The Easy Way Please

Ezekiel 28-30, John 10

I read a lot of books. Most of them fall into the genres of self-help, business, or psychology.  My favorites combine all three.  There is nothing Godly about many of the books I read, except tangentially.  What does that mean?  It means the principles are Godly.  They all contain elements of wisdom from the Bible, but they strip out God.  They promise a simpler version of success,  highlighting all the things, a big life, without God. Its like jumping over the gate.  Why bother to open the door when you don’t have to?

John 10:1-3 (NLT) I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Dangerous Witness

Today’s readings are Ezekial 25-27, Psalm 85, and John 9.

Pretend for a second with me you were born 2,000 years ago, and you were also born blind. Could there be anything much more hopeless? Even today a quick google search will tell you that there is virtually nothing that can be done to restore sight when you are born fully blind…no matter how much money or fame you have. Ask Stevie Wonder. I’m sure blind man we read about in John 9 felt there was no possibility of him ever being able to see again and to do anything other than beg for money as we read he had done for many years. But then what happens, he has an encounter with Jesus who restores his sight. Can you imagine if you were him?

When asked by His disciples why this man was born blind and if it as due to his sin or his parents, Jesus responded with neither. Jesus told them it was so that God’s works and glory could be shown through him (John 9:3). We read on in this chapter the man was very outspoken that Jesus had healed him and even gave his witness to the Pharisees…. even though they threatened supporters of Jesus. He became a witness to others of what Jesus had done for him, and here we are reading about it 2,000 years later.

Is there an area of your life or someone you know which seems hopeless? Does it seems like there is no way out or any possible way God could use it for good or His glory? But, could it be any more hopeless than the situation of the blind man from John 9? Yet, we see what Jesus did in his life and the impact it’s still having today for God’s glory. Will God heal you from your pain and problem the way He did with the blind man? I can’t promise you that, but I can attest that many with earthly challenges such as those born with special needs or stricken with sickness who were never healed have made a far greater impact on others through their life for God’s glory than many who have never had significant challenges and achieved what our small minds would view as worldly success. Romans 8:28 reads, “ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

However, maybe God will actually bring you out of your hopeless situation like He did for the blind man. When He does, are you prepared to share it with others and give Him the glory and praise He deserves that may ultimately lead others to trusting and following Him? Or will you attribute your healing to something else such as luck or even if you do believe it was God who healed you will you have the courage to share it? Let us learn from the blind man’s example.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Hebrews 10:39

Jesus: Boldness and Humility

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 16-18; John 6

In John 6, Jesus demonstrates a powerful balance of boldness and humility. His boldness is clear as He proclaims Himself the “bread of life” (John 6:35), inviting people to believe in Him for eternal life. This was a radical claim, challenging the religious leaders and followers who expected a political Messiah, not one who addressed deeper spiritual needs. By teaching that His followers must “eat [His] flesh and drink [His] blood” (John 6:53), Jesus boldly shifts expectations, emphasizing that true life and fulfillment come only through a profound connection to Him. Many were offended or confused, yet Jesus did not alter His message to gain approval.

However, alongside this boldness, Jesus exemplifies humility. He does not boast about His divine authority but consistently points back to God the Father as the source of His mission and strength. When performing miracles, like the feeding of the 5,000, He gives thanks to God, acknowledging dependence on the Father even though He Himself possesses divine power (John 6:11). Jesus’s humility is also evident in His willingness to let people freely respond to His words. When many turn away, He lets them go without resistance, respecting their choice.

Through John 6, we see that Jesus’s humility does not contradict His boldness. Instead, it strengthens it; His confidence in His purpose comes from His deep alignment with God’s will, not personal pride. This example calls us to be both courageous and humble in our own faith, grounded in God’s truth and motivated by a sincere love for others.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

 

Sick Over It

Ezekiel 7-9, John 3

There are two methods for getting out of a traffic ticket.  One feigns humility, and the other begs forgiveness.  The first goes something like this, “you got me. I am an idiot.  I deserve far worse than your ticket.”   the second says, “Please don’t do this, I am so sorry.  My wife is going to kill me.  I have a newborn baby, and I’m trying to buy formula, and if you give me this ticket, I won’t be able to….” 

 Both methods are fake.  I have every intention of speeding again.  In fact, as soon as you, Mr. Police Officer, are out of sight, I will be blazing toward my destination.  If you don’t give me this ticket, I still won’t like you, and I will brag to my friends about how I bested you. 

Good police officers know these tricks.  I imagine them having a big file somewhere that tags us.  That way, when another cop pulls us over, he gets a picture of who we are.   Next time, it won’t be so easy.

Ezekiel 7-9 presents us with one of the most terrifying stories in the Bible.  It starts with God declaring that “the end is upon you!” ‘Now,’ He continues, “you will get my anger; I will judge you, I will punish you, and I will not spare you or have pity.”  If you have the audacity to keep reading, you will see doom, wrath, anger, judgment, violence, wickedness, pestilence, shame, and terror.

Reading through the horrifying list of proclamations against mankind has me looking for an out.  Should I fall on my knees?  Ask forgiveness?  “Just give me a minute, God, to explain myself.  There is a perfectly good reason for all of this…”  But it is too late.  There is no more time for excuses.  The executioners have gathered near (EZ 9:1)

Some, however, that will survive the wrath.  But who are they?  How do you separate those who truly love God from those who just want a get-out-of-jail-free card?  God has a way.

“Put a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and groan.”  God cuts straight to the heart with this directive.  Instead of saying, mark the men who ask for help, or mark the men who beg for mercy, he wants the ones that sigh and groan.  The others are desperate.  They got caught and are willing to do anything to save our butts.  I will say anything, do anything, and promise anything.  God knows this.

To root out the committed, He implemented a simple test that examines the character of men’s’ hearts.  Do they sigh and groan?  Do you know what that feels like?  Psalm 119:53 describes it as  “Hot indignation [that] seizes me, because of the wicked.” And, “My eyes shed streams of tears” because they ignore you (Psalm 119:136).  Those are both outward manifestations of pain, deep inside.  It’s not physical pain; it’s heartbreak.  It’s the kind of pain that drives us to our knees. Helpless, distressed, and desperate.  Matthew Henry says it this way: those who will receive the mark  “sigh in themselves as men in pain and distress, cry to God in prayer, as men in earnest, enormities that were abominations to God.”  Those last words get to it, “abominations to God.”  What are the marked so sick over?  The destruction of beauty, the eradication of love, and the elimination of hope.  These are the hallmarks of God himself.

 

Examine Yourself

Today’s Readings: Ezekial 4-6, Psalm 82, John 2

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.[d] 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Where does your belief come from? Where does your unbelief come from?

I think about the miracles we read about in John 2. I had read before that one of the first miracles Jesus performed was filling the wine vases. How amazing. Maybe believing would involve seeing the paralyzed man healed or raising Lazarus?

Many believed based on these miracles, but many still didn’t. I didn’t see the miracles we read from the Bible, but I think of my wife, Jennifer, and three kids: Jackson, Marshall, and Gianna.  I think of my profession God has blessed me to do or even my health, which I wake up to daily.

Even with all the daily miracles we are blessed with, this does not guarantee eternal belief. The most critical decision in worldly life is to know God. Amid life and all our circumstances, we aim to believe, trust, be obedient, and continue to know and understand Him.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

The miracles You show us every day we are so thankful for.  Help us to understand Your love more each day. Help us to realize how we need to be obedient and how Your Son Jesus died for us. Lord, help us know You better each day.  Amen

Psalm 82:8 provides a reminder on Election Day.

Come, O God, and rule the world; all the nations are yours.

Listen or Not listen 

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 1-3; John 1 

““But then when the time is ripe, I’ll free your tongue and you’ll say, ‘This is what God, the Master, says:. . .’ From then on it’s up to them. They can listen or not listen, whichever they like. They are a bunch of rebels!””

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬ ‭MSG‬‬

There are several different methods of listening, but two that are very important are active listening and passive listening.  When you’re actively listening, you are processing the words, the context, and the tone of the message. You are engaging in the full context of the message and you are understanding  the information to make an informed decision.

Passive listening is when you are just in the presence of the message and you hear the information, but you are not processing it. If you were asked to give information about the message at a later time you would not be able to relay the information.

In the two passages that we have today, Ezekiel and John, we have two messengers that are given their assignments and they are tasked to relay the information. In Ezekiel, Ezekiel is afraid of the persecution of the individual that he is tasked to deliver this message. He is in the midst of the exiles in Babylon. From my previous writing, we find that the individuals in Babylon were protected by God if they abided by his rules and listened to Jeremiah. 

And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.[j] Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 2: 5-7

In contrast in John, John the Baptist delivers his message with boldness and confidence that Christ is coming and will be the Savior of everyone.

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[e] 

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[h] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[i] of God.” John 1 : 15-34

The main focus of the message is not the messenger, but on the audience who receives the message. In Ezekiel, God tells Ezekiel that God will protect Ezekiel if he delivers a message. It is up to the people who listen or not listen to except the direction in the guidance.  John the Baptist, tells everyone the good news of Christ.  John the Baptist is overjoyed that he continuously tells the world the good news several times in the first Chapter of John.

 In the  Bible the messengers were limited in their audience.  We currently have the benefit of having the Holy Spirit as our messenger. We all are the audience.  We all have the ability to hear and listen to the message.  This is the Spirit of God or God the Spirit.  We have unlimited access to our messenger. He dwells in us and connects us with God the Father and God the Son. We are in continual communication with our messenger of today.

 Many times in the Bible they were listening for information about the coming of Christ or the deliverance of the people. But now we can listen for guidance, listen for encouragement, listen for healing, and listen for anything that we need from God.

Let’s be  in tune to what God is giving  us and ask him that we may be better at active listening. Such as the example of Elijah. 

“And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s listen for the whisper of God.

You Snooze, You Lose

Jeremiah 50-52, 2 Peter 3

The alarm is set for 4:00. It will come fast.  A loud and annoying siren is necessary to bring life to my body at that early hour.  I will not like it.  It will not be fun, but that is not the point.  The fun lives on the other side.  I have a flight to catch, and it leaves early.  The sunshine is beckoning.  I will do it.

Paul is sounding an alarm too.  His words and his tone in 2 Peter are written to get our attention.  While they may not come off loud and annoying, they are designed, he says, “to stimulate our minds.”  In other words, “wake up!”  It is time to focus and engage in his conversation.  Sure, you can snooze, but you will also lose.  Regression is real, but that is not the point.  You see, there is an opportunity, an experience awaiting our response.  Once energized with the Gospel, our minds bring peace and assurance, purity and blamelessness.  This is the new heaven and new earth that we are being called to.  But do not delay this opportunity is for a limited time only.  We have a flight to catch.

Restore Us

Today’s readings are Jeremiah 47-49, Psalm 80, and 2 Peter 2.

The title in my Bible for 2 Peter 3 is “The Day of the Lord Will Come” speaking of the 2nd coming of Jesus. Our reading for today, 2 Peter 2 is titled “False Prophets and Teachers.

Here are some verses from 2 Peter 2…

And many will follow their sensuality and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed.

2 Peter 2:2

For speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice for sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

2 Peter 2:20

Be whatever or whoever you want to be. Do whatever what every you want to do. Do whatever you feel you want to do. It’s your choice. Follow the science…until it doesn’t fit what you want or how you feel.. or the agenda.

These are common themes of the world we live in today, and this world sounds an awfully lot like what Peter describes in 2 Peter 2…especially in the United States.  I’m not going to try to predict the end times will happen soon even though it may seem like it based on Peter’s description and what’s going on in our world. Most can a agree though that regardless of when it will occur…each day we’re getting closer in same way that we don’t know the day each of us will die, but we know today we are closer than we were yesterday.

Our readings in the book of Jeremiah from chapters 47-49 describe the judgement on or fall of the Philistines, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. Most all of these were caused by them turning away from God and His truth. While one could say the United States is not mentioned in Biblical end times prophecies due to not being near Israel geographically, others say it’s because it’s because we don’t exist then which could be as a result of our turning away from God like the aforementioned peoples or cities.

However, there is hope for the United States and us as Christians.

Let us learn from the Psalmist who cries for help for Israel in Psalm 80  where we read in Psalm 80:3.

Restore us O God;

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:7 and Psalm 80:19 say nearly the same. We can see where God has protected Israel through thousands of years and even through tumultuous events in the just last few months which could have brought Israel’s end, despite all of Israels flaws and mistakes throughout generations.

We can also read in 2 Peter 2:9…

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement,

As a Christ follower in the US, I will pray for our country to turn back to Jesus and the truth He gives us in the Bible which is the only real truth on how we are to live, and we know that in following Jesus He will protect us and our souls through His saving grace and Resurrection.

And while we wait, I can only borrow the words of Joshua…

..But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

Lamenting is Worship

Today’s Readings: Lamentations, Psalm 137, 1 Peter 4

Can you find the book of Lamentations in the Bible?  An impactful book with only five chapters, nestled between Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Lamentations, a poetic expression of grief over Jerusalem’s destruction, speaks to enduring suffering, loss, and hope in the face of despair. Written by Jeremiah, it reflects on the devastation Israel faced as a consequence of turning away from God. Today, it offers insight into dealing with personal and communal suffering. The deep expressions of pain and sorrow highlight how we, too, can honestly bring our struggles before God. Lamentations teaches that lament is a form of worship, acknowledging pain without losing faith. This book emphasizes that while suffering may feel overwhelming, it isn’t the end. Jeremiah’s words about God’s mercies being “new every morning” remind us of God’s faithfulness even in the darkest times (Lamentations 3:22-23). We are encouraged to hope and trust in God’s compassion and justice, especially when we don’t understand our circumstances.

Furthermore, Lamentations challenges us to reflect on personal and collective responsibility. It invites us to examine our actions, acknowledge when we’ve gone astray, and seek restoration. The communal grief expressed encourages us to stand in solidarity with those who suffer, reminding us of the importance of empathy and collective healing. Ultimately, Lamentations reassures us that God’s presence endures even amid despair, offering hope and a path toward restoration. In a world marked by loss and uncertainty, this message remains profoundly relevant today.

Bring your sorrows, pain, and trials to the Lord and He will see you through it.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Slowing Down to Be Present with God and Others

Do you find yourself constantly in motion, always on the go, and rarely stopping to take a breath? Do you experience restlessness? When people ask how you’re doing, is your automatic response something like “good, just really busy”? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I catch myself saying it too, and I hear it from people of all walks of life—retirees, students, stay-at-home parents, and professionals alike.

I constantly find myself in a hurry, trying to accomplish one thing after another so I can accomplish more. This includes activities related to my employment, in the home, where I serve, and even when I’m supposed to be rejuvenating.

This summer while on vacation to visit family and friends my heart was convicted. It was as though I was trying to get through every conversation and gathering as quickly as possible. This left me feeling exhausted and guilty as I was supposed to experience peace and joy with these wonderful people, yet I felt the opposite. My mind wandered and I was frequently mentally “somewhere else”.

What convicted me wasn’t a specific friend or family member, it was through self-reflection, alone time, and prayer. One phrase kept coming to mind: Be present.

My selfishness is what got in the way. I was the problem, not anyone else. Our most limited resource is our time, and more important than time is our attention. While I “spent time” with these people, my attention was elsewhere.

Worse than inattention to family and friends is inattention to God and his will for my life. The more focused I am on myself, the less focused I am on God. This goes for prayer time, acknowledging the beauty of His creation, and giving thanks for the many blessings he has given.

Since that moment of conviction, I’ve started making small but meaningful changes. By intentionally focusing on the present (and on others), prayer, and time with God, I’ve found more joy in my interactions.

Today’s reading in 1 Peter 3 gives some simple instructions for good living which relates to my story:

  • Love each other (v. 8). It is loving to give our attention to others.
  • Be tenderhearted (v. 8). We can only have tender hearts when we see others for who they are (God’s creation) and we let go of selfish desires.
  • Keep a humble attitude (v. 8). Again, putting others first, dying to self.
  • Bless those who hurt us (and we will be blessed by God) (v. 9). The world says to take revenge but how is that working out for the world?
  • Tell the truth and speak with kindness (v. 10). This talks about being able to enjoy life. While scripture doesn’t guarantee a “happy life”, we can still live life abundantly in Christ. Too often we chase things we don’t need to find happiness. This scripture keeps it simple.
  • Do good, maintain peace (v. 11). This verse contains action words. Good living doesn’t come from just sitting on the couch watching television. Take action!

All of those verses lead me to close with 1 Peter 3:15.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

As you reflect on these scriptures, I invite you to carve out some quiet time today or tomorrow to pray over these questions:

  1. What do my time and attention say about me? Do these choices indicate Christ as Lord of my life?
  2. If someone asks about my hope as a believer, am I ready to explain it? What will I say?

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 126; 1 Peter 3