Loving God with Your Mind: Finding His Peace We know we are supposed to love God with all of our heart, but we are also supposed to love Him with all of our mind. What does it mean to love God with our mind? How is that different from loving Him with our heart? And what happens when we do love Him with all of our mind? The Promise of Perfect Peace Loving God with your mind and finding His peace isn't just a nice idea, but a promise. Isaiah 26:3 tells us, "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." We will be kept in perfect peace. How will that happen? When we have a mind that is "stayed" on God. Stayed here means to be settled, established, lean on or rest on; sometimes this word is translated as sustained. It is not our heart but our mind that must lean on God. How is it that people can be settled or established in their minds on God? Isaiah says because we can trust God. Trusting God’s Steady Hand When you go about your daily life, what do you find that sustains you? What does your mind lean on? When we trust someone completely we want to keep our mind stayed on Him. As children trust their mother to be there for them, to protect them and love them, in a similar way, we as God's children can also be settled on our Father because above all humans, He is the most trustworthy. The New Testament Call to Mindfulness From Isaiah we move to Christ's command. Jesus tells us to love God with all of your mind (Matthew 22:37). Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 2:16 and Philippians 2:5 that we can actually have the mind of Christ! In Philippians 3:19, Paul tells us not to set our minds on earthly things and in Colossians 3:2 he tells us to set our minds on things above. Cultivating the Mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2 explains what the " mind of Christ " is like, that we as Christians have. We can have a wisdom that is not like the wisdom of the world. This wisdom is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This mind of Christ is impossible for people in the world to fully grasp. It allows us to have spiritual discernment. The mind of Christ is a Spirit-led way of living. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that our minds must be transformed. This renewed mind is something we gain through cooperating with the Holy Spirit. We f ind peace through the Holy Spirit's presence . We can be satisfied where we are or we can seek more of Christ. Some of us are following Jesus and some are not. Paul himself is an excellent example of this. His conversion on the road to Damascus was miraculous and powerful, but Paul didn't instantly go out to teach people. In Galatians 1:18, he tells us he spent three years in Arabia where he received his gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). Those three years were a literal training ground for Paul that set his mind on Christ. If we do love God with all of our minds what does that really mean? It means we will understand Him and what He has done for us. We will know what He expects of us. Now, will we fully know Him? Of course not, we are only human. But our desire will be to learn about our Father. How do we do that? We learn by reading, studying, and praying. When you get up in the morning, what do you think of first? Is it God? When you go about your busy day, where do your thoughts take you? We should be centering our thoughts around God. We should be trusting Him to be with us in everything we do. When we truly know how faithful and trustworthy He is, then we will know His perfect peace " that passes understanding " (Philippians 4:7). We may have difficulty staying our mind on God due to the distractions of the world we live in like social media, YouTube, or TikTok. When you see this happening stop for just a moment and say a quick prayer. Ask God to help you focus on Him and His will. Maybe try a three day break from social media and video distractions. This refocusing on God can open you up to His peace, in spite of the negativity around you. Philippians 4:7 explains that we are not to be anxious or worry about anything. If we have needs, we should pray with thanksgiving. We send our supplications to God. Supplication is expressing to our Heavenly Father our deepest needs and desires. These needs and desires certainly don't always have to be about us. We are expressing urgency and dependence on God as our provider. We should always be thankful people. When we do this, Paul tells us the " peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. " By this, Paul means that, because of God our circumstances won't change the peace He has given us. In the midst of turmoil, we can be calm, both in our heart (how we feel) and in our minds (what we think). In God we find our hope and peace . We often believe that our emotions tell us how much we love God and certainly they are a part of loving Him, but our mind needs to know Him to love Him. Without knowing Him those emotions won't go very far. I have an example. Lessons from Camp and Romance Many young people have the opportunity to go to summer church camp or youth rallies for Jesus. These are usually very emotional experiences. They often return filled with fervor and excitement for the Lord. They want to "do" something for God. There is nothing wrong with this, but what often gets forgotten is that along with our emotional response to God we need to have knowledge of Him. Just as camp fervor fades, so does romantic excitement without deep knowledge. Think about falling in love. Falling in love is certainly an emotional experience. We love someone with our heart but we really also need to love them with our mind. As the excitement of falling in love starts to wear off due to the cares of the world and the fact that we aren't perfect, we come to know our loved one much more deeply. It is this love that sustains us when things aren't going well. It is this love that grows over the decades between two people in a truly loving relationship. Zeal without Knowledge—or Life and Peace Romans 10:1-4 addresses this problem. Here Paul discusses people who have a zeal for God but sadly no knowledge. In these verses Paul is talking about Israel, the Jews. Since they were ignorant of God's righteousness they were trying to "establish" their own righteousness. Are we today " ignorant of God's righteousness ?" Are we trying to be good enough to earn salvation or do we know that it is a gift? We have two paths we can take. 1 Peter 1:13 explains our mind can be set (stayed) on the flesh, which leads to death, or the Spirit which leads to life and there it is again, peace. You see, we often think of peace as only being present when we are happy and carefree and everything is going our way, but God's peace brings more. God can bring peace in times of sorrow, pain, and heartbreak. Why? Because we know He is a trustworthy and faithful Father. A mind set on the flesh doesn't ask what God wants us to do. It doesn't concern itself with reading the Bible or listening in church. Absolutely we can go through a routine of looking like a Christian. We can talk like one and go to church and be a nice person, but like the Israelites in Romans 10:1-4, we may not really know God. It is like a teenager taking a class in school they hate, just because they have to. Many times they learn very little. Often people pretend to be a Christian, but their minds are focused on the world, not on God. God is not saying we all have to be learned theologians to love Him with our mind. What He is saying is that our minds should be focused on Him more than the world. We should desire to become closer to Him. We should want to be transformed. Conclusion: A Call to Fully Love If you find yourself really not caring about the things of God that much, or more concerned with worldly things than loving Him with “ all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind " (Matthew 22:37), then remember Jesus said this is the greatest commandment. This should be at the heart of our lives as Christians. Do you have peace? Today, who has your heart, soul, and mind? Enjoy "You Shall Love the Lord" by Maranatha! Music

God’s Good Gifts and His Loving Grace Everyone loves gifts, especially gifts that are given to us not out of obligation but because the giver loves us. As a Christian, everything we are and everything we have has been given to us by our Father. Paul explains the importance of God's many gifts. The gifts God gives us change us. We will never be the same once we've received them. We often take for granted the good gifts God has given us, but Scripture makes it clear that we are responsible for how we use them. Knowing God’s good gifts and how to use them well is essential to a faithful life. The greatest gift God has given us is the gift of salvation through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Gifts are not earned. Nothing we could ever do would make us worthy of such a gift. A giver does not force a person to take their gift. They can offer it and we choose whether to accept it or not. Today is the day to accept the gift of salvation and in turn share it with others. As Billy Graham once said, "God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with." The Gifts That Transform Us Even our faith is a gift. The ability to believe and accept that we are sinful and in need of saving comes from God. The ability to desire a restored relationship with our Creator comes from Him. Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Without hearing the Word there is no faith. How do we hear it? We can hear it in a sermon, by reading the Bible, by a friend sharing Scripture with us, through songs, and many other ways. No matter how eloquent the pastor or sincere the friend, what matters is the Word of God itself. Our need to repent comes from God. Repentance is a gift of grace (Acts 11:18). Grace is the undeserved favor of God. When we repent we turn from our sin and turn towards a life in Christ lived for Him. Righteousness is a gift. Righteousness is being in right standing with God. It is living according to the expectations of God for our life. God is perfectly righteous and He is our standard. Romans 3:22 explains that righteousness is given to us through our faith in Jesus. Philippians 3:9 agrees and tells us that this comes from God. Spiritual Gifts and Strength from the Spirit Do you have spiritual gifts? If you do, you didn't gain them on your own. You were given them by God. Paul lists them in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11: words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, spiritual discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are distributed to " each one individually " as the Spirit wills. All believers possess faith in some measure. To understand how these diverse gifts work together, imagine the church as a symphony orchestra. Each believer is an instrument gifted by God, with unique sounds (spiritual gifts). The conductor (Holy Spirit) brings harmony by guiding when each instrument plays. Without listening to the conductor, the music sounds chaotic. When all instruments play their part under the conductor, the music glorifies God beautifully. Romans 12:6-8 describes still other gifts: prophesying, serving others, teaching, exhorting (which means to encourage), generously giving, leadership, and acts of mercy. This is not to say that we are only given one gift, but that some of us will be given more of a particular gift than others or perhaps we will be blessed with several gifts. All of us have been given the gift of strength. This gift comes from Christ Himself (Philippians 4:13). We learn in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Jesus said, " My strength is made perfect in weakness. " If we’re naturally strong in worldly matters, we may try to carry that into our spiritual lives, but human strength cannot replace reliance on Christ. When we learn to rely on Christ for our strength, that is when we are truly strong. God’s Good Gifts—and How to Use Them Well In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul tells Timothy to " stir up the gift that is within you. " Some translations say to " fan the gift into flame ." The word in Greek for "stir up" was used to kindle a fire like by using a bellows. If you ever camped out and had a fire, you know that stirring the embers of a fire will rekindle it or fan it into flames. As a Christian, we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bestows on us other spiritual gifts. These gifts are given to us, not so we can feel important, but to bring glory to God. But we have a responsibility to use the gifts! Colossians 3:12-15 says we are to be compassionate, kind, forgiving, humble, meek, patient, and above all loving toward one another. In this way, we will be better able to effectively use the gifts we have been given. Fanning the flames of our gifts keeps us from growing cold, indifferent, or lukewarm toward the things of God. We obediently listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit. He will show us, if we let Him, the gifts we have and the best ways to use them. 1 Timothy 4:14 says not to neglect our gifts. And in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 we are told not to quench the Spirit. How do you quench the Spirit? The word quench means to extinguish or suppress something, especially like a fire. When we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do something or when we are dismissive to the supernatural workings of God, we are suppressing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Live with Passion, Power, and a Sound Mind If we are on fire for something, we are passionate and full of zeal to do it. This is how God wants us to live with the gifts He has blessed us with. When we don't follow the will of God for our lives, when we don't obey His commands, when we don't grow in holiness, we are quenching the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) can only be produced when we fan the flames of the Spirit of God within us. Paul has important advice to give us in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Wow! What a powerful lesson in so few words. As Christians, we don't have a "spirit of fear". What does the word "spirit" mean here? In Greek it is pneuma, which means inner disposition or temperament. Do you find yourself feeling fearful a lot? Do you see the headlines of this world and dread what's coming? Or do you feel at peace knowing that God has given you a different temperament? Our spirit should be one of power. As Philippians 2:13 says, it is God who works in us! Doesn't that fill you with hope? Doesn't that give you a reason to go boldly forward in the power of the Holy Spirit? It is His Holy Spirit who empowers us to: proclaim the gospel boldly (Acts 4:29) face challenges with courage (1 Corinthians 16:13) fulfill our calling in Christ (Colossians 4:17) Our spirit should be one of love. The Greek word here is ἀγάπη (agapē), which is a selfless, unconditional love. Our love should be to God first and to others, even our enemies. What we do should be done with humility, not selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3). Our lives are always to reflect Christ by imitating Him (1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1-2), and God is love (1 John 4:8). Our spirit should be one of a sound mind. The Greek word for sound here is sophronismos . It means to be disciplined and in control of your thoughts. It implies being rational and able to use good judgment. Someone who doesn't have a sound mind is unstable and irrational. Their mind isn't balanced. Is your mind sound? As a Christian, if you are under the control of the Holy Spirit then it should be. God gives us wisdom and understanding, not fear. A sound mind will be focused on prayer, hope in Christ, and God and His Kingdom, not the cares and troubles of this world. Our minds and our hearts will be guarded by Christ (Philippians 4:6-8). Reject the World—Walk in Your Gifts In this world, many are tempted to dull their minds with alcohol, drugs, or other mind-altering substances. Jesus wants us to be able to be clear-headed and have self-control at all times. Substances that remove our inhibitions are not of God. When we are under their influence, we may do or say things that are not His will. Many people want to "numb the pain" of this life with these things. What they really need is the Holy Spirit to change them and give them power, love, and a sound mind. They need to have the spirit of fear removed. They need to be filled with love. James 1:17 summarizes God's gifts beautifully, " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. " What James means is that God's character does not change. He is faithful, even when we aren't. He is always loving, even when we don't. The good gifts that He blesses us with are there for us to use for others in good times and bad. You may think you have no gifts, but if you belong to Him I assure you, you do. Spend time "fanning into flames" your gifts, and don't be surprised if God uses you in a mighty and powerful way to do the good you were made to do.

There was a church once that was in a large city of importance, both commercially and militarily. This church was in the middle of a prosperous, powerful, and immoral community. It may come as no surprise that the values of the city began to creep into the church. The church was filled with members of differing backgrounds who sometimes got into squabbles over doctrine and the importance of whom they should listen to on matters of faith. Something needed to be done. Where and when was this church? It was first-century Corinth, and it was Paul who wrote them much-needed letters addressing these issues. In particular, Paul's use of sarcasm to shepherd the Corinthian church serves as a distinctive way to draw attention to their divisions and pride. Corinth and Today's Church: Things We Have in Common The problems of the Corinthians were much like ours today. Many of us live in relatively prosperous towns, even rich cities, and immorality surrounds us. Lots of us attend churches with others who don't always share our beliefs. Often churches become divided over those who support one pastor over another. So these letters, written almost two millennia ago, still resonate with us today. When Christians disagree we can still have unity without compromise. Founding & Leadership Transition The church at Corinth was established by Paul. It was in the province known as Achaia in Greece, only about 48 miles from Athens. Paul worked there for about 18 months as a tent maker to support himself. After Paul moved on, the church transitioned to a new leader, Apollos. There were members who said they should follow Paul alone and others who supported Apollos. Paul believed the purpose of all ministers should be to point them to Christ above all else. He knew only God could grow the church (1 Corinthians 3:9). Paul explained that he planted the seed at Corinth while Apollos watered it, both were used by God. Today, some of us attend churches where, like the Corinthians favoring Paul or Apollos, we have our favorites. Some large churches have senior pastors and associate pastors. Instead of cheerleading one pastor over another, maybe we should celebrate the message over the messenger. Focus on what your pastor is saying, not who it is saying it. Maybe then these divisions wouldn't be so unloving. Jewish Converts‑Gentile Converts: Tensions The church at Corinth was made up of both Gentiles and Jews who had become Christians. Disagreements between these two groups came from the many dietary laws the Jewish converts still felt motivated to obey. Many Jewish converts also believed circumcision was still a requirement. Cultural differences also came into play. Gentiles thought it was fine to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols, while for Jewish Christians this was traditionally forbidden. Also, Roman culture was dominant at the time in Corinth which valued worldly success and social status above love for one another. How Paul Uses Sarcasm to Shepherd the Corinthian Church With that social and cultural background laid out in 1 Corinthians 4:8-13, Paul challenges the Corinthians, He uses irony and sarcasm to expose their inflated sense of importance and their judgment of others, especially Paul and other disciples. We might find it surprising that Paul would use sarcasm. This isn't a license for us to use it, because remember, Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Danger of Pride & Misunderstanding If you read it out of context, this passage could be quite confusing. Reading the whole chapter helps to understand who the Corinthians were and the problems their church faced. Paul tells them in 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 they have " puffed themselves up ", in other words, made themselves proud by claiming to follow one or the other of the apostles. They were pridefully thinking that they had it all figured out. Paul asks, " What makes you so superior " (1 Corinthian 4:7)? Perhaps the Corinthian church felt it was more important because of the financial and military influence the city held. Do some of our churches today feel they are more importance because of their sheer size or their location? Paul continues to make the point that anything the Corinthians are boasting about came from God, not from themselves. As Paul has explained earlier in 1 Corinthians 1:31, any boasting that we do should be in the Lord alone. Paul’s Sarcastic Rebuke Paul then speaks to them with irony-laden words. He tells them, " So you are already rich " and " You have everything you want " and " You have reigned with kings without us " (1 Corinthians 4:8). Similarly, John says Jesus warns the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:17, " Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked ." Jesus says if he loves you, he rebukes and chastens you (Revelation 3:19). The Corinthians were quite satisfied that they had everything figured out. They were spiritually mature, or so they thought. Paul expresses next, without irony, how much he wishes all of this was true. His desire was to reign with them in the kingdom of God that is to come. Paul now proceeds to explain what real servitude to Christ means. The Apostles’ Example of Humble Suffering In 1 Corinthians 4:9, he says that he believes God has put himself and the other apostles on display to the world as being last, as men who were condemned to death were in Roman military parades. They had been made, he says, " a spectacle to the world. " In the sight of the whole world, the apostles had been appointed to suffer for the Gospel and that suffering would lead to death. In verse 10, Paul returns to using irony. He explains that while he is a " fool for Christ's sake " they are wise. He and other apostles are weak but the Corinthians are oh so strong. The apostles are dishonored but they are distinguished. He continues describing the apostles' condition: beaten, poor, hungry, thirsty, poorly clothed and homeless (1 Corinthians 4:11). The total opposite of how he sarcastically describes the Corinthians. Pastors today should be careful using sarcasm. Things may be said, almost as a joke to get a laugh, like "Well, since you think you are so holy..." but a better way would be to use straight forward scriptural reminders. We can humbly remind people that any gifts or insights we have only come from Christ. His desire is that we put Him first, not ourselves. The apostles work with their hands, something the Greeks of Corinth would have looked down on. How do the apostles respond to their mistreatment? They respond with forgiveness, endurance, and blessings on those who mistreat them (1 Corinthians 4:12). The next phrase Paul uses may surprise you. He says they have become " the filth of the world " or " the scum of the earth ." Have you ever been called "the scum of the earth?" This is how Paul was regularly treated. In ancient Greek society this is literally the worst thing you could say about someone. He doesn't use this term to complain, but to contrast the difference between the apostles and how they were viewed, compared to the Corinthians inflated view of themselves. Paul and the apostles were anything but " reigning as kings. " Defining Apostolic Foolishness Why would Paul say he is a " fool for Christ 's sake "? Because in the eyes of the world he was. What worldly wise person would give up prestige, power, and influence to follow Christ? Paul has already said that he has become a spectacle to the world. All of his suffering was on display for everyone to see. He was willing to endure this so-called foolishness for his love of Christ. This foolishness bore fruit bringing thousands to know Him. Loving Admonition & Application But then Paul's tone changes completely. In 1 Corinthians 4:14 he says, " I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. " When we preach, teach, or admonish it should never be to shame someone but to lovingly warn them. Paul looked upon the Corinthians as his spiritual children. It was he that founded the church in Corinth. As any loving father would do for their child, he must warn them of spiritual dangers. When we forget that everything we have is from God, when we fail to acknowledge that we have no power except what he gives us; and when we seek the praise of men over God then we need to be reminded that as far as the world is concerned we are just "the scum of the earth." It is a hard truth that Paul is teaching here. One perhaps we also need to be lovingly reminded of.

We know that God creates. This is the first thing we learn about Him in the Bible, that He has created all that is and that we are the culmination of His creative force (Genesis 2:7). We learn that His creation stands as a testimony to those who claim He doesn't exist. This is a testimony they cannot deny (Romans 1:20). It may surprise you to know that He is still creating and crafting you into a vessel that can be used for its intended purpose, that of good works. God's ongoing creative work in believers flows from our new creation in Christ and reflects God's image in us. God’s Creative Work in History: The Story of Olaudah Equiano One such remarkable transformation was that of Olaudah Equiano. He was born in what is now modern Nigeria in 1745. Sold into slavery as a child, he became a Christian in 1759. After raising enough money to buy his freedom he became a missionary and eventually wrote a best selling book, " The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Written by Himself. " This book was crucial to fueling the beginning of the anti-slavery movement, especially in England. He said, "...what makes any event important, unless by its observation we become better and wiser, and learn to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God?" Mr. Equiano was used by God as an instrument to do His will. His Spirit led creativity contributed to the end of slavery. Ephesians 2:10 describes God's workmanship in us, " For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. " God’s Ongoing Creative Work in Believers What a beautiful truth. God had already determined the good works that we should do, but only after we have been newly created in Jesus. What does it mean that we are His workmanship? The Greek word for workmanship is " poiema " and means something crafted with care. The word is related to the English word poem which suggests that it is something beautiful, like a work of art. We had to be created anew because without that workmanship we simply would not be able to do the good that God would have us do. We know that salvation is not based on our works because we quite literally are a work of God Himself. We are not just appointed to do good works but we are remade so that we can do good works. Doing good, as the verse says, is how we should walk. In other words, they are the way God has destined us to live our lives in His Son. Paul deepens this idea in Philippians. In Philippians 2:13, Paul reminds us of the purpose that God works in us. It is to " will and to work for His good pleasure ." The word work in this scripture means to produce an effect. In Greek it is energōn, from which we get the word energetic. God influences us powerfully and with energy to do work that pleases Him. These works will be according to God's purpose and they delight Him. We have the responsibility to follow the Lord's influence and we shouldn't ignore His desires for us. Thank God for his influence on us by the work of the Holy Spirit. God's Hand in Every Season of Life Since we know that all things work for good to those called according to His purpose, it doesn't matter if we are undergoing trials or persecutions, experiencing miracles or great joy, in all of it God is shaping us for His purpose which is to do good. It is God who builds, creates, and sanctifies us from day to day, year to year, to become more like His Son. How sad it would be to be saved and yet left to fend for ourselves, trying desperately and unsuccessfully to become holy. But God has made sure that will never happen. What will your life, His workmanship, look like? Is your life one of obedience, sacrifice, and love? Obedience means allowing Him to make you into what He wants you to be. He will not force us to do His will, but He will offer it to you with the blessings that doing it will bring you. Expressing God’s Creativity Through Our Gifts God's creativity is also seen in us as His creation. We have creative gifts with which we serve and do His will. In the Old Testament we read of skilled craftsmen who built His Holy temple (1 Chronicles 22:15-16). Skilled embroiderers are mentioned who made the tabernacle curtains decorated with cherubim (Exodus 36:8). Are you a skilled musician or maybe a dancer? Psalm 149:3 tells us that those talents can be used to praise the Lord. Just as in biblical times, today we hear of dedicated volunteers who sew caps for cancer victims who have lost their hair. There are talented people who donate homemade teddy bears to children in hospitals. There are workers who build homes for the homeless. We have churches filled with talented musicians who use their creative abilities for God. When Creativity Is Misused And yet those same creative abilities can be used for evil. In the Old Testament, those talented artists who carved idols were cursed (Deuteronomy 27:15). We know today that many in the entertainment industry are using their God-given talent, not to serve God, but to glorify evil. Many famous names who grew up singing church hymns seem now to be in the service of evil. How are you using your creativity? Or have you believed you have none? We all have skills that we can use for good. Discovering Your Unique Creative Purpose By using our creativity for God we are drawn closer to Him. Your creativity doesn't just have to be in areas we traditionally think of like art, poetry, or singing. Are you a creative problem solver? Many missionaries have to use their creativity to overcome obstacles in sharing their faith and in helping solve day to day problems of the people they serve. How about you? Have you considered new ways to share your faith with others? You may be more creative than you think. Overcoming Fear to Use Your Gifts for God Perhaps the biggest obstacle in using our creativity for God is overcoming fear . We think to ourselves that we aren't good enough, we aren't educated enough, or we are too shy to step out for God. But listen to what 2 Timothy 1:7 has to say about fear, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." If fear is stopping us then it is not from God. What we are really saying is that we are worried what other people will think of us. John 12:43 says that some people loved the praises of men over the praises of God. Maybe we won't be the best writer that ever was, maybe we won't sing like an angel, but who are we worried about pleasing — God or man? Over and over the Bible tells us to not be afraid because God is with us. This doesn't just apply to scary or dangerous circumstances. It also applies to times when we step outside of our comfort zones and work for God in creative ways. For some, nothing can be more frightening than being in front of a Sunday School class for the first time as a teacher. It can be terrifying to display a God-given talent to those around us. Every Gift Can Glorify God Whatever gift we have, according to 1 Peter 4:10, should be used to serve others. Are you friendly? Be a greeter at your church. If you haven't sung, except in the shower, try the choir or praise team out at church. Maybe it will be where you can use your talents or maybe not, but don't let fear stop you from trying. Are you good at encouraging others? Use those skills for God (Romans 12:6-8). Some creative people are able to find something positive in any situation. Do you like to cook? Bring something to the next potluck or surprise a sick neighbor with a meal. It’s Never Too Late to Be Creative for God Don't be surprised if perhaps you come to Christ later in life that you discover that you have creative abilities you never knew about. Exodus 35:31-32 explains that God can fill us with His Spirit, with skills, intelligence, knowledge and craftsmanship to devise artistic designs or in any other way He sees fit. Maybe you never imagined that you could be creative, but God has plans for you and will prepare you for those plans. God is not done equipping you. God the Potter: Shaping Us for His Glory If we are the clay and our Father is our potter (Isaiah 64:8), then He is able to continue His creative work in us and mold us into any shape He chooses. Perhaps we have been in the business world all our lives, but suddenly we have a desire and an opportunity to learn how to paint. If that desire is put there by God and we pursue it, we can use it to His glory. Any way that we choose to be creative, the glory is never for us but always for God. Self needs to take a backseat to the honor and glory of our Lord. All creation will eventually praise Him. If, through our creativity, we can draw the attention of the world on Him then we will have accomplished what He desired with us. Be a Vessel Prepared for Every Good Work We are to become a vessel for honor, His honor, not ours. So if you have a creative ability and you are using it for God be sure that He is getting the glory and not you. We don't have to pretend to be humble. We should know that any ability we have comes only from Him. When God cleanses us and makes us whole then we will be, " sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work " (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Don't you want to be useful? Don't you want to be prepared? Be the vessel He designed you to be! We are created for His glory . Our sanctification, our preparation, is necessary, because without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter tells us we are a chosen people " to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. " One way we " proclaim His virtues " is by using the creative gifts we have all been blessed with.

The great love of God for the world is incomprehensible and immeasurable. He gave His only Son for us so we could live through Him. Christians spend a lot of time, rightfully so, talking about God's love for us and our love for others, but much less time talking about the vengeance of God. God's love and righteous judgment are two sides of our Father. His vengefulness will be against those who reject His Son and wrong His children. As His people we are not to seek vengeance. Revenge vs. Divine Vengeance: Understanding the Difference Probably one reason we don't talk about vengeance much is because we define the term in human ways. When we speak of revenge between people it means killing, injuring, or harming someone because they have harmed you. Vengeance has a slightly different meaning. It is more intense retribution. Its goal is to restore balance or punish someone for doing wrong. God does this righteously, not with spite or bitterness. God’s Promise of Justice for the Oppressed God promises vengeance on those who have wronged His people unjustly. God's people are precious to Him . He will repay those who have harmed them for what they have done. It is His duty, His job, not ours. It may not come in a timely manner, to our way of thinking, and it may not be in the way we think it should be but one thing we can be sure of, it will be just. God's judgment will restore order by punishing sin and protecting the innocent. How should we respond while we wait for God's justice? “Naqam”: The Hebrew Word for Divine Vengeance To understand God's justice more fully, it's helpful to look at the word often used for vengeance in Scripture. The Hebrew word for vengeance is "Naqam" it is often used in judicial settings and means to vindicate or avenge. All sin will be judged. And all sin can be forgiven, but there will be justice for unrepentant sin. Deuteronomy 32:35 and the Call Against Revenge For the first time, in Deuteronomy 32:35 we hear the word of the Lord on this subject, "Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them." Throughout the Old and the New Testament from Deuteronomy to Romans we are repeatedly told not to seek revenge. Examples of Mercy Instead of Vengeance King David is but one example of God's servants who heeded these words. He had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, who had pursued him for years, but instead he chose to obey God knowing that Saul would be judged in due time by God for his sins (1 Samuel 26:11). A modern example is Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was wrongly imprisoned, and later under house arrest in Turkey for two years on charges of terrorism. Pastor Brunson never called for retaliation or vengeance. Instead, he relied on prayer and Scripture, especially 2 Timothy's call to endure and finish the race well. His wife, Norine, in the meantime, continuously petitioned political and church leaders on his behalf until finally in 2018, all charges were dropped and he was released. Pastor Brunson was finally vindicated by God-ordained justice through diplomatic and legal channels. When Wronged: Pray, Forgive, and Trust God’s Timing Do we seek vengeance when we feel we have been wronged or do we let God take care of that? Maybe someone stabbed us in the back to get a promotion that should rightfully have been ours. Perhaps we were ignored and ridiculed for our faith. Maybe someone 'stole' our boyfriend or girlfriend or enticed our husband or wife to have an affair. We are told to " pray for those who despitefully use you " (Matthew 5:44), but do we? Eternal Judgment Awaits Unrepentant Sin Deuteronomy reminds us that " their foot shall slip in due time " and calamity and doom will follow quickly. The Lord will judge those who have chosen sin over His forgiveness. They may feel as though nothing bad will ever happen to them because of their decisions but it will. They may believe they can get away with everything they have done because they don't see any immediate consequences but they are mistaken. Without warning, judgment will come. The World’s Objection: Why Evil Seems to Go Unpunished One of the many complaints the world makes towards the God of Christians is they say He allows evil with seemingly no consequence. The world doesn't realize God sees eternity. Those who have done evil and never turned to Christ will have a terrible price to pay. Just because we don't see God's righteous judgment while we are living doesn't mean it won't happen. Jonathan Edwards’ Warning: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God This truth was powerfully preached during the Great Awakening. In one of the most famous of all sermons delivered on American soil, in 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached " Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God ". In his sermon he makes some important points about God's judgment. He says: God has the power to judge men at any moment. Judgment received is judgment that is deserved. “ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God " (John 3:18). Even now the wrath of God burns against the wicked. The devil eagerly awaits those who never turn to God. They are just waiting for God to say their time is up. Even though it may seem far away, death can happen at any moment. Too many of us think we are secure in our destination because of all the good we have done. In short Edward's says, "they have no refuge, nothing to take hold of; all that preserves them every moment is the mere arbitrary will, and uncovenanted, unobliged forbearance of an incensed God." To put this in more modern language, "They have no protection and nothing to cling to; the only reason they are not destroyed at any moment is because God, though angry, is choosing to hold back His judgment, though He is not bound to do so." Edward's reminds his hearers that it is the wrath and fierceness of an infinite God that we have brought on ourselves. In describing God's wrath, in Revelation 19:15 we learn of, “ the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. " His wrath is everlasting against those who don't seek His Son. Hope Amid Wrath: Mercy Still Offered Today But Edward's doesn't leave his audience without hope. He explains, that today, judgment hasn't yet fallen upon them. Today, God still offers mercy and forgiveness. Today, God offers them His love bought with a price, the death of His Son, whose resurrection brings life. They still have time to make a choice. The Danger of a Hardened Heart He reminds them that each day they " neglect so great a salvation " (Hebrews 2:3) their heart becomes harder. It becomes more and more hardened to sin and unwilling to turn and repent. The longer we remain in sin, the less we hear the voice of our Shepherd. The farther removed we become, the fainter we hear His call. Today’s Urgent Call to Salvation What Jonathan Edwards wanted his hearers to understand was that " today is the day of salvation " (2 Corinthians 6:2). Just as the people of Edward's day had a choice to make, so do we. Do we continue in our sin? Do we think we're Heaven bound because we are such good people? Do we understand God is a God of love, but also a God of vengeance? Radical Discipleship: Jesus’ Demanding Love The modern church is often guilty of presenting Jesus as a soft and loving guy who would never hurt a fly. Jesus certainly is loving but he is anything but soft. His call to us is to die to self and to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). God wants you to acknowledge that He is a loving Father and God of the universe. And that His Son " will judge the living and the dead at His appearing " (2 Timothy 4:1). His judgment will be righteous and true. God's Love and Righteous Judgment: Two Sides of Our Father In John 3:16, we read the famous verse that announces the good news that " God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. " The Bible tells us that God loved and sent His Son to die for us " while we were yet sinners " (Romans 5:8). So how can He have anger toward us and still love us? Because His anger is towards our sin, not toward us as individuals whom He desires to redeem (1 Timothy 2:4). We don't have to become perfect for Him to love us. As human parents, we love our children, even when they have done great wrong. That doesn't mean we excuse their wrongdoing. It means we offer forgiveness when they ask for it, unconditionally. In a far greater way, God, who is our perfect Father also offers unconditional forgiveness when we repent and trust in Christ. It is His grace which offers forgiveness; it cannot be earned. Always remember though, we can be forgiven, but there are always consequences to our sin . Two Paths: Choosing the Narrow Way to Life Today we have a choice. We have a clear decision between two paths. We can remain in unrepentant sin and wait for our day of judgment to come, only to find out, too late, that there is no hope for us after death without Christ. Or we can take a different path. We can trust that God truly loves us with an infinite love and waits for us to call on Him. One path is easy and broad, with a wide gate, and many people take it. The other way is narrow and difficult, with a small gate and few go down that path. One leads to destruction. The other leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Which will you choose? "Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!" - James 5:9(b)

What is a saint? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 1:2. Here Paul says, " To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. " When you are sanctified you are set apart by God for a special purpose. Every person who calls on the name of Jesus is a saint. What do you think of when you hear the word saint? Every Believer Is Called a Saint When you read the letters of Paul you will notice that in his introductions to the letters he calls them all saints: the Romans (Romans 1:7), the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:2), those in Ephesus ( Ephesians 1:1), in Philippi (Philippians 1:1), and those living in Colossae (Colossians 1:2). In the early church, the saints in Lydda were also referred to as saints. (Acts 9:32). If Paul were alive today and writing a letter to your church you would also be called saints. Paul’s Prayers for the Saints: Wisdom and Understanding Paul often prays for the saints. In Ephesians 1:17-18, he prays for us to have " a spirit of wisdom and understanding ." Why? He provides three reasons: So that we can know God better. So we can know the hope we have in Him. So we can realize the " riches of inheritance " we have waiting for us. Lifting One Another in Prayer In Ephesians 6:18, Paul prays and offers supplications on behalf of all the saints. This means he prays humbly and sincerely for God's graciousness for all the brothers and sisters in Christ. This is something we should always do for one another—lift each other up in prayer. We pray for others because we love them. When was the last time you prayed specifically for other believers, not just your own needs? Five Goals in Paul’s Prayer for Colossian Saints In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul prays that the saints will have knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Why? Paul explains five reasons: To please God. To bear fruit. To increase knowledge. To strengthen us with might and patience. To share the inheritance that we have. Which of these five are you asking God for in your life? Lessons from Paul’s Prayers What can we learn from Paul's prayers for the saints? Consistently we see that his prayers were focused on God and His glory, not just what God could do for us. Paul prays for spiritual growth in those he writes letters to. They are not to be stagnant but go deeper in their knowledge and understanding of God. Are you experiencing spiritual growth? If not, why not? Paul's prayers emphasize gratitude in all things. They show the importance of praying for others and their needs. Prayer is our spiritual responsibility. Finally, his prayers show the importance of hope. Hope for the glorious future that waits for those who are patient and faithful. Where does your hope lie? Saint Defined: Meaning, Prayer and Eternal Promise In Saint Defined: Meaning, Prayer & Eternal Promise we see that our spiritual inheritance isn't just a future hope, after our death, but it is in the here and now. We have the opportunity to have a relationship with God who loves us above all. You and I are His children, part of His family (Romans 8:16). We get to know Him, His work, and His will. Through the honor and glory that we offer Him, we are blessed. Do you approach God as your beloved Father? The Spirit Intercedes for the Saints We learn in Romans 8:27 that the Holy Spirit " intercedes for the saints according the will of God. " The Holy Spirit of God who dwells in us also prays for us! When we are at a loss for words, when we are unsure of the direction God would have us go, then our needs are communicated to God through the Spirit. The Spirit intercedes according to God's will, not always what we think we need. Do we pray like Jesus, "Not my will, but yours, Father"? Saints in Revelation In John's vision in Revelation, we learn about future saints. They are characterized as saints persecuted by the world, people of prayer and worship, faithful and enduring, and as rewarded and honored. Saints as Prayerful Worshipers John's visions describes the saints as being people of prayer and worship. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, the prayers of the saints are pictured rising to God and filling golden bowls like incense. In 15:3, the saints sing a victorious song to the Lamb. It is an anthem of praise that echoes the glory and justice of God. Saints Under Persecution and Endurance Revelation 13:7 explains, that the beast will be allowed to make war with God's saints and overcome them. Revelation 16:6, 17:6, 18:24, and 20:9 reveal the tragic cost of loyalty to Christ, as the saints face relentless persecution and even martyrdom. Revelation 13:10 reveals that the saints are called to live with enduring faith and patient trust, especially during hardship. In 14:12, we are told that the true people of God will remain steadfast, they will endure persecution and remain faithful to God. Even today, patience and endurance are qualities that Christians greatly need. According to opendoors.org , 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted world wide, 1 in 5 in Africa and 2 in 5 in Asia. Have you or anyone you know, experienced true persecution? Vindication and Reward of the Saints In Revelation 11:15-19, God's kingdom is proclaimed. We are told that the time has come to reward the saints. Revelation 19:8 also refers to their honor and rewards. This promise echoes Daniel 7:18 which says, " But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." At the end of time, His kingdom will be established, bringing righteousness, peace, and His blessings to all. Above all, Revelation offers encouragement, when we suffer for Christ. It is His victory that we wait patiently for. We know what a great reward He offers to the faithful. In John's day, when this book was written, the church was going through terrible persecution. Revelation would have given them hope knowing that in the end their Savior would return and bring an end to suffering. Old Testament Saints and the Continuity of Holiness This is not just a New Testament concept. In Psalm 30:4, we are told that saints sing praise and give thanks to God. Psalm 37:28 says God will not forsake His saints. He will forever preserve them. In Psalm 116:15, the psalmist says that the death of God's saints is precious to Him. God's people are set apart by their covenant relationship with Him and by their faithful obedience. Is there a difference between the saints we read about in the Old Testament and those in the New Testament? Both are referring to people who have been set apart for God's purpose. In the Old Testament, it often applies to people of great faith like Abraham or Moses, but sometimes to the nation of Israel as a whole. They are in a covenant relationship with God. In the New Testament, the term applies to believers in Jesus. The New Testament focuses more on the Holy Spirit and His role in sanctifying believers. Stephen, in the New Testament, is a solid example of someone who lived and died a life of faith, the faith of a saint. This same set-apart identity continues for believers today. Living as Saints in the World As believers we are described as a stranger in the earth (Psalm 119:19). Our difference from the world should be something easily noticed. We should not delight in things because of their ability to satisfy worldly desires but our delight should be in God. Our love for God and for others should not be hidden. It shouldn't be something people have to wonder about. Love should be not just what we do or how we act, but who we actually are. Do we reserve our love for people just like us or do we treat everyone lovingly? To live as a saint today means the same as in the days of Paul. We should be on a journey to holiness . We should offer prayers not just for ourselves and those around us but for the whole body of Christ. We should desire an identity as a saint, a set apart member of the church. As a saint, we should suffer differently, better if you will, because we always have hope in the resurrection of our Savior and the world He promises us to come. As a person who has been set apart, do you know what your special purpose is in Christ? Faith-By-Faith: The Assurance of the Saints We can joyfully say to our Lord, "You are my reward" both in this life and the next. Our promise is a free gift given to the faithful. The Old Testament saints, like Abraham were also justified in the same way— by faith (Romans 4:17). Philippians 3:9 reminds us that we become righteous only by faith in Christ. Are you a saint? The answer is yes, if your faith is in Christ!

What are the characteristics of God? You have probably heard as a Christian, that we are to have the "Fruit of the Spirit." This fruit refers to the characteristics of God that we as Christians, who claim to want to be like Him, must show. We may not always show them, but we are expected to grow spiritually to become more like the God we serve. Let's look at God’s character as seen in the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is one way the Holy Spirit shows His work in our lives. Even though it includes several different qualities, they are all part of one single fruit, the character of Christ. These qualities in the life of the believer are proof of transformation by the power of God. We can't earn them nor can we create them. Through this work of the Holy Spirit we can see the character of God living in us. Love: God’s Active and Individual Love 1) We talk a lot about God loving us. These aren't just words. God truly loves each of us on an individual basis. There are so many Bible verses that come to mind, but the most important, I believe, is that John tells us that God literally is love (1 John 4:8). Out of His love He sent His Son to suffer and die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He did this to reconcile us to Himself, restoring the fellowship that sin had broken, and inviting us into a new covenant relationship with Jesus. Recently, I saw someone stop their car and help an elderly woman who had fallen get to her feet in her front yard. God's love is active, just as ours should be. Do we love out of duty and obligation? That isn't love. Love says, "You are more important than me. You are made in the image of God. You are worthy of love." And it says this to anyone, whether they can be useful to us or not. Love doesn't even expect to be acknowledged. No thank you is necessary when our love is genuine. Joy: God’s Ever-Present Strength in Us 2) Sometimes it's hard for us to realize that God experiences joy. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that He rejoices over His people. God experiences joy when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7). Jesus tells us in John 15:11," These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. " It is God's own joy that should live in us. In Nehemiah 8:10, Nehemiah says, " The joy of the Lord is my strength. " This is not joy found in the circumstances of life. This is an ongoing, ever-present joy that is not dependent on us. God rejoices in us as we should rejoice in Him. Jesus is our faithful Savior; God is our fortress in troubled times; and it is His Holy Spirit that helps us live in joyful obedience. Peace: God’s Peace Beyond Understanding 3) In John 14:27, Jesus explains that the actual peace of God has been left with His followers. Isaiah 9:6 gives Jesus the title of "Prince of Peace." The peace of God is beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7). This seems to be one of the characteristics that we reflect the least. Our society seems to thrive on worry and dread. These fears don't come from God. Peace comes from learning to trust God in all circumstances. Don't let yourself get upset over all those gloom and doom headlines you see on television. Patience: God’s Long‑Suffering Kindness 4) 2 Peter 3:9 explains that God is patient with us because He wants all to come to repentance. Joel 2:13 reminds us that God is slow to anger. In Numbers 14:18, we read, "The Lord is long-suffering and abundant in kindness and truth, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and will not hold the guilty forever guilty." In our "hurry up" world patience isn't valued very much; we want what we want and we want it now. But God displays a different attitude. He doesn't 'snap' the first time we fail Him, thankfully. Long-suffering is another word for patience. He knows our weaknesses better than we do. Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, including impatience, yet He chose forgiveness and submission over having His own way. Kindness: Reflecting God’s Merciful Heart 5) Kindness is how we act towards others. Psalm 117:2 tells us that God's merciful kindness is great towards us. Ephesians 4:32 says to be kind and compassionate towards others just as Jesus was towards us. Jesus explained that we don't just pray for people; we treat them with kindness, even if they are our enemy. We are to be the "Good Samaritan" to those around us (Luke 10:25-37). Kindness is very related to the next quality. Goodness: Trusting God’s Righteous Nature 6) Goodness is internal. It is how you 'are'. Goodness can be considered righteousness. Psalm 136:1 describes God as good with a mercy that lasts forever. Romans 11:22 tells us to consider the goodness of God. How do we fathom the goodness of God? We may question it at times with our limited knowledge, but we trust in His goodness towards us. In the beginning He created a world that He called good. Through our fall, that creation was marred by sin, yet Revelation 21:1 promises a New Heaven and a New Earth where His goodness will be fully revealed. Faithfulness: God’s Enduring Loyalty 7) Lamentations 3:23 tells us, " Great is thy faithfulness . " Psalm 119:90 explains that God's faithfulness endures to all generations. Paul explains in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 that God is faithful and He will do it. What is it that God will faithfully do? He will sanctify us completely and preserve us blamelessly when our Lord returns. He is a faithful Father—reliable, loyal, and trustworthy above all. He keeps His promises, even when we don't keep our word. Gentleness: God’s Compassionate Meekness 8) Jesus says in Matthew 11:29 that He is gentle and humble in heart. David says in Psalm 18:35, "Your gentleness made me great ." Gentleness is sometimes translated as meekness. This is not weakness. It is the ability to be sensitive and kind to others, while at the same time being self-controlled. God sees our weakness and treats us gently. Jesus saw the sin around Him and called it out, but with kindness. You might say that Jesus didn't show kindness to the Pharisees whom He called a "brood of vipers" but this rebuke was rooted in love and truth. Their hypocrisy was serious. Their spiritual blindness was harming the souls of the people around them. Jesus desperately wanted them to really see who they were and repent. How often do we use gentle words to people who are speaking to us with frustration? Are we gentle when explaining things to others? It is easy to speak harshly to our spouse or children without remembering that they too deserve gentleness. Self‑Control: Empowered by God’s Spirit 9) 2 Timothy 1:7 lets us know that we have been given a spirit of self-control, not fear. This spirit is God's Holy Spirit living in us. It is His power that goes with us. How successful are you at controlling your behavior, thoughts, and emotions? Are you controlling your speech? Are you free from idle words ? The more we allow the Holy Spirit to control us the easier this will be. Today it's a popular idea to 'express your emotions', regardless of the outcome. That's not God's way. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 that we should be disciplined, temperate in all things. God’s Character Seen in the Fruit of the Spirit These characteristics don't just come to us with no effort. Through prayer, Bible study, and obedience, we can see the character of God in the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Do we live in subjection to God? God is sovereign over us all. This means that He is in total control of His creation. It is His will, not mine, that is best. When we can face simple frustrations like driving on the freeway, or being kind to someone who just cursed us, or letting God's peace come over us in the midst of tragedy, it is then that we can see our fruit alive, growing, and active in our lives. We are the conduits of God's love to a lost and dying world. Our fruit is God's way of reflecting His nature to those around us. Walking in Surrender: Fruits That Bring God Glory These godly characteristics aren't just goals, but the natural result of a life increasingly surrendered to the will of God. God alone gets the glory when we walk in the Spirit. Our very purpose on this earth is to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7). Because no other name, but the name of Jesus is worthy of honor, power, and of praise! Please enjoy No Other Name by Gaither Music here.

So often incredibly significant stories in the Bible seem to be reduced to Vacation Bible School puppet shows or bedtime Bible stories for our children. Certainly we need to teach these stories to our children, but as adults, we often think, "Oh, I know that old story." We forget the stories' deeper meaning. In Hearing God Today: Lessons from the Burning Bush, we’ll explore how God still interrupts our routines just as He did for Moses. Hearing God Today: Lessons from the Burning Bush The story of Moses and the Burning Bush is exactly that kind of story. Perhaps you have heard it so often you just dismiss it. But what if, today, God is trying to get your attention in a new way? Just like Moses, we go about our daily lives, not realizing that God has something new and wonderful that He is about to do. Moses’ Journey from Palace to Pasture Moses, who had begun his life as a babe in the arms of an Egyptian princess, raised as a son of Pharaoh, had now been a shepherd in the land of Midian for forty years. A far cry from the riches he had known, he wandered tending his sheep, while God prepared him for the mighty work that he would be called to. You may feel like God has no plans for you but like Moses, if you pay attention, God may do a work with you that you never imagined. Encountering God at Mt. Horeb As he came up to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God, also known as Mt. Sinai, his eyes were attracted to a bright light and flames issuing from a bush that was unaffected by the fire. This was such an unusual sight that Moses decided to investigate. The Voice from the Flames From inside the bush, the voice of God called to him. " Moses! Moses!" and Moses said, "Here I am" (Exodus 3:4) . The fire was symbolic of the purity and holiness of God. This symbol of fire is seen repeatedly from Isaiah who says, " The light of Israel shall be a flaming fire " to John the Baptist who proclaims that, " He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire " to the book of Hebrews that reminds us, " Our God is a consuming fire. " Understanding God’s Holiness Through Fire God is immortal, like the fire that does not die out. His power and strength are inexhaustible and ever-present, unlike us, mere mortal humans. We experience physical death yet spiritually we are alive in Christ. His holy fire transforms us and renews us. We are like the burning bush, the light of Christ shines forth from us and because of His sacrifice we never spiritually die. Jesus and the God of the Living When Jesus mentions this story in Luke 20:37, He repeats God's words to Moses when He says that He is, " the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob " (Exodus 3:6). Jesus tells the Sadducees, who didn't believe in the resurrection, that this is proof that God is the God of the living, not the dead, that the dead are resurrected. Each of us as His children hold this fire, this light inside. Although we physically die, spiritually we do not. Stepping onto Holy Ground Moses was told to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground. This ground was holy because God was there. To remove his shoes was a sign of respect and humility, of awareness that God Himself was present. Interestingly, this is the first time in the Bible that a specific place is called holy. Later in Leviticus 19:2, God calls all of Israel to holiness. In the New Testament Peter reminds us, " But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct " (1 Peter 1:15). Our Call to Personal Holiness God is holy because He is set apart, separate from His creation. God is distinct from all others because of His perfection; unlike God, we can never be holy, except for the holiness of Christ living in us that helps us grow to become more like Him. We are covered in the holiness of Christ. Just as the burning bush was holy ground, so also was the temple of God because God was present there. In the New Testament we are told that we are the living temple of God because He lives in us. Together, as the body of believers we are God's temple. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and in 6:19-20, that both collectively and individually we are God's temple. Because of this, sin and immorality shouldn't defile us because it separates us from God. What habits or sins might defile your temple that God calls home? Responding to God with Reverence Moses went so far as to cover his face, when he realized He was in the presence of God. Do we show this kind of respect and awe for God when we pray, worship, and live out our faith? Can we grasp what kind of holiness exists in God? As we grow in grace , we should grow in humility before God and His holy righteousness. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). God Hears the Cries of His People God tells Moses that He " has seen the misery of my people ." This is the first time God calls Israel, " my people ." He has heard their cries and He knows their sorrows. Just as even today, He hears our cries, He sees our misery, and He knows our sorrow. God's people are precious to Him. For four hundred years, His people have been in slavery in Egypt. Now God will raise up a deliverer - Moses. Answering Divine Callings Moses' response to this was the same response we have many times when God asks us to do something, " Who am I? " Moses at this time was 80 years old. Moses had fled Egypt after murdering an Egyptian overseer. He certainly seemed like an unlikely candidate but God's response is the same that He has for us, " I will be with you. " What more can we ask of God than that the creator of the universe will be with us when He asks us to do a hard thing? The Divine Name: “I AM WHO I AM” Then Moses asks God His name. God replies, " I AM WHO I AM. " He is the God who always was and always will be. This is God who has all authority and is totally trustworthy. Jesus claims this very name (John 8:58). This is so shocking to the Jews that they attempt to stone Him (John 8:59). God’s Promise of Deliverance God tells Moses to tell the people that He promises to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. He lets Moses know ahead of time how things will go (Exodus 3:18-22). God tells Moses that: The elders of Israel will listen to you. The king will not let them go unless he is compelled. God promises to do this. God will make the Egyptians favorably disposed to the Israelites, to give them silver, gold, and clothing. This lets Moses know that God has already foreseen problems and they have been taken care of. He wants us and Moses to walk in confidence knowing that He is in control. So like us when we are called by God to do things we don't feel comfortable with, Moses makes several excuses for why he couldn't possibly be the man for the job. Signs to Confirm God’s Mission First, Moses asks God what happens if they don't listen to him? God gives him three signs to show them: A staff becomes a snake. (Exodus 4:2-4) His hand turned leprous, then is healed. (Exodus 4:6-7) Water from the Nile turns to blood. (Exodus 4:9) God Equips Moses for His Task Next, Moses' objection is that he is slow of speech and tongue. He isn't a gifted or eloquent speaker. God reassures him that He will help him speak, and teach Him what to say. God doesn't ask us to do things without giving us the tools we need to be able to do them. Accepting God’s Plan Through Partnership Finally, Moses tells God to send someone else. Don't we say the same thing? "Anyone but me, God! I can't do this." Angrily, God tells Moses that He will allow Moses's brother, Aaron to speak for him but the words will be given to them both. This partnership with Aaron shows that God often provides people to help us accomplish our tasks. Think of Paul and Barnabas and Paul and Timothy. Moses as a Foreshadow of Christ At this, our story ends, but Moses' story really begins. He becomes the greatest prophet and deliverer of His people. This same Moses, the most humble man on earth, would be used by God to save His people from slavery. Moses foreshadows Christ by freeing his people from the bondage of slavery just as Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin. Your Call: Embracing God’s Presence What does God have for you to do? Where and how have you encountered the Lord? Have you begged, "Anyone but me, Lord," when God calls you to a difficult task? Remember the words that God spoke to Moses, " I will be with you. " Nothing is impossible with God! People Also Ask: Who were the Sadducees and what did they believe? The Sadducees were a group within first century Judaism that only accepted the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, as authoritative and rejected oral traditions within Judaism. They emphasized free will and did not look for miracles in the daily affairs of life. They also did not believe in angels, an afterlife, or the resurrection of the dead. They were often priests and conservatives of high social status. Their focus was primarily temple worship.

In the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, one thing we understand immediately is the importance of oil. Of course oil was necessary for light in biblical times and throughout Scripture it also symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Since the bridegroom would come at night, at an unannounced time, the virgins had to be ready at all times with oil in their lamps to light their way. In those days, it was customary for weddings to take place at night. The bridegroom would arrive to meet the bride and and her attendants, and together they would process to the location of the wedding celebration. The Oil of the Spirit: Ready for the Bridegroom Before we proceed with the story, let's look again at the oil they used to light their lamps. Oil, throughout the Bible, has been a symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When you and I have the Holy Spirit we are a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). We show the light of God's love, peace, and righteousness to a world that lives in darkness. In the New Testament, Jesus explains we are a " light to the world " (Matthew 5:13-16). We are not to hide that light. Jesus says that this light will allow people to see our good deeds and "glorify your Father in Heaven ." Our light never glorifies us, only God. You and I as children of God have been anointed with the oil of salvation. The name Christ literally means " Anointed One ." Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil in the Old Testament to show that the Holy Spirit of God rested on them. They were set apart for a special purpose just as you and I who have the Holy Spirit living within us are a set apart people (Acts 13:2). 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." God Himself has anointed us and sealed us with His Holy Spirit. This is the evidence of who we belong to. Our hearts prove we are His. This anointing with the Holy Spirit that the oil represents is so God's holiness will be seen in our lives. The Holy Spirit prepares us for the day when our Lord comes as the Bridegroom for His Church. When we have the oil of the Spirit we will be ready for the Bridegroom. Pray that you have oil and your wick is trimmed! Waiting for the Bridegroom For some reason, in the parable, the Bridegroom is delayed. Now this delay was not necessarily a problem. The bridesmaids, as most of us would, grew tired and fell asleep. Do you see yourself in this story? If you are a Christian, or proclaim to be one, you know the Bridegroom (Jesus) is coming to claim His church. We are all like the bridesmaids. Eagerly awaiting Jesus, the Bridegroom of the church, we all have our lamps lit. Trimming the Lamps: A Call to Obedience Continuing with our story, the sleepy virgins are awakened by the cries outside that the Bridegroom had finally arrived. They jumped up and all ten proceeded to "trim their lamps." Trimming a lamp involves cutting the wick to keep the flame clean and bright, and checking the oil supply. A trimmed wick burns clean and bright while an untrimmed wick is dim and smoky. What does the act of trimming their lamps represent? Well we know already that the oil represents the Holy Spirit, trimming the wick represents living a life of love and obedience to the Savior. We don't just say we are a Christian and then live like the world. We stay prepared for His coming by the zeal and passion we have to become like Him. Prepared vs. Unprepared Hearts Each group of virgins initially had oil, each group had light, but only one group was prepared by having obtained more oil for a longer wait. And all had fallen asleep, but they were not reprimanded for this. The Lord may come today or in hundreds of years, either way life continues and we must always stay prepared for that day. At this point we see the difference between the two groups of virgins. Five of them were foolish, Jesus tells us, and five wise. How were the five foolish? They only brought enough oil for a short time. They were not prepared to wait. Their lamps could not be lit. In your life are you spiritually prepared to meet the Lord? Is your light still burning for Him? Do you have a renewed heart that is committed to God or just a knowledge of Him in your head? For some being a Christian means just believing in someone to help you in time of need, in other words, they are Christian only for what they can gain from it. Costly Oil and Spiritual Sacrifice The five foolish virgins begged the wise ones for some of their oil. They were told no, not out of meanness or stinginess, but out of the knowledge that they had to keep enough supply for themselves. The wise virgins told the foolish ones to go buy some more oil. Oil was costly. They might have to sacrifice to get more oil. Undoubtedly the wise virgins had done just that. Have we sacrificed anything to serve God more effectively? But who do the sellers of oil represent? A possibility is that they are the preachers and teachers of the Word of God who present His grace and forgiveness to the world. They don't literally sell it, of course. We can't borrow the Holy Spirit from someone else, but God often uses faithful preachers and teachers to stir our hearts, teach His Word, and guide us toward spiritual maturity. They're not oil sellers, but they help point us to the One who gives the oil freely. If you want to grow in the Spirit of God, one of the best places is in the Word of God brought to you by those who know Him. God never tells us that we can purchase that which only He can give. Grace is given to us by the Holy Spirit. This grace is given in abundance and freely (Isaiah 55:1). We cannot deserve it, or work for it, but we can receive it through our faith in Him. The Danger of Delay While the foolish virgins were on their way to buy more oil, the bridegroom returned. We can't wait till the last moment to commit ourselves fully to Jesus. Because we never know when we will meet Him in death or He will return for His bride. We may have good intentions. Maybe we think, "Tomorrow I will pray more" or " Next week, I will begin reading my Bible" or "I will forgive my neighbor after I get over being angry." Delay is never good. Often our delay is rooted in self preservation. We want to hold on to our time, pride and comfort just a little bit longer. Jesus tells us however, that, " Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it " (Matthew 16:25). This is so like many people as they approach death. They hurriedly try to do the things they should have done years before. They start to question if they are truly ready to die. Some in that moment will come to a true saving faith in Christ but many never will and will die, too late, alone, and outside of God's grace. The Closed Door of Judgment When the foolish virgins returned they were sadly out of time. The wise virgins had been ushered into the wedding party and the door shut. How sad for us if we wait too long to truly know God and the door is shut. The foolish virgins stand outside crying for their Lord to open the door but now, their delay too long, He tells them He never knew them. The wedding party is only for family. Belatedly, they see the consequences of the sin of relying on themselves instead of God and His Holy Spirit. Too late they wish they could go back and do what they know now they should have done. But now the door is permanently closed to them. They are completely without hope. Cultural Christianity and Shallow Faith Jesus warned us that many would fall away from the faith. Like the foolish virgins, many today aren't " counting the cost " of discipleship (Luke 14:28). They believe in God because that's just what most people do. They may go to church because nice people go and they want to be counted as nice. Maybe they think believing in their mind that God exists is all they have to do, but James tells us even demons believe in God (James 2:19). Who Is the Fool? How does the Bible define a fool? We can be either a fool or a fool for Christ . A foolish person hates knowledge (Proverbs 1:22) and takes no pleasure in understanding (Proverbs 18:2). This knowledge and understanding is of God. " The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God '"(Psalm 14:1). Notice that it says, " in his heart. " What he says with his lips may be different. Is our heart saying something different from what is coming from our mouth? Are we anointed with the Holy Spirit of God? Let us not delay. May we be found ready, with lamps burning, and hearts fully His, when the Bridegroom comes.

Once, when I started a new job and found myself alone at lunch every day, I realized that focusing on my self was just making me lonelier. Being alone we have two choices: be God-focused or self-focused. Which we choose will determine how we get through times of loneliness. We can be lonely in a crowd or we can be isolated by circumstances or choice, but God is always with us whether we feel His presence or not. Will we let loneliness drive us to despair, or trust God to meet us there? We have a choice in our loneliness, God-focus or self-focus. Most of us don't choose to be socially isolated but it often happens that we become this way. The elderly are often socially isolated, sometimes the chronically sick, and sometimes because we are far from family or anyone who really cares about us. Most of us who have lived through Covid lockdowns have experienced isolation to one degree or another. So what happens to us spiritually during these times? Where is God in the midst of our isolation? Paul’s Prison Praise and Purpose The Bible has a surprising number of examples of those who, for one reason or another, became socially isolated. Paul is one example. Paul experienced many periods of imprisonment. He was even under house arrest for two years. Two years without leaving his home but that didn't seem to slow him down. Paul knew God would never leave him alone . Often chained and beaten, Paul used moments in prison to rejoice and praise God in song (Acts 16:25). Even some of his jailers became Christian when they witnessed his faith in the midst of trials. Paul learned from his suffering how to comfort others in their own suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Is God using your loneliness to teach others and to give them comfort? John’s Patmos Perspective Look at the apostle John. John was exiled to the island of Patmos. Away from human companionship God blessed him with his great visions that he wrote about in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9). What the world thought was a curse God turned into a blessing, allowing John to see into Heaven. John wasn't in despair, he was in awe! Jesus’ Solitude and Prayer Jesus also often experienced isolation. In some cases, He even sought it out knowing he needed to get away from worldly distractions. He spent time in the wilderness before He began His ministry, He was alone in the Garden of Gethsemane as His closest disciples slept and of course, tragically alone on the cross, when He asked God why He had forsaken Him. Even then, Jesus totally trusted God's plan. Before He chose His disciples Luke 6:12-13 tells us He prayed all night. Mark 1:35 tells us that after a day of healing the sick He got up the next morning and went to a solitary place to pray. Upon hearing that John the Baptist had been killed He went out on a boat to be alone according to Matthew 14:13. After feeding the 5,000, Matthew 14:23 tells us He went up on a mountainside to pray in solitude. Long days of healing the sick were followed by Jesus' withdrawal from others to pray as Luke 5:15-16 explains. Perhaps what we can learn from the example of Jesus is that all isolation isn't bad. He is our role model. We may feel at times that God has left us alone , but that might be for a reason. We actually sometimes need to be alone, pray, regroup, and seek God. We need to be still and quiet to better hear God speak. How we use our time alone is what matters. Jeremiah’s Lonely Prophecy In the Old Testament few were as isolated as Jeremiah. Without family, friends or any close companions he preached the judgment of God on Israel. This message was as hated as Jeremiah was isolated, but it didn't stop him from pursuing what God told him to do, even when he was thrown into a well. Jeremiah never abandoned God (Jeremiah 38:6). What does Jeremiah teach when we speak a message that is unpopular? Joseph’s Seasons of Waiting Another example is Joseph who endured thirteen years of slavery and prison before he became a valued member of Pharaoh's government. Joseph never cursed God once during this time. He sought to do what was right before God and was ultimately elevated to a position where he was able to help his family and prevent them from starving. From the age of 17 when he was sold into slavery till the age of 30 when he became the Pharaoh's right hand man was a long time to think about God! Joseph tells his brothers in Genesis 50:20, " You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. " Joseph saw the hand of God at work, even in his suffering. Can we step away from our own suffering to see perhaps a bigger picture that God is working something good in our lives or those around us because of it? These stories show that isolation has always existed, today we may be challenged in new ways. Modern Christian Isolation Realities We may find ourselves isolated just because we are Christians. We may face social isolation because we aren't like everyone else. We don't have the same interests or the same values. We don't talk the same way as they do. This is very difficult for young Christians because they, like most of us, want to be liked. We should encourage our young Christian brothers and sisters. They need to be reminded they are not alone. In certain parts of the world like China, Iran, or North Korea for example, Christians are routinely rounded up, beaten and imprisoned for their faith. They may face isolation and hardship for years. Yet many of them use these opportunities to show Christ to the very people who are subjecting them to torture. To read some of their stories, go here. The Choice of Loneliness: God-Focus or Self-Focus What do we do when we are isolated? Do we blame God for our situation? Do we ask the old "Why me" question? God is able to work through us no matter our situation. We can have hope in the midst of being alone. There can be times when we are surrounded by family and friends and yet in our hearts still feel very lonely. But who are we really focusing on during these times, ourselves or God? During times like these we need to step away from ourselves and develop an attitude of thankfulness for the people around us. When we are too self focused we should turn our attention to the needs of others. Turning Isolation into Ministry Can we volunteer? Can we be more active at church? There are things we can do from home to spread God's word. We can write letters of encouragement to missionaries, for example. We can always pray for others. Think of ways to serve. Growing in Solitude: Practical Steps We live in a busy and distracted world. God can use these times of isolation to speak to us where we will be able to actually hear Him. He is always our hope, but sometimes when we are surrounded by family, friends, and those who love us we don't see our need for Him in quite the same way. There are things we can do in isolation that we normally might find difficult to find time for, in this way we can turn loneliness into an opportunity. Reading God's word prayerfully. We can't grow in Christ without spending time in the word. Praying for others with specific intent. We have the time when we are alone to think deeply about people's needs and pray fervent prayers for them. Seeking God's will. What would God have us do or change in our circumstances? Can we reach out over the phone, through social media, or by writing and be a blessing to someone we might not have had time for before? We can be someone who encourages others, even if it's only online or through a text. We can write down small blessings we've noticed while alone. As we have seen, some of the greatest faith giants of the Bible were trained during their time of aloneness with God. What a waste of time, quite literally it would be if nothing good came from our isolation. Remember, God often uses our small beginnings to have big impacts in the lives of those around us. We may not always see the results of what we do, but we have to maintain faith that God will use us. Maybe God uses us to be a lesson for others. Those elderly loved ones we have who are in nursing homes, such a sad example of isolation, teach us how to serve others. They give us an opportunity to show Christian love to people who can't always return that love. For themselves, they learn to accept the help of others, something they often weren't able to do until this situation happened. We learn quickly what is really important in settings like this. Hope in God’s Ever-Present Care Loneliness can trigger fear, guilt, or shame. Remind yourself that Jesus cares deeply about your pain and reaches out to comfort you. Being alone isn't easy but if we can focus on some of the good that can come from it, it will make our solitude a burden that is bearable. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us what we should do, "Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. " If we truly have faith that God cares for us and loves us, then we can trust Him in everything, even in our darkest times of loneliness.

The Fall and the Lost Garden In the cool of the day, God walked through the garden. God's visits with Adam and Eve must have been a wondrous time, until that moment they reached for a fruit that opened their eyes to good and evil. Then in shame they hid from Him. Mercifully God cast them out of Eden before they could eat from the Tree of Life, for if they had they would've lived forever in their fallen state. This act reflects both His justice, because sin must not remain unpunished, and His mercy, as He provides the promise of restoration. The Tree of Life who had brought them such joy in Eden was now blocked and hidden, forever it seemed, until we read the book of Revelation where the Tree of Life reappears in the New Jerusalem bringing hope. From Genesis to Revelation: The Bible’s Bookends Genesis chapters 2-3 and Revelation 21-22 explain how these events are similar and how they are different. The Garden of Eden was planted by God " in the east " (Genesis 2:8) while in Revelation the New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven to earth (Revelation 21:2). One image sums up both our greatest loss and our future hope: the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is a real feature in Scripture and also a symbol of God’s provision, fully realized in Jesus. From the center of Eden, to our Savior hanging on a tree, to the banks of the River of Life in Revelation, we are told a story of exile, restoration, and promise. Eden's Tree of Life t o New Jerusalem's Hope: Lost and Restored The Tree of Life was planted in the middle of the garden (Genesis 2:9) but in Revelation we see it placed on either side of the River of Life that flows from the Throne of God (Revelation 22:1). This life giving river nourishes the Tree of Life. The tree produces twelve kinds of fruit and its leaves are " for the healing of the nations " (Revelation 22:2). Access to the Tree of Life was freely given until the Fall, but in the New Jerusalem it will be once again be freely available to the redeemed (Revelation 22:14). The twelve fruits the tree produces have symbolic meaning as well. It's a number used often in Scripture, seen in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve disciples, all pointing to divine completeness, abundance, and provision. The life it provides is not for those who only know about the existence of God, but for those who are new creations. Only a heart that is changed, a heart that " hungers and thirsts " after righteousness, is the kind of heart that is sustained by God. The Tree of Life doesn't just offer us eternal life but also healing and restoration. Does your heart and soul need to be healed? We feed on the word of God (Matthew 4:4). His word brings eternal life; His word brings spiritual healing through His Son. The same idea is found in Jeremiah 15:16, " Your words were found and I ate them, and Your word became to me the gladness and joy of my heart.” The River of Life and God's Provision The River of Life nourishes the Tree of Life and is foreshadowed in the river in Eden. With the coming of Jesus as our source of living water we truly understand what that river means. “ Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life " (John 4:13-14). Jesus' living water shows us the spiritual meaning of The River of Life, which will flow literally in the New Jerusalem. It symbolizes the life giving presence of God with us. The River of Life is also a symbol of God's provision for us. Just as a river sustained the Garden of Eden, so the River of Living Water will sustain us. It will meet our every need. Water cleanses, renews, nourishes and water heals. Even now, we see this spiritual truth. Our Father cleanses us from sin, renews our life, and heals us spiritually. Our spiritual nourishment comes from the Holy Spirit living in us. In baptism we see this same symbolism at work, as our sins are washed away, our life is reborn in Christ. As Jesus told us in John 7:37-38, these life giving waters would even flow from those of us who believe. How can this be? Because we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God. It is with His spirit that we love and reach the world for His Son. The grace of God is never ending, it doesn't just flow into us, it flows out from us. This grace nourishes us and gives us eternal life. Pause & Pray: Lord, when I feel distant from Your presence, remind me of the open gates and the freely flowing river of life that awaits a life lived for you. Amen God’s Presence and Man’s Restoration Where in Genesis, God walked in the garden, in Revelation, God will now dwell with His people forever (Revelation 22:3-4). God dwelling with man fulfills the hope spoken of throughout Scripture. And how will this change man? After the Fall, Adam and Eve lived with shame, sin, and death but in the New Jerusalem no more sin or death or curse will exist, and we will serve God without burden (Revelation 22:3). In the Garden man tended it but after man's rebellion he was cursed with toil (Genesis 3:19), even the ground was cursed (Genesis 3:17). Sadly, after the breaking of God's command, the way to the Garden was blocked by a cherub with a flaming sword but in Revelation, in the New Jerusalem, the gates will always be open to the righteous (Revelation 22:14). The Defeat of Satan And what of Satan? Satan the tempter and deceiver of man in the Garden is finally and forever cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10). The cross accomplished the defeat of Satan and death (Colossians 2:15) though his final punishment is still to come. Just as believers will have eternal access to the Tree of Life, Satan will spend eternity without God or hope. How does knowing Satan’s final fate make our faith bolder today?  The Cross: Bridge Between Two Trees The Tree of Life is the connection between the Fall and the restoration of the New Jerusalem. Between these two trees stands the cross. One arm reaches back to Eden, taking on the first sin and every sin that followed. The other arm stretches forward to the New Jerusalem with healing, a restored relationship, and a reunion with our Father. Jesus offered us a way to end the curse of the garden so one day in the future we could eat from the Tree of Life once more. It is no surprise that John tells us that there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified (John 19:41). The disobedience of man that led to sin was overcome by the obedience of Christ on the cross (Romans 5:19). “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 From Symbol to Reality: God's Eternal Home Where the Garden was vulnerable to temptation and sin, the New Jerusalem will offer a home with God without these things. The New Jerusalem is all the Garden offered and more. It is the original intention of God for all of His creation. You won't find a temple here because in Revelation 21:22 we are told that the Lord God and the Lamb are the temple. The temple symbolically represented God's presence. In the New Jerusalem we will have no need of symbols. The temple also represented the separation between God and His people in the Holy of Holies. This separation will no longer exist. We will have an eternal connection with God, one that began at the moment of our conversion. This fulfills completely the promise of the New Covenant and the law that He has written on our hearts. Knowing Jesus, the True Tree of Life The Tree of Life for us is Jesus our Savior because He gives us eternal life and heals us through His sacrifice. We thank God for knowing Him, serving Him, and loving Him. In return we will see our world restored to a time of perfection and joy living in the presence of God eternally, as it was meant to be. One day, if you know Him, you will walk beneath living boughs, taste that fruit, and feel the healing in your bones. Thank you, Jesus! Ask yourself: Do you know Him? People also ask: Why is Adam and Eve's sin called the Fall? Because disobeying God caused them to fall away from a state of grace, innocence and perfect obedience, to one where sin, separation from God, and death entered the world.

The Bible is always true and reliable, yet even believers at times may doubt its trustworthiness. When Roman soldiers went into battle they carried a sword known as a gladius. This weapon was made of high carbon steel and sharpened on both sides. Their shield was their defensive weapon and their sword was used for offense. With it they stabbed their enemy when he was at close range. The soldiers always trusted their razor-sharp blades, just as we can trust the Scripture to be the Word of God. Roman soldiers were highly trained with their swords. What would happen to a Roman soldier if he could not trust his weapon? What if he never knew if his blade was sharp or not? The soldier would be at a great disadvantage, never knowing if his sword was adequate for the job. Some of us look at Scripture this way. Is this part true? Is that part true? Can I believe this person in the Bible? Is my sword, God's Word, sharp or not? It is always sharp, yet we, on the other hand, may be swimming in doubt and unable to effectively use it. You might not relate well to a Roman soldier, but picture the office worker, short on time, overworked, and desperately trying to make a deadline. Then to their dismay, they find the copy machine is not working. Unfortunately, they didn't know how to unjam the machine. Poorly trained, they will fail at their job. And failure is costly. When we rely on a tool but don't know how to use it; things go wrong. Your knowledge of the word of God is similar. The Word of God is always honed and ready, but our skill in utilizing it might not be. If we are not trained properly on how to use the Word of God, we will be at a loss in spiritual battles. How then does Scripture teach us to use our sword with confidence? Sharpening Your Spiritual Sword: Trusting Scripture Is your spiritual sword battle ready or do you doubt? In the same way a Roman soldier relied on his gladius, we as Christians rely on the Word of God for both defense and offense in spiritual warfare. However, if we're not paying attention, if we are untrained, then it will do us no good. That brings us to the heart of the matter: sharpening your spiritual sword by trusting Scripture’s own instruction is how to stay ready for battle against evil. The Word as a Living Weapon Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 both refer to the Word of God as a sword. First, we learn that the Word of God is alive and active. Unlike literary classics such as Homer's Iliad , the Word of God changes hearts and minds, it transforms people and has for centuries. This is exactly how the same Bible verse can convict one person and build up another. The Holy Spirit moves in our hearts through the Word of God. Cutting to the Heart In Hebrews 4:12, we are told that the double-edged sword of God's Word is sharper than a Roman soldier's blade. It cuts quickly and deeply into the heart of man and slices through our excuses and our words to the innermost reality of our heart. Why? To judge our thoughts and intentions rightly. The Lord looks at the heart . Do we truly love? God knows! Truth That Proves True As Jesus declares in John 17:17, " Your word is truth ." This is reiterated in Psalm 18:30, "...t he Word of the Lord proves true " and in Proverbs 30:5-6, " Every Word of the Lord proves true ." This truth helps us grow in understanding. Rightly Dividing the Word The sword of the Word penetrates deeply, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), which means correctly interpreting and applying Scripture. As Christians we need to be diligent workers who study the Bible. We need to be aware of who the author was speaking to and what the purpose of the book was. We shouldn't just skip over words we don't understand but look them up. The context of a passage is important to know, as well as the genre of literature such as: narrative, prophecy, wisdom literature, or apocalyptic literature. These are key to understanding scripture accurately. Most importantly, we should pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Like studying for an exam, we study to be approved by God. Diligence Over Opinion It is not our opinion of what something means that informs us, but the truth of God. Timothy was very familiar with Scripture, having been taught as a child by his mother and grandmother. But even he needed to be reminded to not slack in his studying of the Word. Timothy wanted to be that diligent Christian ; an unashamed worker before God and so should we. Abiding in the Word The Bible often speaks of abiding in the Word. That word, abiding, which is not often used today, means a deep commitment to a relationship. Our Lord tells us in John 8:31-32 that to be a true disciple of Jesus we should abide in His Word. We abide in Christ because He is the Word. 1 Peter 1:23 says we are born again " through the living and abiding Word of God. " Anyone who has had a committed relationship to another person knows it requires effort. If we drift through our human relationships, or spiritually drift in our relationship to God, that relationship will suffer. But how can we trust words written in Scripture? Can we be confident they come from God? Confidence in Scripture Paul knew some would doubt his words. Paul addresses this in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 when he thanks God for the church's reception of his words as " the word of God. " They believed his words were truthfully God's word and not men's. Paul says this word does an effective work in believers. This is important because Paul is responsible for writing approximately 25% of the New Testament. If we doubt Paul's words, we are discounting much of the New Testament. Some question the Bible’s authority. Even within the church, this happens. But Scripture proves itself. It doesn't just claim to be true; it shows it. Its message is unified, its impact is lasting, and the Spirit confirms its truth in the lives of believers. Purposeful Inspiration What does Scripture say it should be used for? 2 Timothy 3:15-17 tells us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Every word we read in the Bible is there for a purpose. There is something in each word that God would have us understand or apply. Scripture equips us for the good works that we are designed to do. To understand what Paul meant, we need to consider the context in which he wrote this. When Paul wrote this, the Scriptures he referred to were the Old Testament writings. Some books in the New Testament had not even been written yet. But his point is that Holy Scripture, both Scripture that was known and Scripture that would come, is all inspired or breathed out by God. Four-fold Function of Scripture Paul explains how Scripture functions in the life of a believer: 1) Doctrine - God's Word is how we get to know Him better. 2) Reproof - God's Word convicts us of sin. It makes us aware of our failings. 3) Correction - Holy Scripture doesn't just convict us but it offers a solution. The Word of God explains what we must do to be in right relation to God. 4) Instruction in righteousness - God's Word explains how a person applies what they learn to their lives in a practical way. Eyes Opened by the Word It is the Word of God that opens the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:18). The Holy Spirit working through God's word enables us to see, receive, and understand Him. As Psalm 19:8 explains, "... the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. " The Good News of the gospel of Christ profits us nothing without faith (Hebrews 4:2). How open are the eyes of your heart? From Darkness to Light Paul's experience on the road to Damascus symbolizes the opening of the eyes of our heart. As he was struck blind during his encounter with Christ, and later received his sight, so we too go from spiritual darkness to walking in the light of Christ. This faith Paul wants to share with the Romans. In Romans 1:16, Paul famously declares he " is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. " He isn't ashamed because as he continues to say it is the way that the righteousness of God is revealed from " faith to faith ". Paul could look to the Old Testament in Psalm 92:12-14 where the righteous are said to " flourish" and " grow ." This happens if they are " planted in the house of God " then they will thrive in the " courts of our God. " From this we see that faith is not static. Faith grows as we are in relationship with God. Letting Christ’s Word Dwell We don't just receive faith and we're done. No, we grow in grace and knowledge through His Word. In Colossians 3:16, Paul reminds them to " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing. " We should pray that His words are the foundation upon which we express Christ's truths. When we speak about the Bible we should think to ourselves, "What did Jesus say or teach about this?" Hearing and Doing What did Jesus say about the Word of God? Luke 11:28 tells us that Jesus said we are blessed if we " hear the Word of God and keep it ." We aren't just blessed by hearing it on Sunday morning, in Bible study, or at home when we read the Word. Our blessing comes from hearing it and keeping it. James 1:22, reminds us again not to just hear the word, but to do it. Doers and not hearers only; that is what brings blessings that accomplish the will of God. God’s Word in Action Just as rain brings flowers and fruits, Isaiah 55:10 tells us God's word always accomplishes what is intended. Indeed, the Son of God, who was the very Word of God, dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:1). He accomplished fully the purpose God had given Him. The same Greek word, Logos, used here in reference to Jesus, can also mean the Bible, as in the Word of God. Just as Jesus brings light to the world so the Scriptures, through the action of the Holy Spirit, bring His light to us, opens our eyes to understanding, and brings blessing when we obey. Equipped for Victory Our sword is the Word of God. With it we can defeat evil. With it we can understand our Father in a deeper way. We can become who we have always been meant to be. A soldier in the army of the Lord, who is prepared and blessed. Don't doubt the strength of your sword. Go forth boldly knowing that He and His word are with you and fully believe His Word is truth.