Bumbling Around

FATHER GOD, how I praise You for Your continued faithfulness to me - to us! - as we bumble around in our flesh trying desperately to hear and to see You! Your grace and mercy overwhelm and cover me like a blanket, once again reminding me of Your strength and Your Presence. I remember all that You are and all that You have done and find peace and hope in this broken world. I know that as long as I am Yours, all is well with my soul - regardless of what is going on in the world around me.

What’s At The Center?

Whatever else You allow or do, is not ours - and so it should be. You are the Sovereign Creator GOD of all things visible and invisible...You are faithful TO YOURSELF. You are trustworthy and Holy to do whatever, whenever, and however in my life. I am Yours. You alone see the darkness in my heart, and You alone can heal me, My JESUS! Please heal my hidden sin and change my heart in order that it would be pleasing to You. Transform me into Your likeness and lead me into the way of all truth, O GOD I pray! Help us not to deceive others or be deceived, O FATHER, and give us wisdom, discernment and help us to always be pleasing to You. Change the desires of our hearts that are not pleasing to You and replace any dark, cold, lifeless spots in our hearts and lives. May our hearts and our lives be pleasing to You always, O GOD.

How VAST Are Your WAYS, O LORD!

Forgive me - forgive us - for having such little faith! Help my unbelief. You alone are my KING. Thank You for grace and for forgiving our arrogance, vanity and pride. Help us to make Your life our center as we lay our lives down. Teach us Your ways, JESUS! Make us into Your likeness. HOLY SPIRIT, teach us to move in Your abundant and magnificent fruit. Help us to grow in Your Love, JOY, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Self Control. Make us holy. Set us apart for Your glory and keep us always, ever, in You. Thank You, O GOD for loving us. Thank You, O GOD, for saving us. Thank You for sending JESUS and Your HOLY SPIRIT. We love You forever.

Amen. Come, LORD JESUS.

Yet they turned back in the day of battle.

PSALM 78:9 (NASB)

They Were ARCHERS

This small verse in PSALM 78 unravels me. I have spent much time with the LORD sitting with this one, small verse. Spending time in many different streams, Church denominations, Christian NGOs, DMM, and Missions as a whole, I have heard (and taught!) much about “knowing who I am” and being “equipped” and “ready” for whatever, however, and whenever the LORD was to move. Identity in CHRIST is something we all wrestle with in the Body, as it is the point in many real ways. It is often implied that as we grow in knowing who we are in CHRIST, we will emulate Him, follow wherever He leads, thus keeping ourselves from falling. This verse confounds - and haunts me a bit - because the sons of Ephraim KNEW who they were. They were ARCHERS. And they knew it. Enough to be identified as ARCHERS. It also lends itself to the reality that those around them recognized them to be ARCHERS. Great! The sons of Ephraim KNOW who they are. But are they equipped? And equipped CORRECTLY?

EQUIPPED

Here’s where the pondering really begins for me. Yes. They were equipped. The sons of Ephraim were ARCHERS…who were EQUIPPED. So they knew who (and what) they were, and also were equipped. Okay. But we all know it’s possible to be equipped for something incorrectly. I can be a baker and have all sorts of equipment, but if it is not baking equipment, than I am not actually equipped for the task at hand. This is something that I find myself praying about daily. I ask the LORD to help me to know who I am IN HIM and to be equipped to do anything that He calls me to do. This requires readiness ACCORDING TO JESUS - not me. We must be ready (according to the WORD) for what is coming. In order to do this, we must know who we are IN JESUS, according to His Word, and we must then allow HIM to ready us accordingly through His SPIRIT. Let’s read further about the sons of Ephraim. Were they equipped correctly for who they were AND what the task at hand required of them?

With BOWS

Yes. They were. The sons of Ephraim were ARCHERS who were EQUIPPED WITH BOWS. Excellent! So these guy knew who they were, were not only equipped, but equipped to do the job that they were called to do. They were equipped correctly. This is good news! EXCEPT for the next sentence. And this is the rub. This is where I have camped with the LORD for many, many moments. It is the “YET” that absolutely slays me every time I read this verse. Everything unravels with the “YET”…

YET They Turned Back

The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, Yet they turned back… There is a sadness to me in this verse. It rests on the “YET.” The yet implies that something happened. Something different than what was perhaps understood, expected - or taken for granted as having a certain outcome. Keeping in mind that we are called to: “….Work out our salvation with fear and trembling; for it is GOD who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13 (NASB). We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, as it is GOD Himself who gives us the will and the ability to work for HIS good pleasure. It is truly all of the things. We must grow in who we are in JESUS. We must know what this means/looks like. We then must seek the LORD and rely on HIM to do the work and to give us the will in the first place. The sons of Ephraim knew who they were, were equipped properly for the task at hand and yet, they turned back. Sadly, the verse does not end there.

In The DAY of BATTLE

Okay. This is where I feel led to spend much time with the LORD regarding all things that are yet to come for we who believe. The sons of Ephraim were archers, equipped with bows. Yet they turned back IN THE DAY OF BATTLE. They knew who they were, they were properly equipped for what they were called to do, yet, when the day came that they were equipped for and were called to step into and to defend and lead, the sons of Ephraim TURNED BACK. The Hebrew word here is HAPHAK. It means to change, be converted, overthrow, turn, return or pervert. So they did not do what they were created, called, equipped and ready to do - on the day that their skills, calling, equipping and preparing were made for specifically. This is a sobering verse to me. Again, this is not a works based, performance driven, “pull myself up by my own bootstraps” sort of thing. But it definitely has implications to me when I think about my own salvation, readiness, giftings, and most importantly, how the LORD Himself is guiding, leading AND what He is calling me into both now and in the days to come. All of this readiness in the Christian life is unto something other than today, this earth, myself… It is unto eternity and spending forever with JESUS. FOREVER! I am so excited for that day! AND I want to be ready to do whatever GOD calls me to do - that He has made me for, equipped me for and readied me to do and to be.

Help us, O LORD, to be equipped, ready, and to not turn back in the day of battle!

AMEN. Come LORD JESUS.

Building Yourself Up

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the HOLY SPIRIT.

JUDE 1:20 (NASB)

After ending where we did in the Book of Jude a few posts ago, it is necessary to continue listening to ALL he had to say. Very difficult and sobering to be sure, Jude turns to us and once again, we are called to act - not just in identifying “These Men,” but in our own journey with JESUS. Jude calls us to build ourselves up - through CHRIST always, “On our most holy faith” as we “pray in the HOLY SPIRIT” (v.20). This is not a call for us to take matters into our own hands, nor is it to sit in a group of people madly praying in tongues, rather, it is a call to ASK the HOLY SPIRIT to help, guide and counsel us - and OBEYING what He tells us, through His Word and otherwise. Doing so, results in “building yourselves up on your most holy faith.” Astonishing really! It isn’t ours to do, rather to invite JESUS into our hearts and lives and allow HIM to do what needs done in order to sanctify each and every person who asks Him.

Keep Yourselves In The Love of GOD

Keep yourselves in the love of GOD, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to eternal life.

JUDE 1:21 (NASB)

There is a lot of personal responsibility in Jude. It is a posturing position - heart, mind, body, soul, spirit - rather than one based on doing, achieving or performing. Make no mistake, we MUST choose and the choose again to enter into wherever GOD is leading us. Obedience is not optional. But neither is it a call to “work harder” or to “do more” or to (my personal favorite) “be better.” What a beautiful thing to aspire to through - and only in - JESUS! Keeping ourselves in the love of GOD. Wow. How lovely would the world look through the love of GOD?!? A note on the phrase “waiting anxiously.” Since we are told many places throughout the Bible to be anxious for nothing, Jude is talking about something else. This phrase in Greek is PROSDECHOMAI meaning: to receive, to welcome, to expect, to await. This is the earnest longing we hold close to our hearts for the soon return of our Precious JESUS and HIS astounding mercy to usher us into eternal life! Not ever to be confused with worldly anxiety. Just FYI. Whew.

Doubting

…And have mercy on some, who are doubting…(v.22)

It is okay to have questions. To not understand everything that GOD says, does, or allows. GOD is big enough to handle all of these things. Truly. We all are in different places in our walk with the LORD, as believers. And for those who have yet to trust, believe and be reconciled to GOD, it is imperative that we extend the same measure of mercy and grace that JESUS extended - and continues to extend! - to us. We all have areas where we doubt. Thankfully, we serve an extraordinary GOD who knows what we are going through and has mercy on us. Thank You, JESUS for the cross!! But what about those who are not yet saved? Jude speaks to this as well.

Save Others

…Snatching them out of the fire…(v.23)

This is why we must tell others about JESUS. Who He is. Why He came to earth as the GOD Man, lived a SINLESS life, and went WILLINGLY to die on the Cross for me, for you, for everyone. How He died on that Cross. Was Buried. Came back to life on the third day. Revealed Himself to several hundreds of people - including His beloved disciples. And Ascended into Heaven where He is now waiting to come again, interceding on our behalf before the FATHER. Still makes me cry each and every time. What kindness! Shocking. Truly. Why don’t we tell others about who He is and what He has done for us? If we truly believe and understand this extravagant mercy and stunning grace, shouldn’t we be shouting if from the rooftops? Telling everyone we meet about this marvelous KING? Do we truly believe in this miraculous mercy? Shouldn’t we share it with those who do not have the hope of JESUS CHRIST in this increasingly dark, frightening and callous world? YES. YES. We must tell everyone.

And On Some Have Mercy With Fear

…Hating even the garment polluted by the flesh…(v.23)

These are the ones that sadly, I have been once myself. These are the ones who confess to “know JESUS” and continue on doing whatever they please. These ones simply “add JESUS” to however they wish to live, whatever they want to do, and specifically, continue claiming to follow JESUS. This fear - PHOBOS - means to be exceedingly fearful, afraid, terror. These are the ones who withdraw from the LORD and have convinced themselves that it is okay, they are fine and that they are still in the center of GOD’S perfect will for their lives, all while their fruit - their bad, absent, rotting fruit - betrays what is true and real. These are the ones we must pity. And, these are the ones we must step away from - immediately. It is not okay to do whatever we want and still profess JESUS with our lips, while our fruit, our very hearts and lives are markedly far from Him. Stay back. This is a dangerous place to live and an arrogant path to take. It will not end well. Trust me on this.

Now to HIM who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only GOD our SAVIOR, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.

AMEN.

Jude 1:24-25 (NASB)

Our Fathers Were Under The Cloud

…Brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea;

All Were Baptized

…And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea…

All Ate The Same Spiritual Food

…And all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink…

And The Rock Was CHRIST

…For they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; And the rock was CHRIST.

GOD Was Not Well-Pleased

…With most of them, GOD was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as an example for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved...

Do Not Be Idolaters

…As some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day…

Nor Let Us Try The LORD

…As some of them did and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer…

They Were Written For Our Instruction

…Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction…

Upon Whom The End of The Ages Have Come

…Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-12

The Words That Were Spoken

…beforehand by the apostles of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that they were saying to you…

JUDE continues his urgency for us to “contend earnestly for the faith”(v.3), exhorting us to “REMEMBER” what the apostles spoke PRIOR to all that is coming - or is now upon us. It matters that we know the Bible intimately - studying it as we would an old, cherished letter from a loved one. We must know the Word backwards and forwards and be diligent to study, learn and to discuss what is found in the pages written to us by GOD through His servants. Now more than ever deception is rising. People are growing weary, restless and increasingly selfish. This was written to us by those who came before us. We should heed Jude’s warning to us. He tells us plainly and directly: ‘In the last time…

There Will Be Mockers

…Following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones…

These are the ones. We have been warned so many times. Over and over again we read in Scripture of the things that are drawing ever closer. People are not getting better. Kinder. More loving. More just. The Bible actually says the exact opposite. As does Jude. We would be wise to read and to heed what we find there. “You do you” will be the rally cry for those who have not heeded GOD’S Word to us. Self absorbed and self inflated - esteeming one’s self over all else. My life. My desires. My choice. My Self. It is everywhere and growing. These are the attributes of the world.

Who Cause Division, Worldly-Minded

These are the ones. NOT all division is ungodly. However, it is always biblically wise to separate the holy from the profane. Paul reminds us of this in 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17 -19 (NASB). When writing to the church in Corinth, Paul speaks to the reason behind the very real separation that is happening - even in the church. Paul writes, “But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. for there must also be factions among you so that those who are approved may become evident among you.” Causing division in a biblically healthy, sound and JESUS centered church is one thing. Causing division because of deception, manipulation, greed, power and influence is quite another. The Bible is clear. Being set apart is due to holiness. Intentionally creating divisiveness and rebellion through nefarious and deceptive methodology and narratives, is NOT.

Devoid of the SPIRIT

Jude makes a sobering statement in verse 19. He says that “These Men” are DEVOID OF THE SPIRIT. Wow. That is intense. Shocking and terrifying in its reality. This is a statement that we as believers must pay attention to and heed. How do we know if we are walking according to the flesh? Or to the SPIRIT of GOD? This distinction matters. We must understand that there is indeed a profound and sobering difference. We are NOT of this world. So how do we know? Once again, we turn to Paul as he writes to the church in Galatia. He is admonishing and instructing the church as to how they will know that they are indeed walking in the SPIRIT, and calls them to do just that, giving clear distinctions between the holy (the SPIRIT) and the profane (the FLESH) as he exhorts them:

“But I say, walk by the SPIRIT, and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the SPIRIT, you are not under the Law” GALATIANS 5:16-18 (NASB).

Beloved, it is CRITICAL that we understand that to be worldly minded and fleshly is NOT of GOD! We are not called to be like the world! We are called to be like JESUS. And that is ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT. WE are ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT. NEVER *EVER* RELEVANT.

Now The Deeds of The Flesh Are Evident

…Which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of GOD GALATIANS 5:19-20 (NASB).

Paul forewarned us. In the kindness of the LORD, He warns us through His Word about what is coming, how we are to move in Him, and how to tell the difference in our own hearts and lives, AND in the lives of those around us. Only GOD knows the heart. This remains true. He calls us to look at the fruit of our own hearts and lives and to inspect the fruit of those around us - regardless of who they are or claim to be. Paul forewarned us. Jude identifies “these men.”

WILL WE HEED THE WARNING?

Listen to These Words

… JESUS the Nazarene, a man attested to you by GOD with miracles and wonders and signs which GOD performed through HIM in your midst, just as you yourselves know - this [Man}, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of GOD, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put [Him] to death. But GOD raised HIM up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for HIM to be held in its power.

ACTS 2:22-24 (NASB)

This JESUS GOD Raised Up Again

…To which we were all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of GOD, and having received from the FATHER the promise of the HOLY SPIRIT, HE has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

ACTS 2:32,33 (NASB)

I Saw The LORD ALWAYS In My Presence

…For HE is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.

ACTS 2:25 (NASB)

This JESUS Whom You Crucified

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that GOD has made HIM both LORD and CHRIST - this JESUS whom you crucified.

ACTS 2:36 (NASB)

Pierced To The Heart

Now when they heard [this], they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter [said] to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. For this promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the LORD our GOD will call to Himself.”

ACTS 2:37-39 (NASB)

Be Saved From This Perverse Generation

And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

ACTS 2:40,41 (NASB)

They Were Continually Devoting Themselves

…to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common…

ACTS 2:42-44 (NASB)

Selling Their Property & Possessions

…And were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising GOD and having favor with all the people.

ACTS 2:45-47 (NASB)

And The LORD Was ADDING To THEIR Number Day by Day Those Who Were Being SAVED.

ACTS 2: 27 (NASB)

I simply cannot say it any better than that.

Needs Must

Jude is a hard book to swallow. Ironic really, as it is such a very small book. A mere 25 verses. There are Psalms way longer than that. What is this little - yet mighty! - book about anyway? Why did Jude even write it? It seems even Jude had a different plan when he first sat down to write, as he says plainly in verse 3:

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

JUDE 1:3 (NASB) *emphasis mine

The Bare Necessity

The Greek word for necessity is ANAGKE. Its meaning is profound. In addition to necessity, it also means - compulsion, distress and hardship. Since all Scripture is GOD-breathed, it is critical to note this deliberate shift in topic - and to heed it accordingly. Something is up. Jude is distressed and compelled to switch direction as he writes. What is causing him to “write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith” (v.3) under such duress?

Crept in Unawares

For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our GOD into licentiousness and deny our only Master and LORD, JESUS CHRIST.

JUDE 1:4 (NASB)

This, beloved, is WHY we must contend earnestly. This is why. As awful and shocking as it is to comprehend, people have crept into the midst of the church - INTENTIONALLY - in order to deceive those - you and me! - who love JESUS, in order to change our minds and hearts to deny our JESUS. Let that sink in for a moment. Re-read the above Scripture and really think about what Jude is saying. And then examine what it means to “contend earnestly for the faith” in light of this sobering reality.

These Men, Also By Dreaming, Defile… Reject… Revile.

Jude painstakingly takes us through, layer by layer, of the ways that leaven has gotten into the loaf. He writes about those destroyed by the LORD for unbelief after saving them out of Egypt (v.5). Jude talks about the fate of angels “who did not keep their domain” (v.6); the example GOD makes of Sodom and Gomorrah “undergoing the punishment of eternal fire” (v.7). Then Jude picks up his discussion of these men who have crept in unawares…

Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. JUDE 1:8 (NASB)

By These Things THEY ARE DESTROYED

Jude goes on to include an example for us of Michael the archangel and an interaction he had with the devil. And then, once again, Jude addresses “these men” in verse 10. He talks about the juxtaposition of the men “reviling the things which they do not understand, and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed” (v. 10). These men forego attempts to understand those things that they do not, and instead, they revile them.

REVILE - To criticize someone or something strongly in an abusive, insulting or angrily contemptuous manner. It involves verbal attacks meant to humiliate, belittle, or show intense dislike. (Dictionary.com)*

These men move instinctually “like unreasoning animals” (v.10)…

BY THESE THINGS THEY ARE DESTROYED.

*On a side note, this is why IT MATTERS HOW WE SPEAK AS BELIEVERS about those with WHOM WE DISAGREE. Truth cannot be of GOD if it is not also in LOVE. This is one of the ways we are set apart from others who disagree - we disagree from a place of love, truth and kindness - NOT reviling those with whom we disagree.

Woe to Them!

Going the way of Cain, rushing headlong - for pay, no less! - into the error of Balaam, ultimately perishing in the rebellion of Korah…(v.11). Beloved, spend time in this verse! Re-read (or read for the first time) about the lives of Cain (Genesis 4), Balaam (Numbers 22-25, 31), and Korah (Numbers 16). What grievous errors did these men make? Study their lives and stories of woe. It is sobering and underscores how very much GOD hates sin and disobedience. Our hearts and lives and choices MATTER to GOD. He loves us - AND - He hates sin.

These are the men who are the hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead uprooted…(v.12)

Wild Waves of The Sea

…Casting up their own shame like foam…

Wandering Stars

…For whom the black darkness has been reserved forever (v.13). It was about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the LORD came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which the ungodly sinners have spoken against HIM” (vv.13-15).

Contend Earnestly For the Faith

…These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts, they speak arrogantly, flattering people…

For the sake of GAINING AN ADVANTAGE (v.16).

…For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men…

Truly I Say To You

…They have their reward in full.

But You, When You Pray

…Go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your FATHER who is in secret, and your FATHER who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying…

Do Not Use Meaningless Repetition

…As the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

So Do Not Be Like Them

…For your FATHER KNOWS what you need…

Before you ask HIM.

MATTHEW 6:5-8 (NASB)

They Left Their Nets

Now as JESUS was walking by the Sea of Galilee, HE saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

MATTHEW 4:18 (NASB)

These days, I have been seeking the LORD’S help in understanding what HE means when He says “FOLLOW ME.” How far does HE want me to take this? In what areas of my life - and heart! - am I not “following JESUS.” I keep coming back to two things where I think I have watered down His call, and meaning, in my own life historically. They are these: The disciples LEFT EVERYTHING to FOLLOW HIM. And, they did it IMMEDIATELY.

And FOLLOWED HIM

According to Bible HUB, & Strong’s Concordance (NASB), the Greek word “follow” is DEUTE. It means “Come,” “Come here,” “Come now.” It is an imperative form of EIMI (to go); Come hither! I was fascinated (but not surprised really) to read that DEUTE “carries the force of a warm but urgent imperative: ‘Come,’ ‘Come here,’ or ‘Come now.’ It functions as a summons that demands personal response, never mere observation” (SOURCE - Bible Hub, Topical Lexicon, Strong’s Greek Concordance). Read that again. Slowly. “It functions as a SUMMONS that DEMANDS PERSONAL RESPONSE, NEVER MERE OBSERVATION” (Emphasis Mine). Hmmm. This certainly changes things. Did they follow Him immediately, leaving everything, because they were to become the APOSTLES of JESUS? Therefore, it was necessary for them to move out in such an extreme manner, quickly, completely and urgently? Or is something else being shown to us - ALL of us who are called to “FOLLOW HIM”?

IMMEDIATELY

…they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

MATTHEW 4:22 (NASB)

Immediately they left the boat and their father, and FOLLOWED HIM. They left their job and their family…to follow JESUS. Who does that? Seriously. Who? Would I? Have I? I find that when I read Scripture, sometimes familiarity does, in fact, breed contempt - or at least, complacency with a bit of arrogance thrown in for good measure. These are familiar verses to those who are inside the Christian church, and yet, have we really sat with what the reality of this passage means for you and me now? Today. It is easy to relegate these verses to the past - Or to those who have “a bigger/different” call or “bigger/different” purposes, gifts, skill sets, etc. That way of thinking gives us a pass. Not mine. Not my call. Not my preference. Not mine to do. Whew! I was worried there for a second! Except…what if the call JESUS gave to the first DISCIPLES, was not unique, specific to them, or because they were bigger/different/special/first? What if this call is SO BIG…SO IMPORTANT…SO ALL ENCOMPASSING…SO HOLY/OTHER/SET APART, that leaving EVERYTHING IMMEDIATELY that might hinder/distract/impede/alter/delay our following the call of JESUS to FOLLOW HIM, is the only TRUE, CORRECT and OBVIOUS response to our EXTRAORDINARY, SOVEREIGN, HOLY, PERFECT, CREATOR? What if laying down our lives, includes laying down our stuff? Our unbelieving families? Our careers? Our preferences? Our golf game? Our gaming? Social Media? Our reputations? Our legacies? Ourselves? Our very lives? Now. IMMEDIATELY. PERMANENTLY. What if this, this, is truly what real faith looks like? Leaving it all. IMMEDIATELY. To FOLLOW HIM.

BY FAITH

…Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance…

HEBREWS 11:8 (NASB)

Abraham did the same thing when GOD called him. He obeyed. This is the crux. Following JESUS when He calls us is a choice. Anyone walking with GOD for even a short time, reading the WORD, sees clearly that FAITH means TRUST. If I have a road map and I follow it, this is not faith. It is following directions. Also important with regards to the things of JESUS, but FAITH looks different. Often FAITH involves immediate and absolute trust - without first having all of the information. The disciples surely had NO IDEA what JESUS was talking about when HE called them to “FOLLOW ME.” They did not have an agenda, a strategy, time to “prepare” or to decide, even. They did not even pack. James and John walked away from their Dad. Angel Studio’s “The Chosen” would have us believe that all was well; Everyone understood, approved and were able to drop home, see their friends and families regularly. Abraham didn’t have those circumstances. Likely, the first disciples didn’t either. And yet, they chose to FOLLOW HIM. And they had to continue to choose to follow Him for the rest of their lives. It was not a “one and done” situation then, and it is not now. We are called. Immediately. To Leave Everything. To FOLLOW HIM.

And He Went Out

…Not Knowing Where He Was Going.

HEBREWS 11:8 (NASB)

So this is the call. This. What are we still clinging to more than the Cross? What things do we hold in our hands, treasuring them more than our Precious JESUS? What keeps us from obeying the call to “FOLLOW ME”? What do we deem BY OUR ACTIONS to be more important than the high call of JESUS? Have we left EVERYTHING? Will we? Why do we still value the things and ways and practices of the world more than those of our JESUS? This is a sobering reality. The call to FOLLOW ME is still resounding throughout the earth. We are still called to DAILY CHOOSE Who (or what) we will follow. Our actions confirm - and betray - what is truly in our hearts. Our words mean nothing when they do not truly reflect - and match!! - the actions of our lives. If our actions do not match the words of our testimonies, then our testimonies are false. Our choices are the truest things about us, in many real ways. The things we do not choose also say much about our hearts. When we “choose” to FOLLOW JESUS, do our actions reflect this truth in our hearts? In our lives? Why not? Whatever on earth is more important than RUNNING IMMEDIATELY TO FOLLOW JESUS? Beloved! This matters. He is still calling us to FOLLOW HIM.

IMMEDIATELY. Leave EVERYTHING. FOLLOW JESUS.

And HE said to them, “Follow ME, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

MATTHEW 4:19,20 (NASB)

Come To ME

What does it mean to Come to Him? What does that look like? I imagine a child returning to its Mother. It is an intentional shift - in direction, in course…It begins with recognizing that I am being called, Who is calling me, and then, changing my direction to go in the direction of the voice - even when I cannot see the Source immediately. It is a choosing to move towards the sound of the one who speaks my name and is calling me to come.

All Who Are Weary

When I am weary, it is both easier - and more difficult - to move towards JESUS. Both. Inherently, I understand that JESUS is the Source of all of my peace, comfort and true rest; However, my weariness can sometimes cloud these obvious truths and make movement towards anything, hard. When I am at my most broken, tired, exhausted, weakest, it is theses times that I MUST COME. He alone is my strength, my hope and is big enough to carry me - and my burdens.

And Heavy-Laden

Life is heavy sometimes. Literally AND figuratively. It can been arduous and brutal just getting up somedays. As the darkness grows, it is even more imperative that we remember JESUS and call upon His strength, His light and His longsuffering. He knows what we are enduring. He understands the pain involved in living in a fallen, broken world where people hurt others for sport, it seems. JESUS understands what it is like to be tempted and to be abused, lied to, unjustly accused, tried and executed…after being beaten unrecognizable. He is the GOD man acquainted with many sorrows - made perfect through suffering. Just like me. Except, He NEVER sinned through it all. This makes Him the ONLY ONE worthy to carry such a load as myself. This is GOOD NEWS indeed!

And I Will Give You Rest

He is our rest. He is our hope and our trust. JESUS CHRIST is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the FATHER apart from Him. He is our hope and stay in a dark and weary land where there is no water. He alone is worthy. He alone is powerful enough to save, to heal, to transform, to sustain and to satisfy. Come to Him, all you who are weary. He is our rest.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

MATTHEW 11:28 (NASB)

“I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be MY people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the LORD.

2 CORINTHIANS 6: 16,17 (NASB)

This has become the ongoing conversation. What does it mean to be set apart? Born again? To be a good tree with good fruit? To not conform to the pattern of this world? What is the narrow gate? The remnant? How will we know them? How will we know if we are one of them? What exactly should our fruit look like, anyway? What does the Bible say exactly?

Do Not Be Bound Together with Unbelievers

…for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 (NASB)

A quote has been recirculating in recent years particularly within church circles -“You become what you behold.” I have seen it on t-shirts, heard it preached from platforms, discussed in small groups and presented as though it is Scripture. It’s not, by the way. It is from English poet William Blake - found in his 1804 poem, Milton: A Poem. The Apostle Paul spoke of this concept first, arguably, in his second letter to the Church at Corinth; “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the LORD, the SPIRIT” (2 CORINTHIANS 3:18, NASB). Paul was conveying a reality that must be looked at and taken much more seriously by us who profess to follow JESUS CHRIST. William Blake was not so far off from the mark, actually. Whatever we behold - focus on intently, study, scrutinize, worship - we ultimately will take on the attributes of said item. For good - or for bad.

Beholding As in A Mirror the Glory of the LORD

What would it look like - what would WE, followers of JESUS CHRIST - look like if beheld the glory of GOD unceasingly…uncompromisingly…utterly…? What would our fruit look like if we basked in the Presence of the LORD JESUS through HIS Word, allowing HIM to change us as HE sees fit? What if we chose to do this AND to intentionally and purposefully REMOVE all that hindered our walk in HIM? All that distracts from, competes with, opposes, ignores, reconfigures, removes, reduces, tarnishes, minimizes, and recasts GOD and HIS Word and HIS SON and HIS HOLY SPIRIT into something common, average, unnecessary, irrelevant, replaceable, reduceable, replicable, without borders or boundaries, or truth? When we transfer our eyes off of JESUS and onto ANYTHING else, we are in immediate danger of making an idol, another god that sadly, we will begin to look like - substituting the holy for the profane. It can be anything - or anyone. A spouse, A child. A career. A hobby. Sports. Netflix. Celebrities. Our pastor. Movements. Prayer. Platforms. Money. This should rock us to our cores as we contemplate the many ways and many levels in which we have sold out. Choosing - and often, preferring - the profane, rather than the holy.

So Then, You Will Know Them By Their Fruits

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits.

MATTHEW 7:16-20 (NASB)

This begs the question, what does my fruit look like? Not what do I think it looks like, but what does it actually look like? More importantly, what is my standard of measure? Is it the uncompromised Word of GOD? Or is it the things/values/priorities of the world? Who (or what?) am I trying to please? And, in fact, is GOD even in me at all? Apart from HIM I can do nothing. Certainly, nothing good.

And I Will Declare to Them, 'I Never Knew You’

“Not everyone who says to Me on that day, ‘LORD, LORD, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My FATHER who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that days, ‘LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and in Your Name cast out demons, and in Your Name perform many miracles?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, You who practice lawlessness.’”

MATTHEW 7: 21-23 (NASB)

It just got real. And really serious. This is not a game or a joke or something to take lightly. IS my fruit that of the HOLY SPIRIT? If only good trees can bear good fruit, then the state of my fruit should be a VERY high priority in my daily walk with the LORD. Not from an attaining, striving and achieving posture, rather a surrendered, humble and seeking the LORD with all of my heart, posture. This is not something I can do on my own. None of us can. However, we are called to be fruit inspectors and to allow JESUS to correct us accordingly.

I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

JOHN 15:4,5 (NASB)

It is only through abiding IN JESUS CHRIST that we can bear fruit at all. He is the origin of everything that is good. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Nothing. That is a sobering and profound truth. We would be wise to allow HIM in - to ask Him to come into our hearts and lives and to have His way in us and through us, as He is perfect in goodness, perfect in holiness, perfect in the way of all truth. Why ever would we choose ANYTHING less than perfection for ourselves and those who we love?

Bear Much Fruit As Proof

So how do we know? And how do others know we are His? By our abundant, prolific, biblical, holy and utterly GOOD, fruit. It is our fruit that is our key identifier that we know JESUS CHRIST - and more importantly - that HE indeed knows us. Our fruit becomes our living proof of HIM in our hearts, lives and is our greatest witness to those around us who have yet to know and yet to receive the Gospel of Salvation of JESUS CHRIST.

Tell me, Beloved, what is the state of your fruit? What do you focus on the most? What are you becoming - and producing - through what you behold? Choose JESUS. He is faithful. He is better than anything this world has to offer. You can count on that.

My FATHER is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be MY disciples.

JOHN 15:8 (NASB)

The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

MATTHEW 3:10 (NASB)

The above words were spoken by John the Baptist to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They had gone out to the wilderness to see for themselves just who the man was who was drawing people from “Jerusalem…and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins”(vv.5,6). They had an agenda. But John the Baptist saw them coming - and he saw them for who they were and warned them accordingly.

You Brood of Vipers

…Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (v.7)

John the Baptist is saying something VERY important here. He is not merely calling out the religious leaders of his day, he is also making an important distinction that is CRITICAL for all of us who call ourselves followers of the Biblical JESUS. This distinction is why John the Baptist is able to be so direct and cut to the very heart or the matter. He understands something that we must also understand, learn and walk in as believers. It is this.

BEAR FRUIT in Keeping with REPENTANCE

We cannot “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (v.8) unless and until we acknowledge that we MUST BECOME NEW CREATIONS IN CHRIST JESUS first. The reason that “the axe is laid at the root of every tree that does not bear good fruit and is cut down and thrown into the fire” (v.10), is because the order matters. We cannot bear fruit in keeping with repentance without first being made new - born again - in JESUS. Our good fruit is also the outward sign of an inward heart transformation. GOD does not merely change our old hearts - He makes them NEW. We become NEW in CHRIST JESUS. Unless we become new, we cannot bear good fruit, as EVERYTHING GOOD comes from GOD - “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the FATHER of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17, NASB). James goes on to write, “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures” (James 1:18, NASB). This is the mark of true believers. This is why JtB noticed these “vipers” from a mile off. He could see that their fruit was rotten.

Unless One is BORN AGAIN

…he cannot see the kingdom of GOD (JOHN 3:5, NASB).

For the love of CHRIST controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf…

2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15 (NASB)

My Bible says “…One died for all, therefore all died…” (v.14). All died. ALL. Therefore, in order to truly call myself a follower of JESUS, I MUST DIE. I cannot cling to my old fleshly ways, wants, desires, preferences, habits, activities, etc. I have DIED. I am MADE NEW IN JESUS CHRIST. My fruit should bear witness to that reality - and transformation. What’s more, the fruit of the SPIRIT in my heart and life, should continue to grow and bear witness to this inner change. I should become MORE LIKE JESUS from moment to moment, providing that I allow HIM to change those things in me that I cling to - those things that used to define and identify me. Now, HE DEFINES and IDENTIFIES ME. Not my reputation. Not my business prowess, my academic success, alma mater, my sporting accolades, the movies I like, the hobbies that consume me and my life, nor the activities, places and purchases that defined and identified and established “me” previously. I AM MADE NEW IN JESUS. SO IS MY FRUIT. If I look the same, one should ask me if I have truly been made new in JESUS.

Behold, New Things Have Come

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known CHRIST according to the flesh, yet now we know HIM in this way no longer.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:16 (NASB)

We are made NEW! We are NOT THE SAME! This is spectacular news! And begs the question - whyever would (should) we be - or want to be - relevant? The same? Like we were before JESUS? We are MADE NEW IN JESUS CHRIST. This changes everything in extraordinary and marvelous ways! We should look so different, in fact, that people see the changes and ASK US ABOUT THEM. We should celebrate this! Being set apart as a people unto GOD is the staggering root that is now at the center of all whom repent and ask JESUS to come into their hearts and lives making them new! A city on a hill is separated from the fray. It is set apart. Always. Fully. And completely.

Good News indeed! Thank YOU, JESUS, for YOUR faithfulness to us!

Therefore if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 (NASB)

Utterly Amazed

Today, I sit here yet again utterly amazed by the GOD of the Universe. YOUR kindness overwhelms me. YOUR mercy slays me. YOUR scandalous love surrounds and fills me so I could fairly burst with the sheer volume, magnitude and size of it - Of YOU.

Who is man that YOU are mindful of him?

Carried Away

What are YOU like, GOD? Knowing me utterly and completely - every fault. Every failure. YOU see my fickle heart and my rebellious ways. YOU know me to my very core - AND YET - YOU love me. YOU carry, sustain and lift me. YOUR goodness and mercy overwhelm me. I can scarcely understand such glorious grace! YOUR kindness is staggering to me! YOU are the GOD of everything! Why in all of YOUR majesty, holiness and splendor do YOU deign to reach down and to lift me up? YOU alone, are my KING.

YOU Quiet Me with YOUR Love

Who are YOU, my JESUS, that YOU can see and know and understand such darkness, and yet move with such compassion, kindness, mercy and love? I long to be like YOU in my innermost parts, that YOU would be glorified in and through me - pleased to call me YOUR friend. I have such a very long way to go, O GOD! YOU know. YOU know. When my fruit starts to reek as it rots on the vine that is YOU; When I am a horrible wife…When I am a kicking and screaming daughter…When I am impatient, unloving, mean-spirited, doubtful, selfish…impossible to like, let alone to love…YOU, O GOD, YOU see me. YOU know me. And yet, YOU still love me. In spite of everything I am or have ever done, YOU reach down and calm my raging sea. YOU quiet me with YOUR love. YOU never leave or forsake me.

I Will Lift Up My Eyes

Help me to remember YOUR goodness. YOUR faithfulness. YOUR kindness. Help me to always seek YOUR face first - and only. When the world presses in with distraction, temptation, empty promises and things that will never, ever satisfy - I will lift up my eyes and seek YOUR face. I will look for YOU in the darkness, in the noise, in the chaos, in the distractions that never fill me or sustain me. YOU alone are MY KING. Teach me to always seek YOUR face in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. Help me not to fall prey to the seemingly shiny things of this world - help me to die to everything else but that which pleases and glorifies YOU and YOU alone. As YOU lift up my head, I will lift up my eyes. AND I WILL BE SATISFIED.

I will love YOU forever, my JESUS! SAVIOR, LORD and KING! Amen. Come quickly.

Hearing Voices

Everyday it seems like there are more opinions, commentaries, books, blogs, vlogs, videos, influencers (?! still don’t understand why this is a thing?!), more voices - more noise - clamoring to speak, direct, counsel, advise, instruct, expose, exhort, admonish...and I have become one of them. So many voices vying - battling - for attention. For status. For power. For exposure. For likes. How very odd it has all become. What battles are mine? Should I even fight at all? When should I fight? And, most importantly, what is the point of all this fighting? Do I still know? Have I lost it? What even is it? Is there one at all?

The Artful Dodger

It’s a lot like living life on a giant playground. Waiting to be picked for a team by one of the two popular kids - “captains” - selecting for recess soccer. I am reminded of the sheer horror of watching the group of kids dwindling down around me at an alarming rate, dying inside while silently repeating THE (read fervent) prayer - “PLEASE GOD - PLEASE! - just don’t let me be chosen LAST!” Horrible. Absolutely horrible. I am cringing, rocking back and forth in a ball now, actually. ;) I digress…

No matter how horrible that scenario was for all of us - and it so was - what actually was the point? Was it being on a certain team? The team? Or was it just getting to play the game? And yes. Once chosen and starting to play it ABSOLUTELY becomes about winning the game, to be sure. But initially, it begins by just wanting to play - and being chosen to do so. Once the game starts, playing well becomes more important than merely playing. The goal shifts. The POINT of the game changes. The motivation morphs. But the game itself DOES NOT. So, I will ask the question again. What is the point?

The Whole Enchilada

The battle raging in the world today is real. And frankly for many, it is plural. Hunger, racism, misogyny, hatred, war, famine, forced labor, abuse, joblessness, homelessness, lack of access, lack of love, lack of belonging. Just lack, in general. So what do we do? Which battles do we fight? Do we fight at all? How do we fight? And what, precisely, is the point? Is there one? Is there?

A resounding YES! Yes! There is a point! And the point is the game changer - and the answer to all of my questions. His name is JESUS.

JESUS CHRIST. The GOD of the BIBLE who came to earth as GOD and became the GOD Man, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross, was buried and rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of GOD the FATHER, and will come again to judge both the living and the dead. JESUS is. He is. HE IS. And, He is also the point - ours, at least. JESUS CHRIST is the point. The whole enchilada. From soup to nuts. HE IS. HE WAS. HE ALWAYS WILL BE. THE JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS THE POINT. Now and forevermore. If you miss this, you miss everything. Whatever else “is,” happens, becomes, fades, changes, grows, forms, remains - HE IS. And HE IS COMING SOON. And that is enough. HE - in all His glory, humility, splendor and majesty - is more than enough. And He will lead me through every battle that comes my way. Sometimes, He will call me to stand and to fight. Other times, HE stands for me. Either way, the battle is HIS. And He will do it. He is faithful to Himself. And He will lead me in the way that I should go.

So, new questions arise.

Do You KNOW HIM? And…

ARE YOU READY TO MEET HIM?

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and the mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to GOD, who gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the LORD.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-58 (NASB)

THEY Will Go

Have you ever heard this response regarding talking to people about JESUS - i.e. preaching the Gospel - JESUS’S message of salvation to a dying world? “I don’t have to go out to my neighbor, my colleague, my friend - the world - and tell them about JESUS because I FUND THE PEOPLE WHO DO...I’m a ‘kingdom builder.’ I raise money so THEY can go...”

I have. Is this a truly a spiritual gift? Is this biblical?

Nope. It is decidedly NOT biblical. Having the spiritual gift of “kingdom building” from a purely financial standpoint is not found in Scripture. Making money so other people can preach, witness and go is not a “get out of jail free” card. It does NOT absolve us from preaching the Gospel - “even to the ends of the earth” - if GOD so leads.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of GOD and of CHRIST JESUS, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by HIS appearing and HIS kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction…”

2 TIMOTHY 4:1,2 (NASB)

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

I hear people talking about being rich for JESUS. Big money. Big house. Fancy cars in the driveway. Trips to exotic locations. Lots and lots of money in the bank for a “rainy day” - but don’t worry - they are building the Kingdom for JESUS with the money they make as a CEO. Really? When in doubt - and we should always doubt without proof - open up the Scriptures. What does GOD say in His Word about money? The Bible actually has a lot to say about money: Stockpiling money, the love of money, what we should be content with, the difficulty a rich person has getting into the ACTUAL Kingdom, to name but a few. Does it make sense then that making money IN ORDER TO GIVE IT TO GOD would also be a spiritual gift from the LORD? Does it not ALL belong to GOD? Is it not up to HIM to determine where and when and how and to whom to spread HIS resources? What is really at the root of this myth of “Kingdom Building Money Makers"? I believe there is something much darker and more insidious at play here. It has to do with power, authority and ultimately, control - though not the kind described in the Bible. Not GOD’s control. Man’s.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and wealth.”

MATTHEW 6:24 (NASB)

Give Until It Hurts

The way we feel about money - and the lengths we will go to make it, get it, acquire it, stockpile it, give it - speaks VOLUMES about many things, but ultimately, it tells us how we feel about GOD with regards to His provision, His faithfulness and His plan for us and our lives, individually and corporately. Money talks and it is LOUD. Who hasn’t seen the fruit of elder boards, deacons and NGO boards who are held hostage by their “generous benefactors” - who not only give their money, but also their opinions on how they want you to spend it? I have seen brethren go to profound and unbiblical lengths to keep BIG givers “happy,” i.e. giving. At the same time, increasingly I am seeing the wolves inside the church pursuing “Big Money” donors voraciously, NOT to bring the the Good News of JESUS, but to manipulate them into opening up their rather large wallets. Fear is but one aspect of the root of money. Using others and greed are still more. JESUS becomes a commodity and His people become wheelers and dealers. Sometimes it is the donor who holds on to the control, and other times it is the receiver of the generosity who holds the puppet strings. In actuality, GOD is the One who remains permanently in control. We would be wise to remember this when we take credit for building HIS Kingdom with HIS money.

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.

PROVERBS 22:7 (NASB)

WE Gotta Have Faith

Ultimately, GOD provides, GOD builds and GOD saves. We would do well to remember these things. He is faithful - TO HIMSELF - and HE WILL DO IT. Not us. Going after big money for ourselves, our families and to “build GOD’S Kingdom” conceals the fear that often is the biggest motivator and satan is more than happy to help us lie to ourselves and to everyone around us that we are actually making money for others, for GOD, or for His people - when in reality it is often masking fear, inadequacy, and worse - reveals our lack of faith in GOD.

And my GOD will supply all your needs according to HIS riches in glory in CHRIST JESUS.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10 (NASB)

HE Does NOT FORGET

The world teaches much about saving money, making money, increasing money, spending money - and approves and applauds those who have some money to make even more. No matter the cost. When we forget that it is GOD who provides and who is a PERFECT PROVIDER in His way, timing and plan, we often find ourselves on the hamster wheel of worldly “wisdom” which often looks nothing like faith. Whether we are stockpiling money for ourselves - or on the pretention of doing it for “others” - or the Church - we would be wise to remember that honoring GOD by doing everything unto His glory is one thing, doing it for ourselves, our prestige, our recognition, our influence, our vanity - is something altogether different. Money is not a substitute for anything real and lasting. It is not a substitute for time spent. It is not a substitute for going out into the world to tell it about JESUS.

It is not a substitute for JESUS.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of GOD, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

1 TIMOTHY 6:10,11 (NASB)

Not My Circus

An alarming thing is taking place within many churches - apathy and complacency with regards to not only those in the world, but increasingly towards the brethren. Having conversations with many people globally, there is emerging a collective sigh of relief I am hearing when discussing the state of the Church today. It boils down to how me and my church are doing - not us and our Church. The rising deception that is spreading and multiplying voraciously like cancer throughout the Body, is able to do so for one primary reason - if it isn’t happening “here,” then it is of no concern of mine. For several years I have erroneously believed that it was due to lack of information - lack of knowledge and understanding as to what is truly transpiring in the global - and local - Church. I found myself waiting for her people to take notice of this rising deception by responding accordingly - biblically - by expressing ANY alarm, concern, anger, sadness - anything, really - and largely I have been increasingly perplexed by the lack of concern for the five alarm fire that is threatening the entire forest that we are living in. Worse still, however, is the reality marked by the fruit - or lack thereof - that the other churches in the neighborhoods, denominations, etc., are turning a blind eye as they sigh in relief, thanking GOD that its not happening at “OUR church.” Truly, this is morphing into something far worse than garden variety distraction, disbelief, or disagreement of its existence - beyond ‘Ignorance is bliss” even. It is relief.

La - La - La - I Can’t Hear You

Akin to when hearing of a job loss, a marriage breaking up - or even an another’s illness, what I have been observing with exponentially increasing regularity, is relief. When sitting down to talk about the state of the church, I am finding there is now such a level of apathy that we are actually purposefully plugging our ears, and covering our eyes when regarding the state of the church at-large today. As long as it’s not MY church, sure, it’s sad, and disturbing, but mostly, Whew! Not my church. Not my problem. So I ask the question, Brethren. Whose problem is it?

Let Them

If I see you approaching unawares to the edge of a cliff, should I say something? Or should I let you fall? What if there is a bus hurtling down the street, heading right for you - or for someone you love? What would you do? Better question - if you are a follower of the JESUS of the Bible, what should you do? If I see a bus about to hit you as you are standing in the street with your back to it, unable to hear my voice above the noise around you, I have several options. I can “let you” remain blissfully unaware; I can call out to even louder to you, hoping that you hear me above the din; Or, I can knock you out of the way of the bus, perhaps getting a bit bruised in the process. You might get hurt if I tackle you to prevent the bus from hitting, perhaps killing, you. Knocking you to the ground, might cause a little bit of damage - perhaps a little pain. And while I am truly sorry about that, I am mostly glad that you did not get hit by the bus.

The Pot Is Boiling

Here’s the thing. My Bible doesn’t say, “Let them.” My Bible says “SNATCH THEM” (See Jude 1:23). The world is watching how we treat one another within the Body of CHRIST. If we won’t do the hard work of helping those inside the Church - how are we every going to bring the Gospel of JESUS to a dying world? It is not fun, nor do I take lightly, calling out leaders within the Body of believers when they are intentionally deceiving the brethren. It is Biblical, however. What about those who are in “churches” that are more concerned with fitting in, than bringing the light - AND THE SALT? What then? Are we more concerned with going to the ends of the earth for adventure, conquest - and great stories - than we are going to the church down the street that is preaching heresy? Or talking to our friends in other congregations about the alarming things that are taking place INSIDE THE CHURCH both here, and overseas? Are our churches supposed to be “purpose driven”? Consumer driven? Or CHRIST driven? If we see something, or worse, plug our ears and close our eyes to what is happening inside the Church today, WE ARE COMPLICIT. And to those watching from outside the Church? WE ARE A BAD WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

The world needs JESUS. Increasingly, so too, does the Church.

Tell me, friend. What does it mean to love your brother?

Rededicate or Regurgitate?

The weekend of the National Day of “Prayer” 2026 shenanigans, followed by the spectacle that was the “Rededicate” America 250 event on the following day, I found myself watching - but watching as one who cannot look away from a bad comedian, magician or car crash - wincing, but watching none-the-less. My heart was beyond heavy as I watched the supposed “Who’s Who of the Christian World” (according to two Davids who were discussing the upcoming spectacle prior to the event) parade on a platform looking like peacocks on full display. Some came with their “merch” in hand, some came in costume, some came with a person piously praying for the one pontificating on knees on the platforms - but all came professing to know what they thought the god of their universe was doing in and through their “precious”- ‘Merica.

Like A Dog Returning to Its Vomit

Like a dog returning to its vomit, veiled heresies, unbiblical alliances, shameless sucking up to the world in the guise of “unity” and intentional misapplication of historical events, all while using twisted Scripture references, was the order of the day - both days, actually - of Rededicate 250. Political agendas, alliances and rhetoric disgracefully spoken through “prayer” to god, those whose god is anyone’s guess… Assuredly this putrid fruit was not of the GOD of the Bible, though His Word was appallingly applied to everything from the president, to book sales, to the “founding” fathers, to the NAR agenda of Dominion - and of course, to the United States, each and every time. Oh. And don’t forget the copious use of pictures of VERY white men and their likenesses - even lauding and quoting some of them whom have NOTABLE and MANY appalling behaviors: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, to name two. Re-writing history of both our Nation AND the Bible, misapplication sullying both in the process. Our Speaker of the House in his “prayer” pontificated about our nation saying to god (allegedly) - “…A new nation, which would become, by your mercy and grace, the free-est, most successful, most benevolent nation in the history of the world…” Hmm. I wonder what our friends in the other 200+ nations feel about these statements? How does one go about determining this? What is the standard of measurement to determine ANY of these traits - particularly in light of the facts that all nations on the planet did not and do not currently have the same resources, to raise one notable variable…Oh - and obviously - What does this have to do with JESUS, let alone honoring and glorifying Him?

Where’s the Beef?

So what is the problem? Is it possible to narrow it down to just one, more specifically? Who exactly was being worshipped, honored and praised? How is it possible to RE-dedicate something that has never been dedicated in the first place? More importantly, why is this so important to those who truly have put their faith in the GOD of the Bible? Should it be? A needed reminder: JESUS is neither white, nor American - let alone a Republican. HE IS A KING. My KING. So what on earth do I have to do with the conquest of the world? HE ALREADY DID THAT THROUGH HIS SINLESS DEATH, RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN - AND BEING THE ONLY (for those who are erroneously spouting otherwise) WORD MADE FLESH. HE WAS, IS, AND FOREVER WILL BE GOD. HE WILL COME AGAIN SOON TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. Does it really matter which way the world goes? We are in it, not of it. Why should we care about the way of the nation, when her people are clearly and profoundly in need of salvation?

What Color Lipstick Should I Put On This Pig?

This event so clearly and horrifically missed the entire point of GOD. It is the equivalent of discussing what color lipstick is the best shade - for a pig. Utterly the WRONG question to ask, ignoring the much LARGER and OBVIOUS issue to be addressed. I say this in love and in truth - WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD. Period. We are SET APART - that is, if we truly believe that JESUS CHRIST is who He says He is. Do not get distracted, beloved. Do not waste your time, energy, money and resources on those things that are the equivalent of choosing the color of lipstick - FOR A PIG. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest BIBLE. Pick it up. READ IT. MEMORIZE IT. STUDY IT AS THOUGH YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.

Because it does.

Increasingly Common

It has become an increasingly common occurrence to hear people within Christian communities referring to themselves - and others!* - as people found in the Bible. I have heard references to being a “David,” an “Anna,” “Cyrus,”* - and even collectively such as “Joel’s Army”... Frankly, I find it altogether odd - and more than a little disconcerting for many reasons. The biggest one being that when relegating Biblical saints to merely a “type,” it seems to elevate man, while simultaneously demoting GOD. Here’s how...

Not-So-Great Expectations

Recently, Kevin and I had a conversation with a very visible - and profoundly accomplished - global leader within the Christian world. In line with the new norm Kevin and I find ourselves walking in, we were asking her VERY direct questions about some of the practices we were seeing within her Christian NGO that did not align with Scripture in many real and alarming ways. As I braced myself for a tough conversation and likely pushback from a woman I highly respect and consider a dear sister, something else happened instead - She agreed with everything we pointed out. As we love her and were voicing our concerns - because above all else we are concerned about her and her personal relationship with JESUS - we felt led to point out some of the unbiblical practices being perpetuated by those around her within her NGO, and ultimately, being perpetuated by her. I expected anger. I anticipated tension and awkwardness and doubling down, even. What I did not expect, however, was her agreement. And what I REALLY did not expect beyond that though, was her agreement with our concerns - and the reason she gave for knowingly staying in spite of them.

Modeling Our Lives - After Who?

To be clear, neither Esther, Daniel or Joseph purposely set out to infiltrate the secular governments of the land for “JESUS” - GOD placed them in situations where they needed to make choices based on their loyalty and faithfulness to Him. And, if GOD had not given them favor and wise counsel in the first place, their choices would likely have not had the same results. Esther did not infiltrate the Kingship - she was a girl who was beautiful and her Uncle’s counsel helped her to see and then to respond according to GOD’S will. Daniel was a prisoner who would not compromise his walk and relationship with GOD - no matter what. Joseph was actually fairly prideful and through GOD’S kindness was able to become the man that GOD created him to be - in spite of his failings. In all cases, these people of GOD were living their lives and adjusting as GOD guided, led and spoke. It should be the same today. None of these people in Scripture are motivated by their own “story,” but instead, are guided by HIS. They aren’t setting out to live lives of building monuments, empires of leaving “legacies,” rather they are seeking to do GOD’S will and are able to listen to His counsel and the wisdom of those who GOD sends to speak into their lives - in spite of how they feel or what the circumstances seem to dictate - up to and including laying down their very lives in obedience to GOD. The motive of their hearts adjust as they seek GOD and respond to His will and way. What’s more, they do whatever GOD calls each to do according to their personal station in life. This is markedly different than trying to emulate another’s walk or storyline - or cherry picking random details of another’s story and trying to mimic it, or worse, modeling one’s life after a person rather than JESUS CHRIST.

Strategies and Formulas

Increasingly I am finding people recasting the narrative of GOD’S Word - HIS Story! - with themselves as the heroes or - worse to me - reinterpreting the lives of those in the Bible through a grid of their own choosing; recasting events, their meaning and their existence into strategies and formulas for “now.” It is appalling and ridiculously short sighted and narrow. Esther as intentionally becoming queen to work from the “inside,” Daniel and Joseph purposely “getting close to secular leaders” in order to have influence and sway over matters of the state - duplicitous and covertly pretending to be loyal while secretly doing the LORD’S work...Worse still, these manufactured stories of real lives become blueprints for what we should be doing as GOD’S people today - misapplying truth and calling it the Truth. It is dangerous at best, blasphemous in its truest form.

Who’s Story Is This Anyway?

Nowhere does GOD call us to be like anyone in Scripture except for JESUS - modeling the lives of others ONLY AS they model their lives after HIM. GOD never calls us to be Davids or Annas or Esthers - and certainly not Cyrus, who was not even saved. Instead, GOD calls us to be like CHRIST and like Him alone. Everyone else in Scripture were fallen flesh - just like us. While their stories are remarkable and inspiring they are not, nor should they ever be, a blueprint for another person’s life. GOD is not trying to make more Davids, Elijahs or Timothys. I think our fixation with this insults us, them, and GOD, frankly. GOD has made each person uniquely and for specific purposes that only He knows, as well as for the most stunning reason of all - because GOD loves us and wants us to be where He is. Why aren’t we marveling at this instead of pretending to be the next Peter, Paul or Mary? Why are we still so focused on ourselves, our lives and our “stories” rather than telling everyone about JESUS and His??? We are still so woefully self absorbed and so easily enamored by not just the things of this world, but our own lives...So many still want greatness and legacy and purpose. To make - and leave - our mark. To live a grand adventure. We want to be remembered. Known. Emulated. Important.

What happened to just wanting JESUS?

Relevant - or Removed?

I just had a talk with my husband. As often happens, as soon as our conversation is done and we go back to the daily chores or life, I find myself pondering things that he has said with the LORD. GOD is kind in the ways in which He gets my attention - as I am often slow on the uptake and need the Lord to get my attention by flashing BARB, BARB, BARB in neon in front of me in order to see that GOD is, in fact, trying to get my attention. *grin* Today’s topic? Being set apart and what it looks like to have biblical, abundant, fruit of the SPIRIT. What does it really mean - and LOOK LIKE - to be set apart? To be a city on a hill? To die to one’s self? To live a life fully for JESUS?

Friends Forever Or Forever Friends?

I have been blessed with many friends. Forever friends. I still have friends from every phase of life that I have lived (small hometown, small University) and keep in touch with many of them. All pre-Facebook. :) The kind of friends that know the origin of many of my stories because they were actually there when they happened. Good friends. True friends. Through thick and thin friends. Here is the glaring problem with my many of my forever friends. They know me. Deeply. And we have been through many things - many seasons - and we are well past the early stages of friendship where priorities - values, mindsets, beliefs - that I now hold as an adult and move in differently than when I was younger. Many of my friends have yet to know JESUS. Some of them know JESUS, but ascribe to a different way of walking that out than I do. A few of them, I truly have nothing in common with - but loyalty to time spent. Loyalty can be a noose sometimes. I have almost hung myself with it before.

SO Now What?

What do I do if I know that I am the only Christian in someone’s life? - I have asked the LORD. I have learned that HE is much bigger than I still have yet to understand and to know. What about the ones I have talked to about GOD ad nauseum and they still do not believe? What about the friends who say that they believe, but live their lives in the center of the city - rather than on the hill? Set in, rather than set apart? What about the ones who do not even recognize that their fruit is rotting? Or care? All of these questions pale in comparison (ironic) to the most important of questions - What about me? What about my walk with JESUS…?

Walk This Way

And there is the rub. How am I doing with regard to bearing good, lasting, growing and abundant fruit? What does GOD say in His Word about the parameters? How am I doing really? How will I know when I am growing more like JESUS as indicated by my fruit? And how will I know when I am sideways, drifting, stagnant - when my fruit is withering on the vine? And what happens when I have no accountability to other people who are also choosing to walk through the NARROW gate? What happens when complacency, apathy, distractions, causes, and affinity with the world - to name but a few - eclipse the necessary fruit inspection I am to do regarding my own fruit? And what about the fruit inspection I desperately need from friends in my life who will objectively and honestly speak to the quality and quantity of my fruit - or lack?

But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to CHRIST JESUS have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the SPIRIT, let us also walk by the SPIRIT.

GALATIANS 5:22-25 (NASB)

Something SPECTACULAR

There is so much talk today about miracles and signs and wonders - wanting to see GOD “do something SPECTACULAR” - with corroborating witnesses to experience and confirm. The bigger the better - this includes the size of the miracle AND the size of the crowd. It is different to me. For me, exhibiting the fruit of the SPIRIT - with others who are choosing to do the same with hearts seeking to love, honor and obey our JESUS - in the chaotic, angry, deteriorating world today is SOMETHING SPECTACULAR. I think the spectacular happens when: I choose to be kind over being mean - particularly when meanness is being shown to me, when I can be gentle - pretty much ever, to be honest; When I can patiently wait for someone who is struggling in their day in the line in front of me at the grocery store; When I can say no to the donut :) ; when I choose to love those who do not love - or even particularly like - me. Add friends who are also clinging to JESUS in this life and choosing to do the same, however hard it may be, this, to me, is SOMETHING SPECTACULAR. The miracle and the sign & wonder that, in spite of me, JESUS moves in and through His SPIRIT in my life and, most importantly, my heart. I want this. I choose this. I know that in order to do this, I must surround myself with those who also choose JESUS first and always - to the exclusion of all that would hinder the growth of this fruit.

This is what it looks like to be set apart. This is what it looks like to be a city on a hill. It looks like JESUS.

B

7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” declares the Lord God, “certainly, because My flock has become plunder, and My flock has become food for all the animals of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them stop tending sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will save My sheep from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.”’”

11 For the Lord God says this: “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd cares for his flock on a day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My [k]sheep and will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing place will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down in a good grazing place and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I Myself will feed My flock and I Myself will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord God. 16 “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will eliminate. I will feed them with judgment.

EZEKIEL 34:1-16 (NASB)