Category Archives: Sin

Faith / Trusting God, Hypocrisy, Salvation

The Open Door No One Can Shut (Revelation 3:7–13)

Do you trust that Yeshua controls the doors in your life — even when you feel small and unseen?

Key Verse:
“I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” —Revelation 3:11 NASB

Background Context:
Philadelphia was a smaller and less influential city, frequently shaken by earthquakes and instability. Into that setting, Yeshua introduces Himself differently than in the other letters. He identifies Himself as “He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David; who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens.”

This opening declaration reminds us of His absolute authority. He truly is all-powerful. What He opens cannot be closed by opposition. What He shuts cannot be forced open by human effort.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 3:7-13

Message to Philadelphia

      7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

      8‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11‘I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. 13‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Reflection on Revelation 3:7–13:
Yeshua begins by affirming His sovereignty. The doors of opportunity, mission, protection, and destiny are under His control. None can stand against Him. For a church that felt small and had “little strength,” this reminder would have been deeply reassuring.

He then acknowledges their deeds. As in the other letters, Yeshua cares about how His people live. Faith is not abstract — it shows up in obedience. Philadelphia has kept His word and has not denied His name. Their strength may be limited, but their faithfulness is real.

He also addresses those who claim spiritual identity without living in obedience. Some were calling themselves Jews — identifying with the covenant people — yet opposing the work of God. Yeshua makes clear that outward claim does not equal inward faithfulness. He despises hypocrisy and blending loyalty to YHWH with allegiance to something else.

The call comes again: “Hold fast what you have.” Endurance matters. Remaining faithful matters. He warns them not to let anyone take their crown. This language is serious. It reinforces the biblical call to persevere — to continue walking in obedience rather than drifting into compromise. Scripture consistently calls believers to endure and not turn away.

Philadelphia is not rebuked, but they are cautioned. Even a faithful church must remain vigilant. Relationship with Yeshua is not passive. It is lived out through perseverance, obedience, and refusal to compromise His name.

The promise is beautiful: a pillar in the temple of God, permanence instead of instability, identity marked by His name. In a city known for shaking and displacement, Yeshua promises security and belonging that cannot be removed.

Application:

  • Trust that Yeshua controls the doors in your life.

  • Remain faithful even when your strength feels small.

  • Refuse to claim identity in God while living contrary to His Word.

  • Hold fast to your faith — perseverance is not optional.

  • Guard your crown by continuing in obedience and devotion.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Yeshua, thank You that You are holy, true, and sovereign over every door in my life. Help me hold fast to what You have given me. Guard my heart from compromise and strengthen me to endure faithfully. Keep me rooted in Your Word and loyal to Your name until the end. In Your holy name, Amen.

Drunkenness, Holy / Set Apart, Idols / False Gods, Traditions / Holidays, Worldliness

What is Mardi Gras and Should Christians Celebrate It?

What is Mardi Gras and why do so many Christians celebrate it? I grew up in a Catholic church and never could quite figure out how people could say that Mardi Gras was a “Christian holiday”. People broadly seemed to have accepted the concept that Christ wants us to embrace wild parties, drunkenness, public nudity, gluttony and other sinful behavior as a precursor to a period of repentance which follows.

Some may say that they only celebrate the parades, or they don’t participate or support the more offensive parts of Mardi Gras. However, it is all linked together as different levels of engagement in a clearly pagan festival. Does God like it if we only participate a little in some fun activities focused around a false god? What if we don’t do the “child sacrifice” but only dance before the idol or have a party on the day others sacrifice to the false god?

If it is not obvious enough that celebrating Mardi Gras is not a way to edify, honor, or lift up Christ then try a more academic exercise. Where in scripture did Jesus demonstrate or teach that we should sin greatly before a period of repentance? It’s not there. In fact, the opposite.

The call to repentance is real, but not the call to sin before it.

This does not even begin to touch on the focus that Mardi Gras puts on pagan gods associated with parades and other events.

Matthew 4:17

      17From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Romans 6

      1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7for he who has died is freed from sin.

      8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

      12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

      15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

      20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are called to righteousness and not to sin. How then can those in the church widely accept and embrace sin as a “Christian holiday”? The answer is that we have not followed the Lord’s instructions. He commands us not to learn the ways of the pagans and not to celebrate as they do. But all too often our common cultural holidays have been greatly influenced by pagan celebrations. The church has chosen to accept and blend pagan practices alongside or in place of how the Lord wants us to worship Him.

What Is Mardi Gras?

When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith, an easier task than abolishing them altogether. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and England.

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras

Deuteronomy 12:1-5

   1“These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2“You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3“You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. 4“You shall not act like this toward the LORD your God. 5“But you shall seek the LORD at the place which the LORD your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come.

In order to choose to follow the Lord His way, which is the only true way to follow Him, then we must turn away from and reject pagan celebrations which have been blended with or replaced God’s instructions for how we are to worship Him and how we are to live. Let us not make excuses, accepting the lifestyle of the pagans as our own, no matter how long the family traditions have been established. When we start making exceptions, we often end up with things like Mardi Gras… many who claim to be Christian accept it and would defend it… but none can justify it based on scripture or God’s word. It has become part of the culture based on a historical choices and family traditions. Let us seek the Lord and the Lord’s way alone to live submitted to Him. Let us not blend with the ways of the pagans but rather turn back to our Lord wholeheartedly and without hesitation.

—-

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.

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Anger (unrighteous anger), Blessed, Discipline / Guidance From God

Accountability and Lost Privilege (Genesis 49:1-7)

What happens when great potential is undermined by unchecked character?

Key Verse:
“Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it.” —Genesis 49:4 NASB

Background Context:
As Jacob gathers his sons at the end of his life, he makes clear that his words are not sentimental blessings, but prophetic declarations. He calls them together to tell them “what will befall you in the days to come.” These words reflect both the past actions of his sons and the future consequences that flow from them.

Jacob begins with his firstborn, Reuben, followed by Simeon and Levi. Their words are difficult, but intentional. God’s covenant promises continue—but individual character and choices still matter.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 49:1-7

Israel’s Prophecy concerning His Sons

      1Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come.

      2“Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob;
And listen to Israel your father.

      3“Reuben, you are my firstborn;
My might and the beginning of my strength,
Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.

      4“Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence,
Because you went up to your father’s bed;
Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.

      5“Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Their swords are implements of violence.

      6“Let my soul not enter into their council;
Let not my glory be united with their assembly;
Because in their anger they slew men,
And in their self-will they lamed oxen.

      7“Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel.
I will disperse them in Jacob,
And scatter them in Israel.

Reflection on Genesis 49:1–7:
Reuben is addressed first, as expected of the firstborn. Jacob acknowledges his strength and position, calling him the beginning of his vigor and dignity. Yet that privilege is immediately overturned. Reuben’s lack of self-control cost him preeminence. His strength was real, but it was undisciplined—like water that cannot be contained. Potential without restraint led to loss.

Simeon and Levi are addressed together, bound by shared history and shared sin. Their anger, once unleashed in violence at Shechem, is remembered not as righteous zeal but as destructive wrath. Jacob does not praise their unity or courage; he condemns their cruelty and disassociates himself from their actions.

What is striking is Jacob’s clarity. There is no bitterness, no rage, and no hesitation. These words are spoken with moral precision. Jacob understands that God’s covenant purposes move forward, but not by ignoring sin. Leadership, inheritance, and influence are shaped by character.

This opening section establishes a crucial truth for the rest of Genesis 49: birth order does not guarantee blessing, and strength alone does not secure God’s favor. God is faithful—but He is also just. Choices carry consequences that extend beyond the individual and into future generations.

Application:

  • Recognize that spiritual privilege does not replace personal responsibility.

  • Guard against unchecked desires that can erode God-given potential.

  • Understand that anger and violence, when unrestrained, bring lasting harm.

  • Invite God to shape your character, not just your abilities.

  • Live with awareness that today’s choices echo into tomorrow’s legacy.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and Your truth. Help me take responsibility for my choices and allow You to shape my character with wisdom and self-control. Guard my heart from unchecked desires and guide my life so that the legacy I leave reflects obedience, humility, and faithfulness to You. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Humility, Obeying God, Pride, Purposeful / Intentional, Truth

Walking in Truth (3 John 1)

Key Verse:
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” —3 John 1:4 NASB

Background Context:
3 John is a personal letter from the apostle John to a believer named Gaius. Unlike many New Testament letters addressed to churches, this one highlights individual character within the body of Christ. John contrasts three people: Gaius, who walks faithfully in truth; Diotrephes, who loves power and control; and Demetrius, who has a good testimony grounded in truth.

Through these examples, John teaches that walking in truth is not theoretical — it is revealed in how we treat others, exercise authority, and support God’s work.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

3 John 1

You Walk in the Truth

      1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

      2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

      5Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

      9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

      11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

      13I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

14but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Reflection on 3 John:
John begins with encouragement. He praises Gaius for walking in truth and for showing faithful love to traveling brothers and servants of the gospel. Gaius’ hospitality is not driven by reputation or obligation, but by sincere devotion to God. His actions support the work of truth itself.

John then presents a sharp contrast. Diotrephes seeks preeminence. He rejects authority, speaks maliciously, refuses hospitality, and even excludes others from fellowship. His behavior exposes a heart driven by pride rather than submission to God. Leadership, when rooted in self-interest, becomes destructive to the body of Christ.

This contrast highlights a crucial lesson: authority does not equal godliness. Position does not guarantee faithfulness. True leadership is measured by humility, obedience to truth, and care for others.

John encourages believers to imitate what is good, not what is evil. This is not a call to rebellion, but to discernment. Faithfulness sometimes requires resisting ungodly behavior, even when it comes from those in positions of influence.

Finally, John points to Demetrius, whose life reflects truth consistently. His reputation is affirmed not just by people, but by truth itself. This reminds us that integrity is ultimately measured by alignment with God’s Word, not popularity or control.

3 John calls believers to walk faithfully in truth, support those who serve God rightly, and reject prideful ambition that disrupts unity and obedience.

Application:

  • Walk in truth daily. Faithfulness is shown through consistent obedience.

  • Support God’s work. Hospitality and encouragement advance the gospel.

  • Reject prideful leadership. Authority must submit to truth, not replace it.

  • Choose humility. God honors those who serve rather than dominate.

  • Imitate what is good. Follow examples rooted in obedience and integrity.

  • Value God’s approval. A good testimony before God matters most.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me walk faithfully in Your truth each day. Guard my heart from pride and ambition, and teach me to serve with humility and integrity. Give me discernment to support what is good and resist what is harmful, even when it is uncomfortable. May my life bring You joy as I walk in obedience and truth. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Marriage, Purposeful / Intentional, Song of Solomon, Tongue / Gossip / Slander

When Love Speaks Life (Song of Solomon 4:1-7)

What changes when love chooses to speak affirmation instead of criticism?

Key Verse:
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish in you.” —Song of Solomon 4:7 NASB

Background Context:
Song of Solomon 4:1–7 is a moment of intentional affirmation. The groom speaks to his bride with care, attention, and delight. His words are not rushed or shallow; they are thoughtful and specific. Each description reflects honor rather than objectification, admiration rather than possession.

This passage occurs within the safety of covenant love. There is no fear, manipulation, or exploitation — only affirmation spoken in trust and devotion.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song Of Solomon 4:1-7

Solomon’s Love Expressed 

     1“How beautiful you are, my darling,
How beautiful you are!
Your eyes are like doves behind your veil;
Your hair is like a flock of goats
That have descended from Mount Gilead.

      2“Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes
Which have come up from their washing,
All of which bear twins,
And not one among them has lost her young.

      3“Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
And your mouth is lovely.
Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate
Behind your veil.

      4“Your neck is like the tower of David,
Built with rows of stones
On which are hung a thousand shields,
All the round shields of the mighty men.

      5“Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle
Which feed among the lilies.

      6“Until the cool of the day
When the shadows flee away,
I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh
And to the hill of frankincense.

      7“You are altogether beautiful, my darling,
And there is no blemish in you.

Reflection on Song of Solomon 4:1–7:
The groom’s words reveal a powerful truth: love shapes how we see and how we speak. He looks upon his bride and chooses to describe her beauty with gentleness and delight. His focus is not on flaws, but on wholeness. He sees her as she truly is — precious, valued, and cherished.

This kind of affirmation is not flattery. It is grounded in commitment. Love that is secure does not tear down or withhold praise. It speaks life. It reassures rather than wounds.

The repeated emphasis on beauty speaks to the healing power of affirmation. Many people carry insecurity, shaped by neglect, criticism, or comparison. Here, love actively restores confidence. Words spoken in love have the ability to mend what fear and doubt have damaged.

Spiritually, this passage reflects how God speaks to His people. God does not define us by our weaknesses or past failures. He sees us through covenant love — redeemed, valued, and called His own. While God does call us to repentance and growth, He does not shame or demean. His love restores identity before it transforms behavior.

This passage also challenges how we speak to those entrusted to us. Love is not silent about goodness. Affirmation strengthens bonds and builds trust. Where love is present, words should reflect care, patience, and honor.

Song of Solomon 4 reminds us that love does not merely feel — it speaks. And what it speaks has the power to heal.

Application:

  • Speak life-giving words. Affirmation strengthens love and trust.

  • See through love, not criticism. Secure love focuses on wholeness, not flaws.

  • Honor those entrusted to you. Words shape identity and confidence.

  • Receive God’s affirmation. He sees you through covenant love.

  • Let love be intentional. Thoughtful words communicate value and care.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the way You see and love Your people. Teach me to speak words that bring life, encouragement, and healing. Guard my heart from careless speech and help me reflect Your love in how I view and treat others. May my words build up rather than tear down, and may love guide what I say. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Holy / Set Apart, Purposeful / Intentional, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Submitted / Servant

Choosing Obedience over Pleasure (Genesis 39:1–10)

How do you respond when temptation comes quietly, persistently, and privately — when no one else would ever know?

Key Verse:
“How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” —Genesis 39:9 NASB

Background Context:
Joseph has been sold into slavery and brought to Egypt, where he is placed in the household of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Though Joseph’s circumstances are unjust, Scripture emphasizes a crucial truth: the LORD is with Joseph.

Joseph works diligently, earns trust, and is placed in charge of Potiphar’s household. God blesses the Egyptian household because of Joseph’s faithfulness. Yet success does not remove temptation. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly attempts to seduce Joseph, placing him in a situation that tests his character daily.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 39:1–10

Joseph’s Success in Egypt

      1Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9“There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” 10As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her.

Reflection on Genesis 39:1–10:
Genesis 39 opens with a powerful reminder: the LORD was with Joseph. Joseph is far from home, falsely sold into slavery, and living among people who do not worship the true God — yet God’s presence has not left him.

Joseph responds to his circumstances with faithfulness. He works diligently, honors authority, and lives with integrity. His character becomes evident, and God blesses his work. Potiphar recognizes this blessing and entrusts Joseph with everything he owns.

Then temptation enters the picture.

Potiphar’s wife does not tempt Joseph once, but day after day. This is not a sudden failure opportunity — it is persistent pressure. Joseph’s response reveals deep spiritual maturity. He does not argue emotionally or rationalize the situation. He reasons clearly and morally.

Joseph identifies the act for what it truly is:

  • A betrayal of trust toward Potiphar

  • A violation of marital covenant

  • A sin against God Himself

Joseph understands that integrity is not situational. Faithfulness to God applies whether someone is watching or not. He chooses obedience over pleasure, righteousness over convenience, and loyalty to God over temporary satisfaction.

This passage reminds us that temptation often comes when we are doing well, not when we are failing. Spiritual growth does not remove temptation — it reveals how we respond to it. Joseph’s strength comes not from isolation, but from conviction rooted in his relationship with God.

Application:

  • Remain faithful in every season. God’s presence is not limited by circumstances.

  • Recognize temptation clearly. Call sin what it is, not what it offers.

  • Honor God privately. Integrity matters most when no one is watching.

  • Refuse to rationalize sin. Short-term pleasure never outweighs obedience.

  • Guard your heart daily. Persistent temptation requires consistent faithfulness.

  • Trust God with the outcome. Obedience honors God regardless of immediate results.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for being with me in every circumstance. Strengthen my heart to choose obedience when temptation comes, especially when no one else would see. Help me honor You with integrity, faithfulness, and courage. Guard my heart from rationalizing sin, and teach me to trust You fully with the outcomes of obedience. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Humility, Intgegrity / Honesty, Lying / Deceiving, Pride, Repenting from Sin

Grace That Breaks Through Sin (Genesis 38:12–30)

What happens when God exposes our sin — do we defend ourselves, or do we humble ourselves and tell the truth?

Key Verse:
“She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” —Genesis 38:26 NASB

Background Context:
After the deaths of Er and Onan, Judah promises Tamar that she will be given to his remaining son, Shelah, when he comes of age. Judah fails to keep his word. Tamar is left waiting, vulnerable, and without provision in a society where her future depended on the faithfulness of others.

When Judah’s wife dies and he later travels to Timnah, Tamar takes desperate action to secure what was rightfully hers under God’s law. Judah, unaware of her identity, sins sexually and unknowingly leaves behind personal items that later expose him. When Tamar is accused, the truth comes into the open, forcing Judah to confront his hypocrisy publicly.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 38:12–30

   12Now after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13It was told to Tamar, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14So she removed her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face. 16So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, “Here now, let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17He said, therefore, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” She said, moreover, “Will you give a pledge until you send it?” 18He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. 19Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments.

      20When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21He asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the temple prostitute who was by the road at Enaim?” But they said, “There has been no temple prostitute here.” 22So he returned to Judah, and said, “I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’” 23Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

      24Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!” 25It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” 26Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

      27It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb. 28Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.

Reflection on Genesis 38:12–30:
This passage is uncomfortable — and intentionally so. Judah condemns Tamar quickly and harshly, ready to punish her publicly, while remaining blind to his own sin. His response reveals a heart that is far from God: quick to judge others, slow to examine himself.

When Tamar produces Judah’s seal, cord, and staff, the truth becomes undeniable. Judah’s response marks a turning point in his life. He does not deny, excuse, or deflect. He confesses plainly: “She is more righteous than I.”

This moment is not an endorsement of Tamar’s actions, nor an approval of Judah’s sin. Scripture explains what happened — it does not celebrate it. What stands out is Judah’s willingness, at last, to acknowledge his failure. This is the first recorded moment of humility and accountability in Judah’s story.

From this broken situation, Perez and Zerah are born. Perez, whose name means “breach” or “breaking through,” becomes part of the lineage of King David — and ultimately, Yeshua the Messiah. God brings redemption not by excusing sin, but by exposing it and calling His people to repentance.

Genesis 38 shows us that God’s grace does not erase accountability. Sin is named. Consequences remain. Yet God is not finished with Judah. This chapter marks the beginning of Judah’s transformation — a transformation we will see continue later when he offers himself in place of Benjamin.

The grace of God shines brightly here. God does not pretend sin is harmless. But He also does not abandon His people when they humble themselves and turn toward truth. He redeems what is broken and brings life where failure once ruled.

Application:

  • Examine your heart honestly. Beware of judging others while ignoring your own sin.

  • Respond humbly when confronted. Confession opens the door to restoration.

  • Do not confuse explanation with approval. Scripture records sin without endorsing it.

  • Keep your word. Faithfulness matters, especially when others depend on you.

  • Trust God’s redemptive power. He can bring hope even from deeply broken situations.

  • Choose repentance over pride. God works most powerfully in humble hearts.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your mercy that meets us even when our sin is exposed. Give me a heart that responds with humility rather than defensiveness. Help me to confess where I have failed, to keep my word, and to walk in integrity before You. Thank You for being a God who redeems broken stories and brings life where there was shame. Continue Your work of transformation in me. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Faithful, Loving / Kind, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Pride, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Wickedness / Evil

Steadfast Love Beyond Measure (Psalm 36)

Have you ever been struck by the contrast between how broken people can be — and how faithful God remains?

Key Verse:
“Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” —Psalm 36:5 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 36, attributed to David, opens with a sober reflection on the nature of human wickedness and then pivots dramatically to a soaring declaration of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. David observes how sin deceives the human heart, dulling conscience and removing fear of God. Yet instead of dwelling there, he lifts his eyes to the character of the Lord — a God whose mercy, righteousness, and protection far exceed human corruption.

This psalm contrasts the emptiness of life apart from God with the abundance and refuge found in His presence.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 36

      1Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.

      2For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.

      3The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

      4He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.

      5Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

      6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

      7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

      8They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.

      9For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

      10O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

      11Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

      12There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.

Reflection on Psalm 36:
David begins by describing sin as deceptive and self-flattering. The wicked person no longer recognizes or hates his own sin. There is no fear of God before his eyes, and as a result, his words and actions drift further from wisdom and goodness. This is a sobering reminder of what happens when truth is replaced by self-justification.

But David does not linger on darkness. He intentionally shifts his focus upward — from the failure of man to the faithfulness of God. God’s lovingkindness reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness to the skies, His righteousness stands like mighty mountains, and His judgments are as deep as the sea. Where human sin is shallow and fleeting, God’s character is vast and unchanging.

David then turns to personal trust. God is not distant or abstract; He is a refuge. Those who know Him are sheltered under the shadow of His wings, satisfied by the abundance of His house, and refreshed by the river of His delights. God is the source of life and light — without Him, all else fades.

The psalm closes with a prayer for continued mercy and protection. David asks God to preserve His lovingkindness for those who know Him and to guard him from the pride and violence of the wicked. His confidence rests not in his own strength, but in the sure downfall of those who oppose God.

Psalm 36 teaches us to see clearly: to recognize the reality of sin without becoming consumed by it, and to anchor our hearts in the overwhelming faithfulness of God.

Application:

  • Recognize sin honestly. Do not allow self-deception to dull your sensitivity to wrongdoing.

  • Lift your eyes to God’s character. His love and faithfulness far exceed human failure.

  • Take refuge in the Lord. Find safety under the shadow of His wings.

  • Draw from God’s abundance. True satisfaction comes from His presence, not the world.

  • Walk in God’s light. Let His truth expose darkness and guide your path.

  • Trust God’s justice. He will ultimately deal with pride and wickedness.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and unshakable faithfulness. When I am tempted to be discouraged by the sin I see — in the world or in myself — lift my eyes to Your greatness. Shelter me under Your wings, satisfy my soul with Your presence, and guide me by Your light. Keep my heart humble, faithful, and anchored in You. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Children, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Faith / Trusting God, Humility, Parenting, Wise

When Favoritism Fractures a Family (Genesis 37:1–11)

Have you ever seen how a parent’s choices — even unintentional ones — can quietly shape resentment, insecurity, and division within a family?

Key Verse:
“Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons… and he made him a varicolored tunic.” —Genesis 37:3 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 37 opens a new major section in Genesis — the story of Joseph. Joseph is seventeen years old, the firstborn son of Rachel, the wife Jacob loved most. Jacob openly favors Joseph over his other sons and expresses this favoritism by giving him a special robe.

Joseph also receives dreams from God that indicate future authority and prominence, but he shares them without discernment. His brothers respond with jealousy and hatred. What begins as favoritism and immature speech quickly grows into deep family division.

This chapter does not arise in isolation. The dysfunction we see here is rooted in earlier choices — particularly Jacob’s marriage to multiple wives and the long-standing pattern of favoritism that already fractured his family once before.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 37:1–11

Joseph’s Dream

      1Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. 2These are the records of the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. 4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.

      5Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; 7for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

      9Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” 11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Reflection on Genesis 37:1–11:
Joseph’s story begins not with betrayal, but with favoritism. Scripture is clear: Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons. This was not Joseph’s fault — it was his father’s failure.

Jacob had lived this pattern before. His own parents favored different sons — Isaac favored Esau, Rebekah favored Jacob — and that favoritism nearly destroyed their family. Now, the same sin resurfaces in the next generation.

The root problem goes even deeper. Jacob’s family structure itself was broken. God never designed marriage to include multiple wives, yet Jacob took four women — Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah. The result was predictable: rivalry, jealousy, insecurity, and division among the children. When a family is formed through competition rather than covenant unity, the wounds echo for generations.

Joseph’s robe becomes a symbol — not just of favor, but of inequality. It publicly announces Jacob’s preference and quietly tells the other sons that they are less loved. This kind of favoritism poisons family relationships, breeding resentment and bitterness long before open conflict erupts.

Joseph’s dreams are from God, yet Joseph lacks wisdom in sharing them. He speaks truth without humility or discernment, unaware that timing and tone matter. God’s calling on our lives does not excuse immaturity or insensitivity.

This passage reminds us that God’s plans often begin in broken environments. Joseph’s future deliverance of many lives will come through a deeply flawed family. God’s sovereignty is not threatened by human failure — but human failure still brings real pain.

Genesis 37:1–11 shows us how unchecked favoritism, poor family leadership, and lack of wisdom can sow seeds of jealousy that later grow into devastating consequences.

Application:

  • Reject favoritism. Parents must guard against showing preference, which damages trust and unity.

  • Learn from past patterns. Sin that is not addressed often repeats across generations.

  • Value God’s design for family. God’s structure brings peace; deviation invites conflict.

  • Speak with wisdom. Even God-given truth must be shared with humility and discernment.

  • Address jealousy early. Bitterness grows when ignored.

  • Trust God in broken beginnings. He can still accomplish His purposes despite human failure.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your honesty in Scripture, showing both human weakness and divine faithfulness. Help me learn from the mistakes of those who came before me. Guard my heart from favoritism, pride, and careless words. Teach me to lead my family with wisdom, humility, and fairness. Where brokenness exists, bring healing, and let Your purposes prevail even through imperfect people. In Yeshua’s name, 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.

Love, Worldliness

Loving God, Not the World (1 John 2:15-17)

What truly has your heart today — the things of this world, or the One who gave Himself for you?

Key Verse:
“The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” —1 John 2:17 NASB

Background Context:
After reassuring believers of their forgiveness and their identity in Christ, John turns to a crucial warning: do not love the world. The “world” here does not mean creation or people, whom God loves, but the world system — the patterns of thinking, desiring, and living that oppose God and entice the flesh.

John identifies three expressions of worldly desire:

  • the lust of the flesh

  • the lust of the eyes

  • the pride of life

These desires fueled humanity’s fall from Eden onward and continue to war against our hearts. John contrasts this temporary world with the eternal reality of doing God’s will.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 John 2:15-17

Do Not Love the World

      15Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Reflection on 1 John 2:15–17:
John’s words are simple, direct, and searching: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world.” Every believer is faced with a choice of affection — either the world will claim our hearts, or God will. The two cannot coexist peacefully.

The “world” that John warns against is a system of values built on rebellion, self-gratification, and pride. It is a world that measures success by what we have, how we appear, and how much we can elevate ourselves above others. It pulls our hearts away from obedience and distracts us from devotion.

John describes this world through three powerful categories:

1. The lust of the flesh:
Desires that draw us into sinful pleasure, self-indulgence, and cravings that dominate rather than serve God.

2. The lust of the eyes:
The pull of what looks appealing — materialism, coveting, comparison, and the endless pursuit of “more.”

3. The pride of life:
Arrogance, self-sufficiency, status, and boasting in what we accomplish apart from God.

These temptations are not new; they mirror the serpent’s appeal to Eve in Genesis 3 and Satan’s temptations of Yeshua in the wilderness.

John then gives a sobering truth: the world is passing away. Everything that seems desirable, successful, or impressive today will be gone tomorrow — empty, temporary, fragile.

In contrast, “the one who does the will of God lives forever.” Obedience to God aligns us with what is eternal, unshakable, and rooted in His kingdom rather than the shifting values of culture.

This passage calls us to examine our affections — what we pursue, what we admire, what we give our time and desires to. True love for God is revealed in a heart freed from the world’s grip and anchored in eternal things.

Application:

  • Examine your desires. Ask where the world’s values have influenced your thinking, goals, or affections.

  • Fight the pull of the flesh. Pursue holiness through the Spirit, not through willpower alone.

  • Guard your eyes. Be watchful about what you admire, envy, or long for.

  • Reject pride. Humble yourself before God, recognizing your dependence on Him.

  • Choose what is eternal. Invest your heart in God’s will — His Word, His kingdom, His righteousness.

  • Remember the world is temporary. Let this truth shape your decisions, priorities, and hopes.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me out of the world and into Your light. Help me to recognize the subtle ways the world appeals to my heart, and give me strength through Your Spirit to resist its pull. Fix my affection on You alone. Teach me to pursue Your will, to value what is eternal, and to walk in humility and obedience. In Yeshua’s name, 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.