celebrations and so did his disciples. Our opportunity to observe them this year is coming up very soon. We see that it was important from the fact that Mark includes this explicitly in the timeline of events leading up to Yeshua’s death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. This event was an important part of the timeline for us to understand.

We also get insight in Mark 14 into two very different responses to Yeshua. The chief priests, who present themselves to the people as if they are holy and set apart for YHWH’s purposes, are plotting to kill Yeshua… God Himself walking among them. Meanwhile, a humble woman, a “sinner”, comes to anoint him and honor him with very expensive perfume and her own personal time and effort.

This provides a stark contrast that reminds us to use careful discernment in clearly identifying who is following YHWH and honoring him with their lives and who is just playing a part to look holy before the people. To be sure, we should start by looking in the mirror and making sure we have the right attitude toward our Creator.

Mark 14:1-11

Death Plot and Anointing

1Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.”

3While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5“For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9“Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11They were glad when they heard this and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Discern carefully who truly follows after Yeshua and learns from him, changing their lives to be more like him, and who uses Yeshua and the scriptures only to manipulate the message to their own gain and the appearance of holiness. In some cases, they genuinely fool even themselves. Do not be so foolish as to assume everyone in “church” leadership is holy and a true disciple of Yeshua, or that others who are not in those positions are not true disciples. A disciple does not mean you have all the answers, but rather that you are a “learner” after that person you follow. Your heart is toward them, and you are pursuing them.

We all have a choice in how we will respond to Yeshua. Will we reject him entirely, will we pretend to serve him but let wickedness and selfishness reign in us, or will we humbly and faithfully serve him even when others will mock us for it?

How will you choose to respond to the Father’s offer of love and personal relationship in your life?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to the fullness of who You are and the truth of Your ways. Let me not be deceived by religious traditions of men. Help me not to be content projecting holiness outwardly, when I am not rightfully submitted to You inwardly. Help me not to even fool myself to pridefully assume I have all the answers and then miss who You really are or how You want to work in my life. Help me to be a faithful servant, fully submitted to you, with a thankful and joyful heart. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

To study more on Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread, visit our teaching on Celebrating God’s Holy Days (Moedim) and review our category of posts relating to Holidays/Traditions (scroll down to move from one post to another).

Here are a few additional 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!

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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.

Arrogance, Humility, Money / Finances / Wealth, Proverbs (Wisdom & Folly), Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wise

Commit Your Works to the LORD and Your Plans Will be Established (Prov 16)

When we surrender our own plans and surrender control to God, He will establish our path forward. This reminds me of the perspective of going on a drive to get to a destination. Are we going to let Yeshua drive the car and direct our path or are we going to insist we hold on to the wheel and determine where we go? In many cases, He will let us if we insist, but we are always better off when He is driving, or determining our path.

Take time to consider each verse and how it applies to your life. Don’t rush. There is a lot upon which to reflect.

Proverbs 16

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

      2All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the LORD weighs the motives.

      3Commit your works to the LORD
And your plans will be established.

      4The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.

      5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

      6By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

      7When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

      8Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.

      9The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.

      10A divine decision is in the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.

      11A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.

      12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.

      13Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.

      14The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

      15In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

      16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

      17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who watches his way preserves his life.

      18Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

      19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

      20He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

      21The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

      22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.

      23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

      24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

      25There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

      26A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.

      27A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.

      28A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

      29A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.

      30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

      31A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.

      32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

      33The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.

Arrogance, Discerning / Judging, Help / Serve Others, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Kindness / Gentleness

Letters of Commendation

Those who follow Christ realize the significant way in which He used Paul to help launch the early church and establish writings which ultimately became a key part of the holy scriptures in the Bible. However, we can see from his writings that Paul was not without his critics… even within the early church. Perhaps this can give us pause to recognize that we too, will not be without critics if we stand openly for Christ… even within the church.

Letters of commendation served a purpose of communicating to a receiving church about a fellow brother or sister in Christ coming from another city so that they would be received. It would appear some took exception with the fact that Paul did not bring letters, but rather in 1 Corinthians actually stated the case for himself in such areas as not accepting pay, etc. in his work there. Thus he appears to have been criticized for commending himself.

Not one to be deterred or intimidated, Paul addresses it head on… and he is right. A letter may serve a purpose for someone you don’t know, but a letter is pointless for someone who has already spent much time with you and your church. The “letter of commendation” is much more truthfully and effectively written on in the lives and hearts of those being ministered to, as was the case of the Corinthian church. What purpose would a letter be for Paul in comparison to the time spent helping develop the faith of many in Corinth? Even in this response, Paul quickly redirects the glory and credit to God.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

      1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

      4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Let us consider and observe what affect we have on others around us to the end of glorifying Christ. That is a truer reflection or our impact for Christ than a fancy letter or diploma from a church or seminary. Our actions and impact on those around us means more, much more, than a piece of paper we may carry with us. So too let us take caution just “writing our own letter” essentially just telling ourselves we are “good Christians”, but rather look carefully at our impact (or lack of impact) of helping and loving those around us.

 

Arrogance, Help / Serve Others, Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Purposeful / Intentional, Selfishness

Take Care With Your Liberty

Knowledge by itself, without love, can result in arrogance and disruption amongst the body of Christ. Love edifies the Father. Knowledge shared and demonstrated with love is a powerful witness indeed for the life of a follower of Christ.

1 Corinthians 8 reflects on an issue where believers, in particular weaker believers, may be thrown off or confused by witnessing other believers eating food offered to idols. Where a more knowledgeable believer recognizes that food that is acceptable to eat can not be made unclean or unholy by a false god that does not exist. Thus it is acceptable to eat. However, this could be misunderstood to reflect support for false gods or a lack of holiness, being set apart for God’s use. Paul cautions that just because we may know something is ok, we should take care and act in love for others who may be confused by our actions… even if our actions are acceptable.

Too often, Christians take this passage out of the specific context of meat offered to idols and start to teach or act as though this gives us permission, or “Christian liberty”, to do whatever we want because it is not “wrong” or can be covered by “grace”. Quite the opposite in this case… Paul is suggesting that even things we know to be acceptable, may be better avoided in order to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not a license to deny the law, but rather guidance that even some things which are allowed by the law should be avoided for the sake of others. It further limits us out of our love for others rather than releasing us to act without boundaries.

Maybe a familiar modern-day consideration could be shown as follows. If I am having dinner with friends, one of whom used to be an alcoholic, I would not serve alcohol even though it is acceptable to do so generally. Why potentially stumble another believer?

1 Corinthians 8

Take Care with Your Liberty

      1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

      4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

      7However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

Take time in prayer and reflection. Talk it over with someone close to you that you can trust.  Does your growing knowledge of Christ and scripture provide a solid foundation for sharing and demonstrating the gospel with other believers? or do you come across as arrogant and disruptive, causing others to stumble in confusion?

Take care, however, not to use the confusion of others as an excuse to avoid doing what you understand God commands us to do. If people are confused about what is and is not sin, that does not mean we join them in sin… may it never be! We must demonstrate obedience to the Father in all we understand Him to command us to do. Then we can further guide our actions beyond that with love and understanding of our weaker brothers and sisters in Christ.

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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.