Being Busybodies in Other People's Business Everybody knows the big sins: don't kill people, don't steal, don't commit adultery. But what about those sneaky, so-called, little sins? It might surprise you to know that Peter has a rather unusual list of sins for which suffering might occur. He lists murder, stealing, general evildoing, so you think to yourself, "I'm good." No worries on that list, until he adds, being a " busybody in other people's matters" (1 Peter 4:12-19). Wait, what? I can't gossip? I can't stick my nose in other people's business? The Danger of Idle Words Our Lord tells us that we will be held accountable for the idle words that we say (Matthew 12:36-37). Idle words are often careless words. We speak without thinking. We may gossip because we have nothing of value to add to a conversation. We may act like a busybody because we haven't thought through what we are saying and what it really sounds like to the other person. When Helping Becomes Meddling Often the less we have to keep ourselves busy, the busier with the affairs of others we seem to become. "Let me pray for you" suddenly turns into, "Let me share your troubles with everyone I know." "Let me help you" suddenly becomes, "Do it my way because my way is the best." A busybody likes to meddle or pry into other people's affairs, often offering offer advice that no one asked for. Even ancient Greek philosophers recognized the problem of busybodies. Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle, had this to say about busybodies: "In the proffered services of the busybody there is much of the affectation of kind-heartedness, and little efficient aid." What he is saying is that the busybody offers to help us and pretends to care, but in reality does very little to truly help. As Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3:11, "We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies." This warning is repeated in 1 Timothy 5:13, "And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not." This tendency to meddle isn’t always intentional. Sometimes, what starts as harmless curiosity or a desire to help can turn into unhealthy involvement in others' affairs. For some, being a busybody adds a little spice to their boring lives. The Bible’s Warning Against Gossip and Busybodies Busybodies have nothing that excites them, so getting in the middle of other people's drama relieves that bored feeling. Many times their meddling in other people's business backfires. The Bible warns against gossip and busybodies. There are consequences to this behavior. People find themselves suffering loss of friendships, maybe even being betrayed themselves. Proverbs 16:28 warns us, "...a gossip separates close friends”. The Mistake of Judging Non-Believers Our unsaved friends who do things we don't approve of are often considered fair game to criticize because "we want them to know Christ". We seem to think it's OK to point out their sins to them. The major complaint non-Christians have against Christians is that as Christians, we want to impose our way of thinking on them. In other words, we want to meddle in their lives. If someone is not a Christian, we can't make them act like one. It is God that changes their heart, not our critical judgment of their lifestyle. This is not to say that we pat them on the back and tell them they're great when they are in the midst of sin, but maybe it means we just don't say anything unless we have the opportunity to lovingly tell them what Jesus did for us. Let them know your life has meaning and purpose, tell them how God loves us enough to send His Son to die for you. Of course, sadly, it may be that our non-Christian friends rarely see us talking and acting like Christians ourselves. They should see Christ in us. If they don't, then they may never have an inkling what being a Christian can really mean. Living a Christlike life isn't just a list of things we don't do but more it is the things we do and that we do them with love. When we turn to Christ we turn away from our past and become a new person. The Power of a Christlike Example Before this, if someone came and stuck their nose in our business to tell us how wrong we were we wouldn't have given them the time of day. Maybe we would even remember when the Christian standing before us was anything but a Christian. That leads to feelings of "How dare they tell me not to do the very thing they did!" Before we were Christians many of us lived sinful, selfish lives. We may have felt unloved and purposeless. We didn't need more criticism. Perhaps we felt like we had failed at life already. We needed the Holy Spirit, and when He came and filled us, we knew there was hope, maybe for the first time. The Holy Spirit’s Role in Conviction Pointing out sin judgmentally is not our job; it is the job of the Holy Spirit. We are convicted by the Holy Spirit . Again, we aren't supposed to approve of sin, we aren't supposed to say something is OK when it isn't, but we are also not to bring an accusation against someone who doesn't know God. Only among other Christians are we allowed to talk about biblical accountability with gentleness and humility (Galatians 6:1-2). Christians may be called at times to lovingly correct fellow believers ( Matthew 18:15-17). As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:12, "Are you not to judge those inside ?" This is in no way the same as being a busybody. This is done privately and if not resolved, then with one or two other believers as witnesses. If there is still no resolution then the matter is to be brought before the church. It seems like Christians want to point out what we think are the big sins; fornication, adultery, or maybe lying; but we stay silent on slothfulness, gluttony, idle talk or meddling. Our approach to others, especially non-believers, matters. If our interactions are marked by judgment rather than grace and humility, we risk pushing people away from the very place where they can find healing. This raises an important question: Why don’t people want to go to church? Why Do People Avoid Church? They may not want to go to church because, especially if others know them pretty well, they often feel judged. They may feel like church members are wondering why such a big sinner would be in their church. We go to church to hear the Word so that the Word can change us. We shouldn't go to pretend to be Christians, we go to hear about this Jesus who offers love and forgiveness, who is compassionate and caring and who promises us a new heart. Because often our heart has been broken so many times we can't imagine that there is someone who can make us whole. Church is where we can learn about the Savior who can heal our brokenness. Christians also encounter people online where the temptation to be a busybody can be great. The Trap of Being an Online Busybody In a world of social media it is so easy to respond to a post with a slightly, or maybe very, judgmental tone or word. A single 'like' can endorse an unloving comment. Calling someone out for a minor difference in opinion can quickly turn into unnecessary conflict. Without realizing it, we can slip into being online busybodies. Think and pray before you post. There is a world of opportunity online to witness, but again it must be with love and humility. God’s View on Gossip and Slander God does not view being a busybody or a gossip lightly. Paul tells us in Romans 1:29-32 of sins that lead to spiritual death. Paul says people who do these things have depraved minds that do what shouldn't be done. In the list are sins you might imagine such as, malice, murder, envy, and deceit. But he also says, "They are gossips." Gossip can sometimes easily become slander. When we say bad things about others that aren't true it is called slander. James 3:15-16 calls such behavior demonic. A Heart Changed by Christ A heart changed by God won't stay the same. Have we been busybodies, gossips or slanderers? With the the help of the Holy Spirit we can repent and turn from that sin. The Holy Spirit's loving conviction should lead all of us to a closer walk with His Son. Jesus didn't condemn the woman caught in adultery but remember what He said next, "Go and sin no more" (John 8:11). Our encounter with Christ, our saving knowledge of Him, should lead all of us to desire to sin no more. The Holy Spirit works on us throughout our lives to bring us closer to Him, if we let Him. Getting involved in other people's business is just one area many of us need to work on. If you listen to Him you will know the areas that need to be improved, the sins that need to be removed from your life. Trust God to work in the hearts of the lost, using you if He wills, to point them to the Savior through whom the Holy Spirit transforms and draws them to love Him.

There is one book in the Bible I almost avoided reading, Ecclesiastes. It seemed so dark and so full of hopelessness. But isn’t that the very question this book wrestles with: What is the meaning of life? Why is it in the Bible, I often wondered. Had the author struggled with the same questions many of us today have? The author of the book, Solomon, was supposed to be the wisest man in the world. Why was he saying that everything is vanity? That word vanity is repeated 40 times in Ecclesiastes. It is the translation of a Hebrew word, hevel , which means fleeting or temporary. Sometimes, hevel, is translated as meaningless. A Search for Answers We don't know if Solomon was thinking back to a time when he was living apart from God or, as some scholars speculate, at the moment he wrote the book he was out of fellowship with the Lord. As we walk through this book what we know is that we see someone not unlike ourselves. We see a person genuinely searching for answers. Someone who doesn't seem to see, at first anyway, God working in their life. What Is the Meaning of Life? What Ecclesiastes Tells Us Twenty-nine times in Ecclesiastes he uses the expression, " Under the Sun. " What is the meaning of life? What Ecclesiastes tell us is that these feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness are universal without God front and center in our lives. Even today, people still search for a reason for living. To quote from Reddit, one person stated that, "the meaning to life is the meaning you give it". The author of Ecclesiastes tried giving his life meaning in several ways. None of them gave him the answers he was looking for. When Life Feels Pointless Ecclesiastes discusses the many ways that life can seem pointless to people. These feelings, these questions, are as common today as they were in Solomon's time. A student recently asked, "After university, all we do is work till we die? How do we create more meaning to life outside this??? I don't want this to be my life!" Surely there is more than this he is saying. As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:18, " Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. " He looked on his works and labor and concluded it was all vanity. And if that is truly all there is to life, it would be. Pursuing Fleeting Pleasures He also tries what many still try today, alcohol (Ecclesiastes 2:3). Like many of those today he finds that this also is vanity. No matter how much he drinks, he finds no meaning to life in it. After seeking satisfaction in temporary pleasures, Solomon contrasts this with a deeper, more enduring source of fulfillment—gratitude and contentment in the blessings God provides. Gratitude and Contentment The author sought meaning in mirth, in pursuing all manner of pleasure and joys (Ecclesiastes 2:1). This too he finds to be vanity, without meaning. The expression many of us have heard, "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die," finds its roots in Ecclesiastes 8:15 when he says that under the sun there is nothing better than to eat, drink and be merry. This sounds like he's saying, "Go party because you never know when you're going to be dead." But he is not promoting this hopeless philosophy. When read in the context of the chapter, Solomon is saying that we should be grateful for the blessings God provides. He also says in Ecclesiastes 3:13 " that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God." Solomon agrees with Paul in the New Testament that our blessings and our contentment should come from God. In Philippians 4:11, Paul says he has found contentment in whatever situation he is in. While Solomon focuses on gratitude for earthly blessings, Paul speaks of a deeper, unshakable contentment rooted in his relationship with Christ, regardless of his circumstances. Both Solomon and Paul, therefore, point to a crucial truth: true fulfillment and meaning are found not in fleeting pleasures but in a right relationship with God, the giver of every good gift. A Time for Everything The author also teaches us that there is a time for everything in our lives in Ecclesiastes 3. You may have heard this passage read during a funeral. Solomon says, " There is a time for every purpose under Heaven ," (Ecclesiastes 3:1) The seasons in our life, whether good or bad, don't happen by accident. They serve God's purpose for us. Meaning for our lives comes from understanding this. Eternity in Our Hearts Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God has "put eternity in our heart." We have a desire, a deep longing, for something more than this life. Even for people who have never heard of God there is an awareness of something beyond time. Ecclesiastes reminds us that this longing, this " eternity in our hearts ," as Solomon describes it, points us beyond the fleeting pleasures of this world to the One who placed that desire within us. Thankfully, God has provided a Way to reach eternity through His Son, Jesus. Wrestling with Injustice In chapter 8, Solomon asks the big question many of us have. Why do the evil prosper and the good experience bad things? In the author's view that there is nothing new under the sun, this makes life seem meaningless. Without understanding eternity and the mercy of God, it would definitely seem pointless. Since none of us are truly good (Mark 10:18), perhaps the better question is why does God in His wonderful mercy ever show goodness to us at all? Acknowledging God's Sovereignty Gradually, Solomon comes to the realization that it is impossible to know and understand all the works of God (Ecclesiastes 8:17). We have to realize, just as God told us in Isaiah 55:8-9, that God's thoughts are not yours. His ways are not yours. His ways are higher. Remembering God in Our Youth The author realizes that the best way to live life is to " acknowledge God from your youth, " (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Of all the lessons I wanted my children to learn this was, to me, the most important. What is your life? Our life is short, as the author of James tells us, and it is but a vapor (James 4:14). The time we are given needs to be, as much as possible, lived for God. If we do, then we can live a life that is not filled with regret. We can live a life not so burdened with the consequences of our sin . The Final Word: Fear God Our desires, wants, needs, our search for meaning has not changed over the span of time. The author concludes in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 that this universal experience calls us to fear the Lord and obey Him. He tells us God will judge all our actions, even those done in secret. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells us it is He who will judge all of mankind. True Hope and Meaning The book of Ecclesiastes ultimately wants us to realize that without God there really is no fulfillment, no hope in this life. Without God all our efforts to find purpose for our life will fall short. No amount of searching, drinking, partying, working, gaining wealth or any of our other pursuits will give us what we are looking for. As 1 Peter 1: 3-6, tells us only Jesus is " our living hope. " In John 6: 67-68, Jesus asks the disciples if they want to leave Him, like some others did who thought His teachings were too difficult. Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Once we believe in the Lord our response should be the same. To whom shall we go? There is no meaning without Christ because without Him our life is like a vapor—ultimately empty. He gives us purpose and hope, eternally.

God’s Promise of a Remnant I have fond memories of my grandmother making beautiful quilts. She would use scrap pieces of material, which in themselves weren't very useful, but when put together in a pattern would transform into a lovely warm quilt. These scraps were called remnants. They were the remainders; the leftovers from other projects. As believers, God has promised that there will always be a remnant. No matter what happens there will be true believers that God uses to rebuild. In the Old and New Testaments we read examples of this faithful remnant in the Bible. These are small groups of people who remain true to God even though the majority around them have been unfaithful or undergone judgment. When I speak of remnant people, I mean genuine believers, those whose lives show true repentance and faith, not simply those who claim it. Through this group, God's work continues in the world. We are never alone. God is with us, and through His true believers His work is accomplished. Even small beginnings, can have big impacts , just as God uses His remnant to accomplish great things. Old Testament Examples of the Remnant Most of us are familiar with the story of Noah. Noah and his family were the righteous remnant left after the flood. The story of Lot being saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is another example. And in 1 Kings 19, Elijah cries out to God in anguish believing he is the only one left who has not worshipped idols, but God reassures him that there are 7,000 others, unknown to Elijah, that have also remained faithful to God . In the book of Isaiah, he is promised that the enemy of Israel, the Assyrians, will be destroyed and a small faithful group of Jews will return to their land and truly rely on God (Isaiah 10:20). In 722 BC the Assyrians removed and dispersed the Jews from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Southern Kingdom of Judah survived the Assyrian assaults. It is from the Southern Kingdom that the remnant will return. Isaiah may be referring to this, or to the return of a remnant from Babylon, or even later to the end times event where a faithful remnant will be preserved. In the same way, God preserves His people today. No matter how dark our culture becomes, He is still gathering a faithful people who will not be swept away with the majority. In Ezra chapter 9, the prophet talks about a faithful few that will return from Babylonian captivity. God's faithfulness and grace have allowed their return to Jerusalem for a purpose, to rebuild the holy temple of God. There the people will restore worship to God and faithfully obey His commands. Even though they had been away from Jerusalem for 70 years and return to a destroyed city and a ruined temple, God's chosen people were never left without hope. The Remnant in Worship and Return When the foundation for the new temple was laid the priests and the Levites praised the Lord saying, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Ezra 3:11 They praised God for His faithfulness and mercy. This phrase is found repeatedly in the Psalms (Psalm 136, 100:5, 107:1). The concept of a faithful remnant doesn't end with the Old Testament. It continues throughout the New Testament. The Remnant in the New Testament When Jesus was born there were a few righteous ones who could see Him for who He was: Anna and Simeon in the temple, the Wise Men and the shepherds, and of course John the Baptist. Then there were the disciples who heard His voice and followed Him to become " fishers of men ". In Romans 11:5, Paul explains that even in his time there was a faithful remnant of believers in Christ among the Jews. Though small in number, this group proves that salvation is by grace not by ethnic heritage. Paul compares these to the times of Elijah when Elijah believed he was alone in remaining faithful to God and yet even then there were those set apart for God. They, along with Gentile believers, were the true church. The Remnant in Revelation In the book of Revelation, John uses the word remnant to describe a small group of faithful believers. We begin in Revelation 2:24. Here the church at Thyatira is being addressed. The church had come under the influence of "Jezebel's" corrupt teaching and behavior but a few discerning members had remained faithful to God. Are we resisting the corruption of the world and remaining faithful today? The warning in Revelation 3:1-6 is to the church at Sardis. The Lord says there is no life in the Church. They need to wake up and repent. The church was not finished with its work. Are some of us just going through the motions without really being awake to our need for repentance and true faith? The Lord recognizes however, that there is a remnant in the church that hasn't participated in sin (Revelation 3:4). These faithful have actions that match their words. Jesus says they will " walk with me dressed in white. " The true believers in Revelation 12:17 are discussed when the dragon (the Devil) turns his attention from the woman, symbolizing Israel, to believers, or " the rest of her children " as it is sometimes translated. Those preserved may be the Jews or Gentiles who listened to the message of the 144,000 in Revelation 7. The Devil declares war on the courageous servants of Christ on earth in hopes of destroying them completely. Very briefly let's examine who the 144,000 are in Revelation 7. These are 12,000 Jews sealed from each of the 12 tribes of Israel to go out and proclaim the Gospel. Some believe this number is symbolic, but many accept it as a literal number. Again and again we see examples of God's mercy reaching out to bring in His faithful ones. Remnant People: God’s Faithful Few in Every Age In Romans 11:16, we understand that through remanent people, God's faithful few in every age, God will fulfill His promises. It may seem sometimes as if God has deserted us, or maybe our nation. But through His faithful servants, He will never abandon us forever. Matthew 28:18-20 explains that as His set apart people we are to reach out to the world for Him, not hide behind fear. We have a mission and a duty. This reminds us that being part of God’s remnant is not about hiding in survival mode, but about living faithfully and courageously in our daily lives: at work, at home, and in our community. As part of the remnant, we are to pray for His kingdom to come. And we know, because we know the end of the story, that we can face life with an optimism that is not available to those who don't know His word. He is our conquering Savior who defeats death and Hell (Revelation 1:18). The cross has defeated the powers of darkness . How does a modern faithful few influence the world today? There are so many possibilities: working with prison ministries, mentoring those coming out of addiction, being a positive online witness, or being a welcoming, loving neighbor. Seek guidance and the Lord will open doors for you to serve Him in ways you never thought possible. Acknowledge your weaknesses and ask Him for strength. But whether it is the Old or New Testament when the remnant refers to God's faithful ones they have certain things in common. Zephaniah 3 explains what these traits are. Their words will reflect their inner purity ( pure lips ) and they will serve God with one accord, meaning they will pursue the will of God together. (Zephaniah 3:9). They are meek, humble, and put their trust in God (Zephaniah 3:12). They are truth tellers, not liars, and live righteously (Zephaniah 3:13). Although small in number, God's righteous ones won't come from just one denomination. He will call His own from all churches that believe that Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins to reconcile us with God. The defining characteristic will be true faith in Christ, not church affiliation. Whether in the workplace or at school, today we can be an example of true followers of Christ. Are we kind to those around us, do we refuse to participate in gossip and rumors, do we remove ourselves from a group that persistently uses foul language or tells dirty jokes? Standing for Christ can be difficult, but being a faithful follower of Christ means more than just going to church on Sunday. When we remain steadfast in Christ, we should always seek God's approval over the praises of men. I often wonder as time goes by will we meet in big church buildings or will we look more like the church in China? Will we go "underground" and meet in people's homes? Will we be like the early church? Jesus taught us to be “ wise as serpents and harmless as doves ” (Matthew 10:16). We should trust the Holy Spirit to speak through our lives, memorizing the word of God, prayerfully seeking opportunities to witness for Him, and being obedient. Just as my grandmother's quilt was made from many insignificant individual scraps of material, so the remnant of faithful followers will be made up of humble and meek individuals who will come together to accomplish God's will. From something small and seemingly useless the Lord can bring together a force to change the world. His righteous holy ones will remember His promise, " For with God nothing shall be impossible " Luke 1:37. Our prayer should always be to be among the few remnant people who choose the narrow path that leads to life. So many sadly, choose the broad path to destruction. And with the help of the Holy Spirit we can have the strength to be among the faithful of this generation. We remember that He uses the weak, the powerless, and the humble to accomplish His will. All glory goes to Him when His will is done! Amen and Amen!

~ Our High Priest is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the Heavens .~ I remember well when I was a young child hearing for the first time about the tearing of the temple veil at the death of Christ. What an image that is. Today when we hear the word veil we often think of some wispy, see through material. This veil wasn't like that. This torn veil was enormous. The Torn Temple Veil The Bible tells us that the veil was approximately 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide and approximately 4 inches thick. It was adorned with cherubim like the ones Ezekiel saw guarding God's throne. It was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn with finely twisted linen. When it was torn it wasn't from the bottom up, but the top down. Only the hand of God could tear a 4 inch thick, 60 foot tall veil from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Why Was The Veil Torn? As amazing as all of that is, the most amazing thing is the significance of the veil being torn. The word veil in Hebrew literally means " to separate ". That was its function - to separate humans from the holiness and majesty of God. Behind this veil lay the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat. The mercy seat was where the blood of the sacrifice was placed that would reconcile God and his people. Only once a year on the Day of Atonement, did a high priest enter this area behind the veil. From the moment the veil was torn, no longer was a priest needed to bring the blood of animals to atone for our sins. We could, through the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross, go directly to our Lord. The blood of Jesus literally allows us to enter into the presence of God. Christ is our Passover. Hebrews 10: 19-22 tells us that we can go boldly to God through the blood of Jesus. We no longer need a Jewish high priest to atone for our sins. Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is our perfect atonement. We enter into God's presence through the veil that is Christ's flesh. He is our high priest. He is our perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 8: 1-2 says the main point is that our High Priest, Jesus, is seated in Heaven and is the minister of the true tabernacle. We no longer need a man to do this job. Jesus has torn down the veil between man and God. It is his righteousness, not ours, that allows us to approach God. Because of Jesus we can come before God boldly. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4: 16 The New Covenant The tearing of the veil signifies the beginning of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant has passed away. The Old Covenant was based on obeying the Laws of Moses. Ezekiel 36: 26-27 speaks of the New Covenant this way, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." The Perfect Sacrifice When we celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord, let us be mindful of the fact that Jesus our High Priest was tempted in all points just as we are and yet He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15). He was the perfect sacrifice, once for all. Because Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect and complete, it not only secured our forgiveness but also opened a way for us to live in close fellowship with God. This leads us to understand the full power of the access we now have through Him. The Power of Bold Approach Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are invited into God’s presence with confidence. We no longer approach Him cautiously or through ritual; we come as children welcomed by a loving Father. This bold access is not earned by our efforts, but given freely through the righteousness of Jesus. Every prayer we lift, every act of worship we offer, is empowered by the blood of Christ. His torn veil reminds us that God desires intimacy with His people and has provided the perfect way for us to experience it daily. Please pray with me: We bless you Lord and we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, who has become our great High Priest, our intercessor, before your throne for the forgiveness of our sins. By His Cross and Resurrection He has set us free. In your Son's name, Amen Jesus our High Priest

Order is from God - Chaos is Not of God In James 3:16, we are told what happens to us when we are envious (jealous) or self-seeking, confusion and every evil thing comes upon us. Some translations say disorder and evil practices. We know that the only thing that can bring order out of confusion, or chaos, is the very word of God. In Genesis chapter one, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and the world was " without form and void " which is an expression that means chaotic. When God began to speak, the world began to be ordered. How to Become More Ordered Just so our lives become more ordered as we listen to the words of God. When we study our Bibles, listen to sermons, or pray with others for the will of God, our lives will become less chaotic and more peaceful. We will see things in our lives be put in their proper places, our relationships will be calmer, our faith stronger. Confusion v Chaos There is a subtle difference between confusion and chaos. Confusion is a lack of understanding or organization while chaos is when everything around you seems crazy and seemingly makes no sense. Confusion can sometimes simply be a time in your life when you are uncertain about the will of God for yourself. God can use this type of confusion to grow our faith. Paul experienced this uncertainty about God's will on his missionary journey to Macedonia (Acts 16: 6-7). Paul had plans to go to other parts of Asia but God had different plans for him. God spoke to Paul in a dream to tell him that He placed before him an open door , where he needed to go. Paul's confusion about where his next missionary journey would take him required him to wait on the Lord. When we are required to wait, we often find our faith strengthened. A Life in Darkness Our Lord speaks to us in John 8:12, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” This darkness that Jesus speaks of is the darkness of chaos. It is a life without meaning. A life that seems incomprehensible. A life lived for no purpose. But our Lord says that if we follow Him we will have the light of life. We are to walk in the light . Our life will be one of peace (not to be confused with easy), it will be a life that has meaning and that meaning will be found in Jesus. A World of Chaos As Christians we live in a world of chaos. Our world seems consumed with self-seeking and jealousy. Because of this it is disordered, chaotic. This chaos intrudes on us and seeks to destroy us. We know that chaos is not of God. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul writes that God is not the author of confusion or chaos. Quite the opposite, God wants peace for us. Jesus tells us it is His peace that He gives us (John 14:27). We are told that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the Devil, the one who brings chaos and disunity (Ephesians 6:12). Even in this fight, He whispers sweet peace to us. Peace, Be Still Just as Jesus calmed the angry waves, so today He calms the chaos around us with just a word. What did Jesus say to the waves? " Peace, be still ," (Mark 4: 39). Satan creates chaos by trying to deceive people, by confusing them. Satan lies about the very nature of God and makes people believe that seeking their own good is the thing that matters most and will bring them happiness. Perhaps, like Jesus, we can say to those who bring chaos to our lives, " Peace, be still ." The Lord Blesses Us With Peace In Deuteronomy 28, one of the many curses God placed on a disobedient Jewish nation was confusion. As Christians we are no longer under the law, but none the less our obedience is necessary and is proof of our love for God (John 14:21). Nothing can be worse than living a chaotic, disobedient life without love for God. God's order brings peace. We must wrap ourselves in Jesus, who is called the Prince of Peace , so that the chaos of this world does not make us give up. We agree with the Psalmist in Psalm 29:11, "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Chaos is Not of God

Witnessing a Miracle I was privileged yesterday to witness a miracle. Probably a hundred people or more witnessed it as well. It was a miracle performed in full view of everyone. I witnessed a marriage ceremony. In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus says this: "And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Two Shall Become One - Marriage As Metaphor Marriage is the great metaphor that is used in Scripture to explain the relationship that we as Christians have with our Lord. Just as a husband and wife are " no longer two but one flesh, " so also do we become one with our Lord. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:27-28 that we are all, male or female, slave or free, Jew or Greek, one in Christ. This union with Christ is present during Communion. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 that although we are many, we are all one bread and one body because of Christ. Christ Awaits His Bride As the bridegroom awaits his bride during their engagement, so Christ awaits His bride the Church, until the end of the age when the Church and Christ attend the marriage supper of the Lamb referred to in Revelation 19: 6-9. Just as a bride prepares herself for the wedding day, the Church is called to remain faithful and ready for Christ’s return. Our waiting is not passive; it is marked by obedience, holiness, and hope. Our Marriage - Our Relationship With Jesus The Bible, the God breathed scriptures that we declare, as Christians, to be the very word of God, tells us about the relationship between husband and wife and how that relationship should mirror our relationship with God. In Ephesians 5:22-33 Paul explains how this relationship should look. It should be a mirror image of our relationship with Jesus. Submit to Christ As Christians we are told to submit to Christ. We submit to Him because of His great love for us. We know He would never harm us or ask us to do evil. Christ died for us " while we were yet sinners" His love was so great. In this chapter, Paul tells us wives are to submit to their husbands in the same way and for the same reasons. Our husbands are told by Paul to love us as Christ loved the Church. In other words, our husbands are to love us unconditionally and always seek our good. Our husbands should build us up in our faith. Paul tells us that we are one in our marriage as we are one in Christ. This miracle is a " great mystery " one that can not be fully comprehended while we are in the flesh. Men - The Spiritual Head Of The Home Notice that Paul's instructions are for wives to submit to their husbands, not to all men. As the spiritual head of our home husbands have a great responsibility to lead by example and ensure that Christ is the true head of our home. When husbands lead with Christlike character, they create a home where trust can grow and biblical submission can flourish. This kind of leadership prepares the way for the instruction that wives are to submit to their husbands, as Scripture teaches. Women Submit To Your Husbands In 1 Peter 3:1-6 Peter reiterates this by saying again that women should be submissive to their husbands, even those who are not Christian. He says that wives should be focused on inner beauty, by cultivating a gentle and quiet spirit that God loves. This spirit in turn can be a motivating factor in the conversion of their husbands. In verse 5, Peter tells us that these women in former times, like Sarah, were role models who " trusted in God ". He doesn't say that they trusted in their husbands or in their own strength. By trusting in God they will not fear the future. Peter goes on to say in 1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." Husbands Honor Your Wives So husbands should understand their wives and honor them, because both husband and wife are heirs of the grace of God. Why should they do this? Peter says so God will hear their prayers. When Peter calls women the " weaker vessel, " he is most likely referring to the fact that in most cases women are physically weaker than men. The misuse of these scriptures by people who took these verses to mean that men should control their wives in every aspect without honoring them or even truly loving them, is the main reason why these scriptures are so despised in modern culture. Being loved, honored, and understood by my husband sounds wonderful to me. Submitting to my husband is necessary according to the Bible. It does not mean that I should accept mistreatment. Submission is not abuse. Submitting to every man is not what the word says. Women played and do play a major role in the work of the church, as we read about the women of Acts we know this is true. Marriage Takes Work Marriage, much like our relationship with God, is a challenge. Marriage takes work. We should encourage each other . Marriage takes forgiveness. Marriage takes putting God first in all things. Although we may not always succeed 100%, we know that we trust God to make a way, because we go before Him now not as two individuals, but as one who seeks the right path. I pray God's blessings on this beautiful young couple as they walk forward now as one in the Lord. Enjoy "Two Becoming One" by Jonathan and Emily Martin Two Shall Become One

Why Biblical Genealogies Matter I have heard the genealogies in the Bible often described as dry, boring, and unnecessary. Admittedly, they may be something we often skip, but we shouldn't. Genealogies make up a surprisingly large portion of the Bible (10-12%). Far from unnecessary, there must be some significance to them that we are missing. Biblical genealogies matter for many reasons. Why Genealogies Are More Than Lists of Names Genealogies as a whole help us realize that the Bible is not mere story, but actual history with real people that really lived. They help to confirm prophecy. Jesus was promised to come from the lineage of King David and through genealogies we see this fulfilled. In the genealogies we read about Gentiles (people who aren't Jewish) and their importance to the fulfillment of God's plan. We also learn particular details about specific people that we would never know if we just skipped over these parts. Finally, we realize that the Jewish people were not just a vague group of individuals but extremely specific tribes that lived in distinct places, with specified roles to play in history. I want to highlight some individual stories that we can read and learn from in the Old Testament genealogies. As the inspired word of God, we understand that even here God is teaching us something, if not it wouldn't be recorded. The significance of genealogies becomes clear almost immediately, beginning in Genesis 4, where Scripture presents two distinct family lines and two very different ways of responding to God. We see this contrast most clearly in the story of Cain and Abel Genesis 4: Two Lines, Two Ways of Living As most of us know, Cain kills Abel, is cursed, and driven away. Subsequently, Eve bears her next son, Seth, whose name in Hebrew means appointed . Seth is the replacement for the line of righteousness that ended with Abel's death. It is Seth's line that will lead to the Messiah. In Genesis 5:3, we read this about the birth of Seth, " And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. " Just as Adam was created in the image and likeness of God, now the fallen, sinful Adam bore a son in his image. This son was like his father, mortal and flawed. He would never know the unparalleled experience of physically walking with God in sinless perfection as Adam had. Seth’s line, though fallen like his father, sets the stage for his descendants to turn to God. Genesis 4:26 explains that in the days of Seth's son, Enosh, people began to " call on the name of the Lord ." Enosh's birth takes place 240 years after Adam and Eve. Doesn't it seem odd that people waited so long to call on God's name? If we examine the story of Adam and Eve, we see that they answered God's questions, but they did not initiate a conversation with God. The shame and guilt of their sin may have delayed their calling on His name. What follows is not just family history, but a biblical contrast between two paths, sin and righteousness. In the meantime, the influence of Cain and his descendants was growing and spreading like some unwanted weed in the garden of life. From Abel's offer of an acceptable sacrifice to God, to the recognition that evil was spreading, Seth and his descendants turned to God as one who accepted their sacrifices and cared for them. They called on Him, further recognizing His control over all of their world. When Seth and his descendants started calling on the Lord this marked a shift toward true acknowledgment of God, unlike Cain, whose only words to God were complaint and self-justification. In the midst of fallen humanity, the Bible isn't just listing names, but highlighting individuals who lived righteous lives, one of the clearest being Enoch. Genesis 5:21-24 tells us the story of Enoch. Enoch was the famous father of Methuselah, who lived longer than anyone else recorded in Scripture, 969 years. Enoch's story doesn't end like all the rest in this genealogy, " and then he died ." Enoch, amazingly, was said to have " walked with God " and at 365 years God " took him ." As one of the faith heroes found in Hebrews 11:5, we know that " he pleased God ." For these reasons, God allowed Enoch to escape death and took him directly home. Just as Enoch's desire was to please God so many long centuries ago, so ours today should be as well. From Noah to the Nations This theme of walking faithfully with God continues in Enoch’s descendants, particularly in the birth of Noah, Enoch's great grandson. At his birth, his father Lamech, called him Noah because, as he says in Genesis 5:29, “ This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed. ” The name Noah sounds very similar to the Hebrew word for rest or comfort, echoing Lamech's hopeful words. If Lamech is speaking prophecy over his child, it is certainly true that he would bring relief and comfort from the toil of labor caused by the fall of Adam and God's curse. The flood washed the world anew and gave it a new beginning. In Noah we also see a type of Christ, a foreshadowing of the One who would truly bring us a Comforter in the Holy Spirit. But perhaps Lamech was just recognizing that another set of hands in the field would ease his toil. Most parents could agree with Lamech that their heart's desire is that their children be a comfort to them. This genealogy ends with the birth of Noah and begins again after the flood in Genesis 10. At that point, genealogies shift to the descendants of Noah, showing how they reshaped the entire world. From Noah's son Japheth in Genesis 10:5 we discover, " ...the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations." Genesis 10 presents this genealogy before the events of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, showing the non-Jewish world divided purposefully into nations with distinct heritages and languages. As the genealogy continues, one figure stands out in particular, Noah's great grandson, Nimrod. Nimrod is described in Genesis 10:8-12, where we are told, "... he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord... " The word for mighty one in Hebrew is " gibbor" which means warrior. Nimrod founded some of the world's great empires. We are told his kingdom included Babel among others and that he was responsible for building Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. In modern times it is located in northern Iraq. Many of these nations were chief among the enemies of Israel. This is even more interesting when you realize the meaning of Nimrod's name. Old Testament names have deep meaning closely associated with their character. Nimrod's name, in Hebrew means " let us rebel ," suggesting he had a rebellious spirit. The kingdoms he founded with his rebellious spirit, didn't just fade away but oppressed others for generations. Nimrod is also mentioned elsewhere in 1 Chronicles 1:10, where he again is called 'mighty ' and in Micah 5:6 where Assyria is called " the land of Nimrod ." These are just a few examples of what would be unnoticed or overlooked if we just "skipped those boring genealogies". Purposeful Details Within Long Genealogies This pattern of genealogies revealing God's plans, continues throughout Israel’s history. The most extensive genealogy in the Old Testament is in 1 Chronicles chapters 1-9. This covers Adam to Abraham followed by the descendants of Abraham and Esau. In chapters 2-8 we have the genealogies of the 12 tribes of Israel. Chapter 9 focuses on those who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Even in the longest and most complex genealogies, Scripture includes purposeful details, one striking example is found in the Levitical singers in 1 Chronicles 6. Personally, I love singing. I love my choir, I enjoy our musicians, I love bringing praise to God on Sunday mornings in song. But did you know that this was a formally instituted part of worship in 1 Chronicles? In the midst of the genealogy of the tribe of Levi, we are told that David appointed certain ones to " be in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord " (1 Chronicles 6:31). They were before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting. This was not just singing to entertain but a ministry, a true service to God. It was purposeful. The people there knew their function in worship and performed it with dedication. The first person on the list is Heman, known as the singer. They served (or stood) in the Tabernacle (a tent) until Solomon built his beautiful permanent Temple to God. The idea of standing implies that this service for God was ongoing and rigorous. They didn't just wake up one morning and decide they wanted to sing that day. But you may wonder, "I am not a member of the tribe of Levi, how does that apply to me?" You and I have a calling just as the Levites did so long ago to share Christ with others. Perhaps the way you will share Him is through song in your local church. Even if we are not called to be a part of the choir, we can sing praises to Him in the congregation. We can show others we love God by participating in His worship. One day, in Heaven, we will all have a song on our lips that we will join together in singing. " Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty " (Revelation 4:8). This is just one more example of what can be learned from studying the many genealogies in the Bible. They are not filler or background material; they are deliberate testimonies of how God works through generations, shaping history, worship, and redemption. Learning to Read What We’re Tempted to Skip God's word is full of richness and sometimes it can be found in the most mundane places in His word, right in the middle of a list of people who were born and died. Certainly this is what we have in common with all of these people. We were born and we will die. Biblical genealogies really do matter. We can trust the whole Bible to teach us important lessons. So the next time you pick up your Bible ask the Lord, "What do you have for me today Lord?" Pray you don't overlook any lessons He would have you learn from His Word. When we skip over genealogies, we aren't just skipping names, we are overlooking the unfolding of God's purpose in the lives of ordinary people, not unlike ourselves.

Loving Friends or Friendly Enemies I heard a pastor say recently that we have confused love for people with being friends with our enemies. I thought about this a lot. Can we love someone and not be friends with them? The Bible says yes. James 4:4(b) says this, "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James acknowledges in chapter 2 verse 8 that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. So James knows the requirement for love of others. What the Bible doesn't say is that we have to like them, or for that matter, even respect them except to acknowledge they are made in the image of God, as are we. Jesus Speaks Truth Jesus spent much time with worldly people. He didn't "hang out" with them like a buddy. What He did do was speak truth to them out of love. Sometimes it was a harsh truth, sometimes not, but always it was the truth they needed to hear that only someone who truly loved them would speak. The World Will Hate You In John 15: 19 Jesus says that because we are not of this world, because we belong to Him, the world will hate us. But are we different ? That doesn't sound very much like we can become friends with the lost. In fact, Paul tells us that when we try to become friends with the world that " bad company ruins good morals. " (I Corinthians 15:33). When we are in Christ we will be strangers in the world . One of the lies of the Devil is that we need the love of this world. In the churches today this lie is rampant. The Devil tells God's children if we truly loved others, we would be accepting of their choices. Satan would have us believe their behavior is "just how they are". We would forget about the necessity of repentance; the necessity to turn from sin and seek the holiness of God. Whose Praises Are More Important? Sometimes we desire the love of the world, because as John 12:43 says, the praises of men are more important to us than the praises of God. When we become friends with the world we get praised. We are praised for being non-judgmental, because we no longer speak truth. We no longer talk of repentance. The Gift Of Discernment The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of discernment for a reason. We are to discern, to understand, the true motives of people. Is this person really as they appear or are they working against us in very subtle ways to undermine our relationship with God? As we deepen our relationship with God, we are better able to extend sacrificial love to others without granting the closeness or affection reserved for true friendship. Sacrificial Love When Jesus speaks of loving others the Greek word, agapao , was often used. This word has a meaning that includes self-sacrifice, not affection or even emotion. This love puts others before yourself even when you have no ' loving ' feeling toward them. This word means a totally unselfish kind of love. Think of the worst kind of sin you can imagine, murder or child molestation. Now imagine loving that person, sacrificially. God commands us to have sacrificial love because this is how He loves. He doesn't command us to be friends or be accepting of their behavior. We confuse love with acceptance. At One Time We Were Enemies Of God God's sacrificial love for us is that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5: 8) Or as Paul tells us in Romans 5:10, God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus while we were God's enemies. Therefore, God loved us while we were still sinners, but we were not His friend, we were His enemy! The word used for reconciled here means to " change completely ". In this case to change from enemies to beloved friends. Thank you gracious Father for calling us to repent and reconciling us to you. Amen Enjoy the beautiful hymn, "Blessed Redeemer", by Casting Crowns here .

Going it Alone Are you familiar with the expression, "Going it alone"? Have you ever decided you just don't need other people, or maybe you just don't like other people? Sometimes we seem to think they create more problems than they offer benefits. As Christians, do we sometimes think we can also "go it alone"? Do we think, "Well I have Jesus so I don't really need other Christians"? Family of God It is true that as a Christian we are never truly alone. The Holy Spirit lives in us. God promises to always be there for us. So why do we need others? The Bible tells us clearly that faith is not lived alone. As part of the body of Christ we can't separate ourselves from other members of the body and be successful Christians. We are a part of the family of God. Learn-Fear-Obey As far back as Deuteronomy 31:12-13 the Lord instructed his servants to gather together. Why? First, to learn about their Lord. Secondly, to fear the Lord. Last, to observe his commands, in other words, to be obedient. These instructions, we are told, were especially important for children. Remember Him In Matthew 18:20 Jesus tells us that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there. Surely, we want to be in a place where we know without a doubt that Jesus is. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted communion. This sharing of His body was to be done together with other Christians. Jesus says it should be done to " remember Him " (Luke 22: 19-20). This was not something that Christians ever did alone. Devote Yourselves In Acts 2:42 the young church is described as being unified by devoting themselves to learning more about Jesus, breaking bread together (sharing communion) and praying. The church, as a whole, was being strengthened to face the trials that would come to them in the world. Paul, in Ephesians 4:1-3, asks the church to bear with one another in love as we try to maintain a spirit of unity in peace. If I could worship all alone this wouldn't be so important. Teach and Admonish Colossians 3:16 tells us to teach and admonish one another. Admonish in the Bible means to warn someone in a loving way. We can't be taught or admonished if we don't gather together. The way that we should do these things, Paul tells the church, is with the singing of the Psalms (from the book of Psalms), hymns which praise or honor God and with spiritual songs - songs that deal with spiritual ideas such as salvation or grace to name just a few. All of this is to be done with grace. This is how we grow our faith - together. Comfort Each Other 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us to comfort and build each other up. You can't do this alone. We need to be with other Christians. We need to communicate and teach, warn and comfort, pray and sing as a body of believers. Of course we can watch wonderful sermons on our televisions. Of course we can pray for others alone in our home. Of course we can listen to wonderful Christian music with no one around, but the Bible makes it very, very clear that we are mainly to do these things with other Christians. Our Family Has a Purpose Psychologists tell us that being part of a group, belonging to something, brings happiness. Family is important for this very reason. We have a need to matter to other humans. This need is fulfilled perfectly when we belong to Christ. We are all a part of Him. We have a common purpose, to share the love of Christ to others and to tell them what He has done for us. Encourage One Another We assemble together, Hebrews 10:25 tells us, so that we can exhort each other. This simply means that we are to encourage one another . This life is hard. The Christian life can be hard. We need encouragement, prayer and teaching. We need to share our experiences of the Lord's blessings in our lives. What greater way to be encouraged than to hear how God has worked in the life of another believer? Let's Not Go It Alone Of course there are times, sadly, when we really can't meet together, but it is so incredibly important that we see the need for fellowship with one another when we have the opportunity. Who knows if we will always be able to meet as easily as we do now? Let us pray that our Father will place the desire in the hearts of those who have decided to "go it alone" to once again join with the family of God and praise His holy name. Enjoy this beautiful hymn, " The Family of God " here . The Family of God

Do You Sing? Do you sing? Do you sing in church? I grew up in a time when children routinely learned how to sing in school. Some of my fondest memories of elementary school was learning how to sing a new song. Today children are not always so fortunate. Many people have grown up believing they can't sing, mainly because they were never exposed to the joy of singing. What does the Bible say about singing? Why do we sing praises in church? Or, do you like many people, stand there rather uncomfortably waiting for the song to get over? Let Them Sing Praises We have an entire book of the Bible, Psalms, dedicated to singing. Should it be surprising then that we are told multiple times to sing praises to God? Psalm 149: 3 says, " Let them sing praises to Him! " I know some of you are thinking, why can't we just listen to the sermon, pray and go home? Our goal as Christians is to be more like Jesus. At the Last Supper Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn before leaving (Matthew 26:30). God, the Father, also sings. He rejoices over us with singing as we are told in Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Why Do We Sing Praises? The Bible tells us multiple reasons for singing to God. Deuteronomy 31:19 God tells Moses to write down a song He is giving Him and teach it to the children of Israel so that it would His witness, so they would not forget. Psalm 89:1 tells us to sing of God's love Psalm 149 tells us to sing praises to God. Psalm 132:9 speaks to us of singing about what God has done for us. Acts 16:25 speaks of Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns to God even in prison. Ephesians 5:19 says to sing with one another giving thanks always. Colossians 3:16 says to sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. James 5:13 reminds us to sing psalms when we are cheerful. Revelation 5:9-10 tells us of a new song being sung in Heaven. Revelation 15:3-4 speaks of those who had victory over the beast singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Songs move us, they stir our souls. They help us to remember important truths about God. Just as we learned songs when we were young to help us learn our ABC's or the books of the Bible, the songs we sing in church help us to remember, to praise and give thanks for our many blessings. We sing our wonderous story of our Christ who died for us. What Should We Sing? The Bible doesn't say that only those with perfect pitch should sing. We all should be praising God in song. Some people worry about what type of songs we should sing. As long as the song contains Biblical truth, we have no worries. It may have been written 200 years ago or yesterday. How Should We Sing Songs are not just to be sung in worship services but even when we are alone, we can sing praise to God. In Psalm 108:1-2 David talks about singing praises to God at dawn. In Psalm 59:16 again David recounts singing of God's love in the morning. What a wonderful way to begin the day in prayer and song. John Wesley has a quote that describes how our singing ought not to be. "Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan. (John Wesley, Preface to Select Hymns [1761])" Music can touch our souls and stir us from our indifference. Are you bored singing? Pray that God will help you to reflect on the words and be lifted from thinking about things of this world or being worried about not being a great singer. Singing for God Those tasked with singing in the choir, soloists and others always, just like the congregation, must remember that our singing is not for our glory but God's. We don't sing for accolades; we sing from our hearts. Hearts that need and want to praise God. We are the family of God gathered to praise Him. Every time we sing, we should thank God for the opportunity to touch the hearts of those who hear us with a deeper understanding of what it means to praise Jesus. Praise Him! Instead of relying just on the choir, or the soloist or anyone else; let us all praise our God with lifted hands (Psalm 134:2), rejoicing always in His love and His forgiveness. Remember, God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). If you want to feel His presence, then praise Him! Enjoy the beautiful hymn, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, here .

Suffering servant or conquering Messiah? Israel had long awaited their conquering Messiah. Many sects had arisen claiming that their leader would be him, but each one rose and fell. Our Savior was called by the Holy Spirit of God to go into the desert for 40 days to show who the Messiah really was—a suffering servant sent to heal His people. Old Testament Parallels in Jesus’s Temptation When we see Jesus in the desert we can see Old Testament parallels. Jesus, the second Adam, instead of going into a garden like the first Adam, was brought into a fallen world, into a desert. Where the first man, Adam, failed, Jesus did not. In fact, this event would be the beginning of His ministry of reconciliation of the world to Himself. Where Adam was born into the perfect Eden, but then cast out because of his sin, Jesus entered willingly into a fallen world, so as to provide an escape from the consequences of sin . Israel's Wilderness Lessons The Jewish people were brought into the desert and wandered there for 40 years. Why? Because they failed to acknowledge where their help came from. They complained, they built an idol to worship and they endured hardship. This taught them and built them into the nation that would become Israel. They wandered so God could teach them humility (Deuteronomy 8:1-5). In the end, the Israelites learned to depend on God, a lesson that Jesus Himself would serve as an example of during His time in the desert. Relying on God Through Temptation Jesus, led by the Spirit, wanders in the desert for 40 days, but in Him we are given a perfect example of relying on God for all our needs. Jesus was an example of one who was offered everything by Satan. "Turn the stones into bread," Satan told Him. "You're hungry, take care of your needs," Satan implied. Forget God. Haven't we also been tempted to rely on ourselves instead of relying on God? Satan’s Tactics in Tempting Jesus Next, Satan tells Jesus to throw himself off the temple because the angels will let no harm come to Him. Satan's temptation was for Jesus to gain glory for Himself by displaying His power in ways that were not God's will. Have we not been tempted to do things for self-glorification that had nothing to do with what God wanted for us? Notice also that Satan himself quoted scripture to Jesus from Psalm 91:11-12 in an attempt to entice Jesus to reveal who He was before it was time. The Power of Scripture Against Temptation Finally, Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world: power and glory without suffering. This kingship was destined to be Jesus's, but the temptation to avoid the cross, the will of God, was probably a powerful one. All Jesus had to do was worship Satan. But quoting Holy Scripture, Jesus told Satan to " be gone " because only God was to be worshipped. It is truth that the " father of lies" , the Devil, fears the most. As Hebrews tells us, Jesus was tempted in every way as man but did not sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). God does not tempt us, but He does allow temptation to happen. Why? To build character, to build the spiritual strength it takes to live life for Him and to teach us humility. Jesus shows that temptation can be overcome by three things: prayer, fasting and knowledge of the word of God. Why does the Devil leave each time? Because Jesus quotes scripture. The Devil knows scripture as well. He also knows who he is addressing—the Son of God. The power of the word of God cannot be underestimated. How do we escape temptation? Escaping Temptation Through God’s Provision The Bible says that God has provided a way of escape when we are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is up to us to use it. We can ignore God. We can pretend that we aren't doing anything wrong. We know the lies of the Devil can be very convincing. He whispers to us, "You deserve this," "This won't really hurt anyone," "Your needs are more important," or "Just this one time won't matter." But if we belong to God and hear Him, the Holy Spirit reminds us these are lies (Romans 6:6). The Subtle Temptations of Neglect We often think that the Devil only tempts us to " do " certain things, but often he tempts us " not to do " things. When we should give to people, he tells us we cannot because it will not leave enough for us. When someone needs our time he tells us we cannot because we are too busy. When someone needs us to use our skills, whatever they may be, he tells us someone else can do it. Whether the Devil is tempting us to do wrong, or to not do what we know is right, he often chooses a time when we are at our weakest. The Timing of Jesus's Temptation Think about the timing of Jesus's temptation by the Devil. He had just been baptized. He had not yet begun to preach and teach. If the Devil could get to Jesus at this time and cause Him to sin, before Jesus could spread His message, before He could work miracles and before the Cross, then He could stop this world from ever having the opportunity to restore our relationship to our Creator. The world truly would be Satan's. Likewise, the Devil understands the timing of temptation in our lives. He chooses a time when we are the most vulnerable to the lies he speaks to us. The Beginning of Jesus’s Ministry Jesus's ministry began when Satan failed to successfully tempt Jesus. Our Lord began to preach His message of repentance, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus calls us, not just to feel sorry for our sin, but to turn from it. He calls us to turn towards God and trust and obey Him because our hearts are changed. We will repent because we love God. From here, Jesus began to call His disciples. Next, He went throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogue, which was a place of worship and teaching for the Jews. In Luke 4:14–30, we learn that, in the synagogue in Nazareth, He read a prophecy about the Messiah from Isaiah 61:1 and claimed, before everyone, to be the fulfillment of it. Jesus’s Proclamation of the Kingdom He also preached " the gospel of the kingdom ", literally the good news that Christ will rule in the hearts of believers. John tells us Jesus's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). In Matthew 24:14, He reveals that, "...this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." What He began won't end until His message has reached the whole world. The Healing Messiah and His Growing Fame Finally, Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons. By curing the sick and casting out demons, Jesus showed His followers that He really was the bringer of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Messiah. He showed love and compassion for those who had no hope. For He was, and is, the bringer of hope to the fallen world we live in. His fame spread throughout all of Syria. Later on, Antioch, Syria becomes the location where Jesus's followers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Jesus's Temptation: Lessons on Overcoming and Faith So what does all this teach us today? First, that we will, just as Jesus was, be tempted. We will, as He did, suffer, for we are not above our Master (Philippians 3:8-11). We also learn that temptation can be overcome. That Satan, the father of lies, can be defeated by the powerful word of God, prayer, and fasting. And after overcoming temptation, we can be used in great and mighty ways by God to further His kingdom, because we are His witness to all the nations. Living Out the Victory of Christ Through His temptation in the desert and His ministry on earth, Jesus revealed Himself as both the suffering servant who endured for our sake and the conquering Messiah who overcame sin and death. His victory over temptation not only fulfilled God's plan but also provides us with a powerful example of how to live a life of faith . Jesus's Temptation: Lessons on Overcoming and Faith reminds us that the same tools our Lord used—prayer, fasting and the word of God— can be used by us today to overcome temptation. We can bring hope to a lost and dying world by living lives of faith that show the Kingdom of God to the world. The story of the temptation of Jesus in the desert can be found in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.

God’s Name and Covenant Promise: Mighty to Save One of the many titles God gives Himself is " mighty to save " found in Zephaniah 3:17. In the original Hebrew, this phrase is even more vivid: God is described as a " gibbôr" , a mighty warrior or valiant champion, who saves " yôšîaʿ ". This isn't just quiet strength; it's the triumphant power of a divine hero who fights for His people and celebrates victory over every enemy. Here God is talking to the Jewish people about a future time when He will live in their midst and all their enemies are defeated. But this promise is ours as well, because Galatians 3:29 tells us we are the spiritual heirs of Abraham. The promises made to the Jews apply to those of us who are adopted sons and daughters of God, coheirs with Jesus. We are not replacing them; rather, God is extending His kingdom to all who believe on Him. Inherited Promises and New Creation in Christ As believers through His power we are promised forgiveness and eternal life. God promises us His peace and His Holy Spirit that allows us to become New Creations. We place our trust in God, confident that He is faithful and true to His Word. God’s Power Displayed in History and in Our Present World We know that God is omnipotent. He is the all powerful God. In Jewish history, time and again, God showed His power by overcoming enemies that mere mortals would not have been able to. From Moses parting the Red Sea to escape and defeat the Egyptian army to the defeat of the Syrians with the aid of an angelic army (2 Kings 6:17), we see God intervening in the affairs of men to save those He loves. As we are told in Psalm 46:1, "... God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble ." God is there for us, not just in the future, but now! He gives us strength and empowers us to face any problems that come our way. He is a present Father, not an absent one. We see Him working in the lives of New Testament saints as well as Old. In Acts 12:7 we read of Peter's miraculous escape from prison right before he was to be executed and in Acts 28:3-6 we have the story of Paul being protected from the venom of a snake. Scripture is full of examples that prove God's hand is mighty to save. Today, we still see His Hand of protection over us, sometimes in the darkest of human events. When God Saves in the Darkest of Human Moments One example is the story of Kajungu Boaz Kyarimpa who survived the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. As his captors watched him dig his own grave, he told them of the love of God until they were convicted by the Holy Spirit and released him, showing that His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). His entire family and a million more died, but he was spared by God. In this man's story, we not only see God's power to save a person's physical body, but we see His power to bring conviction and salvation to the men who would have murdered him. We see God's power in strengthening this man to witness to his potential killers. Salvation That Reaches the Soul, Not Just the Body But God's saving might is not just for our physical body, but so much more for our spiritual body. In the Old Testament we find Abraham who was called the " friend of God ". Abraham grew up in Ur, in the midst of a culture who believed in many gods. Yet his belief in the one God was " credited as righteousness " (Genesis 15:6). Genesis 6:8 tells us that Noah found grace in God's eyes. God's grace was upon the faith heroes of the Old Testament (found in Hebrews 11), as it can be on us. In the New Testament, the gift of God's Son showered grace on the whole world (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4). So often we find ourselves in a place in life where we cannot imagine God can save us. We believe we are beyond saving, as the expression goes. No sin is too terrible that God cannot save you. He is mighty to save, even you. Sometimes our shame is so great that we want to come to God, but we fear the same rejection we have received from other people. We think, Me? God loves me? But yes, no matter our condition He is there to rescue and pardon our sin. A Rejoicing Father Who Saves, Strengthens, and Sends But Zephaniah doesn't stop just by saying God is mighty to save. He continues with these words, " He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. " The Hebrew paints an unforgettable picture: God doesn’t rejoice quietly or politely. He " yāgîl ", spins and exults in ecstatic joy, and His rejoicing is expressed in " rinnâ ", loud shouts of jubilant singing. It is an image of the celebration of a victorious warrior, filled with excitement and happiness in those He has rescued. Do we ever picture God Himself rejoicing over our salvation? This is not a picture of a God who is distant and uncaring. He has fought, died, and rose again for us, a loving Father welcoming His wayward child back home. God’s love rejoices over us in quiet, comforting ways, like a parent holding a frightened child. But God’s joy doesn’t stop there, it shouts and sings over all those He has rescued. " He will quiet you with His love. " Those of you who are parents know what this means. How often our small children need to be held and consoled when they are frightened or anxious. They want to know we love them and are there to protect them. As they sob in our arms, we can feel the tension being released, the anxiety melting away, and the sense of peace they experience wrapped in our protective love. In the same way we can go to God, in fact he invites us to do this. His love is there for us in our fear and anxiety. In His arms we can release it all and truly accept that where He is we will be safe. Physical harm may come to us but we will never be alone. And in the midst of that love God is rejoicing. Why does God rejoice over us? Because His love is not a passive love. He isn't that parent who sends their children to boarding school and has a nanny raise them. He is the one who cheers over every choir concert and football game. He sings about us. He desires real relationship. Have you ever sung over your babies as you rocked them to sleep? Imagine God doing that over you! God rejoices over us, not because of our worthiness, for no one is truly holy but God. But He rejoices in the fact that through the sacrifice of His Son we can be in relationship with Him. God is a God who loves family! Because His love is active, a God who is mighty to save doesn't just stop at saving us from sin. No, He equips us to live a life of love and service for others. Do you need guidance or strength? Rescue from a difficult situation? Do you turn to the nearest self-help guru or book, or to God? God's word is the path to His power. Renew your mind. Memorize God's promises. Pray over every decision. Be thankful for a God who loves you in spite of your failings. Be obedient to His word. Then you and I are the ones who will sing the wonderous story of His salvation. When God reaches down and saves us from the turmoil of our lives to whom do we give credit? When things go right we often want to give credit to ourselves or our luck, not God. We sadly, often use prayer as a last resort. We tell ourselves, "Well all I can do is 'just' pray," when actually that is the most important thing we can do. Don't forget the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us and in our prayers. God Mighty to Save In a world that seems increasingly devoid of God now is the time to reach out to our mighty God more than ever. Apply His promises, pray without ceasing, and obey His Word. With His strength, we can overcome any challenge. The God who is mighty to save can be your God. If you haven't reached out to Him, it isn't too late. Speak His name. A name full of glory and honor. A name above all names.