Exceeding Standards...

When our standards exceed the standards of this world, people take notice. Love is a matter of will, not emotion.

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. Matthew 5:43-47

God Gives Us....

Here’s a simple but very important truth of the Bible. God gives each of us what we deserve. Those that seek Him whole-heartedly receive more revelation of Him. Those who don’t want Him around, He takes away any signs of His presence. When a person rebels, hating God, they “must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way.” But those that listen and take heed, “live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” It’s not a magic pill you can take, just a consistent, daily pursuit. It’s either seeking truth (only found in God), or seeking self. Either way the path you choose leads to reaping what you sow.

28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer.Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord.30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.32 For simpletons turn away from me–to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:28-33

Self-Preservation...

When you think of Abraham, greatness comes to mind. He is the father of the great nation of Israel. His great faith is still talked about today. But we must remember he was a weak human being as well, just like the rest of us. We are all weak, fragile, and insecure. Like it or not, that’s the truth. Here Abram (before name change) was more concerned with his self-preservation than concerned for his own wife. Certainly this attitude was frowned upon by God. His concern for himself was so strong, he lied about Sarai. Then, he even gave her to Pharaoh. If it weren’t for God intervening, Sarai would’ve been Pharaoh’s wife instead of the mother of Israel. Abram’s lie could’ve altered the History of the world. Fortunately, God’s grace stepped in and worked it out for Abram’s good (and ours). We can never allow self-preservation to step in front of doing the right thing. God always honors those that honor Him. Putting Him first is always the right thing.

10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her–sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions. Genesis 12:10-20

Self-Reliance....

What was it about the Tower of Babel that caused God to disperse the people living there? There were two issues here. First, they disobeyed God by staying and building the city. God told them to fill the earth by moving out from where they started. By staying and building the city, they were blatantly disobeying God by not moving away and inhabiting all the earth. Secondly, the tower was a symbol of self-sufficiency. It was to make them famous, and preventing them from scattering. So what did God do? Immediately He confused them with different languages. Can you imagine, having a conversation with your friend, and right in the middle of conversing, you start speaking Japanese? And they start speaking Portuguese. No one could understand each other so they stopped building the tower and moved away. The point is: self-reliance isn’t what God wants from us. It leads to leaving God out of the picture, and ultimately rebelling against Him. We are to depend on God daily. Listening to His prompting and putting it into action. The second we stop doing that, we lose out on His blessings.

1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. 6 “Look!” He said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way He scattered them all over the world. Genesis 11:1-9

Raising the Bar on Purpose...

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus took the purpose of the law far above what anyone could ever interpret to suiting their own desires. He used exaggerated analogies to make the point that its impossible to keep the law. It’s entire purpose is to show us our sinful nature (not keeping the law) and our inability to pay the wages it demands (death). It’s hard to live your life when death is the payment you owe. Jesus raised the bar higher than the religious leaders ever dreamed they could justify, so high in fact, that your thought life was now on trial, which no one could argue or try to justify. When you are honest with yourself, the number one requirement when it comes to God, you see the impossible requirements the law demands, and your inability to meet its obligatory response.

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26a

Presenting the Truth...

And people say Jesus never called anyone out!!! We used truth to reach people. We do it with gentleness and respect, out of love for them. Whether or not they respond to it doesn’t negate our responsibility to present the Truth to them. Convincing someone to believe and repent is God’s job, not ours. Our job is to point others to Jesus, the savior of the world.

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.20 “But I warn you–unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Matthew 5:17-20

Moonshiners....

As believers we are to point others to Jesus. As I like to call us, moonshiners, reflecting the light of the SON. Our job is to live our life in such a way, that others see our behavior and actions and thank God for helping take care of them. We are cracked pots full of God’s light, shining through the broken spaces into the lives of others. People will see more of God working in our lives if we allow others to see our brokenness rather than if we only try to show our smooth sculpted sections. Never forget that. It’s God’s way of revealing Himself to others in our humility. It’s our realization of our need for Him and the receptiveness of our hearts that help make us useful to God, blessing others. And light is more easily seen in dirty air.

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16

A Reminder of a Promise...

I’m sure when people see a rainbow in the sky they wonder about the physics involved that produces it. They wonder how it’s possible to get such vibrant colors from such a limited palette of hues in the sky. But isn’t it fascinating to think that the beauty, wonder, and attention-grabbing pull a rainbow has is a reminder to us that God will never flood the earth to destroy all living things ever again? He placed this physical anomaly in the sky to remind us and all living things of His promise. And His promises always come to pass. So the next time you see a rainbow, view it as God’s message to you directly, that He’s here with a promise that you can trust Him with your life.

12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of My covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed My rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of My covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember My covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. 16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” 17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.” Genesis 9:12-17

Human Irresponsibilty...

For all those animal rights advocates out there, animals don’t have rights. They are for our food and use. Sure, they shouldn’t be wasted or abused. That’s not an animal rights issue, it’s human irresponsibility issue. Those organizations need to stop focusing on the promotion of animal rights and start teaching human responsibility and holding people accountable for their behavior, starting with themselves. It’s how God designed our system, and it starts by being accountable to Him first.

1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth. 2 All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power. 3 I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables. 4 But you must never eat any meat that still has the lifeblood in it. Genesis 9:1-4

“I Will Require...”

For those who want to argue for or against the “Death Penalty”, I think God made it very clear. Sure, we can argue the details, but one thing is for sure: if you take someone’s life for selfish reasons (murder) then your own life will be required. God has made man in His Own image, and nothing can change that. This serves as a deterrent for all those contemplating doing it. Once removed, what’s to stop anyone?

5 “And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. 6 If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in His own image. 7 Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.” Genesis 9:5-7

Temptation....

When Jesus was tempted in the desert by the Devil, He was tempted by the very same things we are tempted by today. Your body, your ego, and material things. There’s not much more we can be tempted by, is there? Just think how many people live to showcase their bodies, or live for the food that goes in it? Think about how pride drives a person to abandon things or people meant to be in their lives? Or think about how television encourages us to be dissatisfied with what God has blessed us with? These temptations are what Satan uses to keep us distracted, busying ourselves with irrelevant actions that ultimately rob us of our true purpose; serving others and glorifying God. Jesus resisted these temptations and gives us the power to do the same when they come. What will you do the next time they come knocking at your door?

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry.3 During that time the devil came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”4 But Jesus told Him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If You are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order His angels to protect you.And they will hold you up with their handsso you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”8 Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to You,” he said, “if You will kneel down and worship me.”10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your Godand serve only Him.’” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. Matthew 4:1-11

Real Love, What We Have To Do...

Love, love, love, you’ve heard it a million times. It’s preached by Christians and non-Christians alike. Where do they get it from? Yes, the Bible clearly states God loves us, but it also states what we have to do in order to experience God’s love, REPENT. It was the heart and soul of Jesus’ ministry. You rarely hear that being preached these days, do you?

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:12-17

Fools...

There are three classes of people who oppose God addressed in the Bible: the ignorant, the mockers, and the fools (willful haters). The simple and ignorant are the main focus in the book of Proverbs. Simply put, you can educate the ignorant, but you can’t change or convince a fool, they have already made up their unchangeable mind. God knows this, that’s why He calls them fools. He knows they know the truth, yet refuse to abide in it. Jesus talked about the unpardonable sin, willful denial, willful disobedience, all in a consistent pattern throughout one’s life. When God calls, there’s no reason for not answering. We should take heed.

Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. 21 She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: 22 “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? 23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. Proverbs 1:20-23

The Most Deceitful of All Things...

With mid-term elections coming up there are a lot of people putting their trust in candidates running for office. They are relying on human strength to save this country from the consequences of its moral bankruptcy. The nastiness of the human heart rears it’s ugly head on the campaign trail revealing its deceitfulness and how desperately wicked it really is. What really gets me about this topic is that people who attend church, and “appear” to be faithful followers of Christ promote candidates that go against everything God stands for. They think if their candidate gets elected, everything will get better. They are only deceived because they turn their hearts away from God. The truth is no human being will save mankind. Only Jesus can do that. And the good news is, He already did. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, who have made the Lord their hope and confidence. This comes straight out of Jeremiah chapter 17. And people say the Bible is irrelevant and antiquated. Those people need to ask God to open their eyes to His truth. “For His Word is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword”... simply ask God to reveal this life-giving wisdom to you, and you will see the world from a new perspective.

This is what the Lord says:“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green,and they never stop producing fruit. 9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,and desperately wicked.Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:5-10

13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from You will be disgraced. They will be buried in the dust of the earth, for they have abandoned the Lord, the fountain of living water. Jeremiah 17:13

A Sure Fire Way to Eliminate...

Here’s a sure fire way to eliminate the Monday morning blues. Focus on God. Get your eyes off yourself and onto the One Who can rescue and save you.

O Lord, I have so many enemies;so many are against me.2 So many are saying,“God will never rescue him!” 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;You are my glory, the One who holds my head high.4 I cried out to the Lord,and He answered me from His holy mountain. Psalms 3:1-4

Sovereignty: Who’s Really in Control?

God is sovereign. He’s in control. Just think: the weather obeys Him, the earth obeys Him, animals obey Him (imagine for over one year you had all the wild animals of the earth living together on the ark, WOW), time obeys Him, and some people obey Him. Regardless of what or how we think, God controls all the events on earth. It’s foolish to think we are in control. And to put into proper perspective, our high view of ourselves, God knows that we have a sinful nature, one that “is bent toward evil from childhood”. Yet He still offers us Grace, and promises to love us throughout eternity. God’s in control, His best is our best. We should start listening more, don’t you think?

21 And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. 22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Genesis 8:21-22

Proof of Faith...

You’ve read the scripture “faith without works is dead”, but do you really know what that means? Are works required for salvation? Can we earn God’s favor by what we do? Is practicing religion pleasing to God? I think John the Baptist makes it clear here. Works can’t earn God’s Grace. They are only a response to already receiving it.

8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Matthew 3:8

The Company You Keep...

You’ve heard the nominal Christian say, “Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors”, referencing to us that it’s okay if we spend a lot of time with people heavily engrossed in sinful behavior. Well, I hate to be the bearer of bubble-bursting news, but it’s foolish to hang around those types of people. Instead it tells us to run the other way, or when enticed by sinners, “turn your back on them”. Sure, we can’t isolate ourselves from the entire world, that’s not what I’m addressing here. It’s just the friends you choose determine the atmosphere you’ll be in. If you are foolish enough not to listen, you will be the recipient of the consequences of their sin, or your sin for compromising. The fate of all who are greedy, is robbed of life.

10 My child, if sinners entice you,turn your back on them!11 They may say, “Come and join us.Let’s hide and kill someone!Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave;let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.13 Think of the great things we’ll get!We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.14 Come, throw in your lot with us;we’ll all share the loot.” 15 My child, don’t go along with them!Stay far away from their paths.16 They rush to commit evil deeds.They hurry to commit murder.17 If a bird sees a trap being set,it knows to stay away.18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;they are trying to get themselves killed.19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;it robs them of life. Proverbs 1:10-19

Real, Raw, & Relational...

When you read from the book of Psalms you soon realize this book more than any other in the Bible best connects human emotions with God’s character. Real, raw, and relational.

But what joy for all who take refuge in him! Psalms 2:12c

Noah’s Perspective...

Can you imagine what is was like to be Noah? A righteous man, actually the only righteous man left on the earth. He walked closely with God. He must’ve seen and put up with a tremendous amount of evil behavior. And his dedication to God was immeasurable. The ridicule he had to face, and the pain and sorrow he endured, knowing of God’s wrath and the fate of all humanity was resting with him. All this kind of makes living today seem kinda easy doesn’t it?

9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Genesis 6:9 | NLT

Shaping Your Life...

Solomon expounds on the 5th commandment. Why it’s important to honor your parents? Your entire life is shaped by what your parents did or didn’t do. Whatever that may have been, your decision to honor them will determine the altitude in which you rise. It’s the first commandment with a promise. A glimpse of God’s grace in His redemptive plan in the OT.

8 My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9

Who’s Really In Control?

To think people actually believe they are in control. They act certain ways, totally focused on themselves. They abuse their power, walk on people’s dignity, and believe they can do as they please. God is in control, and that’s the bottom line.

1 Why are the nations so angry?Why do they waste their time with futile plans?2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;the rulers plot togetheragainst the Lordand against His anointed one.3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the One who rules in heaven laughs.The Lord scoffs at them.5 Then in anger He rebukes them,terrifying them with His fierce fury.6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed My chosen king on the thronein Jerusalem, on My holy mountain.” Psalms 2:1-6

Think Again...

If anyone thinks Hell is going to be a party with your unbelieving friends, think again. Cain was banished from God’s presence here on earth. Imagine what it’ll be like in eternity?

13 Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to bear! 14 You have banished me from the land and from Your presence; You have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!” Genesis 4:13-14

Sin’s Deception....

Sin, from the very first time it entered into humanity, has been driving people away from God with its deceptive power and leading people down a path devoid of God’s presence. When we look at the story of Adam and Eve we see how Satan (the deceiver) disrupts God’s order by playing into Eve’s desire to be like God. We are all to be like God, but that doesn’t mean crossing the line on what is acceptable and what’s not. Eve’s desire to know good and evil went against God’s desire for her. And it resulted in shame and guilt, which always drives us away from God. Sin will never be able to walk its outsized talk. It will leave us naked and afraid, filled with guilt and shame that only drives us further away from God, resulting in our justification of everything we pursue in its place. It’s something we will always struggle with here on earth, but we don’t have to settle for its outcome. God provides the power to live a redeemed life, we just have to trust Him on that. Sin will always take you down a path you’re not fit to travel.

1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ”4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”10 He replied, “I heard You walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:1-10

Until...

I know this may stir up controversy but I can’t help but think the answer is clear. In Matthew 1:25 it states that Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after she gave birth to Jesus. If this is true, how is it that some believe Mary remained a virgin the rest of her life? I’ve always wanted to know the justification of that belief. I may never know, but for me, there’s just too many questions I have that would convince me to believe Mary remained a virgin the rest of her life. First off, what purpose does it serve for her to remain a virgin? Wasn’t Mary a sinner just like the rest of us? What makes a person, who hasn’t had sexual relations a better sinner or less of a sinner than the rest of us? If she was sinless, why did Jesus come? Couldn’t she have been the atonement for our sins? If the angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, wouldn’t that be going against God’s purpose of marriage? Isn’t the purpose of marriage to procreate? Some may say, there are a lot of couples who cannot have children? But that doesn’t mean the reason they don’t have children is because they don’t have sex, is it? Human nature, and the God given attraction between a man and a woman would be violated to be married and not have sex. That would mean Joseph would’ve married other women in order to quench his manly desire to experience the process of procreation. If that were to have happened wouldn’t that have made Joseph a bad man, since he was called a good man in the preceding verses? Didn’t Jesus Himself say that marriage was between a man and a woman? What about Jesus’ brothers and sisters? I have tons and tons more questions about this but my point is this: yes, Mary deserves veneration (our respect), but not our worship. By placing her on statues and praying to her, isn’t that worship? Isn’t that what God calls idolatry? Isn’t that why we are not to make graven images? Isn’t praying to her an act of worship? What makes her worthy of our prayers? Isn’t she a sinner just like the rest of us? Only God deserves our worship. He will not share His glory with anyone. Anything we do to violate that is a sin. If I am wrong about this, I honestly would like to know why (an explanation)? Wouldn’t you?

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25

Jesus’ Name....

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Who Jesus is. Simply look at the name He was given, Immanuel. Jesus, The Lord Saves. Seems pretty clear to me.

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” Matthew 1:23

God Uses Broken People...

When you carefully examine the lineage of Jesus, you find an incestual woman, a pagan, a prostitute, and an adulteress. If this isn’t proof that God uses broken people to accomplish His will, then no amount of reading the Bible is going to help change your mind on your confused view on who can and can’t serve God and be recipients of His Grace. We are all sinners. The only thing God requires in order to use you to accomplish His will is a repentant and humble heart. That’s Good News for all of us, isn’t it?

 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac.Isaac was the father of Jacob.Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).Perez was the father of Hezron.Hezron was the father of Ram.4 Ram was the father of Amminadab.Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.Nahshon was the father of Salmon.5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).Obed was the father of Jesse.6 Jesse was the father of King David.David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). Matthew 1:1-6

The Beginning of Wisdom...

One simple concept that true seekers of God understand and the rest of the world doesn’t comprehend, is God is the source of all wisdom and true knowledge. It’s when we know our place and humbly accept His position as Lord that this foundation of wisdom is established. Knowing God and humbling ourselves is what the fear of the Lord is all about, true reverence.

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

To Serve a Purpose...

God created man and woman to serve a purpose. It takes one of each to create a child. In order to populate the earth, you need a man and woman. His order is supreme. His purpose is clear. It’s not good for man to be alone, so He created a helper who is just and right for him. A man serves a purpose, as does a woman. When we deny their God designed roles in life, we confuse, distort, distract, and eventually destroy order on this earth.

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18

But still there was no helper just right for him.21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and He brought her to the man.23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone,and flesh from my flesh!She will be called ‘woman,’because she was taken from ‘man.’ ” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. Genesis 2:20c-25

True Love Always....

Here is a concept that modern day people fail to see: true love always gives you a choice. In order to be true, love must give a choice. Why? Because love is only reciprocated/returned when it comes willfully. It’s robotic when it’s demanded. True love comes when the soul of one being freely gives it to another. With no force, no manipulation, and no deception. True love is only real and pure when it’s volitionally given by another being. Anything less is only a counterfeit.

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden–17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:15-17

Weekly Rest...

Rest is necessary. It’s time of reflection, recuperation, and refocus. When we burn the candle at both ends, we ultimately suffer and fail. When God created the world in which we live, when He finished, He rested. Then, later on, He declared the Sabbath, a day in which man was to do no work (rest) and dedicate it to honoring Him. Why do we do it? Because God tells us too. Sure it provides many benefits for us, like rejuvenation of the body, mind, and spirit; but more so it carries out the will of God and honors Him. He knows best, that’s why He declares once a week we rest and focus on Him. It benefits us greatly, allowing us to continue to carry out His work, mimicking His character.

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation. Genesis 2:1-3