Where Did You Build?

Matthew 7:24-27 – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” ESV

Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount with this parable. It’s actually a very fitting ending to a remarkable teaching to His followers about life in the Kingdom of God. The hearers in the audience were raised in Judaism, whose ancestry went back to Abraham, and they were very familiar with the Law. However, in this sermon, Jesus doesn’t stress the importance of following the Law, but the importance of a sincere heart of obedience towards God.

This parable is short and to the point and needs little interpretation. The message of this parable, is powerful and life changing, and as applicable today as when He first spoke it.

There are two builders. One is wise and one is foolish. The wise man builds his house on a rock, and according to Luke, he dug deep into the rock to lay his foundation. The foolish man built his house on the sand, without laying a foundation at all. The storms came upon both houses, but the house built on the rock, with deep foundations, withstood the storms, while the house on the sand was destroyed.

I read in a commentary on Matthew, that the land of Palestine required that one should be careful about where he chose to build a house. In some areas, the land was filled with gullies, or ravines created by water. In the summer time the sandy hollows of the gullies looked like a great place to build, because of it’s flat surface. However, if you chose that area upon which to build, in the winter you would have raging torrents of rushing water to deal with. If this were to happen, it could literally destroy your house.

Imagine you built your house in a gully thinking that it’s a great place to enjoy the sun and sand, and maybe even the waterfront. You have easy access to the life you enjoy and all is well in the land. Then one day the heavy winds and rain come along and you have to get out as fast as possible to not be carried away with the house. Life isn’t fair! How could God let this happen to you?

Your neighbor, on the other hand, built his house on the hill. When the storm came, he and his family were quite safe in their home. They continued on as usual because their sturdy house, that had it’s foundation in the rock, was secure. Again, you think, life isn’t fair! God loves your neighbor more than you! Does He? Or is there something else going on?

Jesus says it clearly, the wise men is the one who hears His words and does them. The foolish man is the one who hears His words and does not do them. One person is living a life of obedience and the other person is not. Both of these people heard Jesus, but only one of them obeyed Him. Yet, people easily become embittered over a situation of their own making, blaming God, because someone needs to take the blame, other than them!

In the Church, we have both types of people: wise and foolish. They both attend church, read the Bible, memorize scripture, attend conferences, and buy Christian literature. They both look the same, like strong Christians! But when the storms of life hit, they reveal the truth about each and every person. Both had the appearance of a solid Christian faith, because they both heard the word, but only one was able to withstand the storm. The one that withstood the storm had laid the foundation of his house on the Rock; while the other one only looked like he had.

Jesus’ parable is touching a place where we don’t want to go. He lets us know that an intellectual knowledge of Him and His kingdom principles will not sustain you in the tough times. Nor do they represent a commitment to Him. Looking like you are alright, when you are not, will one day expose you for the fraud that you are. It is a life of obedience and heartfelt worship and service that keeps us anchored to the Rock! It is obedience that is the proof of life surrendered to Christ!

The apostles continued this teaching when James wrote that we are to not only be hearers of the word, but doers also. John furthered this teaching by saying we are liars if we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness. Interesting to note, there was no third house mentioned. You know the one, the house of the partially obedient person?

If I tell my child to clean the kitchen, and she only washes the dishes, did she obey me? If I tell my student he can go to the bathroom, but he also went to his locker and got some water, did he obey me? If Jesus tells me that committing adultery is wrong, and I’m not having an affair but I love pornography, am I obeying Him?

Jesus introduced, at the close of His sermon, a radical new way of thinking. He actually revolutionized what following God was all about. It’s not about getting caught up in the rules and being able to recite them, but demonstrating absolute obedience to Him and His way of doing things. Remember, the wise man’s life was secure in Jesus and protected from the storms, while the foolish man’s life was headed for sure destruction. Are you being wise, or foolish? Only you really know the answer to that question! Wonderful Jesus!

Reaching Your Fullest Potential!

Matthew 18:23-27 – Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. NKJV

This parable gives us insight to kingdom living at its finest. The king is calling his servants to him that they may give an account of all they owe him. A servant comes before him with a debt of 10,000 talents. That’s a lot of debt. If a talent is worth a dollar, that’s a minimum of 10 grand. At that time, it would have been significant. I looked up the value, but it isn’t as important as what is being said.

The servant doesn’t have the ability to pay the debt, so the king’s orders are that he is to be sold, along with his wife, his kids, and everything he owns. But he begs the king to be patient with him and to give him a chance to pay. The king is moved with compassion and releases him of his debt!

This parable follows a question that Peter asks of Jesus about how many times should he forgive his brother? Then in a magnanimous way he asks, “Up to seven times?” Jesus replies, “Up to 70 times 7”. Then Jesus launches into this parable.

After the servant is forgiven his debt, he goes out and sees someone who owes him 100 denarii. This is significantly less than what he owed the king. However, when he was asked by the debtor to give him time to pay it, the forgiven servant wouldn’t hear it, and he had the man thrown into debtor’s prison. Those who saw it, reported his behavior to the king, the king was upset, and threw him into debtor’s prison canceling the forgiven debt.

This parable is one of the easy ones to understand, although Jesus gives us insight to its meaning. Jesus concluded the parable by saying, “So my Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

It’s just that simple! We read it, we acknowledge that it is a truth, and then we have difficulty living it out. Notice, I said “we”. But Jesus is pretty clear on this! Some people are going to need forgiveness over and over and over again. No matter how many times they say they are sorry and they will never do it again, they do it again. And yes, we are to forgive them every single time because if we don’t, we won’t be forgiven.

You know what? I don’t think people really believe that their lack of forgiveness, no matter how justified, will hinder them from being forgiven by the Father. But Jesus said it would. What pain, what hurt, what wrongdoing, is worth risking the Father’s unforgiveness? When He has forgiven much, He has no difficulty to ask us to do the same.

There is no way that we can please the heart of the Father if we are always looking to have our debts forgiven, but we are not willing to forgive the debts of others. Jesus told us to pray that we are able to “forgive those who trespass against us”. He understood it wouldn’t be easy. But it is necessary, He said, if we want forgiveness.

Don’t allow anything, or anyone to separate you from God. Don’t give them the power to hinder your precious relationship with Him. It may take an act of faith, and it may be slow in happening, but if you will make a step towards forgiveness, God will enable you to do it!

Can I just give you a note of caution: If someone were to sexually abuse my daughter, I would ask God to help me to forgive that person. But I would not feel a need to become that person’s friend or to have them in my life to prove that I have forgiven them. We each must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. But I don’t believe that forgiveness means that we have to keep putting ourselves or our family members in harm’s way to prove that we have forgiven an individual.

My husband and I loaned someone about two thousand dollars. They never did pay it back. We didn’t allow that money to hinder us from fellowship, or from helping when a different need arose. We forgave and kept it moving. But we probably wouldn’t loan that person two thousand dollars again. If the Lord prompted us to help that person financially, we would do it! But it would only be at His command, because we are wise stewards of our money. Forgive, that you might receive His forgiveness; because without His forgiveness, your life will never reach it’s fullest potential! Wonderful Jesus!

The Sower Sows Seed

Matthew 13:3-9 – “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” NKJV

The parable is called, “The Parable of the Sower”, but it is really not about the sower. As a matter of fact, the sower could really be anyone, as the sower is not an important part of the parable. I’ll come back to the sower.

The seed that the sower sowed is the seed of the word, or of the gospel. The seed is important because the sower, whomever that may be, is sowing (teaching or preaching) the Word. That’s important to know to understand this parable.

The ground is the heart of the individual who hears the word. There are four types, the wayside, stony places, thorny ground, and good ground. Each of these individuals hear the word. We will use each type of hearer, or ground, to learn what Jesus is saying.

Let’s begin with the seed that falls by the wayside and is eaten by the birds. “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.” Jesus tells us in His explanation that when anyone hears the Word and doesn’t understand it, it’s easy for the enemy to steal the word. This is likened to when you hear a sermon, that your mind rejects for whatever reason, and the enemy steals that word from you. If you have an issue with the “tithing” message, when you hear it, it would fall on the wayside of your life, because you didn’t understand it, and that keeps you from believing it and receiving the blessing of tithing. It was wasted seed in your regards. This person is unreceptive to the Word.

Then we have the seed on stony ground. “Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.” Jesus said this person also hears the word and receives it with joy, has no root in himself, but endures for a little while. As soon as he is persecuted or have some type of tribulation come upon him because of the word, he is tripped up and the word is null and void in his life. Let’s stay with tithing. In this case, you hear about tithing, you get excited about tithing and as soon as someone in your family start giving you a hard time about it, you decide it’s not that important. The word had no root in you and withered away. This person is shallow, and has no true interest in the word.

The thorny ground has a little more depth to it. “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.” Jesus explains that this person hears the word but allows the cares of the word and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the word. This person has heard the word about tithing. As they are being taught about tithing the enemy reminds them of their bills, of what they could do with that money, or just too preoccupied with the world. And for some reason, that person just can’t seem to bring himself to tithe or to do so faithfully. The word has been choked out of his life. Jesus said, this person is unfruitful.

Lastly, good ground. “But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” This person not only hears the word, but Jesus said this person understands the word that has been heard. This individual receives the word as truth, believes it is necessary for their life, and acts upon it. This person would be the one who becomes a tither. Faithful, diligent, committed tither, because the word that was heard and understood took root in his heart. This person will have much fruit, in differing degrees of fruitfulness, but will still the reward of being good ground.

Let’s go back to the sower. The sower is the pastor, the Bible teacher, the Sunday School teacher, the conference speaker, in other words, the deliverer of the word. The sower has the responsibility to sow the word, but every person has the responsibility to have good ground, a heart that is open to the Word. Grant it, some things may be new to you, and you may need to have more clarity before you embrace it, but your ground should be open to receive the word.

Another point about the sower. The sower sows the word and has no control over the ground the seed will fall upon. In an audience, of any size, there will be all types of soil, but the sower’s responsibility is to sow; and the hearers’ responsibility is to hear and gain understanding in order to bear much fruit.

Being unreceptive, shallow, or too preoccupied with the world hinders the word of God from taking root in the soil of our hearts. It hinders fruitfulness in our lives. This is why Jesus said it is such an important parable and it helps us to understand the others. What is produced in our lives, depend on how we hear and understand the word that is sown. Wonderful Jesus!

He Spoke in Parables

Matthew 13:3 – “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. NKJV

I’ve been reading through the Bible. Sometimes I just like to focus on reading the Bible from cover to cover, for the simple pleasure of reading. I am in the New Testament and will probably finish it by next Saturday. As I’ve been thinking about the blog, and just my own time with the Lord, I believe that I will spend some time studying the parables of Jesus, something I’ve never focused on before.

What is a parable? The word parable, or “parabole” in the Greek, according to the Vine’s Dictionary, is “a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God’s kingdom are figuratively portrayed; a comparing, comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude”. This is important to note, because all parables are not stories, for in the gospel of John, the author uses metaphors that teach us the nature of the Son of God.

When I was growing up in the things of God, my question to Jesus was, why did you talk so much in parables? Why didn’t you just say what you meant? Then at least I wouldn’t have to wonder about what you wanted me to know. Have you ever felt like that, or even thought that? If so, you are in good company, because the disciples also felt this way when they asked Jesus the same question, why parables?

Well, the answer to that question is in the word itself. The first time Matthew uses the word parable is in the 13th chapter. Up until this time, Jesus is speaking pretty plainly to the people. As He goes about healing and casting out demons, people begin to either reject and criticize Him, or they begin to believe on Him. By the time we get to Matthew 13, He begins to conceal His message of the kingdom in parables. It is this obvious disdain and rejection that causes Jesus to begin to speak in parables, intentionally targeting His disciples with His message.

Another key reason He speaks in parables is that it was prophesied that He would. Psalm 78: 2 – “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.” Isaiah gives even greater insight when he writes in Isaiah 6:9-10, that He would speak and they wouldn’t hear or understand. Jesus even quotes this when He explains the purpose of the parables to His disciples.

And lastly, from the words of Jesus Himself, the most important reason is, because the message of the kingdom is for those who are in the kingdom. Kingdom citizens need to know what is being said to them by their King. Therefore, we will seek to understand what is being said to us in the parables, whereas, those outside of the kingdom will be unable to understand, or could care less.

I’m always trying to look at the word and make it applicable to my life. When I think of the use of parables, I think of how some couples relate to each other. A husband and wife that truly spend time together, learn to communicate in ways that others don’t understand. There may be special phrases, nuances, or looks that they exchange with one another to convey a message meant just for the two of them. This deepens their intimacy and keep private, things that are not meant for others.

As Jesus’ Bride, the parables serve as a “special” message reserved for us. When He talks about seed, we understand that He is talking about His word, or an offering, but not an actual seed in a garden. We don’t get it all at once, and sometimes, we need help in the understanding, but those of the kingdom persist in their journey to understand what it is the King is saying.

Not only do I read the Bible, but I’ve had years of teaching and studying the Bible. I enjoy searching out the scriptures, reading commentaries, and listening to sermons to understand what Jesus is saying to us through the Word. After decades of doing all of this, I am still amazed at how much I don’t know about the Word and how much I need to know still. But I also know some things. As I go through this study, I will encounter truths I understand well, truths I’ve heard but need clarification on, and some things I just didn’t really understand. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do the same for you, and at the end we will all have a more intimate understanding of Jesus, our King! Wonderful Jesus!

Another Pandemic!

John 13:34-35 –  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” NIV

This has been a difficult time for the world. Americans, of every ethnic background, but especially Blacks, have taken to the streets in an outrage over the senseless death of another Black man at the hands of a police office, hearts are broken. As protesters have hit the streets all across the world, there is a harsh realization that racism towards people of color is a world-wide pandemic.

A pandemic is (a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world. And racism is a disease of the heart that is prevalent over this entire country, even this world. I don’t want to blog about it, but to blog about anything else is to casually acknowledge that this is wrong, and then to go on with my life. This is why my blog is so late in getting out today, just struggling about what to write.

Do you know what happens in times like this? I’ll tell you! You have a video player in your heart that clicks on, and every instance of racism you have experienced, heard, read, or thought about fights for a right to play in you mind. You think of your family members and friends who have been subjected to racism and you fight to push back the feelings of anger that want to rush into your heart. And then, you intentionally begin to remind yourself that as a Believer, you have to hang to the words of Jesus like never before. Love as I have loved you!

This is not a denial of what is happening! Not by a long shot. This is not an overlooking of what has happened. It’s not even possible to do that! But it’s a place of starting the healing in my own heart with the intent of moving forward to a brighter tomorrow.

The Covid-19 pandemic, and the influenza pandemic in the early 1900s, were curbed with social distancing. Unfortunately, this pandemic of racism, is a result of social distancing. Not just in the past several months, but as far back as we care to remember. As we have maintained our White communities, our Black communities, our Latino communities, our Asian communities, and so forth and so on…we have in essence given the pandemic of racism a place to thrive. We may work together, we may even socialize together, but we don’t live life together, loving, as we should.

Even in the church, where this commandment should be front and center, it is still not the case. Some how, Black Christians tend to be looked upon as if we are some how an anomaly of the Black community. So, we are accepted in the church, while the “rest” of our community is not accepted. As new creations in Christ Jesus, we are definitely different than the non-believing Black person, but we are still a part of the community of Blacks. And when we don’t see our church leaders take a stand against racism, it creates a division in our hearts, if not in our sanctuaries.

I remember when I arrived at my duty station in Italy. The Senior Chief that I reported to made a statement to me, in the presence of a Black First Class. Said the white guy to the black woman, “I don’t like women, I don’t like Blacks, and I don’t like Southerners. And you are all three.” Seriously? Did you just say that to me, to my face? The First Class laughed, I was appalled. After I reported it, (weeks later after he tried to undermine me and my performance), he was removed from our base. But before he left, he stopped by my room to get me to retract my “accusation” because he was just playing. Will someone please let the world know, this is not a joking matter! Racism is serious business! Because it comes with such negative connotations to people of color and is accompanied with violent consequences, why would anyone think it is okay, or even a minor issue, when it’s always a part of our lives.

We’ve made some grounds in the area of racism, but we have not made enough! Most racists are not as “in your face” as the Senior Chief was, but it is still there. As people of color, we are constantly being told to get over it, to move on, to not hold it against them, to forgive and forget. But in the same line of thinking, when will it stop? How many more people of color have to be falsely arrested, falsely accused, beaten, tazed, and choked to death? How many more times do we have to watch the men and women who have sworn to serve and protect us, be the ones we need to be protected from.

I really wasn’t going to write another blog about this situation. Really! But a couple days ago I received a text. In the text, a young mother of an infant son, shared her heartaches and concerns about what is going on. She’s afraid for the world in which she has to raise her son. This is America! That should not be her concern. She’s not concerned about crime in essence, but about her son being stopped by the wrong officer or white person, and not making it back home. I almost cried. Can I say it again? This is America!

I am not angry! Not even close! But am tired! Nonetheless, I will continue to work on the commandment given to me by my Savior, to love as He has loved me. He’s forgive me of much! More times than I care to admit. He has loved me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. He has loved me when I felt I couldn’t love myself. He loved me so much, He gave His life for me. His love caused Him to come to me on more than one occasion to help me get through trying situations. His love has never failed me. I sense His love even now!

So today, I want to say, that in spite of my emotions about all that is going on, I choose to continue to work on my love towards white officers, in particular. I choose to assume good over bad. I choose to have a right heart instead of a suspicious heart towards them. I choose to love. Also, I choose to try to help others see the need to walk in love and forgiveness towards those who have brought hurt, harm, and loss of life our community once again. Will it be easy? Probably not because every one has to make their own decisions. But this will be my way of adding to the solution and not to the problem.

If we’re going to end this pandemic of racism, we are going to have to close the distances in our society. We’re going to have to stop saying the white people I work with are okay, but not the white cops. The Blacks I attend church with are okay, but not the ones that live in that other neighborhood. We are going to have to reach out to one another with love of Jesus and make a greater commitment to stamp out this pandemic.

If you have been doing that already, thank you! Keep up the great job of building bridges and relationships. If you have not, it really isn’t too late. Start now! If God would have thought that the world would be just wonderful with just white people or just black people, or just brown people, then there would have been no other race. Every nation, kindred, and tongue is expected to be a part of the Bride, so we may as well get it together now, for it will be that way throughout eternity. Wonderful Jesus!

The Christian and Social Justice

Matthew 23:23 – “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others. AMP

All around America, and in other parts of the world, there is an outcry of racial injustice. People of every ethnic group are crying out for something to be done to balance the scales of justice for people of color. I mentioned before that I am not blogging for political reasons, and so I tend to not touch the issues surrounding our nation, but this time, I must blog because our lives, people of color, Black people, matter!

Jesus spoke some really harsh words to the religious leaders of His day. He told them that they were majoring in the things that were minor, while ignoring the things that are important, and justice was the first thing He mentioned. In other words, He commended them for their religious duties, and rebuked them for not dealing with issues of justice.

Justice means to “make right”. It is a relational term about people living in right relationship with God and with one another. Justice is rooted in the very nature of God Himself because He always does what is right! He is known to be faithful and just! Our very Constitution’s backbone is based on His just laws. And every thing that He is, love, holy, just…He expects from us!

I have taught the Constitution of the United States in my classroom. As a veteran of the United States Navy, I have sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, understanding that, if need be, with my life. But I am also a Black American! When I see what is happening to the greatest nation on the face of the earth, where we will spend millions for the right to bear arms, and ignore our pledge to “ensure domestic tranquility”, it’s disheartening. For domestic tranquility, peace in the land, can’t happen when it’s peace for some of the people and not all of the people.

Christians fight against abortion, we fight against gay marriages, and we fight for our religious freedoms, and all too often, many of those same Christians will reply to “Black Lives Matter” by saying “Blue Lives Matter” or “All Lives Matter”. It’s insulting to think that in the slogan Black Lives Matter, there is a suggestion that, no one else matters, when in essence, it’s really saying: We know all lives matter, and we know the lives of policeman matter, but when are you going to start realizing that our lives matter, too!

There is undeniably a set of rules for Whites, and another set of rules for everyone else. As of 2017, Christians make up over 31% of the world’s population. We are the largest group of people in the world, and yet, racism is still an issue in our world. We have yet to affect enough change upon our laws to ensure that Blacks, and other people of color, have the same protection and value for our lives as our white counterparts.

The Christian is taught to love as Jesus loved us. We are taught that when we come into the kingdom, we are family. We are taught that greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. And yet, racism is still a major problem in the world. 1 out of every 3 people profess Christianity, and yet, people of color are still seen as substandard, expendable, human beings. This is hypocrisy at its max. And I know that Jesus is not pleased!

Amongst the anguish, the riots, the looting, the pain, are the voices of some really great people of all color crying out against this injustice. Not just for George Floyd, or Christian Cooper, or my daughters’ classmates whose car windows were broken out while they were tazored repeatedly by the cops; but for all injustices that we, people of color, deal with on a daily basis. It’s just getting so old!

Here’s the funny thing. I didn’t want to blog on this. I thought, “My readers are all over the world and several of my followers are white people. I am called to teach the word, not to be political, that’s my assignment.” And yet, this is the word, spoken clearly by our Savior! We are not to ignore justice!

Until we can demonstrate our love for every nation of people, and have the same laws apply to us all, and stand against the injustices of humanity, irregardless of the color of our skin, then we are not demonstrating the values that I see in Jesus and His word. And if you find this offensive, then I would really rather not be followed by someone who sees me as okay as long as I am quiet about my race and the injustices that we have to deal with, day in and day out! Because for me and my family and loved ones, this is a matter of life and death. And we cannot afford to ignore it!

If you are a Christian who truly believe the Word, then you cannot be passive about social justice. And neither can I! It’s time to pray for racism to be revealed and dealt within our society. It’s time to ask God to help us be a part of the solution, and not a part of the problem. If there is to be peace in America, then it’s time for there to be peace for all Americans! If there is to be world peace, it’s time for it to be available for everyone. We are His hands extended to a lost and racially biased world, and to change it, maybe it’s time for us to change! Wonderful Jesus!

Note: This is my blog and I fully support the ideas and thoughts expressed in it! I also completely disagree with the violence and looting that is going on and am praying that it cease.

It’s in the Name!

Matthew 1:20-23 – “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). NIV

Have you ever stopped to wonder why Isaiah said that His name would be Immanuel, but He is actually Jesus? When I first came to know the Lord, it was one of those questions I had. Well, you may be in the advanced class and know this already, but I just wanted to share, in case there are those who are still wondering.

In the Bible, names had meanings that represented a message that God was sending, or a calling/ministry on an individual’s life, or a memorial to something that was going on. I think of Ichabod, which means the glory has departed from Israel. So every time someone referred to him, or he heard his name, or thought of his name, he was forever reminded that on the day of his birth, his dad, his uncle, and his grandfather died, and the glory departed from Israel. Poor baby! Another interesting time of naming kids happened when Hosea and Gomer had children. He had a daughter named Lo-Ruhamah, which means “not loved” for God had decided that He would no longer show love to Israel. How messed up would a young lady be with this name today, if she knew that her mother had named her “not loved”? But for the record, God wasn’t saying the daughter was not loved, just that He would no longer show love to Israel.

The name Jesus was a common Hebrew name. (Actually in Hebrew, it is Yeshua, and in the Greek, it is Joshua). When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, to calm his fears in regard to marrying Mary, and to inform him of the unique assignment he and Mary were being given, the Angel told him to name the baby, Jesus. The reason Joseph was to name the baby Jesus was because He, Jesus, would save His people from their sins. Then Matthew informs us that this is in fulfillment of the prophetic word given by Isaiah.

Well, from what Matthew said, we can understand that the virgin conceived. After all, that was the whole point in the angelic visit, to assure Joseph that Mary hadn’t been dishonest with him. She was truly pregnant by Holy Spirit, and had never been touched by a man, in an illicit affair. So this point was made without a doubt, but the name isn’t Immanuel, it is Jesus. We are told that He will save the people from their sins, but not how He is God with us! And yet, he does!

The truth that a virgin conceives is a supernatural occurrence. It is out of the norm. It can’t happen. But it did, because God made it happen. He placed the seed of Himself, into Mary, and when Jesus was born, “God with us” became a reality. Throughout the book, Matthew continues to share through the encounters of the Jews with Jesus that He is no ordinary man, but He is, in fact, God. He heals the sick, He multiplies food, He walks on water, and He expels demons; bringing God into the everyday lives of the people. Not the super religious, not the rich, but the lives of the common man. And so He is God with us!

Matthew ends his book in a way that sums it all up; chapter 28, verse 20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus proclaims to His disciples, and the world, that He is with us always. He, God the Son, is with us! Thus we have the proof, the solidarity of what God said through Isaiah, and what actually happened, that the virgin did conceive and His name is Immanuel. Remember, a name is as much about who we are called, as it is about what we are called to do. So although we call Him Jesus, for He saves us from our sins; we also call Him Immanuel, for He is God with us always!

Back to the name Jesus! It was a common name, but once the Son of God took on this name, it became a holy name, a name above every name, the most powerful name known to man. Demons tremble at that Name, disease disappears at that Name, power is released at that Name. There is no other Name given amongst men, whereby we can be saved, but the Name of Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Wonderful Jesus!

Breakfast With the Savior!

John 21:12 – “Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.” NIV

Breakfast is said to be one of the most important meals of the day! I know people who wouldn’t dare start their day without breakfast, although, I have done it many times! One of my favorite pastimes is getting together with a friend over breakfast! We laugh, talk, and laugh some more. And we leave refreshed, encouraged and ready to return to the “normal” activities of our day! My favorite breakfast of all, is the one my husband makes for me: French toast with syrup, grits and eggs! I’m making myself hungry thinking about it! I’m sure the reason I love it so much is because he prepares it!

Recently, I heard a message, given by Pastor Eugene Cho, taken from John 21: 1- 14. I was blessed by his insights into this passage, and I decided to share some of it with you, with a little personal spin.

Pastor Cho shared that in the beginning of this chapter, Peter announces that he’s going fishing. Several of the disciples were with him and they decided to join Peter. This fishing trip wasn’t about making money, as much as it was about the utter discouragement that they were all experiencing. And therefore, discouraged and disillusioned, they returned to what was familiar, fishing.

Remember, Peter had promised Jesus, that even if every one left Him, he never would. Jesus told Peter that not only would he deny Him, but that he would do it three times before morning. As passionately as Peter proclaimed his dedication to Jesus, he denied Jesus with even more passion, to point of cursing! Peter’s heart was broken over his denial of Jesus, and so he wept bitterly. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Peter and the disciples were still disappointed, discouraged, and lost. They wasn’t sure about anything in their lives at this point, but they knew how to fish. So off to fishing they went!

Although they fished all night, they caught nothing. As morning was rolling in, Jesus stood on the banks and called out to them. “Friends, haven’t you any fish!” They replied no, and to this, Jesus responded with a miracle. He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat and fish started hopping into that net. Of course, when their nets were filled with fish, they recognized it was Jesus speaking to them. They knew He had risen from the dead, but He wasn’t hanging out with them any more. Can you imagine spending all that time with Jesus and then you don’t see Him anymore? Of course, when we have a little dry spell in Him, we begin to panic. So I think you get a slight indication as to how they were feeling. At this point, any opportunity to see Him was an exciting opportunity, I’m sure! So what does Peter do? Peter jumped in the water to swim to shore, while the others stayed on the boat. When they arrive to shore, Jesus has fish cooking, but He told them to bring some of their fish, and He invited them to eat breakfast with Him. Here comes the good stuff!

Jesus knew their state of mind. He knew they were discouraged. He knew their flesh was shouting to them, to give up on all that He had taught them, to return to what they knew. Just like people we may know today, or maybe even us. They hit a wall in their faith. A church member betrays their trust, a spiritual leader does the unthinkable, someone dies that they feel God should’ve healed, tribulations are overwhelming…I don’t want to depress you, but things happen! As things had happened to Peter and the disciples to bring them to this point. It is knowing this, where they are spiritually and emotionally, that Jesus comes to have breakfast with them.

Jesus offers no rebuke! “What are you guys thinking? Why are you out here fishing? Have I wasted the last three years of my life with you? Was it all for nothing?” Nope! None of that! He enjoys breakfast with some of His disciples. The fellowship that refreshes, strengthens, and make you glad that you stopped and spent that time with a friend. But this breakfast was about more than friendship, at this breakfast He offers grace and restoration. Especially to Peter. He asks Peter, do you love me, and Peter has a chance to reaffirm His love to Jesus, to His Savior. He had already seen Peter’s tears of repentance. He knew that Peter was disgusted with himself for what he had done. He still had a work for Peter, for His disciples. They needed to be whole and know that He still loved them and believed in them. And so He comes and extends grace and restoration. Then He recommissions Peter and the others for the work of the kingdom. And the rest, as we say, is history!

There are times we all get it wrong! Times when we desperately want Jesus to truly throw our sins as far as the east is from the west. Times when we are confused, hurt, and vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. But these are the times, that we need to get before the Lord, and dine with Him! Not a literal breakfast, but to feast on His Word, to feast in His Presence, to allow Him to restore to us the joy of our salvation, so we can get back in the race!

He’s not ready to kick you to the curb! He loves you! And He will give you the opportunity, just as He did with Peter and the disciples, to renew your love for Him, to reaffirm your commitment to Him. There’s no time like the present to “have breakfast” with Jesus! Grace and restoration is available for you!

Well, this isn’t exactly how he preached his message, but this was my “take away”! I was blessed by it, and wanted to add my two cents! Wonderful Jesus!

Joyful in My Savior!

Habakkuk 3:17-18 – “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” NIV

Have you ever enjoyed a fig straight from a fig tree? I have! As kids, we ran around the neighborhood enjoying the fruit of fig trees, pear trees, and even plum trees. I probably ate healthier when I was younger, then I do now! Those are some of my fondest childhood memories. Eating fresh fruit from a tree is a delight that few people know. I’m glad for the experience!

Habakkuk is a short book in the Bible. God and the prophet is having a discourse; the prophet asks a question, God answers. The prophet wants to know when justice will be served on the wicked. He, like so many today, wonders why God seems to not answer him, intervene in what is going on, and save them. God responds by telling him how amazed he and the people will be when they see what will happen by His hand. Not accomplishing what the prophet thinks He should do, but accomplishing His will!

Habakkuk then appeals to God’s character of being a holy God and basically tell Him that his answer is a little harsh. What He has planned, punishment of Judah by the hands of the Babylonians, seems too much! He waits for God’s answer, standing watch to hear His response. God gives Habakkuk a vision. He tells him to write it down because it will happen at its appointed time. And reminds him that the just shall live by faith!

Throughout this discourse two things are noted: God as a Warrior God, and the prophet as being in awe of Him as he intercedes for His mercy. He recalls to mind who God is, reciting His attributes of purity, holiness, and that the Babylonians attacking Judah to punish them seems problematic to him.

Then the prophet begins to sound like a psalmist as he states, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

He came to the conclusion that He could safely trust that God knew what He was doing. (Go figure!) He knew he needed to live by his faith, which was based on God’s character and not what he was experiencing! Everything that they needed for their livelihoods, crops, sheep, and cattle would be taken or destroyed. Life as they knew it would be over. But Habakkuk came to the place where none of it mattered more than his trust in God.

Sounds similar to today! I’m not saying that this pandemic is the hand of God! I truly don’t believe that for a second! But I am saying that this pandemic has thrown the world for a curve. And everyone is ready to “get back to normal”. They say people are going crazy. They need to get back to work, back to church, back to living! This is one of those times when I will say, “I get it!”

But here’s my point: Though the economy is not thriving, though I am to stay at home and limit my activities, though I am to wear a mask when I go out, though I am not able to go to church or work, though I can’t go out to eat at my favorite restaurant, though I can’t hang out with friends and family, though we have no vaccine in sight and this might go on for even longer, yet will I praise Him and be joyful in my Savior!

Habakkuk didn’t minimize the state of his beloved Judah, nor the things that they had to endure. Neither do I minimize any thing that’s happening in the life of the people who read this blog, or those who haven’t been enlightened enough to know that they should (just kidding); but I trust God. I trust His character, I trust His history with mankind, I trust His word that this is not how it ends, and I trust His love for us. Not sure when all this will be over, but I know it will. But even if…I will yet praise Him! Wonderful Jesus!

The Blessing of His Word!

Psalm 119:11 – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” NKJV

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible. What makes it such a wonderful psalm is that it speaks of the blessings or benefits of the word of God. Today, I would like to share a few benefits of the word! As you can see from the picture, it is a psalm I have marked up in my personal Bible!

1. That I might not sin against God- The psalmist wrote the importance of hiding God’s word in our heart, we call it memorizing scripture, that we might not sin against God. How does that work? As you go throughout your day, your life, the word that is in your heart will be quickened in your spirit, at just the right time, to help you.

2. That I might see wondrous things in the word- The psalmist asked God to open his eyes, not his physical eyes, but his spiritual eyes, that he might see wondrous things in the word. Asking God to open your eyes while reading the word keeps it fresh and interesting. Things He reveal to you during your time of reading become the cornerstone of your faith. It’s one thing to be told He is good, and another thing to have Him reveal that to you through His word!

3. Strengthen me according to your word-In this verse, the psalmist admits to having a heaviness in his soul; but he recognizes that God’s word will bring him strength. As a matter of fact, this is a request for the word to do just that, strengthen him!

4. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.-There are a lot of people who would rather have someone explain the word to them, than for them to get in the word. The psalmist understands that when God teaches His word to him, he will have a tendency to keep it. Again, being told to live holy, and getting an understanding of why He wants you to live holy through His word, has a greater impact on your life.

5. Remember the word to your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope-This is a powerful verse. God’s word tells us that we can remind Him of the word upon which He has caused us to hope. Whether that word is a word about salvation, healing, deliverance, strength, if He gave it to you, and caused you to hope on it, you can remind Him of that truth! Prophecies come to encourage us to wait on God. His word is a sure word of prophecy!

6. Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven- This is a truth of God’s word that every single believer needs to know. It is forever settled! It doesn’t change from year to year, from generation to generation, from situation to situation, the word is settled in heaven! This truth about God’s word is the anchor of faith. It can be trusted because it it does not change!

7. Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.- Delighting in the Lord is medicinal. When affliction comes upon us, and we delight ourselves in the word of God, it keeps us from perishing in the midst of that affliction. Reading His word should be a delight, not a chore! When we delight in it, the word produces all that we need.

8. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – How many of us need direction on a regular basis? I do! The word will lead you in the way to go. It will keep you from having regrets in your life as you allow it to light your path. I can testify over and over again to the word being a lamp to my feet, a light to my path. I have very few regrets in my life as a result of allowing the word to lead me. It’s direction is priceless.

9. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep your word.-This is key to your victory. When you really know the word, you have the power to turn from evil. You understand by the word it is wrong to commit sexual sin of any kind. When you are convinced of that truth, you walk away from it. Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler wrote a book years ago, that I used in my teens ministry, “Beyond Belief to Convictions”. It’s time to stop just believing the Bible is the word of God and to having a conviction in your soul that it is so!

10. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.- His word gives us hope! It is our hiding place during the storm. It is our shield against attacks! It is our safety net in life. And because of the power of God’s word to protect us, we can hope in it for all we need.

Today’s post is a little long, but I just love talking about the Word! And I have only written about ten of the one hundred seventy six verses of the psalm! So much available to us through His word! Wonderful Jesus!