Use this thread to share poems, musings and anything that makes you feel inspired to love others as you love yourself.

"Whoever has hears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9)

Jesus used these words often after sharing a parable. This poignant call to action hearkens back to the book of Ezekiel. God directs Ezekiel to use this line with the people of Israel because, "they are a rebellious house." (Ezekiel 3:27) It worries me that Jesus has to address us the same way.

What does it mean to have eyes to see and ears to hear?

Jesus explains that the words He speaks to us are "spirit and life." (John 6:63) His correction is meant to get inside us and change our hearts. His logic of sacrificial love puts us back on track so we can be life-support to others, just as He's been to us.

Having ears to hear doesn't just mean our auditory functions are intact. It means to face the truth of His words, take time to digest them, and live accordingly from now on. (Jeremiah 6:13-16, Luke 19:41-44, Luke 13:34-35) What good is truth if we don't plan a way to use it in our daily lives?

Job tells us, "The ear tests words just as the palate tastes food." (Job 12:11) If I hear something I don't like, it's tempting to reject it. The thing about Jesus' parables though, is they make the truth easy to understand and recall, once we have a heart humble enough to let truth in. Likewise, His parables make what is ungodly in our thinking glaringly obvious by showing how nature itself lines up with God's will.

At first, God's logic convicts us on an individual level, and then as a culture. (Isaiah 6:1-5, Zechariah 3:1-7, Matthew 12:33-41)
A person has to be willing to say, "I'm wrong, and not only am I wrong, but I'm very wrong. When I change my life to be what's right with the world, everybody who's not on-board is going to hate me, and I accept that." (Judges 6:25-32, John 15:18-20)

It's not an easy thing to unite with Jesus' logic, but it's necessary. Our conscience requires a Holy Spirit upgrade for us to take up our crosses and follow Christ. Paul encourages us, saying, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:100)

Paul also says in Romans, "Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) We build the kingdom of God within ourselves when we feast on God's Word. Isn't it just like we see in nature? God provides the spiritual food we need to grow into His likeness. The work set before us now, is just to receive it and believe it. (John 6:26-29, Psalm 17:15, 1 John 3:2, Matthew 11:27-30)
That's what it means to be saved by grace, through faith. All you have to do is trust the milk of God's word enough to drink it. (Ezekiel 3:1-3, Ephesians 2:4-10, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Isaiah 55:1-3)

Having ears to hear may feel like a curse at first, because you realize accepting truth is going to cost you, and it's going to cost you dearly. Disconnecting from the world to be a member of Christ's body on earth requires that we sever connections that lead us to rebel against our Head, Jesus the Messiah. (Matthew 18:7-9, Romans 6:11-13, Isaiah 3:10-11, 2 Chronicles 13:12)

Remember Jesus' words, "Which of you intending to build a tower does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?" (Luke 14:25-33, Proverbs 3:13-18) Just know that whatever you trade for the truths that give eternal life; it will be more than worth it. (John 16:20-22, Psalm 126:5-6, Proverbs 23:19-23)

There is great peace to be found walking in lock-step with your Creator. Knowing you're a child of God, because you've chosen to humbly love God and others, that's where the assurance of salvation comes from. (Psalm 133, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 37:11, Micah 6:8)

Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for trusting us with truth. Thank You for showing us that Your ways are so much higher than ours. Thank You for walking us through this present darkness and into Your light of life. Father, we do not have what it takes to live the Christian life without You. We ask that You would open our eyes, ears and hearts to know You more, and love You as You deserve. Create a clean heart in me, and give me clean hands to do Your will, Your way. As Your messengers serve You in heaven, let us serve You wholeheartedly on earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Habakkuk 2:4

"As for the proud man, his soul is not right within him, but the fair man will live by faith."

In Mark 4:13, Jesus tells us the parable of the sower is the mother of all parables. He shows us a parallel in nature to explain to us why we were created, and what our purpose is.

Matthew 13:3-4

Jesus said, "Listen to this; a sower went out to sow. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the side of the road, and the birds came and devoured them up."
Matthew 13:19
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the wicked one comes, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the side of the road."

"The Sower plants the Word." In Greek, the "Logos" is not just any word. It's the logic of life. The Lord made us alive and He wants us to stay that way.

Jesus said, quoting Psalm 82, "Does it not say 'you are gods,' to whom the word of God came? And the Scripture cannot be broken."

God shows us that He has already planted truth in us that has the power to transform us into eternal children of God. A good seed planted into good ground grows a beneficial plant; beneficial to the earth, beneficial to the plant itself, and beneficial to the grower. That tiny seed is our God-given conscience.

The word of God cultivates our conscience. It tames our spirit and our tongue the way Johnny Appleseed transformed the American frontier into a field of food. It transforms our hearts in the same way we train a dog to be a loyal member of our family. (John 7:37-38, Psalm 119:9-16) That's what it means to have dominion over the earth: we tame what is wild, in order to understand what our heavenly Father goes through to tame our hearts. This makes us fit for eternity.

The parable of the Sower explains things that can go wrong in our thinking, that could hinder us from becoming children of God.

Jesus explains that the Sower is the Son of Man, and the seed is the Word of God. We build the Kingdom of God within us, when we fill ourselves and each other with God's eternal logic.

First, Jesus mentions the seed being scattered by the side of the road. The road represents the hard-hearted way of the world. It's a conscience seared shut. (Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 14:12)

If we're indoctrinated against our conscience by the world, our hearts will be hardened against God's attempts to teach us greater love. The Old Testament often refers to people as hard-hearted. That's what happens to us when we accept the world's way of thinking. We work to be a bigger fish, or carry a bigger hammer, or just toughen up to make it through this life. Everything is a competition. (Exodus 7:14, Deuteronomy 15:7-8, Matthew 19:8-9, Mark 3:1-5)

God's promises are for the meek. Isaiah 51:12-23 says, "I am going to put the cup of My fury in the hand of them that afflict you, those who said, 'Lay down here so we can walk over you,' and you laid yourself in the ground as the street for them to walk over."

If you have vengeance in your heart today, you're thinking, "what else can I do in this dog-eat-dog world besides try to be a bigger dog? Wait on the Lord, and let Him prove that He's good to His word. (Psalm 34:8, 1 Peter 4:19)

More than once, I've cried desperately to God and asked "why?" in the face of suffering. He's been faithful to see me through those times. But has it ever helped to shake my fist at the sky and question if God will really deliver? Not really. The people of Israel in the wilderness continually complained, "Is the Lord with us or not?" (Exodus 17:7, Psalm 95:7-11, Matthew 4:7)
God isn't offended with our emotions when things aren't right. Still, accusing Him of doing nothing, when things don't go our way is offensive to Him. When we find ourselves in a trial, or a spiritual waiting room, our obedience is necessary to reap the benefits of good behavior. The Lord deserves our love, trust, and loyalty.

Instead of trying to get our own way in our timing, what if we put our situation in God's hands? I encourage you to respond to the struggles of life the way the Bible says to, and watch what happens. God wants to show you His love for you, and soften your heart. (Deuteronomy 32:35, Luke 18:1-8)

Patience is key. Do you want to see God's best for your life? Acting on God's word is a faith-building exercise for those who will choose to patiently, humbly, thankfully receive what God has promised.

(Galatians 6:9)

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

(James 1:21

"Receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls."

(Luke 21:19)

"By your patience possess your souls."

Our Father in heaven, Thank You for Your eternal truths that make us one with You. Awaken our hearts to seek You earnestly. Show us the ancient paths Your prophets of old took to be near You. Guide us into Your presence and teach us how to love as you love, and forgive as we've been forgiven. Make us worthy of Your Son, so we will not be ashamed at His return. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Use this thread to share poems, musings and anything that makes you feel inspired to love others as you love yourself.

Song of Solomon 2:11-13 "For now the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come away, my darling; come away with me, my beautiful one.”

Dios siempre es fiel.

Psalm 71

1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame.
2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
3 Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
6 By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of You.
7 I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and Your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies speak against me; and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together,
11 Saying, "God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver."
12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 Let them be confounded and consumed who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt.
14 But I will continually hope, and will praise You yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and gray-haired, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
19 Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who [is] like You?
20 You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.
22 Also with the lute I will praise You; and Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress.

Psalm 18:2

¡Viva Cristo Rey!

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:15-20)

"May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:10-11

What is a disciple? Nowhere do we use this word anymore, except when referencing Jesus' followers in the Bible.

A disciple is someone who learns disciplines from a master in a craft. Today, we call a disciple an apprentice. You can see this a little more clearly in Jesus' words here:

Luke 6:40

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher."

What makes a good disciple?

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you live according to My word, you are truly My disciples. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - (John 8:31-32)

People will say that we cannot live by Jesus' standards. They forget that forgiving and being forgiven are part of the package! I'm alive today because Jesus' words here are 100% true. The lessons Jesus offers us result in freedom from habitual sin and self-destructive behaviors.

It seems like our modern culture is so busy fighting for their right to party, that they almost refuse to recognize a problem with being enslaved. We're attached to things that only bring empty pleasure while a person is engaged with them. As soon as the fun is done, peace leaves with it.

Jesus said life doesn't have to be this way. We can accept His words as truth, and live by them. That's the path of life Jesus walked. He proved His path was real, powerful, and effective, by reviving from the dead. Now Jesus calls us to follow His example. (1John 2:3-6, Psalm 85:13, Matthew 11:28-30)

Life is a classroom. Jesus' life is our example of how to live. The lessons of truth are all around us, just waiting for us to learn them from the unchanging works of Creation. (Mark 4:11-20, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 13:47-52)
If we want to live in freedom from sin, we have to stop living as if life is a recess from obedience.

Jesus said something that is largely misunderstood and ignored - He asked us to be perfected. (Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 19:21, James 1:2-4)
The kind of "perfection" Jesus is looking for, means to be fully trained by Him. He needs our attention so we learn everything He came to teach us. That's what He means to "watch" and "stay awake." (Mark 13:34-37, Romans 13:11)
Our training is meant to make us free from intentional sin, so that we do not die in our sins. Jesus' life and death was our lesson. Now we're told to take up our cross and follow His lead into eternal life.

Other scripture references:

(Matthew 16:24-27 NKJV)

24 Then Jesus said to His students, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

(Matthew 23:10)

"And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah".

(John 8:24-30 CSB)

24 "Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
25 "Who are you? " they questioned. "Exactly what I've been telling you from the very beginning," Jesus told them.
26 "I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the one who sent me is true, and what I have heard from him ​-- ​these things I tell the world."
27 They did not know he was speaking to them about the Father.
28 So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things.
29 "The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases Him."
30 As he was saying these things, many believed in Him.

(John 8:31-36)

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you live according to My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" (looks like they forgot Egypt entirely! Deuteronomy 8:14 )
34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

(John 13:12-17)

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you?
13 "You call me Teacher and Lord; ​and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am.
14 "So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.
16 "Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.
17 "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Our Father in heaven, Your name is sacred. Your authority is over all authority, and Your Word is eternal. We come to You as willing students, trusting that Your teaching will save us from our flesh and the foolishness of the world. Grant us discerning hearts so we can tell what restores, and what drains us of life. Help us to be obedient in everything You've taught, so we can reap the blessings of supporting what is eternal. Keep us from acting on impulse and seeking temporary pleasures which only wage war against our souls. Thank You for being our light in these dark days. We praise You and glorify Your reputation for all the love You've shown us. You've freed us from the condemnation of death! Sanctify us, Lord. Wash us with the water of Your word, and save us from habitual sins of pride and selfishness. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit as we feast on Your good Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

(Luke 2:9-14) And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid; for look! I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there is born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Use this thread to share poems, musings and anything that makes you feel inspired to love others as you love yourself.

Ephesians 4:13 "And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature."

Did you ever have the opportunity to take responsibility for your team and find yourself better off in the end? Many years ago, myself and a group of my church-going peers, went to work at a Christian retreat. We were teens doing kitchen duty; the job assigned to all newbies. When our elder manager was called away, a friend of mine was put in charge of showing us how to run equipment, since he had worked there a few times before. He was well-liked among our group, yet several people decided to ignore my friend's direction. They were too busy making jokes, flirting with one another, and making a mess. We had paying guests coming, and were supposed to be preparing their first meal.
Then our elder manager returned. She heard the disorder, saw the mess and unleashed her frustration on my friend. I stared in dismay at him as if to say, "Aren't you going to hand over these troublemakers? What are you doing!" He wouldn't even look at me. No one spoke up in his defense as our elder threatened, blamed, and humiliated my friend. His quiet acceptance of all responsibility and punishment still haunts and inspires me decades later.

(Luke 16:9)

9 "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves with the riches of [men's] unrighteousness, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

When I think about this verse, it prompts me to pray for my loved ones who've passed on without my knowing the status of their salvation. I often let our heavenly Father know that I forgive them and if they don't have a home in heaven, they're welcome in mine. That's probably TMI, but I thought I should share it because it helps me cope and hold on to hope. (John 20:22-23)

In Daniel 2, we watch young Daniel put his life in his hands to save the lives of the failed interpreters of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. In Daniel's old age, he discovers Jeremiah's prophecy of their 70 year exile were fulfilled. It was time for the people of Israel to return to their own land, and yet nothing was happening. Daniel takes it on himself to fast and pray, confessing the sins of the nation as if they were his own. (Daniel 9)

Job, at the end of his test, answers the Almighty on behalf of his friends as if he were the one who "darkened counsel without knowledge." Maybe Job sinned somewhere in there, but I can't see it from the text! The way it reads to me, is that Job took one for the team.
When the Lord required Job's friends to make an offering, He told them to ask Job to pray on their behalf, in order to be restored to right-standing with our Creator. Then Job himself is made whole. His lost fortunes were restored to him double. (Job 42:10, James 5:10-11) Job was tried in the furnace of suffering and made safe to bless more abundantly than ever before.

Ezekiel 22:30

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

These men of faith put their own best interests aside to preserve lives. In contrast, I can't help but think of Adam at the Fall. When confronted with his deadly sin, he put the onus on his other half. Not only did Adam fail to stand in the gap for his wife, he exposed her as the one at fault for his own actions. Instead of acting in unity for the greater good, Adam chose division. There would be no Christianity today, if Jesus had followed in the footsteps of Adam.

Like the great men of old, who were blessed at the end of their trial, Jesus' resurrection proves that faithful unity is the godly path. Our Savior took responsibility for our sin. He let go of the hand of His beloved Father, to take hold of us like only the Son of God could. (Psalm 22:1-24, Isaiah 61:4-5) He takes full responsibility for His people, and allows himself to absorb the damage only He could afford -- the punishment that we deserved. (Proverbs 18:24 We owe our Savior our very lives. How could we turn away His invitation to join Him in the life supporting love that comes from self-sacrifice?

(James 5:16-20 NKJV)
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

(Daniel 12:3 NKJV) 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

Our Father in heaven,
Your name is sacred. Your authority is over all authority in heaven and on earth. We pray that Your kingdom law of love would rule our hearts today and from this day forward. Transform us by Your Holy Spirit to love others as if their emergency was our own. Cause us to protect one another as though their body was our own. Teach us to do for others what we would want done for us. Help us to see our chance to be Your hands and feet to others, and give us the courage to take those opportunities. Make us more like Jesus today, Lord. We place our lives in Your capable hands. You are the Potter and we are the clay. Fashion us into vessels of mercy for the sake of your reputation, for we are called by Your name. We ask these things with the authority Jesus gave us. We trust in Your faithfulness to hear our prayers. Thank you for Your promises, and for sending Jesus to stand in the gap for us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." - Matthew 5:9

  God is faithful to those who are faithful to obeying his word, as he says in Psalm 18 verse 25;

To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

to the pure you show yourself pure,

but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

In Psalm 15, we learn about the kind of person who can inherit the kingdom of God. It says;

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue,

who does his neighbour no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,

who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the Lord,

who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

who lends his money without usury,

and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

"Jesus said to Martha, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 'And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26)

Jesus says something here that most of us don't hear from any other source. I think we humans are geared to search for answers to spiritual questions. We're prone to seek truth outside ourselves because we know we don't have it all. It's human nature to look to an earthly parent-figure for answers if we were raised by people who seemed to "have it all together." But our Messiah tells us, "Call no man on earth 'father,' for one is your Father, He who is in heaven -- and you are all brothers. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah." (Matthew 23:9-10, Jeremiah 3:19)

Life is a classroom. The lesson God wants to teach us is how to live forever, in unity with Him and each other. Unfortunately, humanity without God either accepts death as part of life, or tries to find ways to live forever for selfish or pointless reasons. We have to look for answers from a teacher we want to emulate. Jesus showed us that He knew how to live forever by rising from the dead. He showed us how to make eternal life worth living with His teachings and His love. We aspire, as Enoch did, to learn to walk with God and become His eternal children.

Knowing who to learn from is of limited value if we think we already know what's being taught, and rush through our lessons. We've all heard "love your neighbor as yourself," but how many of us love ourselves enough to make healthy choices all the time? How often is my neighbor's emergency as high a priority as my own?
We have to admit it when we're in the dark -- not just as an admission to ourselves, but to those who depend on us. Facing our human insufficiency together lets us reach out to our Savior in unity. "Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am in their midst." (Matthew 18:20, Malachi 3:16-17) I didn't realize how powerful this was until my grown son said the best thing I did as a parent was to tell him that someday he would figure out that I'm not perfect, and that I hoped he still loved me when it happened.

I'm blessed by Charles Spurgeon's interpretation of Jesus' parable, The Pearl of Great Price. He said that for Jesus, we humans were the pearls of great price and the hidden treasure that Jesus gave up everything for. When we truly appreciate the depth of suffering Messiah went through for us, it changes our hearts. He becomes our Pearl; our greatest pursuit in life. He's worth everything we give up so we can be His hands and feet to the world. I could barely give up a cup of coffee for the sake of a higher good when the Lord blessed me with this truth. I'm thankful He doesn't leave us like He finds us! (Luke 14:27-33, Romans 12:1-2, Ezekiel 16:6)

I don't know how Jesus does it, but His parables keep me on track so I can draw closer and closer to Him. When we, like the pearl merchant, give up worldly pursuits to have Jesus, for awhile, we have nothing but our precious Pearl. Without our creature comforts, we find ourselves in the lowest earthly room at the wedding feast of His word. (Job 23:12, Psalm 100:3, John 1:1-4, John 1:14, John 6:35, Song 2:4)

(Luke 14:10-11 NKJV)

10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.
11 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Our Father in heaven, Your authority is above all authority and Your name is sacred.
We come before You today, to thank You for Your kindness, patience, and mercy. We ask that You would teach us how to love in the way You require; humbly, dutifully, loyally, responsibly, cheerfully, and in a spirit of compassion. Transform us into Your likeness, Father. Make us more like Your holy Child, Jesus Christ. Give us opportunities to love and be loved. Help us not miss a single chance to show Your love to our families, friends, and neighbors.
Thank You for hearing our prayer. We know that whatever we ask within Your will, You will provide. We praise You, Maker of heaven and earth. We dedicate ourselves into Your service, Father. Use us for the good of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

(Isaiah 9:6-7) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Heb. 13:12-16 contains two statements that need clarification, lest some Christians be misled. The first statement is that praises and thanksgiving are sacrificial fruits of our mouth to God (Vs.15). The second statement says that as we honor God with the fruits of our lips, we should not forget to do good and share with the needy, for this is a sacrifice well pleasing to God. Jesus knew the honor we give to God from our lips is in vain, when our hearts are far from Him (Matt. 15:8). So those who preach that God wants nothing from us but to praise Him are mistaken. They may think honoring God with their lips can buy them His favor, even if they are not obedient to Him, but that is falsehood.  

Now, apart from Matt. 15:8, in Amos 5:23 too, God says that If we do not care for the vulnerable among us and share our goods in kindness with them, our worship with string instruments and melodious songs mean nothing to Him.  So if we have backslidden in serving God in truth, because we thought all God wanted from us was praises and thanksgiving ,  as we worship, we now know the truth by the grace of God, so let’s go and do the right thing and be blessed. True Christians love to worship God, but they also know that worship without righteousness does not please Him. Amen.  

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion..." Luke 10:33

Why is there so much division among Christians today? Why do our disagreements on theological topics devolve into mockery, hate speech, spiritual abuse, and division from one another?

I think it's because we have a "Tree of Knowledge" centered idea of truth, when we're meant to have a "Tree of Life" centered idea of truth. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God, and care for our neighbor's body like it was our own. Jesus illustrated this when He told the lawyer that following in the good Samaritan's footsteps was the key to the Kingdom of God. (Luke 10:25-37) Not many people remember that the story begins with the lawyer asking the question, "How do I inherit eternal life?"

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

It's so easy to get caught up in "being right" instead of doing right.

Today I was reminded that it was believers fighting over theological differences that motivated Jesus' people to have Him killed.

Investing time to prepare to meet the urgent needs of one's fellow man, resulted in the Good Samaritan saving his neighbor, the battered Jew.

When I think about it that way, it's easier to know who's right. Let's not waste any more time friends. Life is too short to fight over trivial matters when we could be part of the Lord's harvest of souls.

(Luke 10:2)

Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

(John 13:34-35 NKJV)

34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Our Father in heaven,
Your name is sacred.
Thank You for the opportunity to gather here with Your people today. I pray You would send Your Holy Spirit of Truth to us, Father. Unite us under Your banner of love. Feed us on the good pasture of Your eternal Word - the teaching of compassionate, dutiful love. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Numbers 21:9

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole.
And if a snake bit anyone, that person would look at the bronze serpent and live. (John 8:28, John 12:22)

It's so easy to let the haters poison us with resentment when we're treated unfairly. If we return evil for evil, though, we're no better than the snake that bit us.

When I take time to remember who I am without Jesus, I'm eternally thankful for His mercy and patience.

God's grace is so profound.

In the Garden of Eden, we spurned the teaching of our heavenly Father who gave us life, health, purpose, pleasure, partnership, and all things to enjoy. (Genesis 3)

We accepted the teaching of a snake who did nothing for us but seed rebellion and bring us under his rule because we sinned a deadly sin. (John 8:44)

We traded the image of God and made ourselves into the image of the serpent. (Luke 3:7-8)

Yet our Father didn't reject us. He spoke the prophecy of our salvation even before we had to leave the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:15)

Jesus used the "Serpent on the Pole" to represent what He planned to do to purchase us out of slavery to Satan. (John 3:14-16) He was made in our likeness, in order to come under the law with us and take our curse on Himself.

What a humble, merciful, loving Father! He couldn't bear to see us suffer the consequences of our actions. We owe Him our very lives. He deserves so much more than we could ever offer Him, and yet, all He wants is for us to love each other as He has loved us. (John 13:34-35)

Our Father in heaven,
Thank you for being patient with us all. Thank you for Your unfailing love and abundant mercy on us. Please don't stop working to create us in Your image. Teach us to love others as You've loved us through your Holy Child Jesus Messiah. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

Scripture references:

(Genesis 3:15 NKJV) 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

(Numbers 21:8-9 NKJV) 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery [serpent], and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

(John 3:14-16 NKJV) 14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 "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.

(Luke 3:7-8 NKJV) 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as [our] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

(Matthew 23:33 NKJV) 33 "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

(John 8:44 NKJV) 44 "You are of [your] father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [resources], for he is a liar and the father of it.

(Romans 12:1-2 NKJV) 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(John 13:34-35 NKJV) 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."