Leave

Okay. Trivia time. What was the first command that God gave to Abram?

"The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you." - Genesis 12:1

Other translations use the words 'get out,' 'flee,' 'go from,' and 'get thee out.' You get the idea. God's first command was to leave everything Abram had ever known. God, it seems, had a plan.

We are in a similar situation today. God is still telling us to leave our old self behind and He will lead us to a 'land' He will show us.

“Go now and leave your life of sin.” - John 8:11

Are we following God's command our lives of sin? Uhh . . .

Remember the angels to Lots house? They wanted Lot to leave because Lot was going to destroy the city he was living in. Even when they were fleeing, Lot's wife looked back, and perished for doing so.

Abram followed God's command. It CAN be done. So, why don't we? Lack of faith? Or is it our own comfort? Have we ever felt led by God's Holy Spirit? Then why don't we follow? Good question.

Here's a convicting verse to consider in light of our disobedience.

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46

It's not too late for us to LEAVE our life of sin and follow Jesus. But one day it will be to late. And that day is quickly approaching. 

Two questions remain for each of us to answer. What are we doing today that God wants us to leave behind? What are we waiting for?

When Tears Fall

There is a silent bond amongst the grieving. It lasts a lifetime, and its common thread is love, woven amongst the hearts of those who have lost a loved one. Here's how it works.

It usually begins with a phone call. It's like there's a vacuum on the other end of the line, sucking our joy and happiness right out through our ear. The conversation ends and there we are. Motionless. Having just lost a part of our heart.

The pain eases over time, but the memories are still there. Those too may fade but then, suddenly, a spark rekindles a memory, and there we are,  missing our loved one all over again.

It's good when those memories return. They remind us to appreciate those that God has given us in this life. Time is fleeting and, sadly, so are our loved ones and the time we get to spend with them.

I am reminded of a verse, as I paused to contemplate the next words for this story. It is about unconditional love and the pureness of a young heart.

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14

It is another of those needed reminders that we who believe are ALL God's children. The text says "do not hinder them" from coming to Jesus.

God knows which "children" are His. He wants nothing to get in the way of us coming to Him. That's because He loves us. The common thread in all of this is love. And the important thing to remember is that we get to spend eternity with those we love, IF they believe. IF their name is written in The Book of Life.

The question remains, "Do they believe?" Knowing a loved one's answer to that question, that they do indeed believe, makes it a whole lot easier when they leave us. That's because it is no longer a 'goodbye,' it's a 'see you later.'

"Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." - Romans 12:15

Problem Solving 101

There is an unfinished jigsaw puzzle waiting in the sunroom right now. It is extremely slow-going and very tedious. The remaining pieces, about 150 of them, are all the same basic color and shape. Yet, progress is being made. How? Basic problem solving.

1. Assess the situation

2. Determine the root cause

3. Create a solution

4. Implement the plan

Upon closer examination there ARE slight differences in the color of the puzzle pieces. Very slight, but they are there. And the brush strokes of the artist are right to left on his painting. Puzzle piece placent attempts just got cut in half . . . or lower!

Examine the facts, come to a conclusion. Either the piece doesn't fit or . . . BINGO!

As we read the Bible it doesn't take long to figure out that God doesn't like sin (Genesis 3). He hates it SO much that anyone who commits a sin faces death - eternity in hell. That's a problem. How do we solve it?

Further examination reveals that God actually does provide a way to get into heaven and have eternal life with Him. His name is Jesus. We must repent of the sins that we have committed and then become a disciple - learning from Him and becoming obedient to His will. BINGO!

WE are the puzzle pieces. You and I. And no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to fit (sin). But God has the ability to re-shape us - His Holy Spirit. He can change the sinful human heart with a word from His mouth. God created the solution to this puzzle called life - Jesus.

All that remains is for us to implement the plan. And there's the snag. Our free will. God has provided, but it's up to us. We need to make a choice.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

"I lift up my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the mader of heaven and earth." - Psalm 121:1-2

Admit - Believe - Forever Receive

Extrapolation

"There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

⁸And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, "O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?"

⁹And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." - Daniel 12:1, 8-9

* * *

It's still dark out, but this time of day is perfect for what we are going to be doing. The security patrols have just gone through, giving us a 30-minute window to get to our destination.

As we hurried down an alley way, we took a right at the old, burned-out Tesla dealership. Then, there it was, an old, abandoned hospital. It was small but it had just what we needed - lead-lined walls in its x-ray room. A safe place from their scanners.

We knocked and there was a muffled response, asking for a password.

"Maranatha," we replied. And the door was opened to us.

Everyone was there, or so we thought. It was good to see everyone again. And then we noticed that Vic was missing - one of the elders of the church.

"Where's Vic," we asked?

"They got him. He was praying for someone downtown at an abortion clinic and they nabbed him."

* * *

Scary, right? It's coming. Think I'm crazy? Read that passage from Daniel again. It's nearer than you might think. The events in that ficticious little story you just read were all taken from today's news headlines.

There were Teslas on the news this week, after being set on fire with Molotov cocktails. Pro-Palestinian protesters are at it again at Trump Tower and our universities. Even Tim Waltz, the 2024 Democratic vice-presidential candidate, was gloating about Tesla stock taking a dive saying, "$225 and dropping." The crowd cheered.

Elon Musk is hated and vilified, despite bringing two astronauts home from space this week. Tesla owners are being doxxed and their cars destroyed. This is a guy building EV's for the Green New Deal people. Now he is hated because he joined with Trump.

Ukraine and Russia are negotiating peace, but there is no peace. Nor is there peace in Gaza where 431 were killed on Tuesday.

Antisemitism is everywhere. It's in our colleges, serving as a breeding ground to grow its numbers, not curb it. And here we sit, checking our NCAA tournament brackets.

"The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“²I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

³I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” - Genesis 12:1-3

I'm not ranting or trying to convince anybody of anything. I'm just saying that things like we are seeing on today's news are prophesied in the Bible. I'm just suggesting that we be ready. The Tribulation period spoken of in God's Word will be nothing like this world has ever seen before. And it's coming.

Let me ask you a question. Would it surprise you at all if the government used the national guard to quell these protests? The did in 1968 at the Democratic National Convention in  Chicago. Why not today?

Prologue / Someday - Chicago

Testimony

There are two very compelling stories in the Book of Matthew. Both surround the crucifixion of Jesus and His subsequent resurrection. The first begins during The Last Supper. Jesus is talking to His disciples.

"Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³²But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same." - Matthew 26:31-35

Every one of the disciples was so sure that they would never leave Jesus, never deny Him, even though Jesus told them that they would. Let's keep reading.

"⁵⁵In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled." - Matthew 26:55-56

They all said they would never leave Him, then just a few hours later, they all did. Keep that in mind now as you read this. This was how those scattering disciples went to their individual deaths.

Peter - crucified upside down

Andrew - crucified

James (Zebedee) - executed with a sword

John - natural causes

Phillip - executed

Bartholomew - crucified

Thomas - stabbed with spears

Matthew - slain with a halberd (spear/axe)

James (Alpheus) - stoned to death

Thaddaeus - attacked & murdered

Simon - crucified

Matthias - stoned to death

With the exception of John, all these disciples chose death rather than deny Jesus Christ and stop preaching The Gospel. Their dramatic change is their testimony to their salvation.

The second Bible story is one that also shapes beliefs. The story occurs while Jesus hung on the cross. It was His conversation with the thief next to Him that testifies to us. The thief was never baptized, never went to church or confirmation class, never took communion, and never did a single good deed. Not one that we know of. Yet . . .

"Then he (the thief) said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

⁴³Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." - Luke 23:42-43

That's it. Pretty simple. It is the testimony of the disciple's actions and the thief's faith,  all coupled with the Holy Spirit of God that has caused us to believe. The question then becomes, "What does MY testimony say?" What about yours?

Do we have that kind of commitment the disciples had after they finally came to believe? Do we have the testimony of the thief in our hearts upon facing his own death?

Do we have a testimony that reflects our Lord and King, and what He means to us?

Green Pastures

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." - Psalm 23:1-2

What comes to mind when you try to picture the green pastures spoken of here? Lush, green fields and an abundance of food to eat? That may not be the case.

While it is true that God provides us with what we need, our opinion of what that provision is often differs from God's.

A shepherd watches over the flock. Shepherds lead their sheep to green pastures where they can eat and they "shall not want" for more.

Sheep like to eat. I'm just guessing, but if a shepherd's sheep were presented with lush, green fields of alfalfa to eat, they would eat until they exploded.

I watched a video this week showing two modern day shepherd girls, leading their sheep through a place that is literally called Green Fields. It appears dry and barren, yet the sheep are eating as the walk through it. What are tgey eating? Grass (pictured above)

As we walk through this life, don't we truly have everything we need? Are we "wanting?" No. God has provided. Remember that gluttony is someting that God hates.

"And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear." - Deuteronomy 21:20-21

But . . .

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." - Matthew 5:6

Our Shepherd gives us everything we need. We "shall not want" means we have all that we need. Let us give thanks and praise to our Good Shepherd, Jesus, who truly provides ALL the things we need.

Green Pastures Explanation

Grace

If LOVE was our currency, would you be rich or poor? Would you be in the poor house? Or would you be a philanthropist, giving love away to all those who have none?

We first experience love, hopefully, when we are born. A nurturing mom comes to mind. A mother breastfeeding her newborn, stroking its cheek, and smiling. So innocent and fresh.

Sadly, there are those who have very little love in their hearts. Something happened to them that sucked the love right out of them. They withdraw from everyone and their hearts become hardened.

What should we do when we encounter the loveless? That's simple.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." - Matthew 5:43-45

We are to love everyone. So, what does our love look like? As Jesus said, "pray for those who persecute you." So, our love begins with prayer. But what do we do after we pray? What do we do when we meet our "enemies" on the street?

Here's another word that goes hand-in-hand with love. GRACE.

If someone we know does not have love or grace in their hearts, then neither do they have the Holy Spirit living in them.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

"One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend." - Proverbs 22:11

And our King is Jesus.

"It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved." - Acts 15:11

We are just as much in need of God's grace as our "enemies" are. Prayer, love, and grace are what's needed. And then patience.

"Love one another as I have loved you." - John 13:34

The Sanctuary Friend

We've all heard of "sanctuary cities." They are in the news a lot lately. In the present context, they are cities, run mostly by Democratic mayors, where illegal immigrants can go to avoid being deported.

The concept is actually biblical.

"When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, ¹¹select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. ¹²They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly." - Numbers 35:10-12 

However, in the present-day context, the sanctuary city concept actually defies the law in favor of political preference.

Let's abandon this "sanctuary city" thing and shift our focus to personal relationships. We'll call them sanctuary friends. Do you have any of those? I hope so.

Sanctuary friends are those you can talk to openly and freely, without fear of retribution or persecution. They usually have a similar mindset, and you know you are 'safe' speaking with them.

Sanctuary friends are a blessing and are easily labeled as our very best friends. And, in a world filled with anxiety and political rhetoric, it's a good idea to have several of these precious friends on hand.

There is a certain amount of unconditional love involved in sanctuary friendships. There is also trust. These are extremely valuable characteristics.

Is Jesus one of your sanctuary friends? I hope so. He should be at the top of our list. We can talk to Him about anything at any time of day. And unlike our earthly friends, Jesus is always with us.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6

May God give you the blessing of having trusted friends who will never leave you or forsake you. But always remember that you are never alone, without the most-trusted friend ever - Jesus.

Born Blind

Every once in a while, I have a link to a song at the end of my blog stories. Rarer still are the times I place those links at the beginning of a story but here it is today.

Yours To Hold - Skillet

I had a dream the other night featuring Skillet, a Christian rock band from Wisconsin. But they weren't performing in my dream. I was having a conversation with their lead singer - John Cooper.

We weren't talking about anything in particular, but a song came to mind as I thought about a few people in my life who need Jesus. Here's a few lines from the song. Imagine our Lord singing this to the lost...

I see you standing here

But you're so far away

Starving for your attention

You don't even know my name

I wouldn't say that Jesus is "starving" for our attention, but He DID sacrifice Himself so that we might live.

A Bible story comes to mind as I write about this - the story of the man born blind. It's really a story about each of us. We are all, in fact, born blind.

"As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“³Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." - John 9:1-3

Think about that for a moment. Aren't we ALL born blind, spiritually, "so that the works of God might be displayed" . . . in us?

The story continues . . .

"⁴As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - John 9:4-5

Jesus fortold of a dark time in the future when "no one can work." Of course, Jesus would be put to death in the NEAR future, but I think He also might be talking about the time of the end.

Jesus was truly "the light of the world." He STILL is. And He still wants us to shine brightly, letting everyone see hear about the good news, The Gospel. And He also wants others to SEE The Gospel, active in God's sons and daughters.

Only upon hearing, and seeing, the good news of The Gospel can we truly be made to see and believe. We all become changed. Only when God's Holy Spirit enters us can we be made to truly see.

"One thing I DO know. I was blind, but now I see!” - John 9:25

Emily

What can you decern by looking at this picture? A young woman being prepped for surgery? Yes. Is she upbeat or fearful? She is smiling and flashing the "I love you" hand sign. I'd say VERY upbeat, almost excited. Why?

Well . . .

This is Emily Damari. She was one of the hostages recently released by Hamas. She had two of her fingers shot off on October 7th, 2023. If you look closer at the picture of her hand you can see that her 3rd and 4th fingers are not folded over. They're gone! Yet, she smiles. Why?

Of course, I can only guess but she is no longer being kept in tunnels (where she was held for 471 days). She is finally being treated for the nerve damage caused by her wounds. She was in constant pain during her captivity. Her physical pain is finally coming to an end. But what about her emotional and psychological pain? When will that subside?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

We all suffer pain in this life. Most of OUR pain is nothing compared to what this young lady went though. Perhaps her purpose now is to serve as a visual reminder of perseverance and hope. She has accomplished that already.

In the JNS article (link below) she thanked President Trump for getting her out and also asked that he get the remaining hostages out as well. But Emily is missing something else besides her two fingers.

Emily was given a gift. That's for sure. But her thanks and praise are directed to human hands. She speaks of hell (in the tunnels) and miracles (her survival) but never mentions God at any time.

Perhaps Emily will one day realize that the reason she was set free was not due to the efforts of any one man. Its roots are in the grace, love, and mercy of the Lord God Almighty.

We must continue to pray for the remaining hostages as well as their families. Even prayers for Hamas, that God would soften their hearts.

It is good to see Emily smile. Hopefully, one day, she will smile because she is standing before Jesus, having accepted Him as her Lord and Savior. He has already saved her once. May He do so again.

One final thought. Look at Emily's hand again. A permanent reminder of God's love . . . a permant 'I love you" for all to see.

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. ⁴He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

Lord, please heal Emily's emotional and physical pain. Also, heal her heart, and her hand. Prepare her heart as she testifies to others about what she went through. But most importantly, heal her soul through the shed blood of Jesus. Her testimony will be a powerful one. May she thank YOU and praise YOU for her safe return as she shares it. In you merciful name I pray. Amen.

JNS Article

Mystery Babylon

If you were to enter the word 'Babylon' in the YouTube search window, and then scroll down through the results, you would find many different interpretations. Who is this Mystery Babylon? Is it the United States? Is it New York City? Is it Iran? Is it the Roman Empire? Is it the European Union? No one really knows for sure.

I came across something today during my reading that made me stop and think for a moment. Is this the answer? What's your take on this passage from the Book of Isaiah?

"On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, ⁴you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:" - Isaiah 14:3

There WAS an actual Babylon back in Isaiah's day, but then what Babylon was John referring to when he wrote the following in the Book of Revelation? He wrote about a future Babylon.

"Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. ⁵The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

'Babylon the great

the mother of prostitutes

and of the abominations of the earth.'

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus." - Revelation 17:3-5

If we go back to Isaiah, remembering that he was a prophet of future events, let's keep reading, Verse 12.

"How you have fallen from heaven,

    morning star, son of the dawn!

You have been cast down to the earth,

    you who once laid low the nations!

¹³You said in your heart,

    “I will ascend to the heavens;

I will raise my throne

    above the stars of God;

I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,

    on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.

¹⁴I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;

    I will make myself like the Most High.”

¹⁵But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,

    to the depths of the pit." - Isaiah 14:12 -15

God is now speaking about Satan through the prophet Isaiah. So, what was the Babylon that Isaiah was talking about back in verse 3 of this very same chapter, just nine verses prior? A future Babylon. And who was this King of Babylon that Isaiah mentioned in verse 3? Satan?

What is Satan's Babylon? Is it a city? No. I don't think so. I think it is Satan's "kingdom." The one he has been building for himself ever since he fell to earth (in verse 12 above).

What if "Mystery Babylon" is everyone who takes the Mark of The Beast, all those who have not worshipped God? All the unbelieving people of the earth?

In verse 12, Isaiah refers to "the blood of God's holy people." Satan was drinking their blood, which is against God's commands.

"But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. ²⁴You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water. ²⁵Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord." - Deuteronomy 12:23-25

It is SO important that we place our faith in Jesus and don't look back. Remember Lot's wife (Genesis 19:26)? She looked back and did NOT make it to safety. There are SO MANY warnings given to us in God's Word. Yet so few people heed them.😥

We must stand strong in our faith and never give up. Bad things WILL happen as we get closer to His return. But a whole lot of GOOD things happen after that.🙂

A Precious Gift

In the Book of Acts there is a story about The Apostle Paul. He begins this part of the text in Ephesus and ends up in Syria. This is part of Paul's last trip. Anywhere.

There are a few things worthy of noting here. Look who he was with at the beginning and the end of his journey. And notice all of the stops he made along the way.

"³⁶When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. ³⁷They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. ³⁸What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

¹After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. ²We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. ³After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days." - Acts 20:36 - 21:4

Paul began and ended his trip with the "churches" he had started years earlier. He stayed with them and prayed with them. They loved each other and they all loved God.

Don't we all take similar journeys in our walk with Jesus? We begin and end in a church (baptism / funeral). We make many stops along the way. And we meet many people during our trip that we love. 

I talk to many people about Jesus. Some are already my brothers and sisters. Some are not. And SOME, I have no idea where they stand.

I was given a gift this past week. One of the "I don't knows" sent me a text message, asking me to pray for her son. This has never happened before from this person. Why me?

Years before this prayer request I had prayed for this lady as she went through a personal tragedy. We talked, and then I prayed for her. That was the beginning of friendship and a journey. A journey to Jesus.

We meet many such people as we "sail" from one "port" to another in this life. What is our purpose? Christ! How do we pour into those relationships? Prayer and love!

What did they do in verse 36? They prayed and loved as they hugged and kissed each other goodbye. Do we have those kinds of relationships in our lives? Do we ask each other for prayer? Do we embrace them and love them like Paul did? Will it be the last time that we ever see them?

Pray and love. Always.

I shared this movie clip a few weeks ago but I am sharing it again because it fits. It features a tearful goodbye that almost didn't happen. Tears of joy and thanksgiving were shed. THEN they said goodbye. Just like they did in the Book of Acts.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." - Proberbs 17:17

Lost In Translation Ending