In many places in the New Testament we are told to be like a child in order to believe in Jesus. If you are a parent this might seem a little confusing. Isn't your two-year-old the one who was laying in the floor screaming for a toy at the store the other day? Surely, we aren't being told to be like that. Wasn't your four-year-old just sent home from daycare for biting a chunk out of his little buddy? Surely, we aren't being told to be like that. In fact, of course, no we are not. Childlike v Childish There is a big difference between being "childlike" and "childish". My children trusted me to take care of them. When they were frightened, they wanted me to comfort them. They believed I loved them no matter what. They knew if they were disciplined it was for their own good (even if they didn't know it at that moment). My children wanted to learn from me. When they were small, they wanted to imitate their father and I. They were very teachable. That is "childlike". Be Like Children Children give their love freely. They don't look at your social standing. They don't know if you are wealthy or poor. They don't see skin color. Their hugs are free to anyone. Our Lord said we should become like little children to enter Heaven (Matthew 18:2-4). He repeats this in Luke 18:16-17. We Should Put Away Childish Things "Childish" on the other hand is very different. Childish implies someone who wants their own way no matter what. Childish is someone who expresses their feelings as loudly and hurtfully as possible. Childish is someone who uses poor judgment when they decide what to do in a situation. Someone who knows more than everyone else and can't be convinced otherwise is childish. Many times Scripture tells us to grow up. In I Corinthians 13:11, we are told to put away " childish things ". We are told in Hebrews 5:12-13 to graduate from milk to solid food. In other words, just as a child begins life being nourished by milk but gradually is introduced to solid food, as Christians we need to grow from the basics of salvation to being knowledgeable in the word of God and righteousness. Learn About Your Father As new Christians we are very much babies in our knowledge of the word of God . We should be like children and want to learn about our Father. It is important, necessary in fact, to learn as much as we can about God and one of the best ways to do this is to regularly study His word. And not just on Sunday morning in a sermon, but daily. We grow in faith and in the ability to resist temptation in direct proportion to the amount of time we spend in prayer and study. How can we imitate Christ as Ephesians 5:1 says to do, if we don't even really know who He is? Adopted We are called the " children of God " in many places in Scripture. We are indeed God's children. We have been adopted into His family. As precious and beloved children we are brothers and sisters to each other and to Christ Himself if we do His will. When our Earthly parents fail us, as they will do, we know we have a Heavenly Father who will never fail us. In 2 Corinthians 6:18, Paul says tells us that God will be our Father and we will be His sons and daughters. And in Galatians 4: 4-5, Paul tells the believers in Galatia that Jesus came so we might " receive the adoption as sons ." Jesus tells us in Mark 3: 34-35 that we are His brothers and sisters and mother, not if we simply have faith, but if we do God's will. That will is for us to love, trust and obey our Heavenly Father. Jesus wants us to strive to be like our Father. Paul explains in Galatians 4: 6-7 that God has sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we will no longer be slaves to sin, but a son and an heir. We are the heirs of salvation, the purchase of Christ's blood. Who Is Your Father But what of those who don't know God? They also have a father. In John 8:44, Jesus tells His listeners plainly who that father is. He is the devil. And He goes on to say that the desires of the devil are what they want to do, because he is their father. How awful to imagine that once our father was the devil. That we would actually have desired to do what he wanted us to do. That we would have believed his deceptions . How terrible to have a human father who is a liar, how much more awful to have a spiritual father who is the " father of lies ". A father who desired to destroy us. Dear Father, Thank you Father for giving us your Son to show us the way to You. Thank you Father for loving us as your children. Thank you for making us brothers and sisters in Christ. We praise you and bless your Holy Name. Amen. Enjoy the beautiful hymn, Blessed Assurance, sung by Celtic Worship. Click here . Be Like Children

The God who created the universe dwells in the hearts of those who believe, transforming them into living temples of His presence. The heart that believes is the heart who loves and because of this, it is the heart that obeys. Because our hearts are God's home, our prayers take on a new dimension—rooted in His will and guided by His Spirit. Seeking God's Will When Jesus says in John 14:14 that God will do whatever we ask in Jesus' name, He says it with the understanding that we will ask for what is God's will. We ask in His name because He has all authority and power. He will only do what is the Father's will. Jesus continues to explain what love requires. The Promise of the Holy Spirit Jesus says, loving Him means keeping His commandments (John 14:15). The one who does this, Jesus promises to pray for that God will send the Holy Spirit, who will be our comforter, our helper. Jesus repeats again in John 14:23 that the person who loves Him obeys Him and that is the person to whom it is promised Jesus will " make Our home with Him. " Finding Peace through the Holy Spirit's Presence In John 14, the Lord promises us two things: His Holy Spirit and His peace. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, we find peace that enables us to endure suffering and loss . His Spirit and peace allow us to endure suffering and hardship. We are told that we will experience suffering (John 16:33), be hated (Matthew 10:22) and be rejected (Luke 10:16). The experiences that the Lord had will be ours, when we follow Him, but we are not alone. But just as He was one with the Father, so shall we be one with the Spirit that He has given us. Just as He went to the cross with peace knowing He was being obedient, an obedience unto death, so we can have His peace no matter what life brings. The world can't have these things. Isaiah 48:22 tells us the wicked will never know peace. For the world, peace depends on circumstances but for the Christian, peace can be present in the face of disease, tragedy, financial loss or any other setback, because we actively choose peace. A Personal Testimony of Peace I can speak personally of experiencing the peace of Christ. When I received my diagnosis of cancer the Lord blessed me with His peace. I was able to truly accept the will of God—whether that meant healing or not. I certainly knew He was able to heal me and I prayed for that. But if it was my time to leave this life, I could peacefully accept that as well. His Holy Spirit allowed me to find peace despite my circumstances. This was a supernatural peace. Choosing the Peace of Christ Colossians 3:15 says to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. This means we have a choice. We can totally trust God and have His peace or we can put our trust in ourselves and live with chaos and turmoil. Only total trust in Jesus will give us the peace that, if it is His will, it is for our good. We don't have to understand our circumstances to have peace. Some things, we realize, only God knows. Do you seek the peace of Christ in your daily life, or do you rely on your own strength? The Price of Peace It is His pain and suffering that provides us the path, the Way, to have a right relationship with our Father. As Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Colossians 1:20 says that He made peace through the blood of the cross. Jesus paid a great price for the peace He promises us. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit lives in us we will grow to experience this peace that passes understanding. We will become " publishers of peace " (Isaiah 52:7). We are to spread the good news that God has given us because we want others to experience this same peace. Comprehending God's Word Through the Spirit When the Holy Spirit lives within us, Jesus promises us in John 14:26 that "He will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all things that I said to you." For the disciples this meant that they would be able to understand the teachings of our Lord in light of His death and resurrection. And the words He spoke to them could be remembered by them, so they could write the Gospels. Proof of the Spirit’s Indwelling For us today, it is the Holy Spirit who allows us to comprehend the words of the Bible and how they apply to us (1 Corinthians 2:12). 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who helps us understand spiritual truths in the word of God. The fact that God lives in us grants us a new birth (John 3:1-8). The Spirit gives us spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11), intercedes for us in prayer (Romans 8:26-27), convicts us of sin (1 John 1:9) and produces spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), among other things. It is this indwelling of the Spirit that proves we belong to God. The Spirit Dwelling Within Us Paul, in Romans 8:9, explains that the Spirit of God dwells in you. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, our bodies are called the Temple of God because it is where God dwells. There is no longer a Jewish temple, nor are there any animal sacrifices. God dwelt in the Temple long ago as a sign of His covenant with Israel. Now He dwells in us making us His holy Temple, because Jesus is our perfect sacrifice for sin. His blood is our New Covenant (Mark 14:24). From the Temple to Our Hearts Can you imagine the presence of God moving from the stone walls of a temple into your heart? The temple used to shine with the glory of God but now it is your life in Christ and Christ in you that is the light to the world. Adopted as Sons and Daughters of God Jesus promises in John 14:18, quite beautifully, not to leave us orphans. He will come to us. As Romans 8:15 explains, we have not received a spirit of fear but of adoption, as sons, causing us to be able to cry out, " Abba Father ". Abba is a term of endearment, of intimacy between a father and a child but it also carries another meaning with it—obedience. Seeking His Peace and Reflecting on Obedience Today seek His peace, pray for a deeper sense of His Holy Spirit and what it means for God to dwell in you. Ask yourself those hard questions—do I love Him enough to be obedient? Where does He want me to examine my life with Him?

When we know we have been betrayed, what is the first thing we want to do? You probably didn't say, "serve others", but that is what our Lord does in John chapter 13. Before Judas leaves to betray Him at the Last Supper Jesus quietly gets up and proceeds to wash the feet of the disciples. This lesson on serving is one that we see repeated many times in the Gospels. The Disciples’ Struggle with Greatness Just before Jesus and His disciples gathered for the Last Supper, the disciples were again discussing amongst themselves who was the most important (Luke 22:24-30). It seems they were somewhat hard headed in learning the lesson that none of them were to be considered great. The argument had come up before in Luke 9:46 to which our Lord replied, " Whoever is the least among you is the greatest" (Luke9:48). Jesus had even told them that only those willing to take up their cross and follow Him would be His (Matthew 16:24-27). The cross was the ultimate punishment for criminals of no importance or lower social status, mostly slaves. To take up your cross meant to live with humility and willingness to sacrifice everything for others. So now Jesus shows them one last time what it means to be a servant. He does this out of the great love He has for them. A love He says He had " unto the end " (John 13:1). Sometimes we all struggle with this. We want someone to recognize us for what we've done. We want to be seen as important. However, Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3 that we should actually view others as more important than ourselves. The Neglected Task and the Servant’s Heart Washing the guest's feet was a servant's job and it had had been completely neglected. The disciples’ feet, and even Jesus’ feet, were dirty from the day’s walk, yet no one offered to wash them. They had already reclined at the table, which means they were not sitting at a dining room table but leaning on their elbow with their feet outstretched. Each could see the task that needed to be done, yet none took the initiative to do it. While the disciples might have been willing to wash Jesus' feet, they couldn't wash only His and leave everyone else's untouched. If they had washed the other disciples feet, it would have made themselves seem less important. The importance of service and the importance of washing—both would be demonstrated by our Lord. Jesus Washes All Feet, Including Judas’ Each disciple was treated equally. Each disciple's feet, including Judas', were cleaned and dried with a towel by our Lord. He served the one who would betray Him the same as those who would follow Him. He died on a cross the next day for the man He knew would betray Him. In choosing sin, we too betray Him, yet His love remains steadfast, as Paul reminds us in Romans 5:8. How Far Had Judas Fallen? What could have been going through Judas' mind? How far had he removed himself from Christ not to feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offered even Him? No matter how far you are from Christ, or if you've hit rock bottom , He extends His love and forgiveness to you, even now. Just as Jesus showed love and humility to Judas, we should also serve others in the same way. Have we ever reached out in love, as Jesus did, to someone who betrayed us? A Call to Humble Service in Any Circumstance I recently heard a missionary couple discussing their work in a Central American country. They came to discover that the best way to witness to the people was to go to the enormous garbage dump where many of the people lived and worked. It was a smelly, nasty, disease-ridden place, but there they could successfully share the love of Christ because no missionaries before them had gone to this place. When we serve, we can't be surprised if we get dirty. To clean something often means one has to touch the dirt. When the unpleasant job is open at church are we hesitant to take it? The dirty job that gets no praise. Do we serve our fellow church goers in quiet and unappreciated ways? Or do we only serve when others will know about it? Do we look for ways to serve or do we leave that to those who we think have more time or money? Peter’s Protest and Our Baptismal Commitment When Jesus reaches Peter, Peter protests that Jesus should never wash His feet. But when Jesus responds, telling him that he will have no part in Him if He does not, Peter excitedly tells Jesus to wash not just his feet but all of him. Peter must receive, not just a physical cleansing, but also a spiritual one. His sins, like dirt, must be washed away by the only one who can—Jesus. Our Baptism reminds us of this. It is a public commitment to follow the example of Jesus. We rise from the waters of Baptism as new creatures who should serve as He served (2 Corinthians 5:17). Embracing Humility in Service Was there a hint of pride in Peter when he first refused Jesus to wash his feet? Are we willing to accept the service of others when they offer it? Or does their service remind us of our unwillingness to serve others ourselves? Without accepting the blood of Jesus that washes away our sin, we also will have no part in Him. As John McClaren says, "He kneels before us, having the right and the power to wash us because He has died for us." Peter seems to be remembering this event in 1 Peter 5:5 when he says, “ Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble' ”. The word clothe here is used this way only once and it means "putting on a slave's costume." And in Philippians 2:7, Paul says that our Jesus, " emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant." He came to us without any worldly privilege or power. He was a true servant who met the needs of others without seeking recognition. He lived out the principle of doing what needed to be done, not because He had to, but out of perfect love and obedience to the Father. When was the last time you served someone in a way that required humility? Jesus’ Ultimate Lesson on Serving Others When Jesus rose from the table to wash their feet, they surely must have felt deeply embarrassed. Their master and teacher, their very Lord, had assumed the job that one of them, or all of them, should have assumed. Our Lord makes it clear in Luke 22:27 when He says, " I am among you as the One who serves." . In John 13:14, Jesus tells the disciples that if He washed their feet for them, then they should do it for each other—not just in a once a year ceremony, but in a very real way they should continuously seek to serve each other. Not only by washing feet, but by humbly serving in any way they could. Serving Others with Love, Not Condemnation Serving Jesus seems only right because He is our Lord, and serving other people means responding to them as Jesus did. Jesus didn't criticize the disciples for having dirty feet. He didn't tell them that if they had been more careful or if they had avoided certain paths they would be cleaner. He simply knelt in front of them and cleaned them. When we serve others, is it out of love or is there just a bit of unspoken condemnation? Do we sometimes think, well if this person had just done 'this' or not done 'that' then they wouldn't be in such a state. They wouldn't need to be 'washed' or 'served'. Blessed Are You If You Do These Things (John 13:17) Jesus sums it all up by saying that, " If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." Do we want to please God? Knowing about His word is essential, but doing it is even more important. It is in the doing that we please God. As we are told so many times in the Old Testament, it is a changed heart that God wants not just lip service. Will we serve man and serve God, even when we're betrayed or wronged? Do we have a servant's heart ?

Do you want to eat? Do you want your children to eat? What if you had to make a choice: feed your children or starve? Do we truly trust God to survive? Would our fear of losing everything—our security, approval, or even life itself—cause us to turn away from Him? This is not just a hypothetical question. Throughout history, Christians have faced situations where survival and the approval of society clashed with their faith in God. The Bible reminds us that choosing God's approval over the praise of men is not easy, but it is necessary. Choosing God's Approval Over the Praise of Men In John 12:42-43 we read: "Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Why Do We Crave the Praise of Men? The praises of men—isn't that what most of us like to hear. We want to be rewarded for our efforts, commended for the good job we do. We want to be successful, we want to be good at what we do. There is certainly nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be good at our job or any other pursuits we have, but if that makes us afraid to speak up for God then it is wrong. The Struggle to Stand for Christ When we are young, especially, the criticism of others cuts deep. We want so much to be like others. We don't want to stand out or be in any way something so different that people would remark about it. And yet, that is what God calls us to. As history teaches us, failing to stand for Christ can lead to devastating consequences Lessons from History: When the Church Fails What if your own government became involved in something sinister? What if it declared a group of people, people who were traditionally discriminated against, without rights? This happened before and during WW2 in Germany. The Protestant and Catholic churches stood by and, for the most part, did very little to protest the involvement of the government in state sanctioned persecution and slaughter of the Jews. There were, however, individuals who protested the oppression and murder of the Jews—Oskar Schindler, Johan Van Hulst, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to name a few. The failures of institutions do not diminish the truth that the gospel has the power to transform us. Sometimes we think we are so different from those European Christians almost a hundred years ago, but are we? Would the fear of government reprisals, the loss of jobs, or the loss of influence, keep us from standing up for what is right? Especially if the people involved were deemed of little value in society, or if they had been blamed for all of our nation's woes—turned into scapegoats for the evils in society. People who did stand up were sent to concentration camps or were killed outright. They were accused of treason. They gave up the approval of others to obtain the praises of God. They went to their deaths for what was right and just. They gave up their lives instead of glorying in worldly favor. Between April and July of 1994 in Rwanda, in Africa, almost one million people were killed in a war of genocide. Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. This country was heavily Christian. Almost 90 percent were affiliated with the Protestant church, the 7th Day Adventist or the Catholic church and yet they failed in almost every way to prevent or subdue the killings. This indictment was not just against the clergy, but against the common church goer as well. " Ultimately, the Church ... represented the only institution within civil society in possession of enough autonomy and influence to attempt to deviate the course of the events, oppose the regime and, at the same time, create awareness and put pressure on the international community. Its reluctance and often outright refusal to do so has come to represent one of heaviest failures of Christian ethics and of the institutions that profess and practice its commandments." from Accepting the Unacceptable: Christian Churches and the 1994 Rwandan Genocide by Rita Deliperi. This is what it means when we fail to stand for Christ. What a sad state of the Church. Was the act of being a Christian just something people did to feel good about themselves? Why didn't more Christians stand up and speak out against what was happening? When being a Christian requires sacrifice are we willing to make it? Overcoming Fear It can be a fearful thing to go against a powerful government or the norms of society. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God never leaves us alone. "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." We can overcome our fear because it is God who strengthens us. When Christians Choose to Stand: Japan's Martyrs In Japan in the 1600s, we can see what happens when people choose God over the approval of society. Here, thousands of Christians were martyred for their faith, many by crucifixion (2 Timothy 3:12). Seen as a threat to the regime and traditional beliefs, Christianity was outlawed in 1640, forcing remaining believers underground. Many of these Christians died choosing God's approval over the praise of men. They serve as role models. Luke 14:27 tells us, "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Everyday Faithfulness: Small Acts of Courage But maybe we aren't called to such extreme sacrifice. Perhaps we are called simply to confess we are Christians in the break room at work (Matthew 10:32-33). Possibly we are called to stand up for the colleague who is mistreated and unpopular. Maybe we are called to remove ourselves from the temptation to have an affair with a colleague. Imagine you’re in the break room at work, and a group of coworkers begins gossiping about another fellow worker. The conversation turns mean-spirited, with people laughing at the other person's expense. You feel pressured to join in because you want to fit in and avoid becoming the next target of their criticism. Standing for Christ in this moment means choosing to act differently. Instead of joining the gossip, you could say something like, "I think we should be careful because we don’t know what they might be going through." This might make others uncomfortable, and they may accuse you of being "self-righteous" or "no fun." However, by taking a stand, you demonstrate kindness, compassion, and a commitment to Christ's teachings on loving others and avoiding gossip and idle words . The Cost of Standing for Christ Today Later, you might take it further by reaching out to the coworker being gossiped about, offering encouragement, and showing them the love of Christ in action. While these challenges may seem small compared to historical examples of persecution, the heart of the matter remains the same: will we stand for Christ—no matter the cost (Luke 14:28-33)? What small steps can you take today to stand for Christ? When we take a stand for Christ, even in small acts of courage, it can reveal the contrast between godly values and worldly behavior. This often challenges others, making them uncomfortable and highlighting their own choices. When men praise us they tell us how great we are. They often tell us that we don't need to work on being Christlike. They scoff at that. They simply want us to go along sometimes, because if we don't they accuse us of judging them. When we stand for what is right, even when it is done in humility, some people will feel judged. We shine a light on their bad behavior by not participating in it and they don't like that. The Power of Faith in the Face of Government and Society People in positions of power, be it in church leadership or politically, may lose influence by standing for moral values and Biblical principles. They may be viewed as old fashioned, out of touch, bigots or worse. Are we willing to accept that as God's will? Practical Steps to Stand for Christ When we are young, we may be called to explain why God means something to us. Maybe we have to explain why we don't watch certain movies, why we want to remain a virgin till marriage, why we don't use profanity, or why we don't dress provocatively. While it may feel isolating to stand for your values, remember that God honors those who are faithful to Him (1 Samuel 2:30). God will not leave you alone ; He is with you. Do we have answers to these questions? Have we studied God's word and tried to understand our faith so that we have answers? Have we prayed? The Ultimate Sacrifice: Following Christ to the Cross Let us pray that such harsh choices as Nazi Germany during WW2, Rwanda in 1994 or Japan in the 1600's never happen to us, but if they do, let us make sure that our confession, our belief in Christ is not just out of convenience or happenstance, but that it is real and that when Jesus says to take up our cross, which implies self sacrifice, we realize that there may come a time when in an all-too-real way that is exactly what we may have to do. We must trust that the Holy Spirit, given to us by God, has not instilled in us a spirit of fear, but one of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). For this we thank God.

The story of Lot in the book of Genesis is so like the stories of many of us today. We love God, we serve God and yet we make bad decisions. Our decisions have consequences , sometimes disastrous ones and yet God offers us His mercy and grace over and over. Lot Leaves For Sodom Lot's first mistake was to separate from Abram and take his flocks to dwell in the cities of the plain near Sodom, even though Sodom was already known for its wickedness. (Genesis 13: 12-13) Perhaps Lot thought he and his family wouldn't be influenced by their wickedness or perhaps he thought he could be a good influence on them. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Lot would pay a heavy price for placing himself in the company of evil. Notice that Paul says not to be deceived. It's easy to justify being around evil company because we deceive ourselves when we say that "they won't influence me" or "I will show them how you should act". Notice too that one of the first things Abram did when he and Lot separated was to build an altar to the Lord. You don't read that Lot did anything similar. Abram had his priorities straight, Lot did not. Who are we like - Abram or Lot? Are our priorities on God or the world? The Angels Visit Lot Then, as time passed, the city became more evil until God decided to pass judgment on it and others on the plain. Mercifully, angels were sent to warn Lot of the impending doom. Genesis 19:1 informs us that Lot was sitting at the city gate when the angels arrived. The gate was where respected elders of the city came to discuss events, do business or make public announcements. Apparently, Lot had become someone of some significance in the city of Sodom. Lot takes the angels into his home but when the men of the city surround his house and told him to send them out so they can have sex with them (Genesis 19: 4-5), Lot makes another bad decision. This time he offered his own virgin daughters to the wicked men instead! Why did Lot feel this was an acceptable thing to do? The angels, thankfully, kept this from happening by blinding the men at his door (Genesis 19:11). Even flawed people can receive God's mercy. Lot Lingered The angels told Lot to gather his family and leave, so Lot tried to warn his married daughters and their husbands. Thinking he was joking, they stayed, only to be destroyed. The moment came to leave but " Lot lingered " (Genesis 19: 16) and the angels had to take him by the hand with his wife and two daughters and basically drag them out of the town. Did Lot linger because he wanted to wait and see if his other children would come? Did he linger fearing that he would lose all his possessions and influence? We don't know. We do know that he hesitated to obey the warning of God and nothing good comes from that. This moment of hesitation highlights a recurring theme in Lot’s story: the struggle to fully trust and obey God. Lot Says No After they were safely away from the town the angels told Lot not to look back and to flee to the mountains. Lot, even after having been shown such great mercy, said no, he was afraid to go to the mountains. He begged to be allowed to go to the small town of Zoar (Genesis 18-22). God, again, mercifully granted his desire. Have you and I not also been disobedient out of fear? Have you and I not done what God would have us to do out of fear, but beg to do something else. Hasn't God been merciful to us time after time? Who knows best for us? Who should we trust, ourselves or God? Lot's Wife Looks Back As the destruction of the cities ensued Lot's wife looked back at the home she must have once loved and for this disobedience was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Have we looked back on sin, sometimes longingly? Have we thought of returning to the company of evil? We don't know for sure if she looked back because she longed for that way of life but we do know that she was disobedient to the command of God. Jesus even tells us to remember her in Luke 17:32-33. when he says that those who save their lives will lose it but those who lose their lives will preserve it. Abraham Prays For Lot As Lot's cousin, Abraham, looked at the burning city from far off, Genesis 19: 29 says, "that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow,". Are there times that we are, quite literally, saved from destruction because of the prayers of those who love us? Yes, just as Abraham's prayers saved Lot (Genesis 18). Abraham’s intercession reflects the power of prayer, but God’s sovereignty is the ultimate cause. Lot's Daughters Plot Sin So now, Lot has lost his married daughters and his wife. A lonely man, with two unmarried daughters, he left Zoar, because he had become afraid of the very place he wanted to flee to, and goes to the mountains. There, in a cave, Lot's daughters plotted evil and committed incest with their father so they could have children. They plied him with wine until he was in a drunken stupor so they could lay with him (Genesis 19: 31-36) . Lot willingly drank, probably happy to forget the loss of the rest of his family and fortune. Where was Lot's prayer of thanks for his life being saved and his girls? Where was Lot's prayer of repentance? Have we forgotten to do these things as Lot did? Do we try to find comfort in things other than God? Where did Lot's children learn such evil? Was it from living in Sodom, from seeing the disobedience of their father to God? There was no acknowledgement of God, that God is greater than their circumstances, that God, if He so desired could bless them with children. They didn't realize that they should wait on the Lord. They should have relied on God . We really aren't told the exact reason that they chose to do this. Tribes Born Of Incest The children of this unholy act become the tribes of the Ammonites and the Moabites, tribes that were in opposition to the Israelites. These tribes worshiped foreign gods, not the God of Abraham. A sad ending to the story of Lot. But eventually from the Moabites would come a woman who would be in the lineage of Jesus, Ruth, the great grandmother of the great King David. Peter Calls Lot Righteous In 2 Peter 2: 6-9 Peter tells us that Lot was a righteous man and that he was tormented by seeing the evil in Sodom and Gomorrah. How could Peter possibly call Lot " righteous "? After all of his failings, poor choices, and sin how could that be? No one in themselves is righteous, the only righteousness we can have is from God. Just so, Lot, like many of us, failed and sinned. His righteousness was because of God's grace, not because he was a perfect man. When Peter calls Lot righteous, he is not condoning Lot's decision. Even in our disobedience the Holy Spirit stirs our soul and makes us know that lawlessness has a price. God delivered Lot "out of temptation" as Peter tells us. Lot's Mistakes And The Mercy Of God Lot's mistakes and the mercy of God are an example for us today. Lot paid a heavy price for his sins, but God in His mercy saved him from destruction, just as he does us through the blood of his Son. Truly, if God is for us , who can be against us. Like us, Lot can be a righteous man and yet still sin. God saves us from destruction not because we are worthy, but because He is worthy. Mistakes and Mercy

If I told you that there was a way to live longer, be less stressed, have fewer sicknesses, less major depression, and less cancer would you be interested in knowing about it? These benefits are scientifically proven according to the Mayo Clinic. What miracle drug can achieve this? It is not a pill, not a technique, but simply positive thinking. A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine The writer of the book of Proverbs knew this long ago. He said in Proverbs 17:22 (NIV): " A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. " Focus On Good It is easy to say that we should think positively, but putting it into action is sometimes more difficult. Spending more time in prayer and Bible study gives us the tools to do this. In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us to renew our minds and not be conformed to the world. In this way when our thoughts become more like God's thoughts, we can obey His will. In Philippians 4:8, Paul gives us a list of the types of things that our mind should focus on. Paul says to think about true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things. Paul makes it clear that it is important to dwell on the positive. Think about what we put into our minds . Are we reading well written but depressing books about suicide, murder, divorce, and other terrible things? Are we watching movies that proclaim to entertain us by showing us the horrors of what one human can do to another? Do we look at sensational news online that fills our heads full of gloom and doom? If we are, then don't be too surprised when we have a hard time feeling positive. What are our children filling their minds with? The impossibility of physical perfection that they see online? Are their reading selections in school about suicide or cannibalism or murder? You might be surprised at what they are required to read. Paul says to fill our minds with what is true. Where do you think Paul thought you could find truth? In the teachings and the word of our Lord. What do you think Paul thought was admirable? Again, the teachings and the word of our Lord. Are we lifting up our brothers and sisters in Christ or are we tearing them down? Do we grumble and complain focusing only all the things that are wrong and forget that we should love one another? Do we forget to be grateful for our blessings? What Are We Putting In Our Minds? I can't count the number of times that I have heard people tell me that what they watch on TV or read in books or their online content has no effect on them. They tell me they are adults and can control what they think about. It's like someone using meth for the first time saying that it won't make them addicted because they are too strong for that. What we put in our minds DOES affect how we think, whether we believe it or not. It is hard to live a positive life and think positive thoughts when all I am putting in my brain is negative and sad. So what do we fill our minds, our lives, with? Is it the trash that we so often find on social media that makes us feel inadequate, the soft pornography of TV and movies, or the depressing content of so much modern literature. Don't misunderstand . Reading, watching TV and going online can be great ways to pass the time, and yes, we need to know what is happening in the world around us, but when these things overtake us, when we focus so much on the negative content that they offer instead of the positive, then there is a price to pay. God Knows What Is Best Paul knew a couple of thousand years ago how much better off we would be if we thought positively. Joy and happiness come from these thoughts. Only in the last few decades has science validated his viewpoint. God knows what is best for us—always. The wisdom of Proverbs 4: 20-25 tells us to incline our ear to his sayings. It says to never let them depart from our eyes. Solomon tells us to keep them in our heart because they are life and health. Indeed, how wise he was. Enjoy the wonderful hymn: Joy Unspeakable Our Joy is in the Lord

Many of us have grown up hearing about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. This story is a favorite of Vacation Bible Schools in the summer. But can we really imagine what this was like? Only Three Stood In Daniel Chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar declares that all peoples and tongues shall worship a large golden image. What the image was we don't know. Babylon was thronging with Jewish people and yet when the "cornet sounded" for people to fall down and worship this "god" only these three men stood up. Where Was Everyone Else Don't you think they must have looked around thinking to themselves that their friends, coworkers, and family members would stand as well. Don't you think they never imagined that it would be they alone who would stand up for the true God. Imagine yourself in that crowd, knowing what the punishment would be if you stood. Would you, fearing death, kneel; while in your heart you knew that the golden image was not your God? They Stood Because of Hope When these brave three stood facing King Nebuchadnezzar they were able to stand because they abounded in hope. They knew that God could deliver them if He so desired, but even if they weren't delivered, they still would not bow before a false idol. The Fourth Man Enraged, the King ordered the fire to be made even hotter than before. As the three men were hauled up to the furnace the men who came near to throw them in perished from the heat. What did the King see amidst the flames? Four men, and one was " like unto the Son of God ". No Smell of Smoke The flames did not devour them. When the king called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego out of the furnace, their clothes were not burned, their hair was not singed and they did not even smell of smoke. No Other God Because of the courage of three men, out of thousands, came a complete turnaround of the king. Now the king promises to kill people if they speak against the God of the Jews. As the king says, there " is no other God that can deliver after this sort " (Daniel 3:28-29). Can We Be So Bold? Could we be this courageous? I think most of us view ourselves as courageous people, but are we? Do we find it difficult to stand up for God in today's world even without the threat of death? Can we be bold in declaring who our hope is? If we find it difficult to stand for God now, what happens if things become even more difficult? Recognizing Modern-Day Idols While we may not be commanded to bow before a golden statue today, modern life is filled with idols that demand our attention and allegiance. These idols can take the form of wealth, success, popularity, or even technology. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise their faith, we are called to examine our own lives and identify what might be pulling us away from wholehearted devotion to God. Are there things we "bow to" in subtle ways—by prioritizing them over time with God, obedience to His Word, or living out our faith boldly? Their story challenges us to stand firm, even when cultural norms or pressures push us toward compromise. Pray for Courage Pray for courage. Pray for the ability to stand when others, be it family, friends or coworkers, do not. Remember the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6, " Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." In Psalm 24:8 David says, "Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." We don't go out alone. We go with our King of Glory! Will You Stand?

God's Glory Manifested God's glory was seen in the Old Testament in several ways. As a fire and a burning bush (Zechariah 2:5 and Exodus 3:2), as a pillar of smoke and fire (Exodus 13: 21-22), as a gentle breeze (I Kings 19: 10-13) and as a cloud (Exodus 24: 16-18, Exodus 33:9, and I Kings 8: 10-13). These physical manifestations were shown to the people so they would know that God's presence was with them. These experiences of God's glory had one thing in common, they were only temporary. God's Glory In The Temple In Exodus 25:8 God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle so that, as God says, " I will dwell among them .", meaning the people of Israel. In Exodus 40:34-35 we learn that a cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In later scriptures we learn that God's glory also filled Solomon's temple. Before the Babylonians destroyed the temple, however, God's glory left. He did this because the people would not abandon their false and idolatrous worship of other gods. Even when the temple was rebuilt God's glory did not return. This is described in Ezekiel chapters 10 and 11. The Hope of Glory God's glory departing Israel was prophesied in two places. In Deuteronomy 31: 17-18 and in Hosea 9: 12, " Woe to them that I depart from them ," says God. Even today as individuals you and I have a choice to make; be faithful to God or reject Him. As Paul says in Colossians 1: 27, "Christ in you, the hope of Glory." God's Glory Returns But when did God's glory return to the world? In Luke 2: 9, the shepherds were surrounded by the glory of the Lord to announce the birth of Jesus. In Matthew 1: 23, we learn that our Savior would be called Immanuel, meaning God is with us. After Jesus's death and resurrection He sent the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in each of us who are His. In Acts 7: 48, Stephen tells us that God no longer dwells in a temple made with hands. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:16, " we are the temple of the living God. " At the Last Supper in John 14:23, Jesus says, our love for Christ, and the evidence that He lives in us, is our obedience. 1 John 4:16 tells us that if we have love, then God is in us because God IS love. The Impact of God's Glory on Our Daily Lives God’s glory isn't confined to miraculous manifestations or eternal promises. It is also reflected in how we live our lives daily. As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:16, ' Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ' Each act of kindness, love, or faithfulness we show reflects His glory and draws others closer to Him. Our Role in Spreading God's Glory As followers of Christ, we are called to spread the knowledge of God’s glory. Habakkuk 2:14 declares, ' For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. ' Through sharing the Gospel, serving others, and living out our faith, we participate in making God’s glory known to the world. God's Glory Transforms Us Finally, we read in 2 Corinthians 12-18, that as Christians we are being transformed to become more like Christ . The veil is lifted by our faith in Him and this is done by the Holy Spirit of God. This veil was created by sin and keeps us from understanding the truth of Christ. Only when it is removed by faith can we be transformed to behold the glory of God. For this reason we abound in hope . God Is Worthy My prayer each day should be that it is lived for God's glory and not my own. My prayer is to praise God as in Revelation 4: 11, for He alone is worthy to receive " glory and honor and power". The Hope of Glory

In Matthew 21:28-32, we have the Parable of the Two Sons. In this chapter, Jesus is teaching many things to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were rule followers. There is certainly nothing wrong with following rules, but God had made it clear in the Old Testament that the most important thing to Him was the heart. Amos 5:21-24 makes it clear that sacrifices, feasts and solemn assemblies mean nothing if the heart does not love God and your fellow man. The Pharisees weren't so much about love as they were following the letter of the law. Parable Of The Two Sons In the Parable of the Two Sons, Jesus tells us about two sons: one son says he will do what his father asks, but doesn't and another who says he won't do what his father asks, but later regrets it and obeys. Jesus then asks which of the two sons did the will of his father (Matthew 21:31). The Pharisees rightly answer, the son who ultimately obeyed. Then Jesus delivers a hard truth. He tells them that " tax collectors and harlots " believed John the Baptist, who came in righteousness, while the Pharisees did not. The Pharisees, Jesus says, did not repent and obey like the son who did his father's will. They chose not to know or understand righteousness. Tax Collectors And Harlots There is a beautiful verse, one of my favorites, in Luke 7:47. The Lord has just had his feet washed by a woman " who was a sinner ". Jesus tells the disciples, "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.” In verse 50, Jesus goes on to say that her faith has saved her. Her heart was transformed by faith . Like the tax collectors and harlots in the Parable of the Two Sons, the one who comes in humility and obedience with love and faith is forgiven. Jesus even tells the Pharisees that the tax collectors and harlots will see Heaven before they do! What Is Righteousness? So what is righteousness? To be righteous is to have a relationship with God and others that is right or just. It means to trust Him, fear Him, and hope in His love (Psalm 33:18-22). Humans have no possibility, in themselves, to be truly righteous, but God has made a way for us according to 2 Corinthians 5:21. In this verse, Paul tells us that the One who never sinned became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God. As Tullian Tchividjian says, "Our assurance is anchored in the love and grace of God expressed in the glorious exchange: our sin for His righteousness." Righteousness v Self-Righteousness In the parable, the difference between the two sons was that one was righteous and one was self-righteous. One of them thought that just saying the right words was enough without being truly obedient while the other realized his mistake and turned to obedience. When we admit our failings, we won't be misled into thinking we are good. If we believe that we are inherently good and decent people, we need to read this parable. Just saying we are obedient to God, when we aren't truly obeying His will, isn't enough. Our hearts have to belong to God. Our own goodness can never be enough. Our righteousness can only come from God, and it is a righteousness freely given, bought with a price. Don't Compare Yourself To Others Human nature often leads us to compare ourselves to others. The Pharisees certainly saw the harlot and the tax collector as more sinful than themselves. They probably prided themselves on not sinning like those people did. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says that those who compare themselves to others are not wise. Galatians 6:4 reminds us to examine our own work. Philippians 2: 3 tells us to, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," . Do we compare ourselves to others and come away feeling quite satisfied with our holiness? Our journey to holiness doesn't stop when we first believe. We have to be careful not to view "sinners" as somehow different from ourselves. We are all sinners; the only difference is that we have been " saved by grace" (Romans 4:16-17). Any righteousness we have is not ours, but God's. We do good works, not so that we can be viewed as better than someone else, but because God's word says that if we love others, this is what we will do. What Does It Mean To Be Self-Righteous Believing that we can, within ourselves, create a righteousness that God would find acceptable is the definition of being self-righteous. In Matthew 23, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for practicing their religion just so they can look good. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14, was told by Jesus to those who trusted in their own self-righteousness while treating others contemptuously. The tax collector in this parable knew there was nothing good in him that would warrant God's approval. The Pharisee, however, believed that his own supposed goodness was all that was needed. He thought he was better than the tax collector. Your Own Goodness Is Never Enough In Galatians 2:21, Paul calls out people who believe their own goodness is enough. He says that if we could be righteous by being obedient to the law, then " Christ died for nothing ." I hear this idea being discussed a lot these days. Many people believe in something called universalism. This religious philosophy says that everyone will be saved. This is simply the doctrine of the self-righteous—those who believe they can be good enough. And Such Were Some Of You 1 Corinthians 6:9 reminds us that the unrighteous won't inherit the kingdom of God. Paul then lists many sinful behaviors. Then in 6:11 he says this, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." " And such were some of you. But....". How can we look down on others when everything we have has been given to us, not earned? In many ways all of this can be put in one word: humility. We must serve the Lord with humility . Practice Righteousness Because We Love God Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:1 not to practice righteousness before others to be seen. In other words, yes, practice righteousness, but do it for the right reasons. Not to look holy to others, but because we love God and we want His righteousness to show through us. We always want to be the obedient son, just as our Lord was. We may say no at first, but ultimately, we want to do the will of God . We want to acknowledge our sin and realize that all that we have and all that we are comes from Him.

How many of us have read the book of Lamentations? I have heard very few sermons on it. It is a very short book with only five chapters. Perhaps the reason is found in the title of the book. What are lamentations? To lament means to sorrow over something. Lamentations is a book of sorrows over the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews to Babylon. It is a book that expresses Godly sorrow over sin . It was written by Jeremiah, also called the weeping prophet. Jeremiah laments over the sin and the punishment of his people. Jerusalem Is A Slave In chapter one, Jeremiah tells us that once great among the nations, now she is a slave. Her friends have become her enemies. Her children have been taken into captivity by her enemies. Jeremiah feels abandoned. As Jeremiah says, " The comforter who should restore my life is far from me." God's Fury Poured Out In chapter two, the prophet laments that the Lord was like an enemy pouring out His fury like fire. God has done violence to His tabernacle and destroyed His sanctuary. The women with children faint with hunger to the point that they are considering eating their own children. The Lord " has fulfilled his word " and has caused the enemy to rejoice over His people. Hope In Him In chapter three, Jeremiah says that his strength and hope have perished from the Lord. But then in verses 22-24 Jeremiah tells us probably the most famous of the verses in this book, "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Jeremiah continues and says that in spite of God causing his people grief, Jeremiah knows He will show compassion. The prophet asks a question that we could all ask. Why should a man complain for the punishment of his sins? Through his tears, Jeremiah says that God drew near when he called on Him and God said not to fear. Jeremiah overcomes his fear and finds faith . Jeremiah will still abound in hope. God Does Not Afflict Willingly God does not want to punish us anymore than we want to punish our children. God warns, just as we as parents do. God gives many opportunities to change. "For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men." (Lamentations 3:33) But because He is just, when punishment is required, He will do it. The Sins Of The Prophets In chapter four, the prophet continues lamenting the woes that have come upon Jerusalem. He cries over the thirsty children and the mothers who have eaten their own children. And why has this happened? Jeremiah says it is because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities (sins) of her priests. Renew Us O Lord Finally, in chapter five, Jeremiah prays for the restoration of his people. " Woe to us for we have sinned. " says Jeremiah. He asks God to turn the people back to Him and renew them as in times before. His Compassions Never Fail The book of Lamentations is a testimony to the unfailing faith of Jeremiah. In the midst of famine, war, disease and destruction he is very aware that this was a just punishment from God for the sins of the people. Jeremiah knows that after the punishment God will have mercy and compassion once again. Jeremiah understood what it meant to fear the Lord . Warned This punishment was long in coming. The people had been warned by multiple prophets of what would happen if they continued in disobedience. Long before this, Moses, in Deuteronomy 28:52, told the people what would happen if they abandoned God's commandments. In chapter four, when Jeremiah says the punishment is because of the sins of her prophets, he is referring to the many false prophets that Israel had listened to. These false prophets had the blood of God's true prophets on their hands and even attempted to kill Jeremiah. They Said What People Wanted To Hear These false prophets, instead of telling Israel to repent, told them what they wanted to hear. They caused the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem itself by not speaking truth to the people; as unpopular as that would have been. This reminds me very much of the times we live in when too many pastors and leaders are afraid to speak out against sin. Only Ourselves To Blame Lamentations is evidence for the necessity of remorse for sin. Remorse leads to repentance. We can't fool ourselves. If we experience judgment from God, whether on a national scale or an individual one, then as Jeremiah tells us, we shouldn't complain. As hard as it is we need to accept responsibility. We only have ourselves to blame. Confess Specifically When we confess sins, often we pray, "Lord, forgive me for my sins," without really considering what those sins are. How can we repent (turn away) from a sin we can't even name? How remorseful can we be over a sin we can't name? We need to accept responsibility and be as specific as possible about where and how we have failed God. Jeremiah Doesn't Give Up On God What is striking to me about the book of Lamentations is that Jeremiah, even in the midst of the horrors he recounts, does not give up on God. I wonder how many of us would be tempted to shake our fist at God in the midst of so much suffering? How many of us would stop believing that God is merciful and just? It is easy to speak of God's love and mercy when everything is going our way. Hope For Tomorrow When punishment comes, Jeremiah teaches us to mourn our sin, he teaches us to accept the just judgment of God and he teaches us to have hope for a better tomorrow. A tomorrow where we are renewed and restored into right relationship with God because He is faithful and true .

One of people's greatest desires is that someone truly knows them and then still love them. Of course this also brings with it fear. Why? Because when someone truly knows us we become emotionally vulnerable. We open ourselves up to rejection. What if I open up completely to someone and they don't love me? The One Who Knows Us Completely The truth is we often don't even truly know ourselves. We have blind spots when it comes to admitting our shortcomings and flaws. We see ourselves as better than we really are. There is One who does know us—completely, flaws and all, and does still love us. When we are known by Jesus, we are trusting the One who knows our hearts. This One loves us so much that He was willing to die for us before we even knew Him (Romans 5:8). Fear Is Not of God: Overcoming to Serve Him God says He calls you by name, " You are mine! " and commands you not to fear (Isaiah 43:1). 2 Timothy 1:7 declares plainly that fear is not of God. Fear separates us from God's will. The Bible gives us many examples of people who were afraid to follow God's will. Moses (Exodus 3:11), Gideon (Judges 6), and Peter (Matthew 26: 69-75). Each of them overcame that fear with God's help and did mighty things for Him. We can't let fear keep us from approaching and knowing God or from allowing Him to know us. Superficial Belief: Jesus Knows Our Hearts John 2: 23-25 tells us something about Jesus that is both encouraging and also somewhat troubling. John tells us that many people believed in Jesus because of the miracles He performed. But then John says in verse 24, " But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men," and in the next verse John says this happened because " He knew what was in man." If these people believed in Him then what was the problem? Their belief, according to many Bible scholars, was based not on a true understanding of His mission on earth, not in a heart changing transformative way, but merely on the hopes that He was the promised Messiah, the conquering King whom they had awaited for centuries. This Messiah would throw off the Roman rulers and restore Israel's greatness. They had no understanding that what Jesus came to do was change their hearts. Jesus wanted them to transform, to become more like Him. Why Jesus Didn’t Trust Their Belief Jesus certainly performed miracles to show that He was the Messiah. These miracles were evidence of who He was. The people in this passage believed in Him because of His signs, but what was wrong with their belief? Why wouldn't He " commit Himself to them "? The word commit here is often translated 'trust'. Jesus knew that many of these same people who professed belief would turn on Him and ultimately call for His death. Jesus did not trust their belief because He knew their hearts. Emotional Responses vs. True Commitment Their belief may have been more in the excitement of the moment. Perhaps they got caught up in the emotional reaction the crowds had to this Man who cured sickness and cast out demons. Coming to Jesus most definitely can be an emotional experience, but often emotional worship services are not really about commitment to Jesus as much as they are about wanting to be part of an "experience". It is common to feel emotional when you turn your life over to God, but He requires more—transformation and commitment. Known by Jesus: Trusting the One Who Knows Your Heart John explains to us that Jesus " knew all men ". The desire of our hearts, to be known completely, was fulfilled in Jesus. He knows the good, the bad, the darkest secrets, the real us. He knows the parts of us that we try to keep hidden even from ourselves. He knew the truth about these men. Their belief did not lead to denying themselves and taking up their cross to follow Him (Matthew 16:34). Their belief would not last. If our belief is genuine our hearts will be changed. Immediately following this passage in chapter 3 is the story of Nicodemus. Nicodemus acknowledges that no one could do the signs that Jesus did without God being with him. Jesus then explains to Nicodemus that unless a person is born again they can not see the kingdom of God. Later, Jesus tells Nicodemus that, " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Not to condemn the world but to save it, Jesus says, is the reason He came. False Works and True Relationship Jesus knew that one of His very own disciples, whom He called to follow Him, would betray Him (John 13:21–30). In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus discusses people who prophesy, cast out demons and perform miracles in His name but He will tell them He never knew them. There was no true relationship with these people. He calls them " evil doers. " Why? Because they did not do His Father's will. These people never really knew Him. Maybe they did these works to gain fame. Maybe it was to impress God with their holiness. Almost certainly it was done without love. The Danger of False Signs We can't just believe in signs. Even the antichrist, the lawless one, will come with " all power, signs and lying wonders ". He will come with " unrighteous deception ". The ones he deceives are the people who " did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved " (2 Thessalonians 2: 9-10). We can discern evil from good by praying for wisdom and studying the Word. The stronger our relationship with Jesus, the better we will be able to distinguish false signs. Have you received the " love of the truth "? True Relationship with Christ: Family of God In Mark 3:34-35, Jesus says that the people who do His Father's will belong to the family of God. They are His brothers and sisters, they are His mother. These people have true relationship with Christ. But Isaiah 29:13 describes the people that John says weren't trusted by Jesus. In this verse, God says people honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far away. To really follow Christ faithfully we need to examine our heart. We need to acknowledge our unworthiness before Christ's holiness. We need to seek His forgiveness. Conviction vs. Condemnation: A Path to Growth Being known like Christ knows us makes us sometimes think, "But Lord, I am so bad, how can you love me? How can you still love me when I fail you?" Jesus offers us no condemnation when we walk with the Holy Spirit and not after our own fleshly desires (Romans 8:1). He forgives us. He is the loving father who calls us to obedience, but when we fail Him, picks us up and tells us to try again. If we feel condemned, that is from the Devil. The Devil does not want us to trust God's love and forgiveness. The feeling of conviction, however, is different. Conviction occurs when the Holy Spirit makes us aware of our sin and our need for repentance and change. Conviction leads to spiritual growth. Condemnation does not. Conviction requires us to trust God, condemnation tells us not to trust Him. Walking with Christ: The Greatest Blessing If you long for someone to truly know you, someone who loves you, who loves you enough to have you face your failings, and who will stand by you at all times—then Jesus answers that longing. We have crosses to take up, but it is Jesus who will be with us every step of the way. We walk with the Holy Spirit of God living in us. What greater blessing can there be?

In John 1:1, the disciple tells us, " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ." and in John 1:14, he tells us that this very Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Emmanuel, God with us, lived as you and I. John tells us that He is the creator of all that is. And all that is came about through the spoken Word. But what was the significance of John calling Jesus, the Word? Why not just call him God? John wanted people to understand that Jesus is God, and also the One who reveals who God is. Logos in Greek and Jewish Thought Evan Wickham once said, "Jesus is what God has to say." Jesus is a living message from the Father to the world. He is the Word that communicates the will of God to the world. The Greek word Logos is used to refer to the Word in this way while a different word, Rhema , is used to refer to specific occasions where the words of God were written or spoken. Logos literally means word, discourse, or reason. It is the basis of what we call logic. It was the order of creation. In both Greek and Jewish thought, Logos was seen as the principle through which the universe was ordered and sustained. This word goes back to the Old Testament. Logos according to Greek philosophy gave the world meaning. It was like a bridge between God and the universe. Thus Gentiles (the Greeks) and Jews would both understand that the Word existed eternally. Jesus is the Word that gives life meaning. He is the bridge between our fallen world and God. This connection becomes even clearer when we examine the Old Testament. Understanding Jesus as the Word: Creator and Savior In the Old Testament, we see the word of the Lord personified in Psalm 33:4, Christians see this as a reference to Jesus. In this Psalm, we are told that the word is right and true, faithful in all that he does. In Psalm 107:20, the word is described as healing and delivering people from destruction. Psalm 119:89 tells us that the word is firmly fixed in the Heavens. Again in Isaiah 40:8, we read that the grass withers and the flowers fail, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. In many parts of the Old Testament, the word of the Lord ( Logos ) represents God's revelations. In Jewish belief, Wisdom serves God by drawing humans to Him. Wisdom is identified with the word of God. We see this most clearly in Proverbs 1:20-33 where wisdom calls with urgency, to those who would listen, to fear the Lord. When Proverbs discusses wisdom it represents God's own wisdom and guidance. In Proverbs 8, wisdom is said to be present with God at creation. When John speaks about Jesus, though, he wants us to understand that Jesus is not merely a representation of God's message, but is truly God Himself, living among us. The Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, were known by the Jews as the word of God because they were revealed by God to Moses. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the Torah proclaimed (Hebrews 10:18-14). And in Matthew 5:17, Jesus tells us He came to fulfill the Law. The concept of the Word as both the wisdom of God and the means by which He reveals Himself, helps us see how Jesus fulfills God's promises in Scripture. Jesus, as the Word also, reveals the nature of the Trinity. The Trinity Revealed in the Word By speaking of Jesus as the Word who was God, we see the beginning of the introduction of the concept of the Trinity. We see the triune nature of God at Jesus' baptism. John describes the Holy Spirit descending upon Him (John 1:32). We also hear God speak from the Heavens declaring that Jesus was His Son (Matthew 3:17). All three present—all three one. The Old Testament also has many references that talk about God in the plural (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, and 11:7). This indicates to Bible scholars that they are referring to the Trinity. John shows us that Jesus was not just a messenger or a prophet but fully God, present at Creation. Nor was Jesus just a man. God is one in essence, but three in person. Essence means what you are. To say 'three in person' means that God exists as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully God, yet sharing one essence. As part of the Trinity, Jesus was sent by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit for His mission on earth. John also explains the purpose of the coming of the Word—to bring life. Jesus, the Light of the World John 1:4-5 tells us that only through Jesus can men find life. John says Jesus is the light. Light represents all that is good, while darkness implies evil. Jesus, as the Word, shines a light on our lives and reveals our sinful need for Him. Those who want to remain in darkness don't like the light. They want their sin to remain hidden. When we receive the light, our lives become light for others. As Christians we fight darkness with light . Are we showing our light to others? Do they see Christ in us? Or are we hiding the light of Christ under a bushel, as Matthew 5:15 says? Living as Letters from Christ If we have the light of Christ others should see it. Paul tells us our lives are a letter from Christ (2 Corinthians 3:3 ). Christ has written Himself on our hearts. The Holy Spirit equips us to live out and share the message of Jesus today. The words we use reflect our relationship to Him. How we live, how we act, proclaims His truth. In the book of James, when he talks about the word in James 1:18, he uses the same Greek word, Logos , that John used. James says that we have been " brought forth by the word of truth ". We have been saved through the Word. We have become a new creation by the Word. We are the " first fruits ", as James calls us. In Biblical times, the first harvested crops were offered to God. If we are His first fruits, then it implies that we should be dedicated to Him and His will. We learn more about Jesus's mission from His own words in the New Testament. Jesus, God Incarnate, and His Eternal Purpose. God's love was expressed by sending His Son to die for us—His fallen creation. Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets and declared Himself to be God in John 8:58, where He says He is the 'I Am.' Just as in the Old Testament, in Exodus 3:14, when God says, " I am that I am ." This eternal nature of Jesus, as the great ' I Am ,' shows the importance of His role as Creator, a truth John brings out in his Gospel. John explains in John 1:3 that the Word existed before any created thing. This reinforces the fact that Jesus is God. Jesus not only brought all things into existence, but it is through Jesus that the will of God is communicated. God speaks to us in many ways. We hear Him speak through creation (Psalm 19:1), the prophets, Scripture, the Holy Spirit and of course through Jesus Himself. Not just Jesus' words, but also through His life, death and resurrection. How do we recognize the will of God? Are we listening? More importantly, how are we responding to Jesus? When God says to do a thing, do we? Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Hope Today Finally, in Revelation 19:13 we read, " He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. " Again, when Jesus comes to judge the world He is the Logos , the Word of God. As we've seen, understanding Jesus as the Word—Creator and Savior—helps us understand His eternal role in creation and His mission to save us. As Christians we are so blessed to have the Word revealed to us by the Son of God. He is the Word and He will come again as the Word of God. He has fulfilled the Old Testament predictions and He has brought life and light to our world of darkness. Thanks be to God! Carefully read John's explanation of who Jesus is. Jesus, our eternal Word, reveals the heart of God. As we wait for His return, we should show His truth to others and be guided by His Word. Jesus brings hope to our lives. Is He your hope? Or are you still living in darkness? If you don't know Him, now is the time. John 3:36 tells us, " Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. " This doesn't mean just acknowledging His existence. It means agreeing with His teachings, His mission, His death and resurrection, and His atonement for your sin. The Word is calling! Answer before it's too late. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.