“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.
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Christ In You
“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). What can be more balanced and sound of doctrine and practice than “in all things [Christ] might have the preeminence” (1:18)? ‘Fundamentalists’ stress soundness of doctrine about Christ. Getting people saved would be their primary goal. By comparison, the ‘other evangelicals’ stress developing a relationship with Christ. Discipling converts would be their emphasis. Both are essential. Christianity is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27) with soundness of doctrine about Christ’s saving and continually sanctifying grace. The Pharisees did get right the need for obedience to God’s law, but they strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel because they forgot Yahweh wanted a people, who knew Him. “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). Automatons who obeyed without heart were not desirable. “And 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). May our God receive for Himself a people walking in loving obedience with an ever increasing understanding of Him. Amen.
Behavior: How to Become a Better You
Malcolm Gladwell told us it would take 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything, while Josh Kaufman countered that it takes only 20 hours to learn anything fast. But, how can I just develop a taste for broccoli and become a healthier me? “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). According to God’s Heavenly Word, He is able to change my heart and longings to agree with His purpose for me. First things first. Does God want me to develop a taste for broccoli? “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude” (1Timothy 4:4 NASB). Gladwell says I’ll be an expert at eating broccoli after 10,000 hours. Kaufman says I’ll get the hang of eating broccoli after 20 hours. And, my Father assures me I’ll like broccoli, if I eat it with gratitude. LORD, thank you for the broccoli!
Approaching God As Father
Our most natural approach to God in prayer is as Our Heavenly Father, because Jesus instructed us to pray that way (Luke 11:2). Paul added, “ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Abba is a term of endearment, like daddy. Father is a term of authority showing position and priority. We are attracted to pray because He is our Father. Not only has He given us the gift of salvation through Christ, but He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit as our New Covenant birthright. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13 KJV).
Conscience: God’s Small Voice
God’s voice thunders marvelously through the sounds of His natural creation, but He also chooses to communicate quietly using His small voice directly with our conscience, since He alone knows with absolute certainty the “thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV). Our supernatural enemy may uncannily guess our probable thoughts and reactions, but he does not know for certain. He can win battles, but final victory for him is impossible. Like the prophet Elijah, the LORD speaks to us undramatically with “a still small voice” (1Kings 19:12), but are we listening?
Radical Goodness
“The believer must act as a counterweight and counterforce to an apostate and darkened civilization. In the face of a radically evil culture, the believer must become radically good.” The Josiah Manifesto: The Ancient Mystery & Guide for the End Times by Jonathan Cahn. A counterweight opposes the wickedness of the current evil age. It will be hated by man, but loved by God. May God give us the courage needed to let our light shine. We will embolden others around us to Radical Goodness. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).
Obeying God Against Orders
“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20 KJV). No child of God should ever desire to disobey the human government appointed over them. Only when given no other choice should the godly ever refuse obedience to the duly appointed government. Just as it should be our joy to render obedience, it should only be with sadness if we cannot comply with government. The disciples could not obey human government, when commanded not to spread the Gospel.
Two State Solution?
Hamas and Israel cannot seem to coexist without each feeling the need to destroy the other. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken supports a Two State Solution, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas do not. Others advocate a Two State Solution, where both coexist as sovereign political entities. I heard a clip of America’s former Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who maintained that she never heard at the UN (from the nations surrounding Israel) that anyone but Israel (at that time, and of course, the Palestinian Authority) was supporting a Two State Solution. As a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States (2024), she is advocating letting Israel seek a solution to insure the safety of their borders. Would America feel the same about a terrorist threat on our own borders? “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12 KJV).
Confusion to the Enemy
“Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city” (Psalm 55:9 NIV). Whenever someone is confused, they are confounded in their attempt to accomplish their goals. Likewise, David prayed for the Lord to confuse his enemies, as should we. Elisha prayed for blindness upon the Syrian army, who came to capture him. “And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha” (2Kings 6:18 KJV). LORD, teach us to wage war victoriously in our Spiritual Warfare. Amen.
Sexual Purity Comes From Higher Purpose
Sexual purity comes from higher purpose from the LORD, not from simply refusing to give in. Christ-centered motivation overpowers the strongest sexual desire. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:9-10 KJV). Let the Spirit of God guide your affections to a higher purpose rather than simply resolving in your own strength not to give in. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 KJV). Human will power alone is a poor substitute for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to keep you pure. Remember, God’s Word and promises “effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1Thessalonians 2:13 KJV), that is, it works in those who believe.
We Need A Miracle 
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