The Worm

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Does that sound familiar? It should. Jesus said it while hanging on the cross. Want to see sinething that will blow your mind? Open your Bible to Psalm 22 and begin reading.

That's right. Jesus was quoting King David who was the original writer of those words. But David was only relaying what he heard from God (in this case, Jesus). The amazement continues. Verses 16-18. Notice that the person dictating to David is speaking in the first person tense. It IS Jesus!

"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. ¹⁷All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. ¹⁸They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment." - Psalm 22:16-18

Nobody pierced David's hands and feet. But they DID pierce the hands and feet of Jesus. They also divided His clothes among them and cast lots for his garment! (Matthew 27:35)

You might ask, "What does any of this have to do with the title of today's story - The Worm? Psalm 22 verse 6 says this:

"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people."

Are you ready?

The Hebrew word for worm in Psalm 22:6 is  tola'ath. It specifically refers to a "crimson worm" or "scarlet worm." This crimson worm is notable for producing a deep red dye and was used in dying garments and also the curtains of the Tabernacle. The story gets even more interesting when you consider the life cycle of this crimson worm.

• The mother climbs up a piece of wood, mainly a particular type of tree, in order to lay her eggs. (Jesus was hung on a "piece of wood" / tree)
• She then attaches herself to the tree, building a hard red shell around her.
• Inside this crimson shell she lays her eggs and keeps them under her body to protect them. ("How I've longed to gather you under my wings")
• The baby grubs are hatched and they feed on the mother’s body for 3 days. (Jesus was 3 days in the tomb)
• During this time a bright crimson red fluid oozes from the mother. (The blood of Jesus shed for His children)
• This red fluid stains the wood that she is attached to and the baby grubs are covered being permanently stained with it. (We are "covered permanently" by His blood)
• The young are ready to leave the shell after 3 days. (Just like Jesus left the tomb after three days)
• The mother, being still attached to the shell and to the tree, dies so that she can birth a family. (Jesus' death literally gave us new life)
• On day 4 the mother’s tail pulls up to her head making a heart-like shape and she is no longer red – she has turned into a snow-white wax. (Psalm 22:13 - "My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me")
• This snow-white body looks like a little piece of wool on the side of the tree. It begins to flake off and falls to the ground like snow. (Wool? You mean like that of a sacrificial lamb?)
  

This scarlet worm is a perfect representation of Jesus and His sacrifice for on the cross. God created this scarlet worm as a testimony and foreshadowing of what would one day take place. This is incredible! And still people refuse to listen.

The Scarlet Worm - Hebraic Heritage

We Are The Temple

Today's topic is kind of "out there," but I just ran across this verse in my reading again, and it made me stop and think. It concerns the time of the end.

"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16

Each time I read that verse I think the same thing concerning "God's Temple," because right now God does not have an actual physical temple. As background, the prophet Daniel told us this:

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered." - Daniel 12:1

The first thing to note is that God is talking to Daniel when He says, "Your people." God is talking about the Jewish people here.

If we are currently living in the last days, everyone should be standing against Israel and condemning them, right? Isn't that happening now? Currently, it seems like the entire world is condemning Israel. According to Pew Research, 60% of Americans now have a negative view of Israel. And we are Israel's #1 ally!

Secondly, Daniel 1 says that there will be "a time of distress" happening on a scale that has never been seen before. Isn't that the situation now?

And lastly, it says "your people" will be delivered. "Everyone whose name is found written in the book." That's the 

Book of Life. All those who are going to be saved. Christians, and those Jews who have recognized Jesus as their Messiah.

God always leaves a remnant for Himself, dontcha know.

I believe that 144,000 Jewish converts will be raptured, along with all believers, at the time of the end. Why do I believe that?

“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” ⁴Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel." - Revelation 7:3-4

Now, getting back to the Temple. Like I mentioned already, there is currently no temple in Jerusalem. There are no sacrifices being offered. However, preparations for all these things have already been made (see link at bottom to The Temple Institute).

It is my opinion that the "abomination that causes desolation" is a resumption of animal sacrifices. Why is this an abomination? Because God Himself already made the ultimate sacrifice, when Jesus died on the cross - "once, for all."

"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. ²Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. ³But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. ⁴It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

⁵Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

    but a body you prepared for me;

⁶with burnt offerings and sin offerings

    you were not pleased.

⁷Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—

    I have come to do your will, my God.’”

⁸First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

¹¹Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹²But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool." - Hebrews 10:1-13

Since Israel was scattered 2,000 years ago there have been no sacrifices. There has been no "Nation of Israel" until 1948. But now, the nation of Israel is planning to resume sacrifices once again. And, in so doing, will declare the sacrifice of Jesus, meaningless. And THAT is what God will find to be an abomination. IMHO.

In the opening verse God said that WE are His temple and His Holy Spirit dwells in all who believe in Jesus.

Paul reaffirms this in his second letter to the church in Corinth.

"We are the temple of the living God." - 2 Corinthians 6:16

Keep this in mind as you consider:

"It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God." - Hebrews 10:31

Negative View of Israel - Pew Research

The Third Temple - The Temple Institute

The Jordan

I think just about every Christian knows that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. But "The Jordan" was involved in quite a few other Bible stories as well. And the connections are amazing!

"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." - Mark 1:9

But let's go back into the Old Testament for a Jordan River scavenger hunt. The "first mention" of the Jordan is in the Book of Genesis. Lot chose "the plain of the Jordan" to settle when he split from Abram (Genesis 13:10).

The cities located there were Sodom and Gomorrah. God judged them and destroyed them. Yet Lot escaped. Why? Because two angels saved him. Was one of them Jesus. Hmm.🤔

How about when the Israelites wanted to cross the Jordan after Moses died?

"Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over." - Joshua 3:1

There are a few nuggets here. Let's dig. First, Joshua. Joshua is a Hebrew name meaning "YHWH is salvation" and is derived from (are you ready for this?) the name Jesus. 

And why were the Israelites crossing the Jordan? To get into the Promised Land! And "the Promised land" is synonymous with Heaven for the Christian.

And why didn't Moses get to take the Israelites across the Jordan? Because he disobeyed God (sinned) by striking the rock. Moses is synonymous with "The Law." And "The Rock" is another name for Jesus. And life-giving water came out of the rock, right? 

"Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” - John 14:4

The Jordan is synonymous with judgement. Moses was punished at the Jordan because he sinned. So will we be. Unless we have a Joshua (Jesus) to take us into the promised land.

One more. Where did Jesus raise Lazarus back to life? In a little town called Bethany. And where IS Bethany located? Across the Jordan.

"This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing." - John 1:28

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead right near the Jordan. Right where He was baptized.

There are SO many stories in the Old Testament that link to Jesus! All we have to do is read them and marvel at the cohesivness of God's Word.

Where Was Jesus Baptized? - GotQuestions.org

Once Your Enemy

Here's a free VBS lesson for you from this past week's teaching on Psalm 23. We'll specifically be looking at Verse 5. King David wrote this Psalm and, if you are familiar with the story of David, these verses can take on new meaning.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." - Psalm 23:5

David's enemy was Saul, the first King of Israel. Saul pursued David for 10 years, trying to kill him. Can you imagine being hunted down for 10 long years?

David was given several opportunities to kill Saul but refused to do so saying, "I will not touch the Lord's anointed." Saul had indeed been anointed as king by Samuel.

Verse five talks about how God kept David fed all those 10 years while Saul was pursuing him. David was "a man after God's own heart" and God blessed David.

After Saul was killed in battle and David became king, David asked this question:

“Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” - 2 Samuel 9:1

Jonathan was a close friend of David, and also the son of his enemy, Saul.

"Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” - 2 Samuel 9:3

That "son of Jonathan," the grandson of Saul, David's enemy, was named Mephibosheth.

When Mephibosheth was called into the presence of the king, he was greatly afraid. He was the grandson of the king's enemy. He had good reason to be afraid. But David did something unusual. He gave Mephibosheth all of his grandfather's property and arranged for it to be farmed. He also gave Mephibosheth a regular seat at King David's table.

Do you see what David did here? He flipped Psalm 23:5. Instead of "you prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies," David prepared a table for his enemy in the presence of his king, the Lord God Almighty.

How amazingly merciful! David honored both Jonathan and God at the same time!

"So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both feet." - 2 Samuel 9:13

Jesus, Thank You - Sovereign Grace Music

Tornado!

Living in Central Wisconsin has proved to be pretty safe, catastrophic event wise. We're not on a major fault line so we don't have big earthquakes. We're far from the tropics so we don't get hurricanes or typhoons. However, upon occasion, we have our fair share of bad weather.

We've had blizzards with three feet of snow. We've also had days of 100° heat. Still, all those pale in comparision to what we had this past Monday - an EF-3 tornado.

We've had tornadoes before. We even had one touch down near our house. But this most recent tornado was different. It plowed through one of our larger cities - Menasha (18,000+).

I worked in Neenah for nearly 20 years. It butts up against Menasha. When I visited work yesterday, horrible stories were plentiful. They ranged from "we lost a few branches" to "a big tree fell on our house and we have no power." Some residents lost everything. A local friend was trapped on the 441 bridge as the tornado passed 500' in front of her car. She and her son watched cars and semis being flipped and feared for their lives. Had they arrived just a few seconds earlier . . .

Do you know Jesus? I hope you do.

All this makes me think of Job. He too lost everything, except his faith in God.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” - Job 1:21

Catastrophic events like this tornado can really test our faith, but they can also enhance it. When our faith turns into action, it testifies to our God.

The Menasha Piggly Wiggly gave out free water. Christ the Rock church opened its doors to all who needed shelter. Donation sites sprang up and area residents brought supplies. People "gave to one another as there was a need" (Acts 2:45).

My prayer in this horrible event was for people to turn to God as a result. Like Job said, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Withdraw

Every once in a while, the Bible "experts" get things wrong. Am I saying that there are mistakes in the Bible? Yes, I am - in the modern-day translations. Not in the original transcripts. Here's an example about what I mean.

The story, A Paralytic Is Healed, in Luke 5, begins this way:

"So, He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." - Luke 5:16

The word "So" references the previous story. Verse 16 does not belong to the story about the paralytic, in my opinionl. Here is the last part of verse 16 along with Luke 5:15 . . .

"However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmaties. So, He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." - Luke 5:15-16

That makes more sense. One thing to keep in mind - the original manuscripts had no punctuation at all. There were also no story headings or paragraph indentations. These New Testament "books" were actually letters written to churches or individuals.

The key here, and what we're going to talk about today, is that when things got hectic and overwhelming, Jesus often went away by Himself and prayed to God the Father.

And, speaking of "being alone," does your church have prayer groups? Ours does. Do you attend? Nothing against them at all, but let's not lose track that Jesus always went off by Himself to pray.

When Jesus was nearing the end of His ministry He went to the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. He then took Peter, James, and John further. A men's prayer group? No. He left them to go pray by Himself.

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray. ³⁷He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed." - Matthew 26:36-38

Again, Jesus was all alone. Here's a partial AI generated list of when Jesus withdrew by Himself to pray:

• After hearing John the Baptist had been killed, Jesus withdrew by boat to a solitary place (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:31–32).
• After the crowd followed him, he went up a mountain by himself (Mark 6:46).
• Before choosing the Twelve, he went up on a mountain and spent the night praying by himself (Luke 6:12).
• After hearing of Lazarus’ sickness, he still could have spent time away, but the specific “by himself.".
• After a busy period with many people, he went away again to places where he could pray (Mark 1:35 describes him going out early “to a solitary place” before daybreak; the text emphasizes solitude).

It's safe to say that Jesus preferred being by Himself when He prayed.

" the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen." - Matthew 6:6

What do YOU think?

I think it depends on the situation. Praying in groups is fine, praying with an individual is powerful, and praying by ourselves is precious. The key is praying, wherever and whenever.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

The Parable of The Lost Owl

Today's story is a double feature. The first part is amazing and absolutly filled with joy. Part two is full of anxiety and doubt. But stick around for the epilog. It's worth the wait.

PART 1 - The Gift

About a month ago I was approached by a young girl and her mom at church. This wonderfully caring kid stretched out her arm to me, giving me her toy stuffed owl, Austin. (Previously, my teaching partner and I had asked the congregation for a stuffed toy owl as a prop for one of our lessons.) So, I accepted the gift and took it home for safe keeping.

The more I thought about it, the more I wondered "Why me?" Did I make an impression on her during a previous VBS? I didn't even know her name (It's Kayley). Whatever the case, I was bound and determined to keep Austin the Owl safe until I could return him to little Kayley. 

PART 2 - The Loss

VBS week is very hectic. We had 49 kids and 25+ volunteers. People were everywhere, all over the church. Still, Austin the Owl was there, waiting. Thursday's teaching was his moment and he did a great job, for a stuffed owl.

Friday afternoon was cleanup day and we began disassembling VBS. That's when I discovered Austin was missing. What?! Oh, no!

"They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. ⁵As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my Lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!” - 2 Kings 6:4-5

I searched the church, my car, our house. He was nowhere. Saturday morning, I went back into church for another look. Nothing.

I began searching on Amazon for "Stuffed Toy Owls" and found one but it wouldn't be the same. I felt just awful. In despiration I sent a group text to all of the VBS teachers Sunday morning. Maybe they had seen something. Not likely. Then my phone lit up. A text from one of the teachers . . ..

"He is back with Kayley. No worries."

EPILOGUE

The first words out of my mouth were, "Thank you, Lord!!" Sunday morning, sitting in church, I was eagerly waiting for Kayley to show up. I had a Dairy Queen gift certificate for a free cone waiting for her. Then there she was. I walked up front and dropped to a knee.

"Kayley?" (she turned) "I want to thank you for trusting me with Austin. I'm glad he's back home where he belongs." She smiled and the story's over. Except for this:

The way this becomes a parable is that, when we give our hearts to Jesus, we are no longer lost. We become found. Saved.

"Did you not know that I would be in my Father's house?" - Luke 2:49

Did I pray for Austin's safe return? You bet I did! God is SO good! Even in the small things. One final thought.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

If you are lost, if you don't have Jesus as your Shepherd, your Savior, pray to Him today and make that change. All it takes is repentance for your sins, believing in Jesus and making Him Lord of your life, and then you will forever receive His blessings. It is SO worth it! Your entire life will change.

The Gospel of You

On the surface, the title of this story sounds a little ridiculous - the Gospel of You. That's silly. Everyone knows that there are only FOUR Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It's not until we dig a little deeper that it begins to make a little more sense.

What IS "The Gospel?" It is the "good news," right? That's EXACTLY what it means. So any "good news" is "The Gospel." We must train ourselves to always say, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ." Now we're talkin'.

The Gospel of You, or anyone else for that matter, is simply the good news of how God changed our lives upon believing on the Lord Jesus. It's our own personal story. It's our testimony.

For me it was hearing a convicting word in a sermon that made me realize that Jesus was indeed real and active in the world today. A changed life testifies that our story is true.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

I had the joy and privilege of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with 39 kids this past week at VBS. My prayer is that all would consider it and take it to heart, literally.

Everyone who believes in Jesus has a Gospel to share. Good news of hope and change. The question then becomes, "Are we sharing it?" Sadly, the answer is often "no."

I would challenge those who don't share the Gospel of Jesus with others by asking this: Have you really been changed? Scripture asks this very question.

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless, of course, you fail the test." - 1 Corinthians 13:5

We DO NOT want to fail the test! Share the love of Jesus with everyone you meet!

There Will Be Signs

When Monday morning arrived, I knew it was going to be a good opening day of Vacation Bible School (VBS). How did I know that? Oh, there were signs. 🤟

Sign #1 - It was raining when I left the house. When I got to church, it was not. There were a few drops here and there, and then the sun came out. 😎

Sign #2 - The ASL hand sign for Jesus. Answers In Genesis uses hand motions in their videos for kids. Whenever "Jesus" is mentioned, they use the actual sign language for His name, alternately touching the palm of the hand with the middle finger of the opposing hand. A literal sign! That happened on Monday. Twice.

Sign #3 - My man Felix! Somehow, I was able to pick him up and give him a hug. He's getting big!

But Sign #4 was my highlight for Day #1 - Vicki, our pastor's wife. My teaching partner Chuck and I had a few minutes left over at the end of our lesson, so we went over the Gospel again. Chuck was speaking to the kids, on my right. That's when I noticed Vicki coming our way. She was clearly on some mission for someone. I glanced at the kids and then back at Chuck again. That's when I noticed Vicki had stopped and was just standing there, praying, just around the corner. I think I might have been the only one to have seen it. What a blessing! Vicki had stopped "doing" and was standing there, "praying," as Chuck delivered the Gospel. We leaders "do things," and sometimes, too many things. But God does the BIG things, and he let me see someone interceding on behalf of these children. What a blessing to behold!

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." - Romans 8:

There are many more wonderful "signs" yet to come. I'm sure! God is SO good!

[As I publish this story, Day 3 of 5 will soon be underway. Stay tuned!]

Lidocaine Jesus

Back in the day, my wife and I used to watch a lame old TV show called Emergency!  It fearured two paramedics saving people's lives in a variety of situations, all sprinkled with a dash of humor.

When they arrived at the hospital, doctors quickly took over. Often, they would have a nurse hook up an IV to the patient and say, "Lidocaine drip! Stat!"

A lidocaine drip is an intravenous infusion of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, used to manage acute pain.

You and I can also get into "times of trouble" occasionally. Jesus has told us we would.

"In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Jesus is our lidocaine, in a manner of speaking. He eases the pain in our lives and makes tense situations more peaceful.

The problem with my analogy is "the drip" eventually gets disconnected. That's not a good thing where Jesus is concerned. If anything, let us increase the flow!!

"Oh, precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow.

No other fount I know

Nothing but the blood of Jesus "

Yes, please! "Jesus drip, only LET IN RAIN!"

And that reminds me of a worship song.

Lord, when times get tough, when we go through things that would break many, You rescue, you save. When those we love are sick or hurting, may your healing power rain down on us from heaven. You reign over sickness, death, and pain. Heal this land, Lord. Heal this people. Itvis your merciful name I pray. Amen.

"He 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 31:4

Nothing But The Blood of Jesus

Let It Rain - Michael W. Smith

A Thousand Years

• God created all things
• 1,000 years later, God sent a flood on the earth
• 1,000 years later, Abraham
• 2,000 years later, Jesus crucified
• 2,000 years later (right about now), He will return and set up His millennial kingdom. A 1,000-year reign for the King of kings and Lord of lords

A thousand years. TWO thousand years. It seems like God likes to do big things in 'thousands of years.'

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." - 2 Peter 3:8

[Side note: the above list of events equals 7,000 years. Look up the number 7. What do you find?

"the number seven connotes such concepts as completion and perfection, exoneration and healing, and the fulfillment of promises and oaths."

Seven days to create all things in Genesis. The Seven Churches of Revelation 1, Seven Golden Lampstands, gold refined 7 times (Psalm 12), the seven spirits of God (Revelation 3), etc. "Seven" appears 518 times in the Bible.

I heard a song recently and was reminded of the Lord's millennial reign. A thousand years in the presence of our King! This is from that song (link at bottom):

"Watching you stand alone,

All of my doubt suddenly goes away."

Jesus will stand alone on the Mount of Olives one day soon. And it sounds like there will be a rather large earthquake as well.

"On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south." - Zechariah 14:4

Have you noticed the increase in seismic activity recently? Venezuela comes to mind, with two quakes in the 7+ range on the same day. Still, a bigger quake looms in Jerusalem. But let's not get sidetracked.

The thousand-year reign of Jesus. What will that be like?

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:1&4

Personally, I can't wait. To actually see Jesus! It will be well worth the wait . . . a thousand years . . . two thousand years . . . none of that will matter. We get to spend ETERNITY with our King!

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

Come!

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." - Revelation 22:17

I never really thought much about it before but "the Spirit and the bride" has meaning beyond just those five simple words.

The Spirit, of course, is the Holy Spirit (see how it is capitalized?). And all believers are "The Bride," according to scripture. That much I've noticed before. But what caught my attention THIS time around is the word 'say' that comes afterwards. So, is this verse is about evangelism then? No. This is Revelation 22, the last chapter in the Bible. It's too late ti evangelize. The Spirit and the Bride are calling to Jesus.

As soon as you and I came to believe, we received the promised Holy Spirit. We literally became part of the collective "bride" of Christ. The verse tells, in this final chapter, that we, currently, should be DOING something with our faith. We should be TELLING others about our hope and, in so doing, inviting them to 'come' to Jesus.

We can do this visibly through our actions towards others and in our communities. But the verse specifically says 'say.' We are called to speak to those around us about our Lord and Savior. Are we doing that?

Have you watched the news lately, and seen the events that are happening in the world these days? Much of what we see has prophetic implications, and many biblical scholars believe we are living in "the last days" before the return of Jesus for 'His Bride.'

When we speak with others are we asking ourselves, "How can I direct this conversation to include Jesus?" We should be. That's part of why we have been given the Holy Spirit to begin with.

Why do we go to church? Has it become a "box to check" at the end of each weekend? Or is it to edify ourselves and equip ourselves to share the Gospel.

Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (Matthew 9:37). WE are the workers!! Are we workin', or just sittin'?

Every true Christian wants to hear Jesus say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). How can we hear "well done" if we HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING with our faith?

I sit in my living room chair and write these stories each week, but what am I DOING beyond that? Am I engaging others around me and asking them leading questions that will take them directly to Christ? Not enough, I fear. Not NEARLY enough.

When Jesus said "the workers are few," He wasn't kidding - both then and now. And let's not skip over the word 'work.'

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - ³⁴and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." - Proverbs 24:33-34