“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He declared in a loud voice: ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!’” (Revelation 14:6-7 NET).

John’s Revelation is not the most straightforward scripture. There are many explanations and interpretations, some of which have merit and some are more in the realms of fantasy. But whatever interpretation we want to place on it, there are some eternal truths that we can see in the word-pictures that John used to paint a picture for us.

In this picture, John saw three angels with three messages. The first one has a message that we can easily apply today. The message is simple: we need to “fear God and give him glory.” And he gives a reason: “because the hour of his judgment has arrived.”

But why judgment? Throughout this revelation, we have the forces of evil battling against Jesus and his people. Finally, a time of judgment has arrived. And for God’s people, this is good news!

The angel “had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth.” This message was for everyone: all nations, languages, and people. No one is exempt from this message. This is “good news.”

The word for “gospel” if literally translated would be “good news.” And this good news that the angel is proclaiming is “eternal.” It does not have an end. How can a message of judgment be good news?

It is good news for those who are God’s people. The picture immediately preceding this one is of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 of his followers (Revelation 14:1-5). The Lamb is consistently identified in the Revelation as being Jesus. The simplest explanation for the 144,000 is that this is all of God’s people – not a literal total number but that this number represents all of God’s followers.

God’s people have been persecuted throughout their history. We can read about those who opposed Christians throughout the book of Acts and into the letters of the apostles. History tells us that this continued, not only under the Roman emperors but in all ages. And we know that there are many who oppose God’s people today.

Judgment is good news because God’s people are victorious! They have remained faithful and are ready for eternity with the Lamb. The persecution and suffering are now over.

God is to be feared – he has the power of judgment. And God is to be given glory for taking care of his people. We are to worship him. He is the Creator of everything: “heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” The one who has the power to create has the power to judge his creation.

What is the lesson for us? We need to be God’s people. We need to hang on even when the going gets tough. We need to live with the realization that judgment is coming. If we are faithful, that is eternal good news!

Jon Galloway

FEAR OF MAN KEEPS US FROM FAITHFULNESS – 12:42-43:

    The motivation for this lack of obedience, this lack of confession in our context (ver. 43) is that these men loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. I want you to notice that the word “approval” (NASV) is actually the Greek word for “glory.” In other words, Isaiah saw the “glory” of Christ but these Jews loved the “glory” from men rather than the “glory” that comes from obedience to God. How can we overemphasize that our highest conviction and desire must be the approval of God, before anyone or anything else (see Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4)?

    May God help us to love His message supremely and stay faithful to it.

TRUST IN JESUS MEANS TRUST IN GOD – 12:44-46:

    Notice in verse 45 that Jesus associates Himself in His essence with God the Father: “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.” That is a statement regarding the very nature of Jesus Christ. Rachel and I are one because we are married, but it is not true that if you have seen me, you’ve seen Rachel. We are too different for that statement to be true. But it is true with Jesus and the Father. See Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3. 

    You and I have a different perspective on this world because we walk in the light of Jesus Christ. The less we study the life and teachings of Jesus, the more we will be overwhelmed by the darkness of this world. We need to be careful that we do not allow uninspired man to influence us more than inspired men, Jesus and His apostles and prophets.

THE SAYINGS OF JESUS GIVE US LIFE – 12:47-50:

    Why is Jesus’ words so important? Because in verse 49 we are told that He did not speak on His own initiative, but God the Father commanded Jesus what to say and what to speak.

    If Jesus did not take any initiative in teaching something new, nor should I. If Jesus only taught what the Father commanded Him to teach then I should only teach what Jesus has commanded me to teach. And the only way to do that is to use book, chapter, and verse and only interpreted correctly in their own context. 

    On the way to the cross, Jesus taught us we should stay faithful despite our fears; we should trust Jesus because He is one with the Father; and we should follow Jesus’ sayings because they will give us life. 

Paul Holland

“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength, but wisdom brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV).

I recently watched a man in South Asia cut down a mahogany tree with a hatchet. The tree was probably 20 inches or so in diameter, with a fairly full top, and he climbed up near the top then began trimming branches. When he had it trimmed down to the main trunk only, then he came to the ground and cut it at the roots. Some of the work he did with a crosscut saw, but most was with a hand ax. If you have never tried it, take it from me, that is a hard job. This man did it well, and it did not take a very long time.

One secret to his ease and quickness was that before he started, he took several minutes to use his hone and sharpen the blade of his ax. Dull axes don’t cut well. A sharp edge will make any cutting job easier and faster, and it will produce a much better overall result.

The Preacher of ancient Israel (also known as the author of Ecclesiastes) understood this principle. One can expend energy and time in preparing properly for a task, or one can spend extra energy and time in trying to complete a task for which he lacks tools, skills, or proper planning. To an inexperienced person, time spent sharpening an ax may seem like time that is wasted. The truth is one often saves much time in the long run by using a little to prepare well before the job is begun.

Notice the last line of the text quoted above. “But wisdom brings success.” In this case, it was wise to sharpen the axe. Experience teaches us and one is wise who learns those lessons. Folly is to neglect one’s tools and so make his work more difficult.

There are other applications of this simple saying. First one must recognize that the ax is dull. Not everyone knows how to do that. Not everyone thinks to do it. But those who correctly evaluate the situation avoid problems from the very beginning. To do a job efficiently one must acquire the proper tools and skills, and enlist sufficient help. Or in other words, make good preparation.

Finally this saying illustrates that when one uses his mind he may often spare his back. Thinking to sharpen the ax meant that he did not have to use as much strength. Wisdom helps us in many ways, not least to avoid unnecessary and unproductive effort.

The proverb presented by the Preacher is not primarily intended as a guide to forestry or cutting trees. He placed it at the end of a brief paragraph about work (Ecclesiastes 10:8-10). In the previous verses he stated that one may suffer as a result of well-meant efforts. For example one who works in a stone-quarry may have one fall on him. One who cuts wood may be injured in his labor. That is the nature of certain tasks – they are dangerous. But he is not suggesting that his readers refuse any work that includes risks. Rather he is advising that the worker be aware of the risk and take appropriate precautions.

That is a fair and accurate appraisal of life. We will face hardship. Whatever we do may endanger us. But if we prepare well, and take heed of the dangers, we have a good opportunity for success. That is true both physically and spiritually. In the Preacher’s experience, if one sharpens his ax and works carefully he will be blessed in life.

Michael Brooks

When you see a dirty face in the mirror, you wash your face, not the mirror. Likewise when we see error in our lives, portrayed by truth revealed in the Bible, let us simply clean up our lives and quit criticizing the Bible.

What do you think of a man who breaks a mirror because he doesn’t like what he sees? Then what do you think of one who criticizes the truth that simply reveals the inner man that we can’t see with the physical eye?

– by Leslie Diestelkamp

In May 2015, six people died as the result of a passenger train derailment. The modern Amtrak train was carrying 238 passengers and five crew members when it left the track in Philadelphia. At least 140 of those riders were hospitalized. Federal investigators and Amtrak officials concluded the train was simply going too fast around a curve, causing the locomotive to get off the right track.

How many times do we get “off track” by getting in too big of a hurry? We rush to judgment, we jump to conclusions, and we are quick to make a verdict without getting all the facts.
• Job’s friends got off track when they jumped to the wrong conclusion and caused Job to ask, “How long will you torment me And crush me with words. These ten times you have insulted me; You are not ashamed to wrong me” (Job 19:1-3).
• The Israelites got off track. They almost caused a civil war because of making the wrong assumption, falsely thinking an altar built was out of rebellion against God (Joshua 22:9-34).
• Samuel got off track and tried to anoint all of Jesse’s sons except the right one. He based his judgment, rashly, on the wrong facts (1 Samuel 16:7).
• The Ammonites got off track when they thought David was sending someone to spy and conquer when in truth, he wanted to show kindness (1 Chronicles 19:2-3).

We must not get in such a big hurry that we get off track. “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9). That is why we are not to “go out hastily to argue your case,” the wise man says. Instead, God tells us to “Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another” (Prov. 25:8-10). We must not judge by appearance. We must not decide based on hearsay (Isaiah 11:3). If we would follow the “Golden Rule” and treat others the same way we want them to treat us (Luke 6:31), how likely would we be to get off track? If we remembered “the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Galatians 5:14), how likely would we be to stay on the right track?

A train that goes too fast will wind up only causing destruction and grief. The same is true when we get in too big of a hurry to point the finger, cast the accusation, and play judge and jury. More times than not, we will get off track – and death and destruction will be the only outcome.

Corey Sawyers

“Reality Shows,” especially those dealing with dysfunctional family relationships, have one thing in common with our study of the Jews: both make us feel better about ourselves, because “At least we aren’t as bad as _______.” As we look at some dialogue from Jeremiah 2, we see God using the analogy of a husband and his bride’s relationship in talking about His and the Jews’ relationship. GOD EXPECTS FAITHFULNESS! Let’s notice Five P’s that God addresses with His bride.

THE PARABLE (2:1-3). Notice there was devotion, love, promises (betrothals), obedience, trust, exclusivity, and purity. Remember when you were first married, and would ask, “Will it always be that wonderful?” The Lord was the same way!

FIRST PERVERSION – Idolatry – (2:4-13). God asks them, “Why did you forget Me?” They forgot Him in worship, and in leaving Him for one who is no god. What if your spouse forgot about you? God’s bride had.

THE PUNISHMENT (2:14-17). God tells the Jews they would be slaves and prey, and that they have done this to themselves. If your spouse had forgotten you and forsaken you, wouldn’t you want to punish them? God said that they now deserved to be punished.

SECOND PERVERSION – Spiritual Adultery – (2:18-30). God said they had chosen to leave Him for another, despite all I have done for them. They had committed spiritual adultery. So, he asks, “Will your adulterous love now save you?” What if you found out your spouse was one of these people who had a secret life in another state with another spouse and family? God was upset that they had turned from Him.

THE PLEADING (2:31-32). Look at how God pleads. Listen to Me! Look to Me! Do not deny Me nor forget Me! What if your spouse had done all of these things? Would you be pleading for them to come back? If so, what kind of love and forgiveness would that take? Despite His begging, they would not hear Him.

THIRD PERVERSION – Self-Centeredness (2:33-37). They only cared about only what they wanted, not about the needs of others. How would you like a spouse that cared nothing for you? That describes with what God was dealing.

We can watch the shows and read about the Jews all day long. However, the truth is, now we are the bride (Eph. 5:22-33). What kind of bride to Christ are we collectively and individually? God still expects faithfulness. He knows what we have and have not done and will punish us if we do not return. He is begging and pleading for us to turn back to Him. He wants to show us love and forgiveness. However, He only will if we are a faithful bride!

Corey Sawyers

“Now a certain leader asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”’ The man replied, ‘I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.’” (Luke 18:18-21)

Most people that I know want the best out of life and to have the best life possible. The man Jesus was talking with wanted this. From what we can see he was living a good life. He was a Jew, one of God’s chosen people, and he was faithfully, wholeheartedly, following God’s commands. But he was missing something. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” he asked Jesus.

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy.” (Luke 18:22-23)

Although the man was very wealthy, he seems to have lacked compassion in his life, especially compassion towards those who were poor. It would seem he was hoarding his wealth for himself. Jesus recognized what this man needed in order to have the life that would lead to eternal life. He needed to learn to rely on God and not on the wealth he had accumulated. The solution? Sell it all and give it to the poor, thus securing real treasure, treasure in heaven. Then follow Jesus as the Messiah.

This man became very sad because he was “extremely wealthy.” How would we feel if Jesus asked this of us? Often when we study this we are very quick to point out that he doesn’t ask this of everyone. And that is true, as we can see many in the book of Acts who sold what they had and some (like Mark’s mother Mary) who had a house and servants.

Perhaps we are often quick to justify our own wealth, to justify spending what we have on ourselves. But isn’t this the problem Jesus was addressing? The man’s problem seems to have been similar to the man in another parable Jesus told. If you remember, this man had a bumper crop and needed more storage space so he could store it all and have a good life. Too often we think only of ourselves rather than how we can use our blessings to further Jesus’ mission of seeking and saving the lost, of being a blessing to others.

“When Jesus noticed this, he said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’ Those who heard this said, ‘Then who can be saved?’” (Luke 18:24-26)

Those who heard what Jesus said are similar to many today. We think that if a person is successful in making money, then God must be blessing him. Jesus said the opposite: the rich will struggle to enter God’s kingdom. Why? Because wealth can cause them to trust in themselves and what they have rather than in God.

There was a gate in Jerusalem known as “the eye of the needle” which would be very difficult for a camel to get through, especially if it were loaded down. Some think this is what Jesus was referring to, but I believe it was more than this. A camel could never go through the eye of a real needle. Neither can a person who trusts in his wealth enter God’s kingdom.

Although it is easy to point our fingers at others, we need to examine ourselves. What are we doing with the blessings God has given us?

Photo by Jon Galloway: “the eye of the needle” (on left) in Alexander Nevsky Church, Jerusalem

Jon Galloway

As a listener, you might wonder why you should know what it takes for preaching to be what it should be. You are, after all, the listener, not the speaker. Yet it is worth noting that when Paul warned about a falling away he placed some of the blame on those who listen: “people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:4).

Observe the drift from faithfulness to faithlessness: “People will not endure sound teaching” (that’s you, the listener). “But having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their passions … and will turn away from listening to the truth.” At some point, the truth will no longer matter, only that which feeds our desires. And, finally, their drift will be complete: “And wander off into myths.”

How did we get here? The answer is slowly, and with the connivance of the listeners. The following are some funny things I have heard about preaching:

• “Preachers Shouldn’t Tell Jokes”: In other words, they shouldn’t illustrate, tell funny stories and so on. Although the ultimate judgment of a sermon lies not in its entertainment value, an effective sermon might be entertaining while also being true. Jesus told parables. Stories (Matthew 13:34)! It seems the outstanding characteristic of Jesus’ preaching style was in illustrations! He was the master illustrator.
• “Your Sermons Are So Simple Anyone Can Understand Them”: Some teachings are hard because they are hard to understand (John 6:60). Other teachings are hard, not because we do not understand them, but because we understand them only too well!

The Bible is divided into two kinds of material: The milk of the word that is appropriate for helping the young to grow and the meat of the word, which mature church members would find rewarding to “chew” on (Hebrews 5:11,12).

• “I Like Him; He’s Eloquent”: This is the Apollos syndrome (Acts 18:24). Paul declined to use words of wisdom and eloquence (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). An unhealthy attitude existed toward Apollos in Corinth. Yet Paul never suggested Apollos should not use his talents, merely that they should have a balanced view of his preaching. There is great power in true preaching, but it lies in the word of God, not the one who delivers that message.
• “A Preacher Shouldn’t Try to Change Personal Lives”: So what is he supposed to be doing? John the Baptist called on his hearers to “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:7,8). Jesus declared that unless we repent, we will perish (Luke 13:3). Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached in order to change lifestyles.
• And Yet, A Preacher Should Be a Student of the Word of God: The apostles needed time to engage in “prayer” and “the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3,4). This suggests study and delivery of messages. I am always touched that Paul, in prison and awaiting his execution, wanted to surround himself with books. He was a scholar (2 Timothy 4:13). My father the late Loy Mitchell used to say “Some of the laziest people you will know will be preachers, and some of the hardest working people you will know will be preachers.”
• And Yet, A Preacher Should Preach the Whole Council of God (Acts 20:27): A preacher comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable. He will have to address both popular and unpopular topics, Old and New Testament, Christian family, the Church, grace and law providing a balanced diet for the congregation.
• And Yet, The Preacher Is the Conduit to Listeners’ View of Jesus: John the Baptist saw himself as the best man at a wedding rejoicing at the good fortune of his friend, the groom. Then he closed with the classic preacher motto “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29,30).

That’s a pretty good measure of great preaching: The degree to which the Lord Jesus shone through in the content and delivery of the sermon. Are you a great preacher, or do you proclaim a great savior?

Stan Mitchell

The Old Testament is a rich mine of truths about God and his ways. The prophets reveal the divine heart and intentions. Get a taste of truths about God from this little slice of Ezekiel 33.

No. 1. God is a revealer. “The word of the Lord came to me” (Ezekiel 33:1, ESV). He tells man what he is doing and what he expects. God does nothing without letting us know his intentions and actions (Amos 3:7; Ephesians 3:5). Things he reveals are for us all, that we might obey his commands and thereby find joy and peace (Deuteronomy 29:29). God’s revelation to us, now contained in the Bible, is for our salvation. “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations” (Psalm 98:2).

No. 2. God holds people responsible. “I will hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death” (Ezekiel 33:6, NET). This chapter and chapter 13 is all about man’s responsibility and God’s judgment. Each individual answers to God for their own actions, not for anyone else’s. Many parents today tell their children to do something, but don’t care if it’s done or not. (Seems like they enjoy hearing themselves talk.) They’re not willing to follow up and discipline their children. Part of our society’s ills are due to failure to punish a child. Let us never think that God is like a slipshod parent. We will be judged in the last day by the written word (John 12:48).

No. 3. God desires that man live. “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11; see Lamentations 3:33). God has the best intentions toward man. All that he does is for man’s good (Psalm 119:68). Speaking of Job — of all people!— James wrote, “you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). Jeremiah reminded the people, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Of what do these plans consist? “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vv. 12-13).

No. 4. God is just and judges righteously. “O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways” (Ezekiel 33:20). Man thinks God is unjust, but he really has no idea. We want judges who will let us off the hook, who hands down sentences based on who his friends are — and we want the judge to be a friend of ours. But God judges according to his principles, which are aligned with his nature and character. What a relief, actually, that we can always know what his judgments will be!

No. 5. God knows the heart of man. “… it is their own way that is not just” (Ezekiel 33:17). Remember that Jesus knew what was in man (John 2:25). Man’s heart is only full of evil, “every intention of the thoughts of his heart [is] only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Jesus himself said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:19). So what do we need? A new heart! (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). This is what Jesus does in the new birth (John 3:3, 5).

No. 6. God keeps his promises and fulfills his threats. “… a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, ‘The city has been struck down’” (Ezekiel 33:21). The prophets of the Lord said it would happen if the people did not repent. They did not, so the Lord carried through with his threat. If God says it, you can count on it. Don’t let anyone persuade you that he will do things differently at the last minute from what he has declared in his Word. He just ain’t gonna do it. Take the Bible seriously. Very seriously.

No. 7. God wants people to know he alone is God. “Then they will know that I am the Lord, …” (Ezekiel 33:29). The knowledge of the only God is the key to all of man’s desires and hopes and dreams. God is not selfish or self-centered. Jesus’ death on the cross put that idea to death for all time (John 3:16). All else that are called gods are nothing but man’s imaginations and creations, as he flees from happiness with the one, true God toward the exaltation of desire and the certainty of destruction. The one God is our one hope.

There’s more! Read the whole chapter for yourself. Discover who God is. Find out how he works. See what his will is. Seek his face.

A. A. Neale

INTRODUCTION: History of some churches shows faction, division, anger, separation. It was
that way even in the first century—Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians. But that is not what
Jesus wanted.

I. PEACE – PEACE – PEACE — A key Bible concept. The word is used over and over, again and
again. John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” See also
Rom. 5:1; 8:1, 6; 10:15; 12:18; 14:17, 19; 15:13; I Cor. 7:15; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:14-15; 4:1-3;
Phil. 4:7; Col. 3:15; John 14: 27

• Jesus made great statements about Peace—He preached the gospel of peace; He sent
peace; He brings peace. Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers, Matt. 5:9. He is the
PRINCE OF PEACE, Isa. 9:6

• I want it too. I want it to be said the folks in the Lord’s church, here, are PEACEFUL AND
LOVING. That they are gracious, kind and loving. Not divisive, hateful, spiteful, rude and
unkind (Don’t do it, don’t permit it, do not allow it.) We are warned against unreasonable
people, II Thess. 3:1-6; Matt. 7:6.

• Conflicts will come, but VERY FEW…if we remember to be PEACEMAKERS.

II. Resolving Conflict— We’ve got to first work on the vineyard…on the flock…on each of us.

• The first, the most important one in this church is JESUS, Matt. 6:33; Col. 1:18.

• The second most important person in this church is…? Who? Guess? Surprise—it is YOU (love neighbor as self, Matt. 19:19). Yes you…to get this right see that we seek God first, Matt. 6:33.

• If everyone in this church were just like me—what would this church be? Heb 10:25.

• Each member should examine him/herself, II Cor. 13:5; I Cor. 11:28.

• Love your brother or sister, John 15:12-13; I John 3:11-12.

• Remember, the Prince of Peace, Jesus, who is the most important person in the church,
said peace be unto you; blessed are the peacemakers —SETTLE IT.

III. When conflicts come, let’s handle them biblically• See Matt. 18:15-20 and Titus 3:9-10 and Rom. 16:17. When you have a problem with
another Christian, go to the person alone, if not resolved, then with two or three, then to
the elders-church. If that doesn’t work, then reject the divisive person(s), do not put up
with divisive, factious people! • Rebuke, when repents, forgive, Luke 17:3-4.• Paul and Barnabas disagreed, but continued working for the Lord, Acts 15:36-41.

CONCLUSION: Remember, JESUS PRAYED the night before he died THAT WE MIGHT ALL BE
ONE, John 17:17-23. The apostle Paul also demanded that we be united and that there be no
divisions among us, I Cor. 1:10-16. Paul begged us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace, Eph. 4:3. REMEMBER Jesus is our Prince of Peace,” Isa 9:6. —Ivy Conner

The entire fiasco started with one poor choice. Danielle Shea decided to drop out of her college, Quinnipiac University. There was nothing inherently wrong with this decision, except for the fact that she lied to her family about it. So, her mom continued to send thousands of dollars to Danielle for college while her family continued to think she was studying hard at school.

The lie became much harder to continue when it was time for Shea to graduate. In an attempt to deceive her family, she secured a cap and gown and even showed up to the graduation with her mother. When her relatives noticed her name was not on the list of graduates, Shea became desperate and had to resort to extreme solutions.

In an effort to cancel the graduation, Danielle made two bomb threats. All her threats accomplished was a 90-minute delay to the graduation while they changed locations. This allowed the police enough time to trace the calls right back to Shea’s phone. She was soon in cuffs and this growing lie finally met its end (Yahoo News).

It’s terrible to see just how big a lie can become when not taken care of immediately. Hiding, deceiving, and adding additional lies only makes it worse. One of the most memorable examples was with David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). His initial moment of lust ended up producing adultery, lies, deceit, and even murder.

It’s possible to hide sin from other people, but not from God. Hebrews 4:13 explains, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” There are no secrets kept from God. There are no sins hidden from His sight. We will have to answer for the things we say and do, even the hidden ones (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Let’s keep in mind that our words, thoughts, and actions are never truly secret. God is watching (Proverbs 5:21:23). When sins creep up in our lives, let’s take care of them right away. Let’s never allow sin to grow and fester into something much worse like in the cases of Daniel Shea and king David.

Brett Petrillo

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:26, 27 ESV).

After speaking into existence all that we see and all that we cannot, the Ultimate Being spoke into existence his ultimate creation. But we were not just to be the last in a line of similar living things. God elevated humanity by making us in his image.

As priests under the Law of Moses were to bridge the gap between man and God (Hebrews 5:1, 2), humans bridge the gap between the rest of creation and the Creator. We are caretakers of the world, not just inhabitants (Genesis 1:28). We were elevated in value, not of our own virtue but of the volition of the Divine.

While we share many similarities with the animal kingdom, we stand apart from and above it. We are imago Dei, or the image of God.

How is man made in the image of God? Certainly not physically. God is “spirit” (John 4:24). He “does not dwell in houses made by hands” (Acts 7:48). Rather, he dwells in “unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16), and “inhabits eternity” (Isaiah 57:15). We must look to something outside the physical to explain our similarity to the Sovereign One.

The two prime characteristics of man that relate to the image of God seem to be an immortal soul and a complex mind. Man is not eternal in the sense that God is, for Deity has no beginning. However, each human being’s soul will live on for eternity. Thus we have no true end. We are immortal.

The mind of man is profound. Most of God’s creatures have a brain, a control center that processes information and controls functions. The mind of man goes far beyond these tasks. While man’s mind produces and processes emotion, it goes beyond even that. God has given man the ability to look out beyond himself and to look deep within himself.

Extrospection is essential to seeking answers to the fundamental questions of life: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Introspection is imperative to perceive the need for those questions, and to formulate the response those questions demand.

God placed within man “eternity” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and seeking after God fills that eternal-sized hole (Ecclesiastes 12:13). God gave man a yearning to “seek God” so that we might “feel [our] way toward him and find him” (Acts 17:27). We view the expanse of heaven and compare that grandeur to our existence and contemplate, “What is man?” (Psalm 8). This is accomplished by our mind.

The mind is not intellect. While the intellect informs the mind, it cannot be said that it is the mind. Those whose abilities to reason never progress are still made in the image of God. Those whose abilities have been damaged by the ravages of time or disease are still made in the image of God.

The mind is not cultural. Those who were raised in a different environment or instilled with different values are as much the image of God as you.

The mind is not physiological. Those whose physical appearance or prowess differs from yours are as much the image of God as you.

That all humans hold equal value before God should be all the more obvious when we see that Jesus, the perfect image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and the exact imprint of the nature of God (Hebrews 1:3), came in the flesh and died for all (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).

The value of each individual, and the necessity of treating each one with sacrificial love, is seen in the sacrifice of Christ (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11). When we sin against one who is created in the image of God, and for whom Christ died, we sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12).

Having the image of God carries with it responsibility. We must seek out and find God. We must learn about him and have faith in him. We must deny ourselves and follow him (Luke 9:23). We must not be conformed to this world with its strife and hatred, but we must be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2).

The next time someone says or does something you disagree with, use the wonderful mind God gave you and speak with love and act with grace, for you know that they are imago Dei. The next time someone abuses another, speak with love and act with justice, for you know that they are imago Dei.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).

Lee Parish

When we think of the apostle Paul, most would think of a great man of faith. He was someone who put God first in his life and tried his best to live the life he called on others to live, a life worthy of the calling we have in Jesus. But as he begins his first letter to Timothy we get a different view of Paul, one which is his view of himself.

“’I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

Did you catch that? He considered himself “the worst of sinners.” If he were talking to us we would probably try to persuade him differently and tell him that it wasn’t all that bad. But in reality, it was bad. And Paul knew it.

Notice why he had this assessment of himself: “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” Before he was a Christian he spoke against those who were following Jesus as the Messiah. But it wasn’t just talk – he put what he believed into practice and hunted down those who were Jesus-followers. We know of what he was doing when Jesus stopped him on the road to Damascus: he was going “so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:2).

But it wasn’t just arresting them, he wanted them dead. “On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them” (Acts 26:10). Can you imagine what went through his mind those three days he was blind after seeing Jesus? He had discovered that what he had built his life on wasn’t true and the very one he spoke against turned out to be the Messiah! He had all these deaths on his hands. No wonder he didn’t eat or drink anything!

Because of what he had done, he was thankful that God had shown him mercy – because he acted in ignorance and unbelief – and had poured grace on him abundantly. He had been a sinner yet God showed him mercy and gave him grace, forgiving him of his past sins. To him the reason God allowed him to serve Jesus was to show that God could save anyone – there was nothing anyone could do that God could not forgive. After all, he was “the worst of sinners”!

Sometimes we may feel that our sins are worse than the sins of anyone else. Of course, to us they are because we did them. But Paul shows us that forgiveness is available to anyone. We know what we have done. We try to live each day for Jesus but are acutely aware of our failings. But God extends to us the same mercy and grace that he gave to Paul.

That God forgives us should cause us to join with Paul in praising God: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen!”

Jon Galloway

Daniel’s Secrets – Daniel 1

In Romania, it was common practice, when you rented an apartment or house or bought an apartment or house, you signed two contracts with the owner or seller. One contract was for the amount of money you actually spend and the second was for the benefit of the owner or seller, for a lower amount, so the owner or seller could pass less in taxes. This practice is so widely practiced that even lawyers assume you are going to do it.

When we first moved to Romania, we rented an apartment and negotiated hard with the owner on that point. He wanted us to sign two contracts and we refused. Eventually, we paid, I think, $60 / mo. more in rent just so we would not have to sign two contracts. But, we had to apply for our visas to stay in the country every six months, which meant we had to negotiate our contract for our apartment, every six months.

After the third time, I was tired of that hassle and realized that my wife and I, with some help, could buy an apartment. Once the money was wired to us from the US, we went to a lawyer, with a  Romanian friend who could speak English, and we started signing the paperwork to buy the apartment. Then the second contract was set in front of us. For a second, the thought went through my mind – “If I sign this contract this one time, I won’t have to be put in this situation ever again.” And I signed it.

There was some other paperwork that was not completed at that time; I don’t remember what it was or why. But when Rachel and I got back home, we talked about that second contract and Rachel said, “That’s not right. We can’t do that. It’s lying.” I woke up in the middle of the night with my conscience bothering me and we went back to the lawyer the next day and said, “We’ve got to tear up that second contract. We are not going to sign a false statement.” The lawyer tried to persuade us: “Nobody will know.” “God will know,” we said.

If we were going to be trying to convert people to the gospel, we had to live the gospel first in our own lives. I failed the test at first, but with Rachel’s support and encouragement (and we could have lost the apartment and that would have put us into a serious bind) but we eventually made the right decision.

Integrity is making the right decision when no one is watching. Let’s take a look at the man named Daniel…

In Daniel 1:5, the text says that the king ordered these men to be served “the king’s choice food and wine which he drank.”

But notice in verse 8 that “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself.…”

These men were in a tight situation. There could have been a problem with them refusing to eat the king’s meat. Many times we sin because we find ourselves in situations that are out of the ordinary. These men were in a foreign land. They were separated from their families, from their priests, from their people, from their temple. But in spite of this situation, they still had the goal of staying faithful to God.

So in spite of the people these men were around, they still did not sin.

Let us make up our minds to stay faithful to God and have the courage to follow through. If we do, God will be with us and bless us.

–A preacher

A man is in bed with his wife when there is knocking on the door.

He rolls over and looks at his clock.  It’s half past three in the morning.

“I’m not getting out of bed at this time,” he thinks, and rolls over.

Then, a louder knock follows.  “Aren’t you going to answer that?” says his wife.

So he drags himself out of bed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is a man standing at the door.  It doesn’t take the homeowner long to realize the man is drunk.

“Hi there,” slurs the stranger, “Can you give me a push?”

“No, get lost, it’s half past three.  I was in bed,” says the man and slams the door.

He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened and she says “Dave, that wasn’t very nice of you.  Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the baby-sitter and you had to knock on that man’s house to get us started again?  What would have happened if he’d told us to get lost?”

“But the guy was drunk,” says the husband.

“It doesn’t matter,” says the wife. “He needs our help and it would be the Christian thing to help him.”

So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere he shouts, “Hey, do you still want a push?” and he hears a voice cry out, “Yeah, please!”

Still being unable to see the stranger, he shouts:  “Where are you?”

The stranger replies:  “I’m over here, on your swing.”

There are times we all need a little push from one another.  In fact, that’s one of the reasons that we gather together in worship.  We could praise God alone, but we have the opportunity to encourage one another every time we meet together.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25)

It’s not just reserved for Sundays, though.  Know anybody that needs a push today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

The movie War Room came out in 2015. Movie critics did not like it but it ended up grossing $74 million worldwide, including $67.8 million domestically. The movie revolves around a couple, Tony and Elizabeth, who have a daughter named Danielle. Tony is a pharmaceutical salesman, a high pressure job that keeps him away from home, his wife, and his daughter. He is verbally abusive and is thinking about cheating on his wife.

Elizabeth is a realtor who comes under the influence of a Miss Clara, an elderly woman who believes in the power of prayer. Miss Clara encourages Elizabeth to fight for their marriage by praying for Tony. Miss Clara has a special “inner room,” a closet which she dedicates to prayer – it is her “war room.”

Miss Clara states: “in order to stand up and fight the enemy, you need to get on your knees and pray.”

The movie ends with Tony giving Elizabeth her favorite dessert while he gives her a foot massage and Miss Clara now lives with her son, praying in the still of the night.

Giving to the poor. Praying. Fasting. Here, we’re going to spend time with Jesus’ instructions from the sermon on the mount relative to these three spiritual disciplines. Let’s turn to Matthew 6.

RIGHTEOUSNESS TO BE NOTICED – 6:1:

Jesus had just said in Matt 5:14-16 that we are to allow our lights to shine on a hill, allow our lights to be visible, so that others may see our good works, and glorify the Father in heaven. So, what is the difference?

The difference is found in the motivation between the two texts. In Matt 5:16, the motivation is to bring glory to God, to draw people’s attention to Jehovah God. But the motivation in this passage is to be noticed by men.

This human urge to be praised by men, or at least accepted by men, is a very strong urge and it is universal. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10: “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

GIVING IN SECRET – 6:2-4:

“Give to the poor…” is all one word in the original language. It is from the same word family as the word “mercy.” Notice its use in Acts 3:6; 9:36; and 10:2, 4, 31.

So God expects us to give charitably to others, not necessarily so no one sees us but our motivation should be to bring glory to God. Jesus says these are hypocrites, that is, they are insincere. They have deceived themselves into believing that if they give liberally and get praised by men, then God is also pleased with their behavior.

PRAYING IN THE INNER ROOM – 6:5-8:

First, Jesus is not condemning public prayer. Nor is He condemning audible prayers in public. Jesus and the church both prayed publicly and prayed audibly. But, again, the challenge is to pray not to be seen of men. Even when we pray publicly, we don’t need to pray in such a way as to encourage people to be impressed with our Christianity, with our theological depth, or our biblical knowledge. Prayer is us talking to God and if we are talking to God, we have no basis for praying in a “showy” way. God cannot be impressed with us and we should not try to impress Him or to impress others.

The fact of the matter is, our words themselves will not compel God to respond to our prayers nor is it our body posture that can compel God to respond to our prayers. It is our relationship to God through Jesus Christ and God’s perfect love for us and perfect knowledge of what is best for us that compels God’s response to our prayers.

FASTING UNOBSERVED – 6:16-18:

Jesus, other than during the temptation, never fasted. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for not fasting in Matt 9:14-15 and in that context, Jesus suggests His disciples will fast, at least during the few days Jesus was dead. In OT times, of course, the Jews would put on sackcloth and sit in ashes.

But Christ’s disciples, if they fast, need to anoint their head and wash their face: clean the body, so that no one will notice they are fasting.

Let us make sure that the good works we do are done to honor our Savior, and not to draw attention to ourselves.

Paul Holland

Go, labor on!

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

“Now it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, King of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: ‘Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day” (Jeremiah 36:1-2 NKJV).

Work just isn’t what it used to be. At least that is often the case in the U.S. and other developed nations. We are used to machines and tools which make difficult tasks much simpler. Dirt is moved by tractor or back-hoe and dump trucks. Few jobs which require more than a few wheelbarrows full are done with shovels or man-power.

That is not the case in much of the world however. In Asia, Africa, South America, and elsewhere much of the agricultural and construction work is still done without the assistance of heavy equipment. Labor is still essential, in the most basic meaning of that word.

Of course in ancient times there was no powered equipment and all things were done with simple tools and much effort. But I wonder how well we really understand how much was involved in even the simplest tasks.

Consider God’s instructions to Jeremiah to write his messages into a book. We realize there were no typewriters, computers, or printing presses in Jeremiah’s day (about 600 years before the birth of Jesus). But that is not all that was lacking. There were no manufactured pens, ink was primitive, and there was no paper as we know it. Jeremiah probably wrote on papyrus sheets using something like a quill. He wrote in the light of a window or, if at night, by oil lamp or candlelight, dipping his quill in the ink every few strokes and sharpening it frequently. Look at the book of Jeremiah in your Bibles. Containing 52 chapters it is the third longest book of the Bible (after Psalms and Isaiah). To write it by hand under those circumstances was quite a project, to say the least.

It is my observation that most of us have decided that religion should be convenient. If we have to go too far, sit too long, endure discomfort, or expend too much effort, then God is just not being reasonable in his demands. Somehow we have convinced ourselves that God does not expect very much of us. We should be able to fit “his business” in among the extra time and resources that are not required in our own affairs. If we cannot, then surely he will understand and make allowances. After all, what we do for ourselves is really important.

One only needs to read for a short time in the Bible to see the fallacy of this argument.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).

It is what God wants of us that is truly important, and God’s business is worthy of our greatest efforts. When we read carefully about the lives and ministries of the prophets, apostles, and other early Christians, we are shamed at how little seems to be required of us. When Paul traveled to preach to those who did not have the Gospel he walked or sailed in wind- or oar-powered ships. He was subject to shipwreck (it happened at least four times to him), bandits, and great hardship. We complain about day-long flights on air-conditioned planes where meals and snacks are served regularly.

Jeremiah was required to live a celibate life as a message to his people. Hosea was commanded to marry an unfaithful woman. Ezekiel was a captive in Babylon, serving other captives. Peter and John and their brothers gave up their family businesses to follow Jesus. And these are just a few whose stories we know. How did they feel about such sacrifices?

“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).

Michael Brooks

At this very moment hundreds of thousands of our fellow-Americans are looking for a church (or, as some express it, “a church home”). They are looking (1) because they have recently moved to a new area, (2) because they had drifted and are now ready for a renewal of religious interest in their lives, or (3) because they have become unhappy with “their old church.”  What are they looking for? What do they hope to find? What do they feel they need?

THE ANSWERS

1. Some are looking for a church that is like the former church they were affiliated with, most for no other reason than tradition or custom. They don’t want any change from the religion they have become accustomed to.
2. Some are looking for a church (building) that is convenient to where they live, one that is within easy driving distance. They don’t want to have to drive very far to get to “the services.”
3. Some are looking for a church made up of friendly people who will make them feel welcome and wanted. They don’t want one whose members seem cold and formal.
4. Some are looking for a church that will give them a sense of belonging and of importance. They don’t want a church whose members just never seem to accept them, who do not give them a sense of self-esteem.
5. Some are looking for a big church because they prefer to just blend in with the crowd. They don’t want a church that is so small that they can be missed at services and that they have to take some active role.
6. Some are looking for a small church because they want to be able to know all the members and because “smaller churches are usually friendlier and more like a family.” They don’t want a church that is so big that “you can’t tell the members from the visitors.”
7. Some are looking for a church that is engaged in doing a lot of “good works.” They don’t want a church that isn’t into solving “world problems” and committed to “social reform” and “community improvement.”
8. Some are looking for a church that sponsors a lot of youth activities and family affairs. They aren’t interested in a church that doesn’t have parties, picnics, dinners, suppers, games, teams, clubs, scout troops, exercise and health programs, classes for hobbies and crafts, etc.

WHAT’S MISSING IN THESE ANSWERS?

Now, if you will, look back over that list. There is in it not a word about God, or Christ, or the Bible, or the gospel of Christ, or salvation from sin, or soul, or heaven, or eternal life. People need to open their Bibles, and read the New Testament, and find out why Jesus built His church (Matt. 16:18), and find out what a congregation of God’s people is supposed to be, and to teach, and to do. Churches existed in the New Testament for the purpose of ministering to the spiritual needs of men, for the purpose of glorifying God, for the purpose of teaching God’s word, for the purpose of saving the lost and edifying the saved (Eph. 3:20-21; 4:11-12; I Tim. 3:15). When a group of Christians constitutes a church, they do not have to wonder what God wants them to do. The lives they are to live individually, the organizational arrangement they are to have, the doctrine they are to teach, the collective worship they are to engage in, the collective work they are to do are all clearly defined in the New Testament.

SOME SUGGESTIONS

Permit me to offer some suggestions:

1. Look for a church that respects the sovereignty of God and the authority of Jesus, the Son of God.
2. Look for a church that respects the Bible as the inspired word of God and the gospel of Christ as the power of God unto salvation.
3. Look for a church that strives to be like the churches you can read about in the New Testament – in designation, in worship, in organization, in teaching, in work.
4. Look for a church that is concerned about lost souls and eternal destinies.
5. Look for a church that ministers to the spiritual needs of men, that is more concerned about giving men what they need than about giving men what they want.
   • by Bill Crews

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Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Off the coast of Greece, since the days of Plato, free divers have been plunging to depths of 50-100 meters with no breathing apparatus at all to harvest sea sponges. Others do this kind of diving for sport.

But it is extremely dangerous.

In 2013, Nicholas Mevoli died after performing a dive. He resurfaced, signaled “OK,” then lost consciousness, and died. In 2015, Russian free-diver, Natalia Molchanova, who held 41 world records and earned 23 gold medals, plunged into the Mediterranean darkness off the coast of Spain for a recreational dive, and failed to resurface. After a few days, rescue efforts ceased.

Free-divers must learn not only the physical techniques of free-diving, but also how to switch off their primal instincts. They do this through rigorous physical and mental training. They learn to silence their primal responses when breathing slows and oxygen levels decrease.  However, this switch off, while necessary for the task, can also be the reason for failure. Learning to ignore one’s fears can and does result in serious injury, or even fatality.

This is true of our spiritual selves. We are spiritual beings. Some overcome spiritual fear by ignoring or denying that they are spiritual beings at all. Though it be ignored, the soul of man is quite real (see: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26).

The spiritual self can, like the diver’s primal instinct, be switched off through sheer will power. The conscience can become numb (1 Timothy 4:2).

When Jesus said, “Fear not,” he meant for us to find peace and hope for our soul through obeying his gospel (Romans 1:16). He did not intend for us to switch off our soul in hopes that it would go away.

Unfortunately, many are free-diving, having shut off the spiritual intuition with which they were endowed by their Creator. They are sinking. The longer they stay submerged, the less likely it is they will resurface.

Rick Kelley

One of the ways our family often studies together is by marking the keywords of a book. We take a word and follow it through to see how it is used in the text. In the book of Job, “know” is such a word. It is often used, 87 times in fact. However, what is most interesting in the book is how it is used.

When tragedy strikes Job’s household, this conversation begins between the man and his friends. What they “know” (or think they know) is very much at the forefront. Job will argue that he doesn’t know why this is happening because he has done no wrong. His three friends contend that they know Job must have committed some great sin. All the evidence they need to see is in what has happened thus far.

Job answers that indeed he does not know what he has done. Still, he does know one crucial fact. He knows God is in control and that He is faithful (see 19:25; 31:6, et al.).

After several rounds, a fourth friend (Elihu) stands up. He has heard enough. He rebukes these four old men for running their mouth and not doing what is right (32:6-7). This young man just knows he has it all figured out (32:10, 17; 33:3; 36:4, et al.).

Then God speaks. He never answers Job nor the friends’ question of why this all happened. He simply challenges them. If they know so much, let them give some knowledge to the Lord God (38:2-5, 12, 18, 21, 33; 39:1-2; 40:6). In 40:1-6, Job answers the Lord. He says, “I know nothing but You. You teach me.”

The book of Job is all about how the righteous can deal with suffering. So, what can we know?

That we do not know the why of suffering.
That we can make suffering worse for someone when we presume to know.
That the only thing we need to know when it comes to suffering is the One in control.

I may not know what tomorrow may bring. I may never know why I endure certain things. All I need to know is the Lord God. He knows all, is all-powerful, and cares for me and you.

Corey Sawyers