Jesus, we are told, is our Great High Priest (Hebrews 2:17, 4:14) and we, as His followers, are His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Have you ever wondered what it truly means for Jesus to be called our Great High Priest? For centuries, priests stood between God and humanity, offering sacrifices for sins. But in Jesus, something revolutionary happened. The Old Testament Priesthood and Sacrifices In the Old Testament, priests were ordained from the tribe of Levi. They had many responsibilities, but chief among them was to offer sacrifices for the atonement of the sins of the people, as well as their own. Only the High Priest was allowed once a year, on Yom Kippur, to enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple. This day, known as the Day of Atonement, was when the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of a bull for his own atonement, and the blood of a goat for the sins of the people. He would also burn incense, which symbolized the prayers of the people rising to God. What does the word atonement actually mean? Atonement refers to the need for reconciliation between sinful humans and a holy God. An atonement would offer the sacrifice of one thing for the sins of another. It was a substitution. In Old Testament times the bull and the goat were the sacrificial substitutions. At Passover, the sacrifice was a lamb. The Failures and Imperfections of the Old Testament Priesthood The priests of the Old Testament had a spotty record in being faithful to God. They were accused in many places of failing in their duties to teach the people and offer proper sacrifice. They were flawed, fallible people with a critically important job to perform for the people. They were the intercessors, the go-between, between man and God. Israel's lack of faithfulness many times was directly related to their failures. Prophecies of a New Priesthood The Old Testament contains many prophecies of a time when a new priesthood would come. Beginning in 1 Samuel 2:35, and continuing in Psalm 110, and Zechariah 3:1-10 and 6:9-15, we read that Israel will one day be under a new covenant with a priest-king. When Jesus arrives He is not of the tribe of Levi but the tribe of Judah and with that He begins a new priesthood, a New Covenant between God and man. As God's Son He is the perfect High Priest. Jesus: The Perfect and Eternal High Priest Under the Old Covenant, there were many priests, priests who were mortal men, stained with sin, who had to offer sacrifices not just for the people but for themselves as well. Jesus is the eternal, sinless high priest, who became the once and for all sacrifice for others. Jesus's blood is offered up as our sacrifice instead of bulls and goats. His sacrifice was " once for all ", not daily (Hebrews 10:11-14). Where the Levitical priests entered a Holy of Holies made with human hands, Jesus enters the true most Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). For this reason, Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15) so that we may receive eternal life. A mediator intervenes between two parties—God and man in this case— bringing them together in restored relationship. He is our atonement, our perfect and ultimate substitution, as we discussed above. Jesus: Mediator of the New Covenant When we say that Jesus is the Mediator, we mean that His death and resurrection allowed God and man to come into direct contact and reconcile us with God. He is our perfect atonement. This New Covenant that Christ mediates, is God's promise of redemption offered to the whole world, and applied to each of us as individuals, when we believe. It is based on His gift of unearned grace and not obedience to the law. At Jesus's baptism, John the Baptist recognized who Jesus was and announced: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29 Jesus was the spotless lamb offered up to redeem us from sin and death. He is our Redeemer from everlasting . The New Covenant: Redemption and Reconciliation The New Covenant was necessary because the Law was given to show man that they could never measure up to God's standards. No amount of animal sacrifice could cleanse man of his sin. The Lord looks at the heart seeking signs of change (Ezekiel 36:26). What God desired was a change of heart, as spoken of in Ezekiel 36:26: "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Old and New Covenants: Sacrifices Compared The sacrifices that the priests of the Old Testament offered were representative of the seriousness of sin and they foreshadowed the death of Jesus. They demonstrated the people's sorrow for their sins and their desire to be obedient to God. However, their sins were "covered" by the blood of their sacrifices, not completely removed. Hebrews 10:10-12 explains that those sacrifices could never take away or completely remove sin. In Matthew 12:7 Jesus quotes Hosea, " I desire mercy and not sacrifice. " Jesus wanted them to realize that God desires mercy and a change of heart more than ritual sacrifice. Our Role as a Royal Priesthood Not only is Jesus our High Priest, but we as His people, are called a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5-9). This thought is echoed in Revelation 1:6, when John tells us that the church is a kingdom of priests. The Spirit came upon Jesus at His baptism and empowered Him to begin His priestly ministry. In a similar way, Jesus baptizes us with His Holy Spirit which gives us the power to go out and proclaim God's mercy to the world (1 Peter 2:1-12). The sacrifices we, as priestly people, offer are those of praise (Hebrews 13:15). In good times and bad our praise goes up to God for the blessings we have received. We are not to neglect doing good and sharing with others. These are pleasing sacrifices to God (Hebrews 13:16). Living as Priests Without an Earthly Home In the same way that the Old Testament Levitical priests had no land of their own, but went about serving where they were needed, so we today, have no earthly home in this world. We are strangers in the earth going about serving others. Our royal priesthood exists because we have become heirs to God's kingdom. Sanctified and Set Apart for God's Work We are called to be holy just as the Old Testament priests were. Old Testament priests were sanctified, set apart as holy. Jesus prayed for us in John 17:17, asking His Father to sanctify us in the truth and telling us God's word is truth. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul says: "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Titus 2:14 tells us that we should be zealous for good works. We have been given all we need to be successful Christians, in living out God's will and growing in sanctification. (2 Peter 1:3-4). Peter says in 1 Peter 2:5, that we are a spiritual house being built by living stones. Why? To be a holy priesthood that can offer acceptable sacrifices through Jesus to God. Jesus: Our Mediator and Advocate Because Jesus is our High Priest, we do not need an earthly mediator. 1 Timothy 2:5 reminds us that there is one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus. We have become His brothers and sisters by adoption. Because of this we can go boldly before the throne of God and find mercy and grace as God's beloved children (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses We have a High Priest in Jesus who sympathizes with us in our weakness. He knew what it was like to be tempted, yet He did not sin. Hebrews 2:18 says that, " Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." What a blessing to know that our advocate before the Father, our blessed High Priest, has complete understanding of our weaknesses. A Call to Be Sanctified In Hebrews 10:14, we are told the single offering made by Jesus has forever perfected those who are being sanctified. 1 Corinthians 6:11 says we are washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus by the Spirit of God. Are you being sanctified? Are you set apart? Are you washed by the blood of the Lamb? Are you justified, freely, forever? Praise be to God if you are. If you aren't and you're reading this, it's not too late. Call on Him who is our Great High Priest.

In 2 Corinthians 2: 6-7, Paul chastises the church for not forgiving a member who had been disciplined and had repented. Paul says to beware of how Satan can creep into lives. He says we are not ignorant of the devices that Satan uses to attack us. For the Corinthians this lack of forgiveness was one way that could happen. We can know the ways he tries to creep into our minds and hearts and causes us to have little forgiveness, little love, and become resentful towards those we feel have wronged us. Are we asking the Holy Spirit to show us our weaknesses? Are we watching out for the strategies, the devices, that the Devil may be using against us? Does The Devil Have A Foothold In Your Life? This problem isn't just the churches, it is also our own. Do we tolerate sin in our own lives, allowing it to grow and destroy our relationship with God? When we repent of our sin do we think God can never use us for His Kingdom's work because we have been so bad? Do we talk lovingly to family members, especially our children, and warn them when we see them walking a path that will harm their walk with God? Do we accept them fully when they repent, just as we have been accepted by God? Satan has many tools in his bag to destroy us. Envy, pride, anger, lust and a longing to hear the things that only make us feel good, itching ears as the Bible calls it. The Devil longs to deceive, distract, divide and destroy us. Ephesians 4: 26-27 (NIV) says not to let anger give the Devil a foothold. Where have we given the Devil a foothold? Where is the chink in our armor? Continuing in sin and unrepentance allows the Devil a foothold. What does the Bible mean by the term " foothold "? This word is often used to describe a battle where one side or the other has gained a strategic position from where they can advance. Spiritually speaking a foothold is something in our lives that is going on that the Devil can use to gain more influence over us, potentially to destroy us. Does the Devil have a foothold in your life? When we are discouraged do we doubt? When we have to wait for an answer to prayer do we lose hope? Are we so distracted by the business of our lives that we forget to pray, study the word and spend quality time with God? All of these things are ways the devil inserts himself into our lives. Fighting Against Satan How do we fight against this? James 4: 7-8 says we should draw near and submit to God. Ephesians 6: 17-18 tells us to use the word of God and prayer as our weapons. Sometimes we may feel like the writer of Psalm 69. In verse 2 he proclaims that he is sinking in the miry depths with no firm ground to stand on. In such a place the Devil finds a foothold. But David continues his Psalm with prayers and finally praise because David knows that "God inhabits the praises of His people," (Psalm 22:3). This is how we fight! We fight with prayer, with praise and with the word of God, knowing and trusting in His faithfulness. We fight darkness with light. We can't let ourselves be discouraged because we know who is greater! "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." I John 4:4 To overcome though, we have to rely on God and not ourselves. This is not just a wishful hope, this is a fact. John continues in this chapter to say that we can know the difference between the spirit of truth (God) and the spirit of error (the Devil). The real judge as to who we follow and hear in this world is whether we have the love of God in us. As Christ loved others so must we. Loves Leaves No Place For Satan No matter what wonderful things that we do in this life without love they are ultimately useless. Love is patient and kind. Love is not proud, envious, rude, self-seeking, easily provoked, dwelling on evil; but love bears, believes, hopes and endures everything! (I Corinthians 13: 4-6) That kind of love leaves no place for a foothold for Satan. That kind of love recognizes the devices of the Devil and doesn't let them take root to destroy our testimony. Be Sober Minded As I Peter 5: 8 reminds us, we are to be watchful, we are to be sober minded. Why? Because the Devil prowls looking for someone to devour. Sin is crouching at the door (Genesis 4:7). A sober minded person is calm, unhurried. You know them by their ability to exercise moderation and their ability to be self-restrained. Such a person will recognize the Devil's tactics and avoid them. Resist Sin James 4: 7-8 tells us that if we are submitted to God that we will resist the Devil and he will flee from us. The closer to God we draw, the more difficult it will be for the Devil to successfully attack us. I John 3: 7-10 describes a true believer as someone who resists sinning. We can know who is "of the Devil" and who is not based on the fruit of their lives. When we are rooted in Christ we will cultivate true living Fruit of the Holy Spirit. God Provides An Escape Finally, in I Corinthians 10: 13 Paul lets us know that no matter the temptation, God has provided a way of escape. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Sometimes we may feel there is no way to escape, but there is because God is faithful. We just have to look for it and be open to the Holy Spirit to show it to us. We praise God for the armor he has given us to fight the devil. We pray for protection so that no footholds may be allowed for the evil one. Don't forget who fights for us - our great God!

The Longing for a Heavenly Homeland Can you feel it? I hear many people talk about feeling like they don't belong in this world. They talk about life as though they know there is something missing, something they long for—but can't quite put a name to it. In Hebrews 11:13-16, the author lists those faith heroes of old and tells us something about them. These giants of faith all died " in faith " but they did not receive the promises made to them. As strangers and pilgrims in this world they could see those promises as if they were " from afar ". They were assured of those promises and embraced them. Each of them was seeking a homeland. Each of them felt within themselves a longing for a place they had never been, but by faith knew existed. They could have given up on it and gone back to their old land, but they did not. One thing they desired was a better country, a heavenly country. And God, who is not ashamed to be called their God, has prepared for them a heavenly city. Longing for a Heavenly Country: A Divine Promise And what about this heavenly country? How do we imagine it, if we even try? Our longing for a heavenly country isn’t just a hopeful thought—it’s a divine promise. In Romans 8:19, Paul says, “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” Paul is reminding us that, not only do we who belong to God long for the revealing of the sons of God, but all of creation—plants, trees, and animals—waits eagerly to know who truly belongs to Him. When we long for something, we have a desire that is unfulfilled. This is what tugs at our hearts almost subconsciously and makes us know we have promises that will be fulfilled " from afar ." As Romans 8 continues, Paul talks of all of creation groaning, waiting eagerly for what is to come; and for us, we await adoption and the redemption of our bodies. All of creation will eventually be delivered from the " bondage of corruption ." God's creation will praise and obey Him. The Fulfillment of God’s Promise God will redeem all of His creation. This world, so sickened by sin from the fall of Adam and Eve, will one day be restored to the glory that God intended it to have. You and I will have physically resurrected bodies one day, just as Jesus plainly showed the disciples. 2 Peter 3:13 says that we await the New Heaven and the New Earth where righteousness lives. We will not be some ghostly presence in Heaven, but at the resurrection, we will have physical bodies renewed by the Holy Spirit of God and we will live in a perfected New Earth. Like Jesus, we will have a perfect resurrected body and we will live in a perfect Earth filled with God's righteousness. Revelation 21:1-4 plainly says that God will dwell with us in the New Earth. When we die, we do indeed go to Heaven to live with Him, but ultimately He will create a New Heaven and a New Earth and there He says He will dwell with us forever (Revelation 21:3). This unfulfilled need we have, is to live with God. Indeed, when we become Christians we begin that life but " we see as through a mirror darkly " what ultimately awaits those who are called Children of God (1 Corinthians 13:12). Philippians 3:20-21 explains this Resurrection, “ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.” Our bodies will be like His—transformed into a new physical life. Will you be yourself in Heaven? Yes, of course, just as Jesus is Jesus. So will your loved ones that have gone before you. Paradise Regained: The New Earth To quote Randy Alcorn in his sermon, C.S. Lewis on Heaven and the New Earth: God’s Eternal Remedy to the Problem of Evil and Suffering : "In Genesis, the Redeemer is promised; in Revelation, the Redeemer returns. Genesis tells the story of Paradise lost; Revelation tells the story of Paradise regained. In Genesis, man and woman fail as earth’s rulers; in Revelation righteous humanity rules the new earth, under King Jesus. Satan and sin will not thwart God’s plan!" This New Earth will be one where there is no sin, suffering, death or sorrow. No wonder we long for a Heavenly country. What we have in this world when we know Christ is but a foretaste of glory divine. This longing for Paradise is expressed so well in a hymn written over a hundred years ago. The Hymn: This World Is Not My Home In 1919 an anonymous hymn was published for the first time entitled, "This World is Not My Home." The lyrics go like this: This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world anymore. Chorus: O Lord, you know I have no friend like you, If heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world anymore. The Eternal Longing and Our True Home Don't be surprised if you can't feel at home in this world anymore. God has placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We are a stranger in the earth (Psalm 119:19). There is an unfulfilled hunger for Heaven that God has literally placed there. Its purpose is a reminder that there is more, oh so much more, that He offers us than this world we live in now. Some of us will heed that call and become His. Why? So we can live with Him forever in that city that is built four square (Revelation 21:16). A Vision of the Original Creation and Our Praise It's as though we live in a dirty city full of ugly buildings and yet somehow we have a memory of this place before. Before when it was full of trees and flowers, with flowing streams and abundant wildlife. Before when it was a place that was good for our soul. This Heaven we long for is the world as it was meant to be—the world God originally made. We praise God that we long to be at home with Him. We praise God for the place He has prepared for us. As 1 Corinthians 2:9 says: "But as it is written, 'I have told you what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined—what God has prepared for those who love Him.'" Enjoy the great Jim Reeves singing " I Can't Feel at Home in this World Anymore "

Doubt in the Wilderness: Can God Provide? " Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? " (Psalm 78:19). This question was asked by the Israelites in the desert after they had left Egypt. They had seen miracle after miracle take place. They had been given the answer to a prayer they had prayed for 400 years. The waters of the Red Sea had parted for them. They had received their deliverer Moses and been provided water, literally, from a rock, and yet they asked, " Can God....? " In spite of their doubts, God yet again provided for them with manna from Heaven. Yet this was not enough for them. They asked God to give them " the food of their fancy " (Psalm 78:18). This tested God. The miraculous manna from Heaven wasn't enough. They wanted meat. Not only were they dissatisfied with God's blessings, but they even doubted His ability to provide at all. " They said, 'Can God provide a table in the wilderness?' " God’s Response: Provision and Judgment God's response was to be furious with His people. Their lack of trust and disbelief is what angered God. God provided these rebellious children with quail that literally fell from the sky into their camp; yet, while " the meat was still between their teeth " (Numbers 11:32-35), He struck them with a plague. After such a punishment, they returned to Him, remembering His mighty deeds, but even then they flattered God, lied to Him, and were not faithful. But still, God showed compassion and patience with His people because He knew they were " but flesh, a breath that passes away " (Psalm 78:39). When Have We Asked, ‘Can God…? When we read these stories so many thousand years later, it seems completely unbelievable that they could have doubts. It seems unreal that they would abandon God and become unfaithful, and yet they are very much an example of what can happen to any of us. When have we asked, "Can God...?" And when have we believed, "God can..." because He is faithful and just? God can, because He is loving and true. God can, because we ask believing for those things we need. We believe this because, like the Israelites, we have seen His providence and care in the past and we have faith that He is still a God who can. Just as the Israelites wrestled with doubt despite witnessing God’s miraculous provision, modern believers continue to encounter moments where their faith is tested—but time and again, God shows up in unexpected ways. George Müller’s Faith and God’s Provision One such person is George Müller, who in the 1800s ran orphanages for thousands of children in England. He never asked for money or donations, but wholly depended on God to provide for their needs. One day one of the orphanages totally ran out of food. Müller instructed the children to sit at the table as he prayed a pray of thanksgiving for food. Food they did not have. There was a knock at the door. It was a local baker who had felt God urging him to bake extra bread in the night to bring to the children. Next, a milk cart broke down directly in front of his orphanage, and rather than let all the milk spoil, the milkman offered it to the children. Despite the challenges, God provided—just as Müller faithfully believed He would. Eric Liddell: Trusting God in Hardship Eric Liddell, best known for his refusal to run on a Sunday during the 1924 Olympics, later became a missionary in China. When World War II broke out, he was sent to the Weihsien Internment Camp in 1943, where conditions were harsh—food was scarce, disease was rampant, and resources were limited. Yet, instead of seeking special treatment, Liddell devoted himself to serving others, teaching children, organizing games, and encouraging fellow prisoners in their faith. Though doubt and discouragement could have easily taken hold, Liddell and other Christians in the camp prayed for God’s provision. Miraculously, help arrived at just the right times—through Red Cross packages and local Chinese believers who risked their lives to bring food and supplies. Even in suffering, God provided. Though Liddell passed away before the war ended, his unwavering faith and selfless service left a lasting impact on those around him, a testament to God’s faithfulness in even the darkest circumstances. A Life Transformed: God’s Power in the Midst of Tragedy God provides not only for physical needs but also for the renewal of our hearts. In 2011, a 26-year-old man from Ipoh, Malaysia, experienced a life-altering tragedy. While driving with his friend, they were struck head-on by a car traveling the wrong way. His friend did not survive, and he was left in a coma for two months. When he finally woke up, he had suffered massive head trauma and had to relearn everything from scratch. Simple tasks became overwhelming challenges, and recovery was a slow, painful process. After months of rehabilitation, he was finally able to walk again. In the midst of his struggle, a friend gave him a Bible and encouraged him to seek answers in God's Word. One day, he came across 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” These words stirred something deep within him. He later shared, “Instantly, my heart was lifted. This teaching by Jesus reinvigorated me and filled me with hope—God loves me, and I am His new creation! From then on, I would tell myself whenever I felt like giving up, ‘Don’t cry, don’t be discouraged. God will lead the way, just follow Him in faith.’” His recovery became more than just physical healing—it became a spiritual transformation. Since that moment, sharing his faith in God has become a priority. He thanks God for “using the accident to change me inside out.” His story is a powerful reminder that God's provision is not always about meeting material needs. Sometimes, His greatest gift is a renewed heart and a strengthened faith. God will provide our greatest need. Just as God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, just as He sustained George Müller and Eric Liddell, He continues to show up in the lives of those who trust Him. Even in the darkest seasons, He remains faithful. Can God Provide? Trusting Him in Every Season Each of us can probably remember a time in our lives when like the Israelites, we forgot the goodness of God. It may have been a time when we doubted His ability to take care of us or those we love. Sometimes we find ourselves waiting on God. Was it when someone we loved was sick and near death, was it after a divorce, or was it in the middle of a drug-induced psychosis? Is that when we asked, "Can God?" The older we get the more examples we can see of God's great faithfulness even when we have been unfaithful. There was the time we were saved from being run over by a stranger at the last minute, or the time we were down to our last dollar and someone out of nowhere reached out to help. In a million ways we can look at our lives and see God's hand of providence guiding us to that moment when we faced the reality of our great need for Him. He had preserved us, often in spite of ourselves, for that very time. Passing Down the Testimony of God’s Provision God is patient with our lack of faith and trust, but only up to a point. Sometimes He has to remind us who He is for our own good. The stories of the Israelites and their forgetfulness are in the Bible for a reason. We are to learn from their mistakes so as to not repeat them. The beginning of Psalm 78 reminds us to teach these stories of God's strength and wonderful works to the generations to come (Psalm 78:4). Why? So that their children and their children's children might " set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God " (Psalm 78:7). All of this so that they would not be like their fathers but would keep His commandments (Psalm 78:7-8). This admonition, this warning, is for us as well. God may not have parted the Red Sea for our parents, or provided water from a rock in the desert, but He still remains our faithful provider. And He desires to be acknowledged as such. Is our faith so weak, or are our memories so frail, that we can't remember His past provisions? Can God provide? Of course, and we must trust Him in every season to do so. Let's do our part to pass on to our children and their children the many ways we have witnessed God's faithfulness—not just in the big, dramatic ways, but also in the small, everyday, simple ways that make our lives worth living for Him. God can prepare a table in the wilderness, and we know it!

Abraham Knows God Will Provide The first time we hear the expression, " God will provide ", is in Genesis 22:8. Isaac asks his father where is the lamb for sacrifice and Abraham replies, "And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” Most of us know the story. Abraham is about to plunge the knife into Isaac when the Angel of the Lord stopped him. The Lord himself did provide a sacrifice that day; and many, many years later God provided the ultimate sacrifice for you and I on that same hill, Jesus, His only Son. Abraham Blessed Abraham passed the ultimate test of faithfulness and obedience. He knew God had promised that his descendants would come through Isaac and he trusted God that no matter what happened that promise would be fulfilled. Abraham was blessed because of his obedience. In Genesis 22:18 we are told that all nations would be blessed through his offspring. The Bible tells us over and over that God has promised to provide for us when we are obedient and faithful. He provides for those who love Him. What are some ways that God provides? The Psalms Speak of God's Provision The beginning of beautiful Psalm 23, that many of us know by heart, reminds us that our shepherd is the Lord and because of this we will not have want. In Psalm 34:10, we are told that those who seek God don't lack anything good. And again, in Psalm 84:11, we learn that God doesn't withhold good from those who live an upright life. In Psalm 91:2, we read that God provides a refuge and a fortress for those who dwell in Him. Are you hurting, emotionally or physically? Run to Him! Jesus Speaks of God's Provision In Matthew 6: 25-34, Jesus tells us do not worry about tomorrow. He explains that the birds are watched over by God and how much more valuable each of us is to Him than they are. Our Lord tells us in Matthew 7:11 that He will give good things to us if we ask Him because God is our loving Father. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus says that He provides rest to the weary. He wants us to be free from the cares of this world. He wants us to rest in Him, to trust Him in every circumstance. Jesus explains in John 15:7 that if we abide in Christ and His words in us, then whatever we wish will be provided to us. If we live in Him, our will, and His, will be the same. We won't ask wrongly. God's Provision -Peace, Rewards, A Way of Escape Philippians 4:7 speaks of God providing a peace that passes understanding and that our hearts and minds will be guarded by that peace. Jesus is the Lord of peace . How often in today's world are we worried, troubled by terrible news? Only God can give a perfect peace at times in our lives when it seems impossible to be at peace. Paul tells the church at Philippi that God will provide all their needs (Philippians 4:19). Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we are rewarded when we seek Him. When we seek God, He gives us the ultimate reward - eternal life! I Corinthians 10:13 explains that when we are tempted God provides a way of escape. This provision will save us from much heart ache and sorrow that comes from disobedience and sin. Provision So We Can Be Generous When we trust that God will provide our needs, we will be more generous to others . When we trust God to provide our needs, we will be more satisfied with what we have. It is important to discern a need from a want. If our brother or sister in Christ is struggling to find food or shelter, we should generously provide for them because we know that sharing the blessings of God is expected. God's provision for you may come from others who will share what they have with you (2 Corinthians 9:8-9). Provision Beyond Our Expectations God's provision isn't just limited to what we can imagine or what we pray for. God's provision is sometimes beyond anything we can even imagine. According to Ephesians 3:20, " Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," Have you seen God provide in your life over and above anything you asked of Him? Have you been in awe of some of the things you have seen God do in other people's life? Don't be blind to the actions of God around you. See His hand at work in your life to provide for you in ways you never expected. See the actions of a loving Father and with Paul be able to say, "to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:21 Enjoy this powerful message through song, God Will Provide ! God's Provision

Watching YouTube this week I saw an interesting interview with Ben Shapiro. Shapiro is the host of The Ben Shapiro Show , a daily political podcast and live radio show. In this interview this is how he explained the difference between Christianity and Judaism. Mr. Shapiro is Jewish. He said: "C hristianity says you believe the thing therefore you do the thing, Judaism says You do the thing, therefore you believe the thing." A Life Transformed by the Holy Spirit What he is saying is that Christians believe in God and then do good, while Jewish people do good (follow the law) and then believe in God. Mr. Shapiro was right, up to a point. As Christians, we believe in God and then we have a desire to live the life that Christ wants us to live. What Mr. Shapiro may not be aware of is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. In the comment section of the video someone known as " Prayerfully Blessed Mama " posted an explanation. She said, "I don’t just believe, so therefore I can do good. The Holy Spirit literally abides in me from baptism and is minute by minute transforming me into the best version of myself God wants me to be." Our lives are transformed by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our desire to be better people, to forsake sin, comes from the Holy Spirit not from ourselves. "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2: 13 New Creatures We are new creatures. Changed, never to be the same again. I remember the testimony of a man many years ago. He was a wonderful evangelist. He had been a drunk, an alcoholic who stumbled into church one night, sitting at the back and expecting nothing, who was touched by the Holy Spirit and gave his heart and life to God. He never drank again. He went on to become a powerful preacher. A Work in Progress Most of our transformation stories are not as dramatic or as sudden as his, but they can be. For most of us our transformation is a work in progress. We change, then regress, then we get on the straight path, then fall, then go forward... but the general direction is always forward. Always closer to the human being our Lord intended us to be. My Spirit in You The Old Testament hints of this new way of being. Ezekiel explains that there will come a time when the Jewish nation won't " do the thing, therefore you believe the thing" as Mr. Shapiro put it. The time will come, the prophet Ezekiel says, when God will " put my Spirit within you " and because of this Spirit He will " cause you to walk in My statutes". This is our transformation! (Ezekiel 36: 26-27) A New Covenant Jeremiah also speaks of the days coming when God "will make a new covenant" Jeremiah 31:31. This new Spirit, new covenant , comes about in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit falls on the disciples like tongues of fire. The comforter was sent and lives were transformed. Jesus told the disciples that this would happen. Jesus Leaves - The Holy Spirit Arrives Jesus explained to His disciples in John 16:7 that it was actually a good thing for Him to leave them. Why? Because without the death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven of Jesus; then the Comforter, the Helper, the Holy Spirit wouldn't be able to come to us. For us to be transformed the Holy Spirit must be present in us. How Are We Transformed? What does it mean to be a transformed Christian? A transformed life is a life that desires a relationship with God. A transformed life wants to study, wants to learn, about the God they love. A transformed life desires to NOT sin. If they do sin they seek forgiveness, repent and turn from that sin. A transformed life doesn't forsake fellowship with other Christians. A transformed life listens and speaks to God. It is a life of prayer. A transformed life loves - God and others. A transformed life is a new creation . "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5: 17 Change Should Be Evident As Paul says, " It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." ( Galatians 2:20 ) This change should be dramatic enough that people know the difference. After I came to know Christ a good friend who I had not seen in many months stopped by my house to visit. This person paused and said, " Something is different about you. You aren't the same. " I hadn't told the friend what had happened to me but my friend knew something was changed. Mercy and Forgiveness I wish I could say that I have always lived in a transformed way, but sadly I can't. I have had times when I struggled to live the Christian life, times when Jesus could say to me, " Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. " (Revelation 2: 4) But because He is merciful and forgiving, when I repent, He welcomes me back. I am not deserving of His mercy and forgiveness. He offers them freely, but He also expects for me to repent and to walk with Him again that transformed life that His Holy Spirit makes possible for each of us. Have you been transformed? A Transformed Life

Gideon was a judge of Israel from the tribe of Manasseh, the youngest of his father's children from the weakest tribe, but called by God to become a mighty warrior. He would become Gideon, a mighty man of valor. Gideon Had Doubts Gideon was a questioner. Like many of us he had his doubts about his call. When the Angel of the Lord told Him the Lord is with you, Gideon questioned how that could be. The Midianites were controlling the land. They were stealing crops and making life miserable for the Israelites. Gideon questions the Angel of the Lord, " Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” Judges 6: 13 (b) Don't we do the same? Don't we question, "Where are you God?". When things are bad, don't we wonder, as Gideon did, if God is really with us? Because if He was with us where are the miracles that we plead for? Who Me? When the Lord told Gideon He was sending him to defeat the Midianites, Gideon tells Him that he was from a weak tribe and the least in his family. Gideon is a simple farmer. Excuses, excuses; poor Gideon was looking for a way out. You know he was thinking, "Me? Anyone but me. Not me Lord. Look at my pitiful weak self." He was right about one thing. He was weak, but the One who was sending him was not weak. Gideon's strength would be found in Him. Our excuses are the same. Not me Lord. I am nobody. I can't do this thing you are asking of me. It's too hard. I am too busy. I am not the right person. Pick someone else. Pick someone stronger, more important, smarter, a leader, anyone but me. We forget where our strength comes from. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us! (Romans 6:10-11) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4: 13 Gideon Needed A Sign Then Gideon challenged the Lord to give him a sign, " that it is really you talking to me ." (Judges 6: 17b) Gideon left to prepare an offering. He returned and the Lord ignited the bread and meat with His staff and immediately disappears. Gideon received his sign. Don't we want a sign as well? Don't we wish for the Lord to tell us directly that something is really His will? Don't we want to know without a doubt that it is the Lord directing us and not just our own thoughts and desires? The Lord Saves Fearing he would die for seeing the Lord, God granted Him mercy and told him he would not die. In response to this Gideon built an altar to the Lord in Ophrah. He called the altar, the Lord is Peace, Yahweh-Shalom. As Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 3: 16, "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." The Lord had heard the cries of his unfaithful and idol worshipping people and had come to save them. In the midst of our sin today, who do we cry out to? Do we cry out to the things of the world, to the atheistic philosophies that are everywhere? No, we know they have no power. We know only God in His great mercy will save us. He has sent His Son, our deliverer from sin, to lead us into a new path, a new life with our Father. Let Baal Defend Himself Next the Lord told Gideon to tear down his own father's altar to Baal and put an altar to the Lord in its place. Gideon did as he was told under cover of night because he was afraid of the repercussions of his action. In the morning the people of the town quickly discovered who did it and demanded he be put to death. But Gideon's own father defends him, and tells them that if Baal was really a god, then he could defend himself. Was God testing Gideon? Was He making sure that Gideon would obey? That Gideon would do something that might even cost him his life if God told him to? Does God ask you to do hard things? Does he ask you to stand for Him when no one else, not even your own family, will? One More Sign Then the enemies of Israel encamped in the Valley of Jezreel to come against them. But, the Spirit of the Lord fell upon Gideon, who with the very strength of God Himself, raised an army to go against them. Once again Gideon questions God. How patient God is with us. He allows us to doubt Him, to question Him, to be unsure of His faithfulness even though He has shown Himself faithful over and over again. Perhaps Gideon was still somewhat afraid of the task he had been called to do. Once more he asks for a sign. Dew must only be on a fleece in the morning and nowhere else. And it happened just as he asked, but yet he still makes one more request. This request he knows is probably one too many. He asks God to please not be angry with him. This time dew must be everywhere except on the fleece. And it happened just as he asked. There was no doubting God anymore. He knew without a doubt that God would save Israel by his hand. What does it take to convince you and I that something is God's will? Do we ask for multiple signs? Do we seek verification in our spirit that God will be with us in the task at hand? John 10: 4 (b) says " They know his voice ." God is speaking we may just not be listening. We may not be called to do miraculous wonders but we are called to be obedient. Do we hear Him in the small things He asks of us? If we do, we will be able to hear Him in the bigger tasks. Gideon - A Mighty Man Of Valor Gideon does save his people and there is no doubt that it was with God at his side. God transforms lives today just as he did Gideon from a weak young farmer to a mighty man of valor. His great army was whittled down to just 300 but it didn't matter. With God, numbers don't matter. We don't have to ask God how He will do a thing; we just need to know that if He says it, it will happen. We have to trust and obey Him. " Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119: 89

A minister has so many jobs. He teaches, he corrects, he encourages, he visits the sick, and he is constantly thinking of new ways to share the Gospel with the people around him, among many other things. What does the word minister actually mean? It means to serve. Every Christian’s Call to Serve in Ministry Who is called to be a minister? It may surprise you to know that we are all, as Christians, called to ministry. Paul is uniquely qualified to explain to us what that actually looks like. Paul’s Example: Called to Serve Most of us know that Paul's calling was to be a " servant for Christ, " a minister and an apostle, who was set apart for the Gospel (Romans 1:1). Paul recognized and fulfilled the task the Holy Spirit impressed on him to do, which was to spread the Good News to the Gentiles. Paul's missionary journeys carried him from Jerusalem, throughout Asia Minor, Macedonia (Greece) and to Rome. He even intended to preach to those as far away as Spain, but we don't know if he was ever able to go there (Romans 15:24). Equipping the Saints for Ministry Paul's missionary ministry is what we think of when someone talks about being an evangelist or a pastor. Scripture makes it clear that every Christian is called to serve in ministry, not just those in leadership roles. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:11-12 that the reason some are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers is so that those people can " equip the saints for the work of ministry. " Our Ministry Responsibilities You and I are those saints if we belong to Jesus. We are being equipped to minister. What is expected of us in the role of minister? Colossians 3:16 lists some of these jobs that we should do for each other: teach admonish - which means to gently caution, warn, or encourage another Christian to do or not do something. sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs - yes, we are told to sing to each other. Galatians 5:13 tells us that in love we should serve one another. In 1 Peter 4:10, Peter explains that each of us has a gift that is to be used to serve others. Spiritual Gifts in Ministry Paul explains in Romans 12:6-8 that our gifts are different " according to the grace given to us ". These include: prophecy - declaring a prophecy is from God. service - providing help to others in the right way at the right time. teaching - when people explain the Word to us in the Spirit. exhorting - this means encouraging or urging someone. contributing - sometimes called the gift of giving. leadership - a person who can motivate with zeal and lead a group in the way the Holy Spirit desires. mercy - either showing others the forgiveness Christ offers or ministering to those in need, but always with cheerfulness. Unity in Diversity: The Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 has another list of gifts. But no matter what gift we have, it is to be used for others. They are all gifts of God . We are all one body in Christ, but as Paul says elsewhere, the body has many parts that function differently. All those parts are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Your gift, even if you think it is small, can be used, and should be used, in service or in ministry to our Lord. The Parable of the Talents: A Call to Faithful Stewardship Perhaps we have felt envious of others, who we may feel have a more important gift than ours, but we are told repeatedly that all gifts are of value. Maybe we have a gift we have never used. Maybe we have allowed fear to keep us from using our gifts. Jesus spoke about this in the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. He begins by saying, " The kingdom of Heaven is like.... " In this parable we read about a man traveling to a far country for an extended period of time. He leaves three men (stewards) in charge of his wealth. To one man he gives five talents, to another, two, and to the last man, one. This was a considerable amount of money. Each steward was given money based on his ability. These men should have understood the spirit in which the money was given. The first two men successfully turned a one hundred percent profit on the money, but the third man, who feared his master, buried his talent in the ground so as not to lose it. When the master returned the men who gained a profit are praised, given even more responsibilities, and allowed to enter into the joy of their lord. Sadly, though the fearful steward was rejected and punished and the one coin he had was taken away. Because we know one day Jesus will return, like the master in the parable, we must be keenly aware that while He is gone, we have responsibilities. We need to know our master and His expectations while He is gone, in the same way that the profitable stewards did. We don't want to be like the lazy, fearful steward who sat back and did nothing while his master was gone. His opportunities were wasted. God’s Provision and Our Accountability It is God who has given us everything we have. All our talents, gifts and abilities come from Him. By using those gifts for His kingdom, they multiply and are used in ways far beyond our ability to understand. We are accountable for how we use the blessings and gifts we have been given. Judgment: Serving the Least of These Jesus continues in Matthew 25:31-46 to discuss the coming judgment of mankind. He speaks of His sheep on His right hand who fed Him, clothed Him, gave Him water, took care of Him in sickness, and visited Him in prison. The sheep are confused, not understanding that when they did it to the least of the people around them they were doing it for Him. Their love for others was proof of their love for Him. They had a servant's heart . The sheep are rewarded with eternal life. The goats, on the other hand, did not do those things for Him because they didn't care for the least of the people. They are sent to everlasting punishment. The people who did not show love, who did not serve others, were never His. They were never ministers of others. As 1 John 4:20 reminds us, "If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" The Ministry of Reconciliation Our ministry extends beyond showing love to others. We are told to have a ministry of reconciliation. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that because we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, meaning that our sin was removed once for all, we now have a " ministry of reconciliation. " He continues in 2 Corinthians 5:20 to say that God makes " His appeal through us." Our ministry as Christians is to tell others about Jesus' saving grace. In reality, this is showing true love to others. This is not just the job of missionaries or pastors standing before us on Sunday morning. Serving in the Footsteps of Christ Finally, Matthew 20:28 reminds us that we serve because He served . Jesus didn't come to the world to be served; no, he came to serve others and this is what He expects of us. This service, our ministry, to others is to show Christ and His love to a lost and dying world. We do this through using the gifts He has given us through the Holy Spirit. Whether our gifts are many or few, they come from Him so that through them we can bless others.

One of the sweetest things about children is their need to know that their parent is close by. If you go to the park, or sometimes even just to another room, you will often find your child checking to make sure they know exactly where you are. They need to know you can see them. They become uneasy if they can't see you. As soon as they know where you are they relax knowing they are safe. Psalm 139: Experiencing God's All-Knowing Love In Psalm 139 the psalmist speaks of God in similar ways. In Psalm 139: 1-6 he tells us that God knows everything about us. Not just us as a member of the human race, but us as an individual on an intimate level. What does God know about us? He knows the most boring and mundane things about us. He knows when we get up and when we sit down, he knows all of our ways, the things we do, and the words on our tongue. Are we praising Him? He knows. Are we cursing in frustration? He knows that too. God’s Protection and Guidance Verse 5 says that "You hedge me behind and before" . This means He protects us and when something happens it is because He has allowed it to happen. His hand is always guiding us, whether we realize it or not. Even when we feel weak, we can trust that He is near to strengthen us. All of this is too much for the psalmist to grasp. Although we should learn as much as possible about God, absolute understanding of who He is, is impossible. God is Always Present In verses 7-12, the psalmist explains not only does God know everything about us, no matter where we are or what we are doing God is near to us. I remember as a young person reminding myself many times, that if I was doing good or doing bad, God was there. If we really believed this in our heart of hearts it would give us pause when we choose to do bad. He continues and tells us spiritual darkness can't hide from God because the "night shines like the day" . Nothing we do is concealed from God. Everything, good or bad, is seen by Him. God as Creator and Sustainer In verses 13-16, we discover that not only does God know everything about us and is always present with us, He also is the One who formed us. While we were still in our mother's womb, God Himself cared for us and knew us intimately. Before we were born we mattered to God. He purposefully created each of us. David says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Even though David knew little of the science we call biology, he knew that the human body was a masterpiece of God's design. The more we learn about the workings of the human body the more amazing it is. All of this points to a creator God, not just accident. In verse 16, the psalmist tells us that God knows everything about us, from the womb to the grave— everything we ever will do. The length of our lives, the impact we will have on others, for good or bad, He sees. This should fill us with humility. Proverbs 27:1 says we shouldn't boast about tomorrow because we don't know what tomorrow will bring. Each day we live is a blessing. Our Response to God’s Greatness How do we respond to the greatness of God? In verses 17-18, the psalmist rejoices. "How precious..." , he begins. How precious, indeed, is the creator of the universe, who knows and cares so deeply for each one of us. Do we want to know Him better? Dive deep into His words and He will reveal Himself to us, His will for us, and how we should bless Him all of our days. In this world we are often impressed when someone of power or influence notices us. We tell others when we meet such people. "I remember when I met the President" or "I remember when I went to a party with ______." How much more should it mean to us that God's thoughts towards us are so many they are like grains of sand, immeasurable, according to David. Divine Justice and Transformation David's focus shifts in verses 19-22. Because He is so overwhelmed with love and adoration for God, he calls on God for swift justice for those who " speak against you wickedly. " Many times we don't understand how those who do evil things or speak against God are not punished, but often God's patience is greater than ours. Paul committed many evil acts against Christians until He met Jesus. From then on he was a transformed man who became a great missionary for our Lord. The Call to Self-Examination To end this beautiful psalm, David cries out in verses 23-24, and with humility asks God to " Search me, O God, and know my heart." The prophet Jeremiah says this about the heart, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" David knew only God could truly understand His heart. God knew him even better than he knew himself. We shouldn't ask God to search us if we haven't first searched ourselves. Have we examined our heart? Have we acted upon what we found out about ourselves? Guarding Our Thoughts and Anxieties David called on God to "know my anxieties" . Why? Because these things are often proof that we have not placed our trust in God . Some translations say, "know my thoughts." Our thoughts can become fully formed into sin if we are not careful. Our Lord says in Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." God needs to be in control of our actions and our thoughts. The world is busy today stoking our fear and anxiety. But Peter says to "cast your cares on Him for He cares for us" (1 Peter 5:7). Do we really believe that? Even the Lord's return, which should be a joyful time, has seemingly been turned into a source of worry for many. Let God show you the things that are causing you anxiety. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can truly give our cares to God.  Uncovering Hidden Sin David knew that we don't always recognize the wickedness that lies within our hearts. He knew that we often deceive ourselves and think we are much better than we actually are. Humbly, he requested God to "see if there is any wicked way in me." David wanted God to expose any secret sin that he should repent of. We also should see the truth of Psalm 139 by experiencing God's all-knowing love, living each day with the knowledge that nothing is hidden from Him. The Courage to Embrace the Truth David's prayer takes courage. God may show some things about ourselves that we would rather not know. He may expose things that we have been doing that we have tried to deny. Our Father may show us that we have to take off our mask and face the truth about ourselves. We have to remember to thank Jesus that He is faithful and just to forgive us when we ask (1 John 1:9)! The Invitation to Follow God’s Way Finally, David asks God to, "lead me in the way everlasting." Contrary to the way of the wicked which leads to everlasting destruction, David asks God to lead him down His path. This is the way to eternal life with the God who David knew, knew everything about Him, was always with Him, and cared for Him more than He could comprehend. Paths that don't lead to God are dangerous paths. When we love God like David did, we will be like that little child, always wanting to keep their eyes on their parent. When our eyes are on our Father God, then we can rest and feel at ease, knowing it is He that cares for us. It is He who is in charge of us and will lead us on right paths. Do we want to be led in the way everlasting; the way of holiness that only the Holy Spirit offers us? Like Paul, we want to be able to say that we have kept the faith and that a crown of righteousness has been laid up for us (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

We know the Lord loves us with an absolute and unconditional love. He is consistent. When we know someone only wants the best for us and we know they will always stand with us we can trust them. We don't just trust them in the good times but we also trust them in the bad. As the old hymn says, My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5 Lean On God We can't " lean on our own understanding" because what understanding do we really have? We can't see the end result of our actions. We can't see all of the lives we touch. We can't understand the ways of the people around us. To lean on something means to use it as a support when times are hard. We lean on a friend's arm to comfort us, we lean on a crutch when we are injured, we lean on a handrail to support us and so we are to lean, not on our so-called understanding of the world around us, but lean on God. Acknowledge God According to Proverbs 3:6, if we acknowledge God He will direct our lives. We should acknowledge God at work in our lives because we know His presence is near and His hand is on us, even if we can't always feel it or see it. We acknowledge blessings even in the difficult times. Our prayer should be that God's will be done in our lives every day. When we do this, He WILL direct our paths. In Isaiah 48:17, God says, " I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go." Still Waters We want to be on God's path because it is described as restful. It isn't stress filled and anxiety laden. It isn't full of worry. In Psalm 23: 2(b), we are told that "He will lead me beside still waters. " The Hebrew word for still waters is, " Mai Menochot " which means literally "restful waters". Our Shepherd wants to guide us to a place of confidence, trust and rest where we can rely totally on Him. We mustn't confuse this path with one that is trouble free. Yes, there will be problems and troubles, but He will bring us through them and keep us on the right path. God's Gift Of Wisdom Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. Proverbs 3: 7 It's certainly a good thing to be wise, but we also need to be able to acknowledge our shortcomings and realize that wisdom is a gift from God, not something we can have on our own. We aren't supposed to view ourselves as wise. Compared to God's wisdom ours is but a shadow. We can be wise, but it must be in humility. How do we gain wisdom? The first step David tells us in Psalm 111:10, is to " fear the Lord ." If we are wise, we will " fear the Lord " and we will " depart from evil. " We have to have a healthy respect for the Lord to want to do good and leave evil behind. We know that God is love, but also, He is a God who is a just judge. When we have wisdom, it helps us to understand what the will of God for our lives is. Ephesians 5:17 warns us not to be unwise. He emphasizes understanding the will of God. James describes someone who has the wisdom of God in James 3:17. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." In verses 14-16, James explains how worldly wisdom is quite different. Worldly wisdom is envious, self-seeking and causes confusion. This wisdom is from the devil. A Wise Woman What does a godly wise person look like? One of the great examples of a wise person in the Bible is found in Proverbs 31: 10-31. In this passage is described a woman who fears the Lord and who opens her mouth with wisdom. She is resourceful, hardworking, a provider for her family, a help to those in need and prepared for the future. She is a blessing to her husband and to those around her. Her wisdom comes from her relationship with God. Fear The Lord When Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes it is believed that he was close to the end of his life. He was given the gift of wisdom, but squandered it, and instead lived a mostly foolish life. In the end though, as he looked back on his many failures, he had this to say, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 How can God truly direct our paths if we do not fear Him? Solomon says this is man's all to Fear the Lord and obey Him. Fear the Lord

Lessons from Jacob’s Night of Prayer When we wrestle with God, we are changed. Genesis 32:24-29 relates one of the strangest stories in the Bible. Jacob, the liar and deceiver, was on his way to meet his brother Esau whom he had tricked into giving up his birthright. Jacob was fearful; believing his brother might try to kill him. Alone, Jacob prayed. This ancient story shows us how God can use our darkest nights to increase our faith. Wrestling with the Mysterious Figure Then a figure appeared in the night and began to wrestle with him. This figure, Jacob came to realize, was God (Genesis 32:30). Jacob begged for a blessing from God. God injured him, leaving him with a limp the rest of his life, but also gave him the blessing. He also changed his name from Jacob to Israel. Name changes often signified a change in a person's character or relationship to God. It frequently was related to their role in God's plans. From Deceiver to Israel Jacob's name meant "supplanter," or a person who lived by deceit and trickery. Jacob was a manipulator of people. He wasn't the kind of person you would think God would pick to be the father of God's people, but then God often picks people that you and I would not to be leaders. His new name, Israel, meant "God perseveres" or "one who struggles with God". A Life Transformed by One Night This encounter changed, not just Jacob's name, but the path of his whole life. From one who sought blessings through manipulation, he became a man who sought God and looked to God for his blessings. Like many of us, Jacob wanted good things in whatever way he could get them. But that changed after a night of prayer and struggle. He finally understood that God's will was truly what was best. The Limp That Taught Him Trust The injury Jacob received that night stayed with him the rest of his life as a reminder of who his trust should be in. His trust had to be in God. He had to realize that it was God who was leading him to this life changing moment. It was God, whom he would always have to rely on, not his skills of deception. After this blessing instead of Esau meeting him with murderous intentions, Esau embraced and wept with his brother, Jacob. A Pattern of Struggle in the Bible Jacob's struggle with his faith and transformation was mirrored by others in the Bible: Peter, who denied Jesus three times, Thomas who doubted in the resurrection, Jonah who didn't want God to bless people he felt were undeserving, and even Moses who didn't believe people would listen to him because of his speech problems. God often asks us to do difficult things. Just as these heroes struggled, so must we. Is God Calling You to Let Go of Doubt and Fear? Has God told you to give up an addiction? Maybe God has told you to start a Bible study in your home but you're afraid to. Has He asked you to give more time to helping the poor and needy? We struggle with doubt needlessly, for it is not the high and mighty whom God often uses, but the weak and lowly. When we realize our weakness then we can depend on God to provide our strength. The Promise of His Presence Like Jacob we pray for safety and protection. What we often wish for is a life free from sorrow and pain, but that is not what we are promised. What we are promised is a Savior who will always be there with us through life's trials. It is through struggle that we grow in trust and obedience to the will of God. It serves a rich purpose in our lives. We learn to stand on His promises . Alone, But Not Forgotten Notice something else in Jacob's story. He was left alone (Genesis 32:24). When we are alone, the only one with us is God. He never leaves us or forsakes us (Joshua 1:5). When we are alone we can finally really hear His voice, focus on Him, and know that we have always mattered to Him (Jeremiah 1:5). Without distractions from the world and people around us we are able to better see our true selves. We can begin to see in ourselves what God sees. God Keeps His Promises Jacob would become the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. If Esau had killed him that day, the covenant made with Abraham, that his descendants would become a great nation and bless all the families of the earth, would have been jeopardized. But God always keeps His promises (Hebrews 10:23). It was Jacob's doubts that caused him to fear. His doubts created a struggle with his faith that didn't need to happen if he had truly believed God. How often do you and I doubt that God will do as He promised? Do we doubt His forgiveness for our sins? We shouldn't doubt our salvation that He has blessed us with. Each of us should have times we see God at work to transform our lives. There are moments we can look back on and say, "Ah yes, that was God!" In Jesus we see a Man who suffered and died for us so that we could be transformed. When we struggle with God in prayer, even if it is for years, our struggles pale in comparison to His suffering. So much of our lives are spent in pretending, thinking we have it all together, when in our deepest hearts we are struggling to find that faith that transforms us. So do we struggle for a night, a month, or years to realize God's blessings? Are we as tenacious as Jacob? Do we "hang on to God" with all of our might until there is a breakthrough in our lives? Our seriousness about our relationship with Him determines the depth and honesty of our faith. Remember, His compassion never fails . Many people will think back on a beloved mother or grandmother who may have prayed for decades for their child to be saved. They may have struggled with believing that God does keep His promises. Perhaps they almost gave up, but they did not. They clung to God and waited for the answer to their prayer. Maybe you, as a believer today, are the answer to that prayer. But during those many years before we became a believer, we lived a life of sin and regret much like Jacob. A Life of Regret and Redemption While talking to Pharaoh in Genesis 47:9, Jacob says, ". ..few and evil have been the days of the years of my life... " Here, Jacob is 130 years old, but he acknowledged that he had not been a good person most of his life. Many of us today were blessed to have been raised in a Christian home and can not really remember ever having not believed in Christ, but some of us know about the "God of second chances." This is the God who in spite of our sin, has reached out with forgiveness, offering us His hope. Jacob may have looked back on his life and acknowledged his sin, but God's blessing was still on His life. He still became the father of Israel, the one who perseveres. Did Jacob have regrets about some of his decisions? I believe without a doubt that he did, yet he also knew that God blessed him mightily. Can we not all say, as forgiven people, that " evil has been the days of the years of my life? " As Jesus explains in Luke 7:47, " Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. " Jacob seems to have "loved much." He is listed in Hebrews 11:21 as one of the 'faith heroes' of the Bible. Jacob, as an imperfect man, is so like us. It took wrestling with God to open his eyes to the fact that God's promises never fail. When God Meets Us in the Struggle of Faith When we have doubts and fears it is good to remember Jacob. God did not leave Jacob alone to wonder if He would be there for him. When God meets us in the struggle of faith, we can trust that it is for our good. God reached out to Jacob in a very real way. Did Jacob really want God's blessing? It took him all night to realize what was important. How long will it take us? People Also Ask Who was the man Jacob wrestled with? In Genesis 32:24 he is referred to as a man but by Genesis 32:30 Jacob says, " I have seen God face to face. " Hosea 12:4 refers to him as the angel. Many theologians say this is an example of a Theophany in the Old Testament. A place where God appears as a human in the Old Testament, foreshadowing Jesus' coming as both fully man and fully God. Whether angel or God, there is no doubt that Jacob had a spiritual turning point that led to his blessing and new identity.

If you sin, does that make you a hypocrite? Are all Christians hypocrites? Of course not. We have become too quick to agree with the world when it accuses Christians of hypocrisy. But what really is hypocrisy? It is very simply pretending to be something you are not. Does being a Christian require us to be perfect? No. However, we must be different from those in the world or the title Christian becomes meaningless. Sin Versus Hypocrisy and Repentance Christians, like all humans, sin. Sinning in itself does not make someone a hypocrite. The difference between those in the world and those outside is whether we continue in a sin. A true Christian will repent and turn from a sin. They won't remain in it as if it didn't matter what they did or how they acted. Hidden Hearts: Judas and the Disciples Remember, Jesus never called his disciples hypocrites. Needless to say, they were not perfect men, but the image they projected matched what was in their hearts. Jesus did, however, warn them of the dangers of a hard heart (Mark 8:17-18). Only one of them would have matched the definition of a hypocrite, Judas. How closely he walked with Jesus and yet sadly his heart was unchanged. And apparently he kept that heart well hidden from the other disciples. To help us understand clearly what hypocrisy was, Jesus gave us unmistakable signs. Biblical Signs of Hypocrisy The Bible tells us how to discern a hypocrite: 1 John 4:20 says that if we hate someone, we can't love God. That is a sign of hypocrisy. Matthew 6:1 tells us that if we " practice righteousness " in order to be seen, we have no reward from God. Matthew 7:5 explains that we can't criticize others for doing sinful things when we are sinning. Matthew 23:23 says that the scribes and Pharisees are hypocrites because they are so careful to follow all the rules, but the most important ones, " justice, mercy, and faithfulness, they neglect. " James 1:26 lets us know that if we can't control our mouth our religion is worthless. Some of us mothers may have dealt with this. Judith taught young people in Sunday School, where she discussed controlling our anger and our tongues. And yet, at home, her children were on the receiving end of too much anger, too much lack of control over her tongue. This was hypocrisy. It was damaging to them. Through prayer and repentance the Lord helped her overcome that sin. Her relationship with her children improved and their relationship with God was better because they now saw a mother who wasn't just talking about faith but actually living it. Lip Service Versus Genuine Devotion These can really all be summed up by Jeremiah 12:2, which says, in part, "You are near in their mouth but far from their mind." It is easy to speak Christian, but are our minds and hearts centered on the One that we are speaking about? Isaiah 29:13 reiterates this, " And the Lord said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, while their hearts are far from Me, and their fear of Me is a commandment taught by men." Jesus even quotes Isaiah in Matthew 15:8-9 to condemn the Pharisees. Is the awe and reverence, this " fear of Me ", we have for God simply something that we have because our traditions have taught us this, or is it because we are in relationship with Him and realize that He is truly the all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present Creator and Redeemer of us all? True Salvation Versus Mere Performance True salvation changes us. That change should be evident to those around us. Many of us have often heard people say, "I don't want to go to church because there are too many hypocrites there." To which the reply is often: "Well, come and join us; you will just be one more." But that can't be true. Why? Because if church is a "hospital for sinners" where they go to find a cure, how can we say we are just like those on the outside. If we all stay just the same, then why does anyone even go to church? If there is no difference between the healed and the sick then why go to the doctor? Are We Sinners Saved by Grace or Just Hypocrites? If I were an unbeliever and heard that, I would say, "Well thanks, but no thanks." Our faith becomes meaningless if we are never changed. Is it not blasphemy to imply that the Holy Spirit is powerless to create a new heart in us? God's grace was costly , not something we should take lightly. When we think that we don't really have to change we become a little lazy about becoming sanctified. The Bible tells us to be " diligent workers " (2 Peter 3:14). In other words, we are people that work hard at becoming more Christ-like, more loving, and more forgiving. In John 9:4, Jesus reminds us, " We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. " So are we sinners saved by grace or just hypocrites? A life of faith calls us to actively pursue Christlikeness—to repent, seek forgiveness, and love one another sacrificially . We are to be diligent Christians . Are we doing good deeds just so others will see them and be impressed? We may all have moments of hypocrisy, moments of failure, but that doesn't mean we live there, in the land of make-believe and play-acting. The Danger of Spiritual Pride I love how the Bible speaks so plainly sometimes. Galatians 6:3 doesn't pull any punches when it says, " For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. " Those moments when we believe we could never be a hypocrite, never sin in a certain way, or that we are better Christians than so many others, those are the moments to beware. Like the Pharisees, we often think we are so much more than we really are. The Pharisees thought they were better than others because they followed the law, or so they thought. They ignored the will of God. They couldn't understand the true meaning of the Law nor could they see the Savior for who He was. They loved traditional rituals. They were greedy. The people around them probably thought they were holy but Jesus saw past the front they were putting on for others. Hidden Sins: The Picture of Dorian Gray That kind of corruption reminds me of the book by Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray . In this book and the film, we see handsome and admired Dorian living his best life, while all the time his decadence and sin are transferred to a portrait he kept hidden away. At the end of his life, he is still quite handsome but the picture looks more like a hideous monster, too ugly for anyone to even look at. Like Dorian, we can fool the world with a polished exterior, while our hearts grow ugly. Forgiven, But Not to Continue in Sin Thank God He has forgiven us and we have moved past those dark days without hope and without Jesus. Yes, He still forgives us, but that doesn't mean we take that for granted. We are not to live like those past days. We can share our stories of redemption without continuing in sin. His grace and the Holy Spirit within us expect more. We no longer live as the Gentiles (the unsaved in today's world), we are not to be " living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry " (1 Peter 4:3). But God’s grace doesn’t leave us where it found us, it calls to a life of obedience that proves our faith is real. Obedience—Not Hypocrisy—Defines Us Don't misunderstand something important. We are not hypocrites based on our feelings. If today I should work in the church Food Bank but really want to sleep in, going anyway does not make me a hypocrite. Going to church when I don't feel like going doesn't make me a hypocrite, it makes me obedient. Hypocrisy is when the outer you is totally different from the inner you. Hypocrisy is caring more about what others think about you than what God thinks of you. Perhaps it is good to remember Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 13:5, " Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" Never assume we are without hypocrisy, but also never assume you will always be a hypocrite! Call to Self‑Examination and Growth Examine, test, and realize whether Christ really lives in you. Have the courage to look at the inner you, question yourself, and never be satisfied knowing that all of our lives we should grow to be more like the Savior who pulled us out of the miry mud. Enjoy, "He Brought Me Out of the Miry Clay" by Gary & Rhev here .