Work smarter not harder. Ever hear that said by a reproachful colleague at work? Wisdom is more economical with choices, unless the cheaper, quicker alternative is unethical. “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way [love]” (1Corinthians 12:31 KJV). Make no mistake, laziness is universally condemned by the LORD. “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again” (Proverbs 19:24). The world may have no such aversion to sloth and may prefer it to the ‘stupidity’ of honest labor, if it gains the same money. Yet, the godly can be taught by even an ungodly, unethical colleague, when their lazy man approach accomplishes a task more efficiently. Love is “not self-serving… but rejoices in the truth” (1Corinthians 13:5, 6 NET). Just because our goal is the eternal does not mean we should be inefficient, but never sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the immediate. Father, grant us the humility to be taught by the world, when their lazy approach is more efficient than our well meaning but less efficient attempt. However, cause our light to shine before the world at other times, when they notice we do not attempt to take advantage of them, if it is only self-seeking. Give them opportunity to seek the truth, or give Yourself evidence to condemn them in the Judgment. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.
Love
Life Is A Vapor
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14 KJV). Here today, gone tomorrow. Our existence is fleeting. Look at so many who have died at relatively young ages throughout history. Jesus of Nazareth died on a Cross at the age of 33. Alexander the Great died at age 32. Robert Murray M’Cheyne (age 29): “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likenesses to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.” Jim Elliot (age 29): “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Imminence is the likelihood of occurring at any time. Though death may not come so early without accident, war, or plagues, would we be considered wise to consider death or departure from this life as imminent and long life as more of a bonus? If we would live our life as fleeting, would we better serve Christ? “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Though we could depart this life at any moment, we would certainly return with Christ. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” (1Thessalonians 4:14). As far as our fleeting life is concerned, could we say we believed in a Doctrine of Imminence? “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:7-8 NIV).
God’s Presence Secures Our Obedience (Psalm 119:8)
“I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly” (Psalm 119:8 KJV). Spoken like someone who not only understood how important obedience was but how obedience worked, i.e., God’s presence secures our obedience. Even in the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with Yahweh, but did not possess the key gift only a Resurrected Jesus could give — the gift of an indwelling Holy Spirit. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). We NT disciples have misunderstood, neglected, and taken for granted a gift greater than Christ’s purchase of our salvation on the Cross, none other than Christ’s endowment of the indwelling presence of God’s Obedience Securing Spirit. Under the Old Covenant, God’s inward presence was not part of the revealed relationship of “obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people” (Jeremiah 7:23). Under the terms of our New Covenant, “I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Paul understood a “more excellent way” (1Corinthians 12:31) than “spiritual gifts” (12:1), which was the way of loving obedience (1Corinthians 13). Peter again added his voice, “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Spirit inspired obedience from those whom the Spirit inspires to obedience. Father, You have given us the gift of Your Son to save us. Your Son has given His Spirit to sanctify us in loving obedience. May we understand, respond, and continue until Jesus soon returns for us. Amen and amen.
The Great Commandment
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:36-37 KJV). Devotion to God is the first and great requirement of God. Love of God is commanded before any love of man or ourself. If it is so basic and essential, why isn’t everyone doing it? Our confusion on this most basic doctrine indicates our tendency to elevate even doctrinal soundness above our devotion to God. If God has our heart, He can fix our head. If He has only our head, He will find it necessary to rebuke us, as He had to rebuke the Apostolic Church within a single generation of His return to Heaven. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). May we heed the warning to Ephesus and pursue with utter abandon our devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, help us to seek you with all our heart that we may not be found of You as “reprobate silver” (Jeremiah 6:30). Draw us to Yourself. Pull away the blind spots in our understanding hindering from honoring You more. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hate Divides, Love Unites
I agree with the sentiment of the sign.
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree together, to end your divisions, and to be united by the same mind and purpose” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NET).
Reproducibility of Love
The scientific method requires experimental results to be replicated with a high degree of reliability using the same methodology before the results can be recognized as scientific knowledge. The love of God must similarly be reproducible and transmissible to be regarded as sacred knowledge for us. “God is love” (1John 4:8,16 KJV). At its source, it has been revealed love comes from God. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Love was transmitted to humanity through the sacrificial death of the Son of God for the transgressions of man against God and man. “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1John 4:19). Our capacity to return love to God is engendered in us through His Spirit working in us. Once we discover in us “dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18), then it becomes apparent that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Accounting the Spirit of God to be the author of the love that comes from us, while we are fully engaged in willing and practicing it, is to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” (Ephesians 5:2). “And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2John 1:6). LORD, work Your love in us, that we would have the practicing kind of religion that Alvin York (10:54) had. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Identity Crisis: Who Are You?
LORD, I am who You say I am (John 1:12). You are the Most High God (Genesis 14:18), the “High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity” (Isaiah 57:15 KJV), who has condescended to dwell with mankind (Revelation 21:3). You have created me in Your image (Genesis 1:27) that I may magnify You in choosing to walk with You in obedience (Genesis 17:1) and reverential trust (fear of the LORD: 2Chronicles 19:9). I am saved by Your grace through faith in You to walk in holiness (Ephesians 2:8-10). As a nation, we are blessed to be called by Your name to humbly pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways that You may turn (2Chronicles 7:14) and rain righteousness upon us (Hosea 10:12). As a Church, we are Your mirror to reflect Christ’s righteousness, love, and saving grace to the world (2Corinthians 3:18). A husband represents the headship of Christ to their wife (Ephesians 5:23). Parents represent Christ’s lordship to their children (Ephesians 6:1). Men ought to respect the biological uniqueness of women to bear the seed of humanity (1Timothy 2:15), as women need to respect the biological necessity of man providing the seed for the propagation of the human race (Genesis 2:18). LORD, may we understand who You are that we would know who we are. Magnify Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Understanding Anger and Hate
“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (97:10). For the godly, anger is an emotional displeasure aroused by wrong, while hate is an intense dislike or hostility toward evil. It is right to be angry with wickedness attempting to control your conduct, and proper to hate evil finding its place in your heart. Bigotry and injustice can only occur when God is ignored. “Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NET). LORD, establish within us a holy hatred of sin, a fervent anger against wickedness, and a zealous love of righteousness that we may be as You are. Amen and amen.
Advice to Married Couples (Part 1)
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3 KJV). Regardless of any differences of gifts, accomplishments, or attainments, marriage is primarily walking together in agreement. Marriage does not work unless both attempt to walk together in agreement. Sensitivity to the other’s gifts or deficiencies must not hinder the attempt to walk together side by side, for marriage is a together walk in agreement. When either the husband or wife has a struggle maintaining their part of the together walk, then each must be sensitive to the needs of the other. Marriages will be strengthened, when each sees the other’s needs as an opportunity to minister, support, and fortify their spouse. Only when action must be taken, where there is a difference, should the husband exercise the veto power of headship. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He [Christ] is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23 KJV). LORD, give us strong, Christian marriages in Your body. Amen.
Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream
“Life doesn’t make dreams. Dreams make life” (from “Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream” November 17, 2023 ESPN+ documentary about Shohei Ohtani [大谷 翔平], the Japanese professional, two-way baseball pitcher and batter). Ohtani’s outstanding performance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the Major League Baseball All-Star Games are only past events from his now famous “dream board.” World champion is his vision for the future as Ohtani #17 moves from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers with an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract, where he deferred accepting payment of $680 million until 2034, so the Dodgers would be free to recruit other players to help the team achieve the goal of becoming World Series champions. Christians are wise not to be led astray by a dream not from God. “If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Numbers 12:6 KJV). If Shohei Ohtani can be motivated by his love of baseball and dream of MLB championships, why can’t disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ dream of bringing life to a world of lost sinners in need of a Shepherd, because of our love for Jesus? “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). LORD, You alone can grant me those dreams for Your Kingdom. And, You alone will fulfill them. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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