Focus Backward…

It’s easy to get discouraged and want to give up, but we must focus backward, remembering Jesus’ trial leading up to the cross. Recounting His attitude and behavior in dealing with what happened should help us be determined to look forward to the coming reward, to strengthen our resolve, so that we press on, running with endurance the race God has set before us. It’s Jesus’ example that helps us, along with The Holy Spirit’s power, that enables us to reset our focus, clearing the path to godly living. The Bible provides us with the evidence of God’s love, so that should motivate us to be the over-comers we are called to be. The next time you are down and out, read the account of Jesus’ Gethsemane experience, and think about what it accomplished. It will help, by providing the hope and direction we need to weather the storm.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. Hebrews 12:1-4 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Hebrews 12:12-13

Doing of Life….

When I read Ezekiel 28, it can be hard to relate to a society being wiped out by God for their behavior. But then I read about their pride; their claim to be a god. How much different is this from our society today? When we have people trying to determine when a life is actually legitimate (24 weeks of in-utero development). We have people trying to separate sex and gender. We have people trying to redefine concepts like marriage. People thinking banning guns cures a sinful heart. People who say all religions are the same. These are just a few of the issues that reveal man’s attempt to be his own god. Just like Tyre, God will only tolerate so much. When man tries to be god, it disrupts society. It’s disrupts the universe. We suffer tremendously trying to figure out the “whys” of life. We carry many burdens because of this desire to be a god, because when no answer comes, we revert to escaping society by temporarily checking out with behaviors detrimental to us and others. No one is qualified to be God, so why do so many people try? Believers know this path will only lead to their demise, so we need to let God be God. He is really good at it too. Letting go of the control of life, and trusting in God (to be in control) frees us up to focus on what matters most, the “doing of life”, instead of the “trying to figure it all out “. Until people understand that pursuing their own godship is self-destructive, things in this country will not get any better. But once they do, united we stand. We can accomplish anything together. Unity is God’s mysterious plan, it starts when we give up ownership of our hearts back to Him, and stop trying to play god. There’s only one God in the universe, and He is the only One we can truly depend on to do what He says He’ll do.

1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign Lord: “In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god!I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’But you are only a man and not a god,though you boast that you are a god.3 You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel and think no secret is hidden from you.4 With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth–gold and silver for your treasuries.5 Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich,and your riches have made you very proud. 6 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:Because you think you are as wise as a god,7 I will now bring against you a foreign army,the terror of the nations.They will draw their swords against your marvelous wisdomand defile your splendor!8 They will bring you down to the pit,and you will die in the heart of the sea,pierced with many wounds.9 Will you then boast, ‘I am a god!’ to those who kill you?To them you will be no god but merely a man!10 You will die like an outcastat the hands of foreigners.I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 28:1-10

26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. Proverbs 28:26

A Good Reputation….

There are lots of things that money can’t buy. One of them is a good reputation. Regardless of the environment you live in, a life of faith leads to a good reputation. Even in the most evil and vile of societies, when you lead a life obedient to God, through faith, no one will be able to convict you of an offensive behavior. Your reputation is developed through living a life of faith. God rewards your faithfulness by helping you live by His principles, which always treats others with dignity and respect. If establishing a good reputation is important to you, ask God to help you develop a humble and serving heart. You will then see the reward of a good reputation take hold. It starts with faith.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. Hebrews 11:39-40

There’s Strength in Restraint…

I once saw this t-shirt saying, “grandchildren are the reward you get from not strangling your teenager”. Kind of reminds me of this verse in the Psalms. The next time your teenager does something to irritate you, remember, if you want to meet your grand kids, you might want to tolerate the obnoxious behavior a little longer. There’s strength in restraint.

6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.May Israel have peace! Psalms 128:6

Celebrating Other’s Misfortune….

Any time I see people celebrating evil, I mean when something bad happens to another person or people, I can’t help but think how God is disappointed with their behavior. For example, in the early 1990s a helicopter crashed in Mogadishu, Somalia. The demented citizens drug one of the bodies of an American soldier through the streets, cheering and celebrating as they went. In Fallujah, in 2004, more of the same happened to 4 American contractors, as the citizens celebrated by mutilating their bodies with shovels, eventually hanging two of the burned bodies off a bridge over the Euphrates River. This kind of celebration of evil is offensive to God. When people celebrate the misfortune of others, it just shows their lack of compassion, lack of respect for life, and most importantly, lack of reverence for God. Those who know God, know celebrating anyone’s misfortune is wrong. These kinds of celebrations of evil includes many other forms as well. Anything that celebrates evil, anti-God behaviors is something people need to start to examine. They accomplish nothing but more hatred and dissension among its people.

6 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you clapped and danced and cheered with glee at the destruction of My people, 7 I will raise My fist of judgment against you. I will give you as plunder to many nations. I will cut you off from being a nation and destroy you completely. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 25:6-7

The Treasure Our Hope Holds….

The one thing that Christians do that the world doesn’t do is focus on the future. The Bible is clear on this. The world focuses on the “now” with respect for the past. Christians focus on the “future” (Heaven) with respect for the past. Think about that for a minute! Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the past, yesteryear? Nostalgia brings a smile to our faces for a short while, but when focused on too long, it only leads to depression, because we can’t go back. Our job as believers is to focus on the future. It will motivate us to do good, and help us through the hard times too. Christianity looks back (remembering what God has done), then focuses on the future (what God promises to do) with resolve. It’s how we are supposed to live. You can’t live in the past, it’s impossible. Remember, we are strangers passing through. This earth is not our home, it’s only temporary. Jesus said, “it’s easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into Heaven”. What this means is that rich people have their comforts here and now. Heaven to them is a foreign concept. It scares them because they do not know what it will be like. They don’t want to go there out of fear that it won’t be as comfortable as they are now. For the poor, Heaven is far greater than the “now”. Anything beats this present suffering. They long to go there because it will be a relief. This looking forward is what brings comfort to the poor, destitute, and all who don’t have the comforts of the rich. The rich think of Heaven as losing what they have here on earth. The poor see it as gaining everything they don’t have. Hold every loosely, and look forward to what God has in store for us in eternity. That’s what “forward living” is all about. It’s the treasure our Hope holds.

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Live By Faith….

It’s a simple concept, but hard to practice. Unless you train yourself, first by asking God to give you spiritual eyes, only then will you be able to “live by faith”. What the world misses about God, the Christian trusts and lives out. Without faith, you cannot please God. It’s free, and readily available; you just have to ask God for the spiritual sight to see it.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Prison of Their Own Mind….

When I think of the “entitled attitude”, I can’t help but think of this proverb. I have a relative that has made their entire life’s mission to do this very thing. I think, “how can they continue to do this, it’s so wrong”. To take advantage of your parents, is so wrong, especially when they are older and more vulnerable. But then I realize, these entitlement thinkers are miserable, having no hope, and will suffer tremendously before it’s all over. It’s like they live in the prison of their own mind. There’s nothing worse than that; being trapped in the confinements of your own head. Having no hope or motivation is just that, no life.

24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer. Proverbs 28:24

Unless the Lord Builds a House…

Any work done, any time spent, anything done without God, is wasted time. I don’t mean wasted as in worthless, I mean wasted as in “it won’t last”. Unless you have a forward focus, eternity in mind, mentality, everything you do is only temporary. If God is not in it, it’s value won’t last. Your work will burn up. Why we focus on temporary things, I have no idea? Probably because they’re tangible. When we focus on eternal things (people and God’s word), we get a sense of the everlasting; a sense of fulfillment that keeps returning, satisfying our soul. Unless the Lord builds a house, we work in vain....

1 Unless the Lord builds a house,the work of the builders is wasted.Unless the Lord protects a city,guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalms 127:1

Nothing to Come Back To…..

What many people in America and other industrialized nations don’t see happening in Muslim dominated countries, is the violence and persecution on display for all to see. One of the things still done to this day (since it’s inception), is when Muslims persecute Christians, in particular, they burn down their homes. Why? So they have nothing to come back to, forcing them to permanently leave. Does that sound like a peaceful religion?

47 For their enemies will stone them and kill them with swords. They will butcher their sons and daughters and burn their homes. Ezekiel 23:47

You Always Have a Choice…..

When you turn away from God, He allows you to become spiritually blind. Whatever it is that you substitute for God, will become the focus of your life. And God will allow its consequences to play out. Love doesn’t demand its own way, you always have a choice.

35 “And because you have forgotten Me and turned your back on Me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution.” Ezekiel 23:35

The Greatest Tragedy in Life….

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was such an enormous event, that the Jewish race, still to this day, can’t figure it out. Jesus atoned for ALL of our sins. He was the ultimate, once-and-for-all sacrifice, atoning for our sin; pleasing God forever. In verse 2 (read it carefully), “‘IF’ they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would’ve been purified once for all time and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.” Jesus’ work on the cross puts an end to the guilt we feel about our sin. It frees us from the mind-control Satan tries to use to discourage us. Those willing to repent and accept God’s free gift of grace, get to experience this life-restoring gift. When will we get this? Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. The greatest tragedy in life is not found in Romeo and Juliet, it’s having the answer to the problem of sin right in front of you, and refusing it because you value your pride more than Truth. Being a god is more important than knowing and trusting the One and only, real God.

1 The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. 2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.3 But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. 4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.But You have given Me a body to offer.6 You were not pleased with burnt offeringsor other offerings for sin.7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do Your will, O God–as is written about Me in the Scriptures.’ ” 8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were You pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). 9 Then He said, “Look, I have come to do Your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet. 14 For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy.15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For He says, 16 “This is the new covenant I will makewith My people on that day, says the Lord:I will put My laws in their hearts,and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then He says, “I will never again remembertheir sins and lawless deeds.” 18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:1-25

50 Zirconium Pretenders….

I would rather hear 5 words of truth, aimed at protecting my integrity, than 1000 words of flattery, aimed at my pride. My pride may take a hit with this honest criticism, but I know that the person who speaks truth is one that will be there when the storms of life come. One golden friend is worth more than 50 zirconium pretenders.

23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. Proverbs 28:23

Anything Less Is Exactly That….

God is good. God is good at being God. No human should have to carry the weight of trying to be their own god, trying to figure out why the bad stuff happens to us in life. So many people shouldn’t have to carry that weight, but so many people do. Only God deserves to be in His rightful place, not us. Yet when people see fit to play god, He grants them their desire, leading them to a life without answers or hope. People can blame God for everything, but yet He still loves us so much that He doesn’t demand His own way. He just provides “the Way” to all those willing to accept Him as He is. Stop trying to be your own god, and realize God’s way is our way. Anything less, is exactly that, less. Honor the Giver of the gifts, and stop worshipping the gifts themselves. Like, we deserve them?

I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life. 26 I let them pollute themselves with the very gifts I had given them Ezekiel 20:25-26a

You Would Not Be Heaven Bound If…..

Never forget you would not be Heaven bound if it weren’t for Jesus. No other religion has an answer for the problem of sin. And regardless of what any religion says, you only live once, physically die once, and then have to answer to God for your sin. Only Christianity has the answer to the sin problem. For God so loved the world, that he sent Jesus, The only answer to the problem of sin.

11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With His own blood–not the blood of goats and calves–He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why He is the One who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.16 Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. 17 The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect.18 That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. 19 For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. 20 Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” 21 And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.23 That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25 And He did not enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by His own death as a sacrifice.27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:11-28

A Glimpse of Our Creator…..

Is God just? Is God merciful? God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. And neither should we. It’s a shame people don’t take the time to get to know God personally, instead of taking the world’s view of Him. Spending a few minutes a day with Him in prayer and in His word allows you to get a glimpse of what our Creator is really like. Is it your desire to know Him intimately? What’s holding you back?

23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.25 “Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to Me, O people of Israel. Am I the One not doing what’s right, or is it you? 26 When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. 27 And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. 28 They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. 29 And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! 31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live! Ezekiel 18:23-32

Is It Your Desire to Know God Intimately?

Is God just? Is God merciful? God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. And neither should we. It’s a shame people don’t take the time to get to know God personally, instead of taking the world’s view of Him. Spending a few minutes a day with Him in prayer and in His word allows you to get a glimpse of what our Creator is really like. Is it your desire to know Him intimately? What’s holding you back?

23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.25 “Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to Me, O people of Israel. Am I the One not doing what’s right, or is it you? 26 When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. 27 And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. 28 They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. 29 And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! 31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live! Ezekiel 18:23-32

The Right View of Ourselves Starts With….

God has always been for the underdog. But even more so, He has a special place for the humble in heart. Those who think more about helping others than they do themselves have a special place in God’s heart. They may go through depression, and they may struggle with issues in life, but God always sees them through. God uses all people to accomplish his plan, but it’s the ones that have a humble heart that He uses greatly, and takes joy in it. Never forget the value of humility, because God values your humility more so than your pride. God honors those that honor Him. It starts with humility, the right view of yourself in regards to your place in God’s economy.

22 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. 23 It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!” Ezekiel 17:22-24

God Uses Us Fully When….

What is the ultimate desire of God? To know Him. Once we do, we stay hungry in our pursuit of Him. Then we point others to Him. Then teach them to know Him as well. One day, when God’s plan is fulfilled, we will no longer have to teach anyone about God, because everyone will already know Him. Our job here on earth is only temporary. Take it seriously, but also remember our effectiveness is all dependent on our knowing God intimately. And that starts, and continues with a daily, personal pursuit of Him. Get into His word, and share your life with Him every single day. God uses us fully when we come humbly to His throne.

 10 But this is the new covenant I will makewith the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:I will put My laws in their minds,and I will write them on their hearts.I will be their God,and they will be My people.11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors,nor will they need to teach their relatives,saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’For everyone, from the least to the greatest,will know Me already.12 And I will forgive their wickedness,and I will never again remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:10-12

We Don’t Determine Our Own Beauty….

Being a photographer I see beauty in many things, nature, people, and even discarded things. The one question that always gets me about people is how they treat beauty. People who are attractive (most of them) tend to use this attribute to further their careers. Some use it to manipulate. Some use it to mislead. Some use it to abuse. The saddest of all is when people use it to place themselves above others in self-worth. People workout to perfect their bodies. People starve themselves to fit into a 00 size dress in order to advertise the latest fashion. People abuse their bodies with sex to survive, because they don’t think they have anything else to make a living with. Beauty is so emphasized here in the modern world that it has distorted, deceived, and ruined the majority of lives of those who have bought into it. The truth about beauty, which I tell all my photography subjects, is “beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you don’t determine you’re own beauty.” If God gave you a facial bone structure that’s symmetrical, then what have you done to deserve it? If He blessed you with a body than has symmetrical proportion, what did you do to earn that? Yes, you can eat right, exercise, and refrain from damaging behaviors to make it better, but what gives you the right to compare your beauty with someone else’s? Isn’t God the One who gave you your body? Isn’t it irresponsible to use it to advance yourself ahead of others, because you have adopted the attitude of superiority over another human being? Fame, riches, status, beauty, and the list goes on and on. When we take something God has blessed us with, and use it solely for our own gain, and not for His glory, we set ourselves up for a life lived in deception, disappointment, and depression. This selfishness (the opposite of love), as Proverbs 31 says, “beauty does not last”, sets up a limited view of the world. It’s like viewing the world through a paper towel tube. What we all need to do is start seeing beauty in everything (pull the paper towel tube away from our eyes), for God has made everything. Beauty is a gift from God, and it is fleeting. However, beauty still rests in the eye of the beholder, and that Beholder is God. All that God makes is beautiful, even if the world refuses to acknowledge it. Acknowledge to God today, something you see true beauty in. Start by looking in the mirror. For let no man call ugly, what God has made beautiful. Leave beauty to the eye of its Beholder. Once you see the purpose that God made you and me, the scales of deception will be lifted from your eyes and the world will become a new adventure full of beauty and grace.

“But you thought your fame and beauty were your own. “ Ezekiel 16:15a

Our High Priest…

The Jews sacrificial system ended with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. However, they still beat their chest and ritualistically perform ceremonial acts under the law. Jesus eliminated the need for daily sacrifices once and for all. Yet the Israelites refuse to accept His messiahship. Jesus is our High Priest Who allows us to boldly approach the throne of God. The law kept people from God, but Jesus helps us draw near to God. Take full advantage of this precious and gracious gift, by dying to self daily, honoring God by the way you live. And when we fall, depend on this High Priest to intercede for us on His behalf. Praise God for sending Jesus to us.

22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the One who guarantees this better covenant with God.23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.26 He is the kind of high priest we need because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when He offered Himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed His Son with an oath, and His Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever. Hebrews 7:22-28

See Wicked Up Close….

Sometimes you have to see wicked people up close to understand God’s judgement.

22 Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand that these things are not being done to Israel without cause. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 14:22-23

“Horror”scopes…..

The other day it was brought to my attention about an old friend posting on social media of their acknowledging their horoscope sign right along side talking about God. You talk about “messed up” theology. This passage from Ezekiel 13 would address this issue. Any thing that people believe about predictions, or gives false comfort due to false information is wrong. If it leads people to believe without acknowledging God, then it shouldn’t be followed. God punished these people in Israel for doing this very thing. This would include psychics, fortune tellers, astrologers, mediums, witches, and the like. Anyone who predicts the future can only do so from two sources: God or the Devil. And only One is worth believing. How do you know false from truth? The same way you know a counterfeit $20 bill; study the real thing. God hates it when people are deceived, when they are led down the wrong road and convinced it’s the right one. My friend may be trying to practice their faith, but they will not find God in a horoscope sign. If they do, it’s by divine intervention on God’s part of His plan, or it’s not the God of the Bible. Discern is paramount in today’s society. And you can only get true discernment from the One Who is Truth. If you run into a professing Christian and they mention their zodiac sign, you might want to ask them how it fits into their faith? God will not accept falsehood spread through horoscopes stand between people who truly have a heart for knowing Him. They are ironically called “horror”scopes for a reason. And that reason is to pull you away from God.

1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!’4 “O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins. 5 They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Instead, they have told lies and made false predictions. They say, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ even though the Lord never sent them. And yet they expect Him to fulfill their prophecies! 7 Can your visions be anything but false if you claim, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ when I have not even spoken to you?8 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because what you say is false and your visions are a lie, I will stand against you, says the Sovereign Lord. 9 I will raise My fist against all the prophets who see false visions and make lying predictions, and they will be banished from the community of Israel. I will blot their names from Israel’s record books, and they will never again set foot in their own land. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.10 “This will happen because these evil prophets deceive My people by saying, ‘All is peaceful’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash! 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. 12 And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘What happened to your whitewash?’13 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will sweep away your whitewashed wall with a storm of indignation, with a great flood of anger, and with hailstones of fury. 14 I will break down your wall right to its foundation, and when it falls, it will crush you. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 15 At last My anger against the wall and those who covered it with whitewash will be satisfied. Then I will say to you: ‘The wall and those who whitewashed it are both gone. 16 They were lying prophets who claimed peace would come to Jerusalem when there was no peace. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’ Judgment against False Women Prophets 17 “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations. 18 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits you women who are ensnaring the souls of My people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves? 19 You bring shame on Me among My people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to My people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.20 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare My people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting My people free like birds set free from a cage. 21 I will tear off the magic veils and save My people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. 23 Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue My people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 13:1-23

Hope is the Anchor….

Hope is the anchor of our soul. Jesus gives us confidence in that hope. Today, give someone in desperate need the Hope that anchors your soul, bringing them out of despair. Help them stabilize the situation by holding on to your anchor in the midst of their storm.

18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:18-20

Keeping the Faith….

Here’s one of those scriptures that is difficult to comprehend (Hebrews chapter 6). Is it, “once saved always saved”, or can a person “share in the Holy Spirit”, and “taste the goodness of the Word of God”, and “experience the good things of Heaven”, and then turn away? I would like to believe the former of the two is correct, but I am not certain. When it says “to workout your salvation”, what does it mean? When it says “for those who keep the faith”, what’s up with that? The only thing I can honestly say is this: I don’t ever want to experience life, or death, or eternity without God’s presence. So I will continue to press on to win the prize that He has already given me. I trust Him with what He has given me, and what He has promised, so I will continue to be responsible for that. The bible tells us that nothing can be snatched out of His hand. Knowing God, by pursuing Him daily is my plan of keeping the faith. What’s yours?

4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened–those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come–6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing Him to the cross once again and holding Him up to public shame.7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. 8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. 13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in His own name, saying: 14 “I will certainly bless you,and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” 15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and He received what God had promised.16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. 18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:4-20

A Necessary Rebuke…..

How come very few people are addressing this issue? The guilt, shame, and condemnation are supposed to drive us to Christ, not away from Him. Any time someone commits this kind of act, these emotions flood our spirit. If we don’t deal with them rightfully, we slowly callous our hearts. It eventually leads to deceptive thinking that we are okay, blinding us spiritually to the things of God. The only way to be forgiven for committing this life-stealing sin, is to ask the Giver of Life to forgive you. Only He has the power to turn these negative experiences and emotions, into something that will help change the heart of another human being. And it starts with yours being transformed. There’s no reason for shaming someone who isn’t guilty, but let’s not confuse a necessary rebuke (calling someone out for their sinful behavior) with bullying or being intolerant. I wish Christians did a much better job of displaying this truth. We probably would dramatically reduce the abortion rate in this country ten-fold.

17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! 18 The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. Proverbs 28:17-18

On His Watch, Not Ours….

It’s really arrogant to think or say that God’s promises won’t come true, because they don’t happen instantly. God’s timing isn’t our timing. His plan isn’t dependent on our timing. We have to trust and know this to be true. And prepare ourselves for when it does. It will happen, it’s just a matter of time; on His watch, not ours.

21 Again a message came to me from the Lord: 22 “Son of man, you’ve heard that proverb they quote in Israel: ‘Time passes, and prophecies come to nothing.’ 23 Tell the people, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will put an end to this proverb, and you will soon stop quoting it.’ Now give them this new proverb to replace the old one: ‘The time has come for every prophecy to be fulfilled!’24 “There will be no more false visions and flattering predictions in Israel. 25 For I am the Lord! If I say it, it will happen. There will be no more delays, you rebels of Israel. I will fulfill My threat of destruction in your own lifetime. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” 26 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 27 “Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, ‘He’s talking about the distant future. His visions won’t come true for a long, long time.’ 28 Therefore, tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’ ” Ezekiel 12:21-28

His Practice Isn’t Medical….

People can read their Bibles, go to church, feed the needy, and do any other philanthropic thing there is, but when it comes to changing a heart, only God can do that. No matter how hard we try, following the ways of this world, it can never perform the heart transplant of the Great Physician. Only He can heal, and not fall under the umbrella of “practicing medicine”. And when He does, He does it permanently. If only those who reject Him would understand this. And those that do follow Him, ask for it daily (to renew their heart). Giving us a tender and responsive heart to do the things of God, only He can do, and His practice isn’t medical, it’s spiritually transforming, and permanently giving us room to grow closer to Him.

18 “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. 19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey My decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 11:18-21

Hunger for His Word….

For all of those that have beliefs contradictory to the Bible, or even those that say they “believe the Bible but...”, here is a warning. When a person adapts a scripture verse or biblical truth to their way of thinking, God says, “NO”. It’s not our job to make scripture relevant (it already is), our job is to adapt ourselves to what it says. Until we do that, we miss out on all of its blessings. For those that promote an agenda that blatantly or passively denies God’s truths, by justifying it by twisting scriptures, “woe to you”. Jesus said you’d be better off having a millstone tied around your neck and dropped in the ocean than to cause another to stumble. What about that is hard to understand? God wants us to diligently study the scriptures, and depend on Him to reveal the truth to us. The problem lies with us. We either search the scriptures looking for confirmation of something we already accept as truth, disregarding what it really says, or we don’t study at all, accepting what others say, without going to God, and not finding out for ourselves. Truth is truth no matter what people say; believing it doesn’t make it more or less true. The issue is this: are you willing to accept it regardless of the cost? If truth goes against your agenda, are you willing to accept it? Here in Ezekiel chapter 11 we find this very concept being played out. This same concept applies to America today. With all the social causes being promoted, it takes discernment to separate the slag from the gold. And so it takes being in God’s word daily, and in constant prayer that gives us the ability to know what’s real from what is not. The Devil prowls around seeking to DEVOUR. He does this through deception. The only way through this, is to ground yourself in truth, and be filled with the Spirit. It takes both. Today, make a commitment to ask God to empower you with His Spirit, and make you hunger for His Word. A famous person once said, “make sure you place your shoes far under your bed at night, so in the morning you have to get on your knees to retrieve them”. Good advice.

1 Then the Spirit lifted me and brought me to the east gateway of the Lord’s Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders among the people.2 The Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are planning evil and giving wicked counsel in this city. 3 They say to the people, ‘Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot.’ 4 Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly.”5 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and He told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. 6 You have murdered many in this city and filled its streets with the dead.7 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: This city is an iron pot all right, but the pieces of meat are the victims of your injustice. As for you, I will soon drag you from this pot. 8 I will bring on you the sword of war you so greatly fear, says the Sovereign Lord. 9 I will drive you out of Jerusalem and hand you over to foreigners, who will carry out My judgments against you. 10 You will be slaughtered all the way to the borders of Israel. I will execute judgment on you, and you will know that I am the Lord. 11 No, this city will not be an iron pot for you, and you will not be like meat safe inside it. I will judge you even to the borders of Israel, 12 and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey My decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you.” Ezekiel 11:1-12

Entering His Rest….

When people want peace and rest, but still refuse to acknowledge God, how do they think it’s possible? When you try to find the answers yourself, you step into the role that only God can be, and thus self-inflicting the consequences that counteract your desire and efforts.

For only we who believe can enter His rest. As for the others, God said, “In My anger I took an oath:‘They will never enter My place of rest,’ ” even though this rest has been ready since He made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all His work.” 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter My place of rest.”6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering His rest, and that time is today. Hebrews 4:3-7a

When Your Heart is In-Tune With…

Not many people will ever write about this section of Ezekiel chapter 9, but when I read it I can’t help but think about God knowing our hearts. Even in the midst of all this wickedness and violence, God marks the foreheads of all whose hearts are aligned with His. Even in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, God’s mercy is on display. Yes, they had to suffer for the sin of others, but God spares them because that’s what God does. When your heart is “in-tune” with God’s heart, you grieve at what grieves Him, and rejoice with what He rejoices. Even if you have to suffer for those who’s hearts are far from Him.

4 He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.”5 Then I heard the Lord say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! 6 Kill them all–old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin right here at the Temple.” So they began by killing the seventy leaders. 7 “Defile the Temple!” the Lord commanded. “Fill its courtyards with corpses. Go!” So they went and began killing throughout the city.8 While they were out killing, I was all alone. I fell face down on the ground and cried out, “O Sovereign Lord! Will Your fury against Jerusalem wipe out everyone left in Israel?”9 Then He said to me, “The sins of the people of Israel and Judah are very, very great. The entire land is full of murder; the city is filled with injustice. They are saying, ‘The Lord doesn’t see it! The Lord has abandoned the land!’ 10 So I will not spare them or have any pity on them. I will fully repay them for all they have done.”11 Then the man in linen clothing, who carried the writer’s case, reported back and said, “I have done as You commanded.” Ezekiel 9:4-11