Full of Grace and Truth - John 1-2

John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The above verse may be referred to as a cornerstone verse of the New Testament, if not the entire Bible.   The “Word became flesh” is a clear reference to the incarnation of Christ.   The fact that God the Son became the Son of Man is the most profound truths of the Bible.  It is, without a doubt, one of the most significant truths of the Bible.  Only by becoming like man could Jesus suffer and die and deliver us from the One who would destroy man, the Devil:

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Jesus was, like God, “full of grace and truth.”  God the Son was not, in His incarnation one-half God and one-half man. This is a belief many try to teach.  In the early church that often became a debate.  But, this first plainly states that Jesus was “full” of grace and truth. That means He, like the Father, has no evil or deception.   Remember, deception is the Devil’s currency.  Here is what John will later record from Jesus’ own words:

John 8:44 (ESV)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

When we deal in truth we are walking with God.  When we deal in untruth we are not walking with God.  That is the simply truth of the above verse.  Notice what Paul states to us about our thinking:

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

When we start our thinking with “truth” we end up with “peace” in our hearts.   Jesus was full of “grace and truth.”  Those two attributes are inseparable.   When we speak truth we have grace.  When we have grace we will speak truth.   

The Presence of God - Ezekiel 43-48

Ezekiel 48:35 (ESV)
The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”

The above verse is the conclusion of 48 chapters for Ezekiel.   These last chapters are some of the hardest reading in the Old Testament for a New Testament believer. This entire section is about the measurement of the Temple and the restating of some of the Temple offerings.   To someone who only knows the Cross of Christ and the resurrection of Christ, these verses can see rather vacant of practical, Christian meaning.    However, the above verse, the summary of Ezekiel’s prophesy, explains the purpose of these words about the cubits of the Temple, the gates of the Temple and the land surrounding the Temple.  Note how one commentator stated this point:

(Understanding the Bible Commentary Series - Old Testament Set (18 vols.)) To the question “Where is God?” the closing verse of this book gives an answer: And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE (v. 35). These words will remind Christian readers of Jesus’ words at the end of Matthew’s gospel: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). In each case, the point is clear: wherever the people of God are, they are never alone or abandoned, for God is with them. As the Lord came to Ezekiel in exile by the River Kebar, so God comes to us still.

This really sums up the meaning of the entire book.   God wanted the returning exiles to know that He was with them.  As they returned to the Land of Promise, from their captivity, God would be in the midst.  This returning remnant needed to know that God was with them and HIs presence would provide, guide and protect them.   The Glory of the Lord was to be in this Temple, like the old Temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians.   But, upon their return, God would be with them.  This is the message of the Bible.  God is with us.  Note:

John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Temple of Ezekiel’s day would be the reminder of God’s presence.   But, when Christ would come, He would be the presence of God in our midst.   God sent His Son to give us His presence.  The point of Ezekiel’s prophecy and that of the Bible is that God has given us His presence.  We can rejoice in His glory through the ministry of Christ and the Spirit in our lives.   God wants man to have His presence in their midst.   

From the Heart - Proverbs 14-15

 Proverbs 15:7 (ESV)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 15:11 (ESV)
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Proverbs 15:13-14 (ESV)
A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Proverbs 15:21 (ESV)
Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense (same word as “heart’”),
but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

All the above proverbs from chapter 15 have the word “heart” in them.   Solomon is talking to us about the inner being of a person.   Solomon is NOT concerned about the outward person, except to the extent that the heart is the source for the outward.   Solomon knows that the real work that has to be done in mankind is their heart has to be changed.   We might recall what he wrote that was placed early in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

Out of the heart flow the “springs of life.”   This is what the above proverb are trying to tell us.  God is concerned about changing the disposition and the direction of the heart.  We must allow God to make the changes in the heart.    Sociologists want to change our behavior.   Psychologist want to change our mind.   Psychiatrist want to change our chemical balance.   Economist want to change our status in life.   God wants to change the heart.   Solomon is writing to us and telling us that our heart (what we believe and value) determines our behavior, our mind, our balance, and out economic status.   

How Great are Your Works, O LORD! - Psalms 90-92

Psalms 92:5-9 (ESV)
How great are your works, O LORD!
Your thoughts are very deep!
The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
For behold, your enemies, O LORD,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.

God is deep.   It is not a secret that mankind wants to understand God and wants to put Him in a box of understanding.   Mankind loves to study topics and discover the ins and outs of those topics.  Man then likes to boast about what he knows about that topic or subject.   This is what we do.  But, when it comes to God, how can the finite understand the infinite?  God has given us His Word to make known the infinite, however.   In the above song we read that the “stupidity” of man, his willful ignorance toward God makes it impossible to even understand this own death.   That is what the above stanzas are referring to in this psalm.   The point the composer is making is that God is so deep and His work is so profound, the natural man, without the the Spirit of God, has no understanding of even the most obvious thing in his life, his death.    God is deep.   Paul stated it this way to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Only by the Spirit of God do we understand the things of God.  We need to allow the Spirit to teach us how great are your works, O LORD!! 

Good Leadership Inquire of God - 2 Kings 21-25

2 Kings 22:11-13 (ESV)
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”  

This King inquired of the Lord!!  That should be the epitaph of every leader.  Notice that earlier in Judah’s kings, another king had a similar approach to leadership:

1 Kings 22:5-7 (ESV)

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?”

David inquired of God:

1 Samuel 23:2

So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah.”

Even bad leader Saul (before he became a bad leader) inquired of God:

1 Samuel 28:6 (ESV)

And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.

Notice Solomon’s thoughts on getting wisdom from God:

Proverbs 19:20 (ESV)

Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Ecclesiastes 2:13 (ESV)
Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.

We are to seek out and look of wisdom from the Lord.   Josiah, when he discovered the Book of the Law found the priest and inquired of God about it.  This is the pattern of behavior all leadership should follow.  

Worship is NOT about US!! Leviticus 22-24

 Leviticus 22:29-33 (ESV)
And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until morning: I am the LORD.
“So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the LORD. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD.”

The spirit of the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings was to remember that God repeated told the nation of Israel, “I am the LORD.”   That phrase is repeated over and over and over in Leviticus.   In the above passage we read the statement four times.  Moses is instructing Israel on how to offer an acceptable offering to God.  The key was to remember that the purpose of all offerings, whether they were an animal or a grain or something else, was not for one’s own good. It was to worship and recognize and confess that God was the LORD.   We often approach worship services in our church to think about what we can get out of it.  We tend to pick churches for worship services that appeal to us.  That is not, in and of itself, a bad thing.  But, it is important to realize that God was not creating a worship experience that the worshippers would enjoy.  He designed a worship approach that was fully intended to be a picture of how, through Christ, we can and should approach worship.   This is not for us.  It is to be in awe of who God is.  We make worship so much about us, which, of course, loses the purpose of worshipping God.  We tend to worship us in our worship.   But, God is sanctifying us because He is the LORD.  That is the point of worship.  

How to Serve - 1 Thessalonians 1-3

1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 (ESV)

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

We all live by formulas.   Even though we might have missed in algebra class formulas like “x+y=z” have great impact on us.  In philosophy they are called “syllogisms.”  They sound like this:

A = B
B = C
Therefore A = C.

Syllogistic formulas abound in life.  They also abound in Scripture.   The most obvious is this syllogism:

God = Love
Love = Sacrifice 
God = Sacrifice (There God demonstrated His love by sacrificing His Son.)

In the above passage we have the long syllogistic reasoning of Paul in regard to his ministry about the churches he is addressing in 1 Thessalonians.   Here is what it says in syllogistic form:

Those called by God = Those who speak the Gospel
The Gospel = The purity of God
Therefore those who all called by God are to speak the pure Gospel and ought to do in a pure way.  

That is the formula Paul outlines for all those who represent God and speak for Him.   We don’t do so to please men. We don’t do so with flatterer.   We don’t speak to when the glory and praise of men.   We do so by offering ourselves, as God did, through HIs son.   God has a formula for a successful Godly life.  It is giving ourselves in service for the King by telling others of HIs great love for us in the Gospel story.   Go out each day to practice this formula; this syllogism for life.   

Poor Leaders Defer Decisions - Luke 23-24

Luke 23:6-10 (ESV Strong's)

Jesus Before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.

The above passage speaks for itself in regard to leadership and decision making.  Heard was a political beast.   He actually found nothing wrong with Jesus in regard to the accusations by the religious leaders of the day.  Note:

Luke 23:13-16 (ESV Strong's)
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

But, after the “mob” pushed him, this was his decision:

Luke 23:23-24 (ESV Strong's)
23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.

Herod was a politician in the same fashion as most we see today.  He was afraid to stand for truth because he allowed truth to manipulated by numbers and not by principle.  Now, God used Herod’s sinful behavior to accomplish the crucifixion.  God often allows the evil in man’s heart to accomplish His ends (read Job 1-2 to see that further).  Godly leaders, however, always stand for truth and make decisions based upon truth and not political winds and mobs.   The question make be still tough (as Herod asked Christ), “What is truth?”  But, God’s Word is truth and Jesus said He was the “way, the truth and the life.”  So, we do have as standard of truth.   We just have to, as leaders, be willing to stand of it and by it.  

The Promise of the Spirit - Ezekiel 37-42

Ezekiel 39:29 (ESV)
And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.”

God has given Ezekiel much to write in his book.   He covers many years (over 20).   This was not a one time prophecy, but a number of “visions” that Ezekiel was given by God through, at times, an angel.   Ezekiel was taken many places to see many things which he was told to covey to the nation of Israel.   The above line, ending one of those visions, is perhaps the most promising for the nation. In the midst of a prophecy that can, at times, seem dark and full of God’s wrath, this verse stands out as a beacon of light to the nation of Israel (and, through their Messiah, to us).   God promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit.   There are some implications in that that promise to them:

1. The fact that God states He is going to “pour out my Spirit upon them,” indicates they did not have that pouring out yet.  It was to be a future blessing.  Those who walked by faith in the future Messiah did not have the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the same way we have Him today.   

2. The fact that God states, “I will not hide my face anymore from them ...”, indicates that this “pouring out of the Spirit” will have something to do with our being to come close to God and have intimidate conversations with Him.  The Bible states that no man can see God’s face and live (Exodus 33:20).  This must have been an amazing thought for the nation to wrap their mind around as they thought, perhaps, about Moses coming down from the mountain and had to veil his face after being with God.  

3.  The implication is that this is a specific time in the future.   This was to be a promise of hope that they remnant in captivity could hold on to for encouragement and endurance.    God was giving them a promise, that once believed, would give them hope and strength.    

We know that at they day of Pentecost, God fulfilled this promises.  God send His Spirit to fill the Church.  Every believer in the Church age is filled with the Spirit and has the power of the Spirit indwelling them.   God has kept His promise by sending the Spirit.  Jesus promised that after His resurrection He would send the Spirit of Truth to guide them (John 14:16-17).   We can rejoice that the power of the Spirit in dwells us each day and it was a promise to the nation of Israel through the prophecy of God (Ezekiel), a promise from the Son of God and a fulfillment by the power of God, in our lives today.  

Hope Deferred Makes Us Sick! - Proverbs 13

 Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

If you have ever had a dream fulfilled, you know what the above verse is talking about. If you have ever had a dream delayed, then you really know what the verse is saying. When we dream and reach those dreams they become a like a tree of life to us. A fulfilled dream is like a tree of life in that it gives you more than just the dream, but actual life. When we have a dream delayed (deferred) our hearts become sick. We need to remember that God is in charge of our lives. He leads us to where He wants us to be. When we are going through the difficulty of waiting for a dreams to be fulfilled, we need to remember that God is the fulfiller of dreams. He leads us into our dreams and is the one who fulfills them. Note also what Solomon will write later in this chapter:

Proverbs 13:19
Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.

The "Death of a Vision" can be devastating.  Often, however, our "vision" is limited by our inward desires.  A "hope" fixed on Christ can never be deferred.  It is secured in the promises of God.  That is the only way to have a life of hope.  So, perhaps using the word “dream” is the wrong word to use.  Perhaps we should simply stick with the translations and focus on “hope.”   For the believer, “hope” is our strategy.    We “hope” in Christ by faith.   That is our entire blueprint for life.   It is interesting that Solomon rights that a “desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”   Earlier in the book we read:

Proverbs 3:18(ESV) 
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

The “she” in the above verse is wisdom.   So, when we tie all this together we see that when our “hope” is deferred we might become depressed and suffer in an unhealthy manner, but when we see it fulfilled it is wisdom in our lives.   Solomon is speaking into the psychology of our lives.   When the thing we hope for is delayed our psychological emotions take a hit.  But, when we have that thing we desire come to fruition, we experience psychologically the “tree of life.”   That is why we should seek wisdom (personified in Christ) because that brings satisfaction both psychologically and spiritually:

John 14:8 (ESV)

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”

God Keeps His Promises - Psalms 87-89

Psalms 89:29-35 (ESV)
I will establish his offspring forever
and his throne as the days of the heavens.
If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my rules,
if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with stripes,
but I will not remove from him my steadfast love
or be false to my faithfulness.
I will not violate my covenant
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
Once for all I have sworn by my holiness;
I will not lie to David.

Psalm 89 begins by telling us this song was a Maskil (a musical term) of Ethan the Ezrahite.  We don’t know a lot about Ethan the Ezrahite.   Solomon’s wisdom was compared to Ethan’s wisdom.  In 1 Kings 4:31 we are told that Solomon’s wisdom was greater than Ethan’s wisdom.   That is about all we know for sure.  Since he therefore comes before Solomon and he is writing about God’s covenant with David, we can be assured that he was a contemporary of David.  There was an Ethan who carried the Ark by to Jerusalem with King David (1 Chronicles 15:17) but he is called Ethan the son of Kushaiah.   Since that Ethan is a song writer, as well, some have thought the two are one in the same.   The key thought here is that Ethan is praising God in this song and his focus is on the covenant God made with David.   God promised that David would always have someone sitting on the throne (the ultimate reference is to the Messiah, the Son of God).   The other part of the promise was that those children that disobeyed would be disciplined, but David would be continued to be protected and lifted up.   God promised this to David and never failed in that promise.   God was his protector even when David’s son, Absolum, disobeyed.    God keeps His promises, right down to the very last detail.   We are to join Ethan in this song of praise that God keeps watch over His servants and keeps every detail of His promises to them.   David’s grief over his son’s rebellion is recorded for us.   But, in the middle of that grief and rebellion, God promised that He would show steadfast love for David, in the midst of that rebellion.   Although in the middle of that Absolum ran David completely out of his own kingdom, David had the steadfast love of God to refresh him and to remind him of God’s faithfulness to His promises.   God is faithful to what He promises.  

Judgment Always Comes - 2 Kings 16-20

 Judgment Always Comes

2 Kings 17:6-8 (ESV)

In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced.

The nation of Israel is taken captive by the Assyrians around 721 B.C.   After three years of a siege, the nation would be eliminated and only the southern tribe of Judah would survive ... but, only for a few more years before they, too, are taken captive.   The judgment of Israel/Judah is reminder that God disciplines those He loves and corrects those who are His children. 

Hebrews 12:3-7 (ESV)
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

We cannot expect to sin without God discipline in our lives.   We think that because God is love He will look past our sin, but that is a false belief.  God is highly engaged in our lives and our need for correction.   As the writer of Hebrews writes, “For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”   God is a Heavenly Father who cares for His children.   This being taken captive and put into bondage was that discipline for Israel.   Once Judah, as well, goes into captivity, it will be 70 years before they are released to return to the land.   They will return to the land, not longer separated as two nations, but as one.   God will use this discipline to bring in His plan for the Messiah, His Son.   God disciplines those He loves.   Judgment always comes, because God always loves His children!

Holiness Encompasses Practical Matters - Leviticus 19-21

Leviticus 19:1-4 (ESV)
The LORD Is Holy
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the LORD your God.

In these three chapters of Leviticus Moses is writing to the nation about being holy.  The reason they are to be holy?   Because God is holy.   Though out these chapters we read that the reason for a practical aspect of their journey with God is because, “I am the LORD your God.”    Our holiness is demanded by a holy God because He is God!!   We are not to take this demand for holiness lightly.   It is interesting that as he starts to speak about being holy, Moses immediately tells them to “revere” their mother and father.   Perhaps one reason for this is that their mother and father are their first likeness, authority and provider in life.   Holiness toward God is to recognize we are to be “like” Him because He is THE authority in our lives and He is THE provider of our lives.   By mentioning the parental reverence first, Moses goes to the known (they knew what it was like to have parents and to honor them) to the unknown (they were learning what it was like to honor a sovereign God).   Moses also mentions the Sabbath.   The Sabbath is the day that God rested.   God gave them the Sabbath to rest from their works, but also for them to honor God.   God rested from His work on the Sabbath and honored what He created.   Again, Moses is showing them some tangible and practical ways to demonstrate holiness in their lives. Holiness is not a theory.  Holiness is a practice of life by which we honor God because He is our God.   Throughout these chapters there are practical instructions about holiness.  Holiness is not about worship for an hour on Sunday.  Although it includes that, it is about practical day-to-day living that honors God’s order of life and His personhood in our lives.   

What Makes a Good Servant of God? - Colossians 3-4

What Makes a Good Servant of God?

Colossians 4:7 (ESV)
Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

Paul is closing out his letter to the church at Colossi.   He wants them to know about some of those who are traveling with him, in prison with him, but have served a long side of him for his service to Christ.   Although there general people who have helped him that he mentions, he mentions ten specific comrades.   The first one he mentions is Tychicus.   We are told in Acts 20:4 that Tychicus was a believer from Asian.   Along with the above passage and the Acts passage, he is mentioned three other times in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:21-22, Titus 3:12, & 2 Timothy 4:12).   In reading these passages we can learn that Tychicus was deeply engaged and involved in the ministry with Paul.  In the above passage Paul describes Tychicus in three ways:

1. Beloved brother - the word “beloved” is the Greek word, agapētos.   It comes from “agape” which is the highest form of love. A sacrificial type of love.   Tychicus was not just involved in the ministry, he was giving of himself to the ministry. 

2. Faithful minister - the word for “minister” is the Greek word, diakonos.  This is where we get the English word, “deacon.”   This is a real indication of Tychicus being willing to take care of whatever had to be taken care of for the ministry.   He was not the upfront person in the team.  He was willing to do whatever he was asked to do.  

3. Fellow servant - the word for “servant” is the Greek word, syndoulos.   This words mean co-slave.   Paul realizes that they are “slaves in the Lord.”   Tychicus was a slave with them and served the team, like our Lord, as a servant.  He gave of himself, took upon the form of a servant and was willing to come along side Paul and the team to further the Gospel.  

Tychicus is the example we all should be of a servant of God.  Paul commends him first in this list of ten.  Tychicus was an important part of the team, but  the main person of the team.  That was Paul.    Tychicus was, however, a key person in the establishment of the Church. 

He Prays for Our Faith - Luke 21-22

 He Prays for Our Faith

Luke 22:31-34 (ESV)
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus is about to go to the cross and suffer for all mankind.  For the past three years He has had at His side, twelve disciples.   One of them (Judas) will betray Him with a kiss, in just a few verses from this one above.   In a few more verses from the chapter, Peter will disown his relationship with Christ.  He WILL deny the Lord.   This is why the above passage is so important to read.   The most obvious implication asks, “If Jesus prayed for Peter that His faith would be strengthened, why did he subsequently disown and deny the Lord?”  Although the answer to that question might be more complex then this, but perhaps the answer is found not in Peter’s failure but in His subsequent victories in his life.   Jesus did not pray that Peter would not fail. Jesus prayed that His faith would be enduring.   That is the key to our success in the Christian walk.   Enduring faith is guaranteed by the intercession of the Christ who sits at the right hand of God always making intercession for us.   Jesus tells Peter, “Satan’ demanded to have you that he might sift you as wheat.”   Satan wanted Peter’s soul.  Satan only received Peter’s one moment of failure.  Why? Because Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would endure.   He prays that our faith will endure.  

No Pleasure in Death - Ezekiel 31-36

No Pleasure in Death

Ezekiel 33:10-11 (ESV)
“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

The above truth about the character of God is the story of the Bible.   In the beginning, God created man (Adam) with the intention that he would live forever.   It was only because of Satan’s temptation and man’s succumbing to that enticement that caused death in the world.  Sin causes death:

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The reason for all this is because Satan wanted death to be introduced into the world.  He is the father of lies and the culprit of death:

John 8:44 (ESV)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan murdered Adam and Eve and pronounced death on all mankind.   God, as a result of man’s sin in the Garden, the killed an animal to clothe the nakedness of Adam and Eve.   This brought death to the earth.  But, as we see in the above passage, God takes no pleasure in death.   This is a marvelous truth to see the grace, love and majesty of God.    God, to prevent the ultimate death (separation from Him) sent His Son to destroy death:

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Jesus came to destroy the power of death.   We can rejoice in the fact that God takes NO PLEASURE in death.   He has gone to the greatest lengths of any human thought to prevent the ultimate death of being separated from Him for eternity.   

Leadership Matters - Proverbs 11-12

Leadership Matters

Proverbs 11:10-11 (ESV)
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

John Maxwell has written countless books on leadership.   One of his most famous quotes is, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”   He might have been reading the above words, actually written by Solomon centuries before Maxwell was born.   Solomon understood and experienced leadership.   He probably heard the valiant stories of his father, David.  King David was a conqueror and champion for God who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel.   However, Solomon also might have heard of the sin(s) of his father.  There was the Bathsheba thing, but even years after that David had a thought in his heart and head to “number” the people of Israel.  They thought sprang from a boastful and arrogant heart.   As a result God punished David by bringing pain and death on the people of God.    This is why Solomon can write, “when it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.”    The problem with nations, cities, organizations and institutions is the heart and soul of righteous leadership.   When there is a leadership framework that does not promote righteous behavior, the city (organization or institution) is “overthrown.”  This Hebrew word, “overthrown,” means to “breakdown, break in pieces, pull down.”   Leadership matters. If you listen to the people of a culture and they are under duress and struggle with a fragmented form of cooperation, you can typically look to leadership as the cause.   You can not escape the truth of this verse.    Yes, there can be great leaders who have poor cultures.   But, over time, the great leader will find a way to improve the poor culture.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.   Solomon said it years ago.   Today’s leadership gurus say it as well.   The way to improve culture, citizenship and the ethos of a country, city, organization or institution is to improve the leadership.   

None Like God - Psalms 84-86

None Like God

Psalms 86:8-10 (ESV)
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.

The world has created many gods.   The world, through the ages, has worshipped many different gods.  To the modern philosopher of life, god is just something a weak mind needs to be at ease with the world around them.  Mankind, throughout history, has worshipped the heavens, the stars, animals, objects carved of wood or stone, mountains, lightening, thunder, other humans and countless imaginations of their hearts.  Today’s gods tend to be formed by plastic and metal and become a status symbol.   The gods of the internet vary as much as the gods of the past.   In King David’s day the same things were true.  Men were worshipping every imagination of their hearts.  That is why this song was written by David.   The above refrain of the song gives us the central theme:  God alone is the true God.   Notice that David’s points to God’s “wondrous work” as evidence of God and that He is the God “alone.”   The gods of wood and metal and technology do nothing for us spiritually.  They might enhance our life on this earth, but they do nothing to prepare our lives for heaven.  God wonderful works, however, prepare us to meet Him and to live a life pleasing to Him.  Here is what the writer of Hebrews stated about God’s wondrous works:

Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In just these two verses we read the following wondrous works:

1. God brought us peace.

2. God raised Jesus from the dead.

3. God made Jesus the great shepherd for His sheep.

4. God establish a covenant with us by His blood.

5. God equips us to do His will. 

6. God works within us that which is pleasing in His sight. 

7. God does all this through the power of His Son, Jesus Christ.  

God is God alone and His works prove it to be so!!

Our Victory is Equivalent to Our Faith - 2 Kings 11-15

Our Victory is Equivalent to Our Faith

2 Kings 13:14-19 (ESV)

Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The LORD'S arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”

Elisha was a great prophet.   He asked for a double portion of the Spirit of God that was on Elijah and was granted it.   As a result he was consulted and asked to intercede for many people.  This is especially true of the kings.   In the above passage we read about King Joash (a king of Israel that did evil).  Joash came to Elisha with a concern about his dwindling army.   He states it as a “worry.”  He is worried because his “chariots and horseman” had been depleted.   Since there was constant war in those days, the king goes to the powerful prophet and wants help and support.   The exercises we see Elisha give him seem to be minor in nature.  Yet, they had major implications.  Because his faith was not deep and fully trusting in God, he would see limited victory.   We could defend the king and ask how would he have know that is what Elisha wanted.  How would he have known to strike the ground more than three times.   But that is the problem.  Joash, king of Israel, was not sensitive to the things of God.  He was not thinking spiritually.  He was thinking as the natural man thinks.   Elisha, at the time of his death, was speaking spiritual truths.   The lesson in this passage is simple.  We are to seek out wisdom from God via His servant, but we not to ask with a wavering heart.  Note how James states it in his early letter to the church:

James 1:5-8 (ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We are to come to God and seek His wisdom, fully believing he can save and deliver us.   Joash had a wavering heart.   A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.   

EVERY YEAR!!! - Leviticus 16-18

EVERY YEAR!!!

Leviticus 16:34 (ESV)
And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses.

To understand the significance of the above verse we have to remember the reason these instructions were given to the nation of Israel through the words of Moses.   The Levitical sacrifices were a picture of what Christ would eventually do for them.  The sacrifice of blood for the atonement of the nation’s sin was the picture of what Christ would do.   The issue with these sacrifices was that they had to be done on a repeated basis.  The above verse is referring to the Day of Atonement.  That was the day that the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies and made a sacrifice for him, his family and the nation of Israel.  This was to be done, once per year.  It was to be done every year.  This is the struggle with the Levitical sacrifices.  The once-a-year model and picture indicated that their was a sacrifice of blood needed to take away sins.  But, it also meant that the once-a-year requirement meant that the sins of the priest, his family and the nation were NEVER really taken away.  This is the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, stated over and over in the book of Hebrews.  Note:

Hebrews 10:11-12 (ESV)
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Hebrews 10:1-2 (ESV)
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?

Christians can rejoice that God has given us His Son to take away sin forever, by His ONE sacrifice on the cross.  We are set free from sin by His one time offering of His body.   Christ died as a fulfillment of the Levitical offerings and to end the Levitical offering system.   It was not adequate to fully take away sin.   The nation’s faith in that system would save them only as they understood it was a picture of what Christ would do.  They, by faith, look forward to what Christ would do permanently for them.  We look back, by faith, on what Christ did permanently for us.   

Debt Canceled and Paid in Full (Creditors Neutralized) - Colossians 1-2

Debt Canceled and Paid in Full
(Creditors Neutralized)

Colossians 2:13-15
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

If you have ever been in financial debt and had the creditors calling you day and night, you can really relate to these verses.  Paul is telling the church at Colossi the wonderful news of their debt free life.   He wants them to know that they no longer have a debt.  Jesus paid the debt.  But, on top of the debt being paid, he disarmed the creditor(s).  In this case there are two Creditors.   One is Death and one is Satan.   When Jesus paid for our sins on the cross He overcame the creditor of Death.   Remember, the wages of sin is death.   Jesus paid for the sins and died for us. It is not as though death was escaped.  It was fully paid, by Christ.   The wages of sin was STILL death, but instead of paying the debt for sin ourselves, Christ paid it.   The second Creditor was Satan.   But, when Christ died on the cross to pay our sins, Christ defeated Satan.  Notice these verses:

Acts 26:18 (ESV)
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

1 John 3:8 (ESV)
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

These three verses, along with those from Colossians 2, give us an invoice marked “paid in full.”    We can hold that invoice up to Satan, because not only does it say, “paid in full” in reference to our debt of sin, but it also reads, “totally set free.”  We are free for Jesus has taken the debt and has disarmed the creditors (rulers and authorities of Satan) and put them to open shame, because God “triumphed over them” in Christ!!!   We ought to live our lives as though we are free from the debt and and as though we are free from the devil!! 

Jesus Christ is in Complete Control - Luke 19-20

Jesus Christ is in Complete Control

Luke 19:28-34

The Triumphal Entry

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.”

Yes, Jesus came and was crucified.  But, that was His plan.  Yes, Jesus was scorned and ridiculed. But, that was His plan. Yes, one of His disciples betrayed Him.  But, yes, even that was His plan.  God has a plan.  That plan is to see His Son crucified, buried, risen and coming again.  That is His plan.   Jesus Christ has the plan down to the smallest detail.   Even where a colt is tied up and what the owner of the colt will say to His disciples.  This is an amazing truth.  God knows everything.  Every little detail before it happens.   God has the animals in control and the people who own them (of course, if I really believed that I would not be afraid of dogs I don’t know).   But, it is true.  We can fear and that is natural.  We can wonder and that is expected.   But, when we lean into God in faith we must come to the knowledge that Jesus Christ is in complete control of the world around us.  It is His plan!!

Splendor Destroyed by Pride - Ezekiel 25-30

Splendor Destroyed by Pride

Ezekiel 28:11-15
A Lament over the King of Tyre
Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD:
“You were the signet of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering,
sardius, topaz, and diamond,
beryl, onyx, and jasper,
sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle;
and crafted in gold were your settings
and your engravings.
On the day that you were created
they were prepared.
You were an anointed guardian cherub.
I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God;
in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.
You were blameless in your ways
from the day you were created,

till unrighteousness was found in you.

The title in most versions of the Bible for the above passage is, “The Lament over the King of Tyre.”   Tyre was a famous city that persecuted Israel.  It was one of the riches and most prestigious cities in the land of Canaan.   God has sent Ezekiel to speak a prophesy about it.   God is going to destroy it.   The above passage speaks to why God is going to destroy the “king” of Tyre.  Because of language used by Ezekiel there has been much discussion about this King of Tyre.  The reference that the King was in the Garden of Eden complicates the interpretation.   In verse 14 we read that the King is referred to as an “anointed cherub” who is said to be placed by God “on the holy mountain of God.”   The jewels listed sound very familiar to the breastplate of the high priest of Israel.   Some have thought this passage is speaking of Satan, prior to his fall from God’s grace.   That interpretation believes that Satan was the master, controlling the King of Tyre.  So, the prophecy is about the king, but, in reality the power behind the king, Satan.   Whoever the passage is speaking about (physical king or spiritual king of power) we do know this:  God created this “being” and they, by pride, failed to praise God for their beauty, giftedness and power.   The thought in the passage is that pride has brought this amazing creation to the ground.   Despite the privileges and beauty they were given by God they rebelled in pride.  God was going to deal with this arrogance.   Notice what God says about pride through the voice of Solomon: 

Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

We need to be on guard for a prideful heart.  The King of Tyre gave into his pride.   Whether controlled by a demonic being or not, God would and did bring him down.   God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble.  All the splendor that was given to this created being was wasted in pride.  Pride destroyed the splendor.  

James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Wisdom Brings God’s Blessing - Proverbs 10

Wisdom Brings God’s Blessing

Proverbs 10:6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.

Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.

Proverbs is a book about wisdom.   Solomon is teaching his son about the source of wisdom and the gain of wisdom as compared to the rejection of wisdom and the failings of folly.   In the above three verses from this chapter we read the gain.   God’s wisdom in our lives brings God’s wisdom for our lives.   In Solomon, the “righteous” are the same as the “wise.”   Solomon uses the terms interchangeably.   The “wicked” are the same as the “fool” in Proverbs.   To be wise you must Fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7 & 9:10).   To be righteous you must fear the lord  and stand in awe of Him.   The point Solomon is teaching us is that as we walk in the Fear of the Lord, we gain wisdom.  That wisdom will usher in God’s blessing to us.   In the above three verses he explains God’s blessing in three ways:

1. In 10:6 we see that God’s blessing is on the “head” of the righteous, those who have wisdom.   In Proverbs 11:26 we read, again, that God blesses the “head” of the righteous; those who demonstrate their righteousness by giving to the poor.   In this verse we see that God’s blessing is visible.  God does not hide the blessings He wants to give His children.  

2. In 10:7 we see that God’s blessing for the righteous (the wise in heart) is found in the legacy He lives for them.  It is their memory that brings blessing to others.   

3.  In 10:22 we read that God’s blessing for the righteous (the one full of wisdom) is that when they accumulate wealth they also get God’s favor on them.   Often with wealth comes stress and strain.  But, when wise people accumulate wealth it does not come with “sorrow.”

God is in the business of blessing those who walk in faithful obedience and wisdom for Him.     

Not in Pianissimo - In Fortissimo! - Psalms 81-83

Not in Pianissimo - In Fortissimo!

Psalms 81:1-3
Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.

Perhaps before diving into the above first lines of this song, written by the songwriter Asaph, we should read these words spoken by Christ, ages later:

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Those that call upon God and claim Him as their Savior, do not hide that fact.   They live out loud and loud.   In the above lines, Asaph is telling us to take some very loud musical instruments and make a noise for God and to God.   We are to “sing aloud” and to “shout” and to “raise a song” and to make noise on a “tambourine” and a “trumpet.”   This is not a quiet church service.  This is one with much noise and much shouting.   The writer tells how to worship, when to worship and then, throughout the rest of the psalm, why to worship.  God is interested in our claiming Him as our Savior and doing so in a very conspicuous manner.   We are not to wear our Christianity in silence.  People should not have to wonder if we claim Christ.  We are to proclaim Him with loud singing and praise.   Let us sing for joy with shouts of praise.   Blowing a trumpet is a loud noise.   It is not silent.  The orchestra does not often bring the trumpets in pianissimo (very soft ... pp).   It almost always brings them in fortissimo (very loud ... ff).  God does not want us to live our lives in pianissimo.  He wants us to live our lives in fortissimo!! 

God Protects His Own - 2 Kings 6-10

God Protects His Own

2 Kings 8:1-6

Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”

God is interested in those that are His.   This story is a testament to God’s care and concern over those He selects as His own.   Years earlier God used Elisha to resurrect this woman’s son.  He also warned the woman to flea from the famine in the land.  Now, at exactly the right time, God was putting Elisha’s servant in the exact place, at the exact time, to make sure the woman’s land was restored to her.   God puts people in the right place to whisper the right things in their ears.   This is truly an example of God turning the hearts of the king:

Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he will.

God moves the hearts of kings and people to care for those He loves.   We ought not worry about life.  God has us in the plan of His hand and can whisper in the ears of kings to keep us from famine and restore to us what we previously thought we lost.  

Holiness Takes on Many Forms - Leviticus 13-15

Holiness Takes on Many Forms

Leviticus 15:32-33
This is the law for him who has a discharge and for him who has an emission of semen, becoming unclean thereby; also for her who is unwell with her menstrual impurity, that is, for anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and for the man who lies with a woman who is unclean.

The above passage is a summary statement for all that Moses has stated in this section.  This particular section is about natural and unnatural discharges that come from a man or woman.   Bodily functions happen and God was concerned about how the nation of Israel lived their lives.  We have to realize that this is a Biblical time.  This was over two-million people living in tents and traveling by foot.  God has supplied their need for food and their need for water.   We even know that God made sure their clothes did not wear out.  

Deuteronomy 29:4-5
But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear. I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.

But, God was also concerned about their physical well-being and that they were a reflection of His holiness.  The above word for “law” is the Hebrew word, “Torah.”   This is not a suggestion for the nation. It was a “law” for them to observe.  The summary includes both natural and unnatural happenings.   There are a number of reasons God was concerned about this area of their lives, but here are three:

1. God was concerned about diseases that might spread throughout the rustic camp.  They didn’t always have the best living conditions.  But, God, in His sovereign care wanted to make sure they had the best possible living conditions. To assure God’s plan would be affective, however, they had to obey,   

2. God is holy.  This is the theological reason for this law.  God was dwelling with the people.  Anything He is in contact with must also be holy.   We can not understate them.  We might recall the woman in Mark 5 that had the issue of blood. When she even touched the garment of Jesus she was made whole.  God is holy and cannot be touched by that which is unholy.  

3. God wants the nation to fully represent them to the surrounding nations.  Their purity was their testimony.  God demands that we are holy, even as He is holy.  We are to be a peculiar people for God (1 Peter 2:9).

The nation of Israel will, of course, over the years, violate these laws.  They neither protected their own, kept God’s people holy or demonstrated holiness to the world around them.  But, that was because they failed to follow in obedient faith.  Not because the law (Torah) was ineffective.  

Anxiety is Anti-God - Philippians 3-4

Anxiety is Anti-God

Philippians 4:6-7

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God is a God of peace.  In the book of Romans, Paul writes about the fact that Jesus died for us that we might have peace with Him (Romans 5).  God has gone to great lengths to give us peace.   He is the God of peace.   Jesus came to make peace through His blood.   One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace.   God wants us to be at peace with each other and with Him and with our circumstances of life.   I write this after being in Texas for three extra days due to flight cancelations.   God does not want anxiety in our lives.  He has gone to great extent to make anxiety taboo to us.  We usher in God’s peace through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.   We are to take what we worry about and turn it over to God for His sovereign care and protection and intercession.  As we realize that God has all things in His hands, we can be more peaceful and restful.   God wants us to know that He is there to “guard” our hearts and minds from anxiety.  Anxiety truly is anti-God.   God does not work or rejoice in anxiety.   We can rejoice that He is in control and wants us to lean into Him in prayer, with thanksgiving.  That is tough to do in our human strength. This is where faith comes into view.   We must make sure that we are believing that He truly does control all aspects of our lives. (Including our travel.).  Rejoice in His scare and allow His peach to “guard” our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.   

Failing to Grasp Truth - Luke 17-18

Failing to Grasp Truth

Luke 18:31-34
And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus was a very patience man.   He walked with these disciples for three years.  He did miracle after miracle in front of them.  He taught them day and night.  He taught they alone and in crowds.  He taught the directly and indirectly as He taught others.   He laid out the plan of His Father for His life, multiple times.  Yet, as the above verses state, they often still did not get it.   It must have been frustrating.   Man’s failure to acknowledge the truth of God is man’s defining challenge.   This is such an important aspect of mankind that Paul told young pastor Timothy to focus on this very issue:

2 Timothy 2:24-26
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Notice that is is God who must “grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”   Only God can open the eyes of the blind.  Only God can open our spiritual eyes to see His heavenly truth.   Notice what happened when Jesus was walking with two disciples after His accession:

Luke 24:15,16
While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

We have to realize that God opens the eyes of them He would and closes the eyes of them He would not have see the glorious light of the Gospel.   God allows Satan to do that in order to accomplish His plans:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

So, when we fail to grasp the truth of God’s word there are three reasons we can point to:

1.  God has chosen to keep the Gospel a mystery,. 

2. The god of this world as been allowed to “blind” man’s eyes to the Gospel. 

3. Man, because of his lack of spiritual life, has dead eyes and can’t see the Gospel. 

Only God can open the eyes of the blind to make them see the glorious beauty of the Gospel.  

Be Different - Ezekiel 19-24

Be Different

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Ezekiel has been speaking about the failures of Israel. In this section of his message he is condemning citizen, city, king and priest for their disobedience to God’s commands and plans.  In the above verse we see one of the reason why the nation, as a whole, went astray.   The priests, who were given to God to be the messengers for God, did “violence” to the Law of God.    That is a very powerful word to use in regard to disobedience.   God counts His Word as holy.   When the priest profane the Law and disobey it they do “violence” to it.  Here is Vine’s definition of the Hebrew word used, hamas:

ḥâmas; a primitive root; to be violent; by implication, to maltreat: — make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.

As a result of this “violence” to God’s Word, they failed to teach the main thing they are to teach: A difference between God and evil.  They were to teach the difference between good and evil.  They were to teach the difference between the holy and profane.   They were to teach the difference!!  Yet, they didn’t.  Therefore they lead the nation to act “common.”   The word, “common,” here is used to mean anything NOT holy.   So, we see that the entire issue was that since the priest did not lead the nation toward holiness, looking and acting like God according to His Law, it lead the nation to act common, unholy, like the world around them.  This is why the wrath was being poured out on them.    They were not different.   For today’s Christian, here is what we read:

1 Peter 1:13-16
Called to Be Holy
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

We, too, are called to be holy.  We are called to be different.  This is why God is sanctifying us.  He wants us to be holy.   He wants us to be different.  

God Changes What is Evil - Ezekiel 18-22

God Changes What is Evil

Ezekiel 21:24-27

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have made your guilt to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your deeds your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in hand. And you, O profane wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of your final punishment, thus says the Lord GOD: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted. A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.

God is in the business of restoring righteousness.   He does not tolerate evil.  When the leaders of Israel did not practice truth, God intervened.  This what we are reading in the above text.  God sent Ezekiel to deliver the message of change.  We often hear that people don’t like change.   If we read the above passage we can see why.  Change can have an element of destruction to it.  If saying “ruin” is not enough, Ezekiel is compelled by the Spirit of God to say it three times.   If God says it once we should pay attention.  If God says it twice we certainly pay attention.   But, if God says it three times we better be warned.  God sent Ezekiel to pronounce that change was coming.  Trying to do change without destruction means you are hoarding something.  You have to remove something to make room for the new something.  God is moving out poor leadership to make room for His Son’s leadership.   The “prince” referred to in this passage is the “leadership” of Israel.   God moves out leadership that does not follow Him to make room for those who will. 

Wisdom Can Be Seen - Proverbs 8 & 9

Wisdom Can Be Seen

Proverbs 8:2
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;

Proverbs 9:3
She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,

Why do corporate executives get the top floors?  Why is the house on the hill, typically, worth more than one in the valley?  Why we lift people up on put them on our shoulders after they have accomplished a great battle, or moment?   In fact, why do we put people “up” on a pedestal?  Why is it putting them “down?”  In the above verses we read that wisdom is on the “heights” and in the “highest places.”  Solomon is concluding the first nine chapters of his book on wisdom.   He wants us to know that this wisdom of his is highly available.   He wants them to know that he is not hiding this wisdom. It is not under a bushel.  It is at the heights for us to see, observe and know.    Wisdom does not hide.    The writer of this song in the Psalms states something similar:

Psalms 19:1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.

But, wisdom is not the only thing that can be seen at the heights.   Notice what Solomon also states about folly:

Proverbs 9:13-14
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,

Both wisdom and folly are at the heights. Both call out.  Both make noise.  But, only one satisfies.   That is the choice of man.  He can see both.  He won’t be able to say, later in life, “I did not see wisdom.”    It is signing and shining at the highest places.