Hebrews 2:14-18 – “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”  NASU

             The writer of Hebrews speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit pulled back the veil for us to see a truth of possibility and redemption.  He makes it crystal clear that humans experience temptations and trials as depraved creatures.  He further illustrates that as a lost creature under the domain of darkness man could not satisfy ‘divine justice’ and need one to come who was ‘sinless’ and yet functioned as man to be a sacrifice for sin.  Adam lost the purity of life in the Garden and through sin became a slave of the devil.  Satan gained a legal claim on the human race as the ‘god of this world’ through man’s disobedience.

There had to be one who could operate, live, feel, think, and experience the temptations and trials that are common to man and to do so without sin.  No flesh or could meet that requirement so God chose the Incarnation of Jesus to come ‘as man’ and ‘for man’ experiencing and subject to all the temptations as we.  Jesus came and satisfied the divine requirement of being without sin and qualifying Him as the ‘Lamb of God’ to atone for man’s sin.  He was made like us ‘in all things’ yet did not yield to temptation or sin.  He, as the LAST ADAM did what the FIRST ADAM could not do.

When Jesus died on the Cross the ‘Son of Man’ paid the price to buy us back or redeem the race from the devil’s clutches and legal dominion.  That did not and does not mean that ‘all were or are saved’ it means that the door was and is open for their salvation.  The debt has been paid, divine justice satisfied, and through this incredible demonstration of unconditional love the Door to Salvation has been opened for ‘whosoever will’ as per John 3:16.  If you have not received Him, today is the day of salvation and now is the accepted time.  As the Holy Spirit brings conviction to your heart repent and believe!  He is still calling today!

            May God be with you as you go through this day!

Colossians 3:1-11 – “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him — 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”  NASU

I readily accept that as we receive Christ we are instantly transferred from the domain of darkness into God’s kingdom, born-again – SAVED!  However, I know from scripture and experience the process to maturity and righteousness is not instantaneous and is sometimes difficult and painful but worth it.

Paul speaks to his listeners saying, “IF” and that is critical!  If you have been raised with Christ (Salvation) there is something for you to do that will not be done for you but in you!  You must keep seeking.  You make the decision, choice, and commitment to keep seeking the things of God. You set your mind on heavenly or spiritual things. You do it because you have been born again and in order to develop, grow, and mature.

Paul tells them to determine that their bodies and fleshly desires are DEAD!  Dead to immorality, evil desire, greed, and idolatry.  You, he says, put aside anger (it is a choice), wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech.  You, stop telling lies.  You must realize that IF we are in Christ, regardless of sectarian background or ethnicity we are brothers and sisters in God.

If we are to become that which Christ died for we MUST receive His forgiveness.  There is no step two without step one but after we receive His forgiveness we move into the process that requires action on our part.  Some people want God to do it all and justify things in their lives saying, “If God wanted it gone He would remove it.”  NO!  He has instructed us to participate in our spiritual development.  So while we are instantly saved we do not automatically become mature spiritual adults any more than an infant becomes a mature adult upon birth.  It is a process that is progressive we move by little and little, line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little as we grow in grace and relationship with the Lord!

            May God be with you as you go through your day!  BLESSINGS!

Isaiah 52:6 – “Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.'”  NASU

 Exodus 6:2-3 – “God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD; 3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by  My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.” NASU

The way some people use the name of God in vain you’d think their damming reflected His last name, but it does not.  God is not a proper name and on numerous occasions in the Bible people sought to know His name.  In studying scripture we find that a name reflected character whereas today a name is simply some cute, catchy handle that parents dream up for the child to identify them.  I would venture to say that often there is little thought or prayer as to what to name a child other than finding something unique.

Jacob wrestled with God, his nature changed and subsequently his name as well.  In his encounter he inquired of God, “What is Thy Name?”  (Genesis 32).  In Judges 13 Manoah asked, “What is Thy Name?”  In Proverbs 30 the writer asks, “What Is His Name?” In Deuteronomy 6:4 we find the name ‘Elohim-Yahweh’.  In Exodus 3 we find Moses saying to the Lord, “The people will ask what is His name?  What shall I say?” It is clear that God has a name!

To the Hebrews knowing a name meant more than being acquainted it meant experiential knowledge.  “I Am Who I Am” is God’s declaration of His being, power, and character.  Yahweh or I AM expresses God’s eternality and embodies past, present, and future or the timelessness of God.  In Revelation 1 we find that He is, was, and is to come!  It expresses God’s self-existence, His Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.  It could rightly be rendered – “I Will Be What I Will Be.”  The futuristic implication is “I will be all that is necessary as the occasion arises.”  Yahweh is always a personal name and carries a covenantal meaning.  It is often used as a hyphenated name to describe various aspects of the character of God.

We find Him described as Jehovah-jireh (provider), Jehovah-Elohim (creator), Jehovah-el Elyon (Most High), Jehovah-adonai (Master), Jehovah-rapha (healer), and Jehovah-shalom (peace).  Those are some of the many names describing his acts, ways, and character.  It is a fascinating study to search out the names of God for in them we find dimensions of the character and realize not only the promises of God but the power, ability, and willingness of God to fulfill His word.

‘Christ’ is not Jesus’ last name but a description of who He is – Master, Savior, Lord, Redeemer! As we grow to ‘know’ God more we ‘love’ God more and as we ‘love’ Him more we ‘serve’ Him more completely and become better equipped to face life on planet earth.

            May God be with you as you go through your day!

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 – “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5 ” You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” 

Deuteronomy 11:18-22 – “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 19 ” You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. 20 ” You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens remain above the earth.”  NASU

It was a sad day in history when we turned the responsibility of teaching our children over to the government or the state.  Initially, the Bible was part of their public education but not today.  It has been said that America is no longer a Christian nation and that may well be true.  Most still profess a belief in the existence of God but do they seek to serve Him?

It is the responsibility of parents and grandparents to teach their children the principles of life and the Word of God.  It is not the responsibility of the public school or even Sunday school.  It should be a natural part of family life.  We need to turn off the television, set aside the smart phones, log off the computers, and develop relationships that use actual language and face to face experiences with each other and our children.  Biblically we are directed to allow God’s word to be impressed upon our hearts to the degree we talk of them as a family at all key times of the day.

No wonder the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  I did not say brow-beat him/her, I said TRAIN him.  Demonstrate the importance and respect of the Word in your life and instill in him/her the core principles and values taught in God’s Word.

Children are our responsibility let’s do the right thing by them.  God bless you as you go through your day.  Blessings be upon you!

John 6:11 – “Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.”

Deuteronomy 8:10 – “When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.” NASU

Custom in the Middle East in biblical times was that people, without fail, gave thanks before eating and would usually give thanks after the meal as well.  It was initially done in recognition of God’s provision and an expression of gratitude.  It, like so many things, evolved into a religious or societal ritual as is often the case today!  I know of many who would never dream of eating a meal without ‘saying grace’.

In those days everyone at the table would repeat the words of the host as he gave thanks.  If a prophet were present he would be expected to take the lead in the prayer and bless the food giving thanks as is described in 1 Samuel 9:13 – “…he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat.”  It was customary, but initially it was far more than custom and a true recognition of God’s provision and their gratitude.

When Jesus fed the 5,000 we read that “after Jesus had given thanks the food was distributed…”  In the feeding of the 4,000 Matthew is careful to include the fact that Jesus gave thanks before anyone ate.  The Jews were incredibly conscious of the fact that all they had comes from God and willingly expressed their gratitude.  Sadly, for many then and now, it is nothing more than a religious or societal ritual not a genuine expression of gratitude.

They also customarily gave thanks at the end of the meal as is reflected in Deuteronomy 8:10 – “When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD….”  Gratitude demands acknowledgment of not only the provision but the provider.  I would suggest that if you ‘say grace’ and pray over your meal without really giving thought or having true gratitude in your heart it is more of an insult to God than an act He will receive and recognize with blessing.

Therefore make your words be true expressions of the gratitude of your heart and always remember that all we are and have has its source in God.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  Blessings upon you as you go through your day!

Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” NASU

 1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”  NIV

Years ago I had a lady in the church I was serving as pastor who would always ask, “Do you have any news?”  She would also preface what she was going to share with, “Have you heard the news?”  I asked her once if she considered what she was doing ‘gossip’ and she said, “Oh no, pastor, I’m just sharing the latest news not gossiping for that would be wrong.”   I could never convince her that they were the same thing.  She longed to hear any tidbit documented or undocumented and would then ‘share’ it with whomever she could find that would listen.

Gossip is a very destructive weapon that the devil uses to drive wedges and damage people in their testimony.  I recall hearing something once about a fellow minister that, if true, would be so damaging to his reputation that it would impact untold numbers of people.  What I heard, is not important nor his name, the fact that I listened to it is.  As I pondered what I had heard the Holy Spirit brought conviction to my heart and I sensed the Lord speaking to me saying, “Why did you allow that gossip to be spoken into your hearing?”  I began to weep for I had listened and without realizing it formed an opinion regarding this brother without any real documentation or evidence.  It was wrong!  I was wrong and the gossip was a malicious lie later proven to be false.  Yet, had I repeated that gossip I would have been furthering the harm brought to an innocent brother.  Thankfully the Holy Spirit arrested me before I participated in an activity I have long abhorred – Gossip.

When people come to me with tidbits about someone I usually ask, “Have you gone to that individual to discuss this?”  If the answer is no I stop them and ask that they not continue with gossip but suggest they take it to God in prayer and then approach the person in question with that little morsel they are ‘sharing’.  Some have become quite angry with me calling me ‘self-righteous’ or worse, because I did not want to participate in gossip regarding another.  However, I must ask “Would you want someone spreading gossip about you?”  Consider that point when you are tempted to engage in sharing ‘news’ as that little lady called it.

Recently, Gil LeBreton a sportswriter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram wrote a piece regarding the Texas Ranger’s manager Ron Washington’s resignation and used an illustration from a movie that speaks to what I’m talking about.  It was excellent and I share it here.

In the Academy Award-nominated movie Doubt, there is a memorable scene in which the accused priest, Father Flynn, delivers a powerful homily to the congregation. The priest, brilliantly played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, tells the story of a woman who “was gossiping with her friend about a man whom they hardly knew.” Seized later with guilt, the woman went to a Catholic confessional and asked her parish priest if she had done anything wrong. “Yes,” said the priest. “You have borne false witness against your neighbor. You’ve played fast and loose with his reputation, and you should be heartily ashamed.”  As her penance, the priest instructed the woman to go to her roof and gut a pillow with a knife, a scene classically depicted in the movie.  And what did she see, the priest asked?   “Feathers,” the woman answered. “Feathers everywhere.”  “Now I want you to go back and gather up every last feather that flew out into the wind,” the priest instructed. The woman protested. “It can’t be done,” she said.  “I don’t know where they went. The wind took them all over.”  “And that,” the movie’s Father Flynn said, abruptly ending the sermon, “is gossip!”

That is a fantastic illustration of the damage done and the futility of trying to retrieve harmful words spoken about another.  It is IMPOSSIBLE!  The damage is done even if we go to them in repentance begging forgiveness we will NEVER retrieve all the words or find where they have been carried.  Therefore, the biblical prescription is DO NOT GOSSIP!    

            Blessings as you go through your day!

Matthew 7:24-27 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall.”  NASU

The quest for a ‘word’ from the Lord has, at times, relegated many believers to becoming nothing more than ears!  The church is the BODY OF CHRIST not the EARS or MOUTH of Jesus!  Here, as Jesus taught, He made a clear distinction between success and failure in the Christian walk.  Both groups HEARD the Word and I contend that an absence of the Word is not the problem it is application of the Word.

I recall a story of a preacher who was chosen by a congregation and his first Sunday preached a powerful message that the people were raving about for days.  The next Sunday the same message was preached and this continued for several weeks.  The congregation began to complain and the board met to discuss the issue deciding to approach the minister and advise him that this was not acceptable.  The board called him in and said, “Pastor, your message was great but you keep preaching the same thing.  You need to get a new sermon.”  He calmly looked at them and said, “Only when you do something with that one.”

Jesus said if we HEAR and APPLY we are like the house built on the rock that cannot and will not be moved by trial, trouble, or difficulty.  However, if we HEAR but DO NOTHING we are like the house built on shifting sand that can and will be shaken by the trials of life and failure is virtually guaranteed.  We have the choice as He opens His word to become ACTION ORIENTED in faith through the grace of God.

May God help us apply His word in our lives daily!  Blessings as you go through your day!

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 – Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. 4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.  6 Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.”  NASU

Too often people live as though our actions have little or no consequences and there is an endless amount of time on this earth.  Both assumptions are wrong!  Here in six short verses a wealth of wisdom and a beautiful guide for life is presented.  Charity, caring, sharing, and compassion are not overlooked by God and as we extend our love and faith in true Christian Charity we find the Law of Sowing and Reaping coming into play in our lives.

Some things cannot be altered in life and words once released cannot be recalled.  The pain is sometimes permanent although forgiven.  Yes we can repent and be forgiven but some actions and words have a lasting consequence.  We need to always be careful what we say or do realizing it can and likely will have long term consequences.

Timidity will keep us from action and in life if we stop moving we die.  Fear of failure when allowed to control guarantees failure.  If we do not attempt because of fear we will not enjoy the fruit of success.  Fear paralyzes!  Therefore be diligent as verse six declares and work early and late because you never know which effort will be the most effective or productive or if both may be.  If we continue to pursue the purposes of God in our lives we will open the door to success but if we allow fear to bring idleness we will surely fail.

My prayer for each of you is success.  I pray that God give you the courage and faith to venture into the unknown and unseen climbing to the pinnacle of accomplishment in the pursuit of God’s purposes!  May God be with you as you go through your day!  Blessings abundantly!

Proverbs 25:4-5 – “Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith; 5 Take away the wicked before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.”  NASU

Many cry out for God to purify their hearts then complain when He beings the process of removing the dross from the silver of our lives.  The heat is uncomfortable and we frequently express our preference for ease to purification.  We want instant righteousness and resist the process of becoming righteous.

The silversmith places the raw silver in a vat then turns up the heat and as the silver is heated to the melting point where the impurities separate from the pure and float to the surface allowing them to be skimmed off.  In life God turns up the heat to expose and remove the impurities in our hearts.  It is generally never a pleasant experience to be exposed but afterward it is joyous!

David cried, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts, and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  (Psalm 139:23-24)  Oh how we need to be placed in the refiner’s vat under the Holy Spirit’s microscope and allow God to expose and remove all wickedness from our hearts.  We want to be pure but we do not want to go through purification.  We will either be vessels meet for the Master’s (vessels of honor) or we will be vessels of dishonor.  Death and life are before us so let’s choose life!  We are instructed to ‘seek first’ the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness…. That is not only the best place in life it is the only place!

            God bless you as you go through your day!  Blessings!

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  NASU

It is possible to be one without being the other but when the two are combined it is incredibly powerful!  A friend, who is truly a friend, loves at all times.  It did not say ‘agrees’ at all times but ‘loves’ at all times.  Love is not an emotional response but a reasoned choice!  It involves a commitment and there is a friendship that reaches the level of ‘covenant’, unlike what many call friendship. Some people see to view friendship as they do socks; to be changed regularly.

A brother is born for adversity!  A brother is there through thick and thin and NEVER runs from the difficult or even unpleasantness of trial, trauma, drama, or difficulty.  A brother is not a church cliché to identify someone who is a fellow member of a congregation or organization but someone who is joined in faith and heart.  A brother is family in a very real sense.

I have friends who are brothers/sisters and have stood with me in the fire of trial.  They have had my back in times of trouble, encouraged me in trial, challenged me in error, and stood with me in faith.  They have opened their heart, hand, home, and treasure to me and considered theirs mine as the need presented itself and I them.  It is a bond that is unshakable based on faith.  Truly a person with genuine friends is blessed and a person who has friends who are brothers doubly so.

As individuals, families, and nations we need FRIENDS and need to realize that on some level we are brothers in our creation and on a deeper level we can become brothers and form a bond that is unbreakable even in the face of severe adversity and/or disagreement.  May God be with you as you go through your day and may you be blessed with a host of friends who are brothers/sisters in the Lord!  Blessings!