Hannah’s Prayer

Today in my weekly Bible study we began the book of Samuel. Hannah was Samuel’s mother.

Like Hannah, we face difficult challenges and seasons in life. Hannah was unable to have children but she prayed diligently in seeking God in prayer. If we dig into her story there is a lesson we can learn.

God answered Hannah’s prayer. What can we learn about the way she prayed to get God to give her a child.

First of all she was persistent in Prayer. Hannah was barren and is dealing with her husband Elkanah’s second wife Peninnah taunting her for not having children (1 Samuel 1:2). Hannah was angry with God and cried before the Lord. Despite the difficult circumstances she faced, Hannah persistently prayed to God.

1 Samuel 1:13 says that she kept on praying to the Lord. And her prayer were not just a one-time event, but she prayed with intensity and focus. 1 Samuel 1:15 says she “poured her soul before the Lord.”

God calls for us to persistently pray for strength, wisdom, and petition our requests with consistency, confidence, and steadfastness. When things are not going according to plan or the outcome is not what we would like, it is easy to stop praying or believe God has abandon us. Praying to God persistently deepens our relationship with God. And is an act of worship and surrender. When we pray, we acknowledge we are not in control and are welcoming God’s sovereignty.

When my son was working thousands of miles away, it wasn’t the safest job he could have. I was very scared about what could happen. I prayed persistently for safety and a quick return to America. I knew I in was not in control, but God was.

Surrender your all before God. When Hannah prayed, she did not hold back. She poured her heart and soul (every emotion) out to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:16 says “I have been praying here out of great anguish and grief.” God already knew Hannah’s circumstances, but she surrendered any way with every raw emotion she was feeling.

Surrendering to God grows our relationship with Him, we become spiritually mature. God isn’t into sugarcoating where we are. At times we all believe the God cannot handle the weight of our situation. But, in our hardest seasons of strife and despair, God wants us to draw close to Him. He can handle every weight, burden, uncertainty or fear we have.

Even when we feel our words aren’t adequate, Romans 8:26 says, “the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. When we don’t know what to pray for or have prayed everything out but still feel anguish. The Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us. In Psalm 56:8 it says, “Tears are prayer too. They travel to God when we can’t speak.” The Lord knows I’ve spent many time praying with my tears.. God’s great love for us covers us each day. When we surrender everything to the Lord and allow God to move in and through us and or circumstances then He works on our behalf. Submit to God and release your circumstances to Him.

Remember God’s faithfulness. As Hannah prayed to God, she gave Him thanks and remembered His faithfulness. 1 Samuel 2:2 says, “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you. There is no rock like our God.” Hannah recognized God’s ultimate sovereignty and that God’s faithfulness prevailed.

During trying times, we need to remember God’s faithfulness with strengthen and encourage us. And He will never abandon us. After God granted Hannah the blessing of her son Samuel, she continued to give God praise.

When we thank God for our blessings and answered prayers it keeps us connected and encouraged that God has not forgotten us.

Speak victory despite opposition. Hannah was taunted for being unable to bear a child by Elkanah’s second wife for many years (1 Samuel 1:6-7). While Hannah cried and was distraught by ongoing ridicule, she did not stop praying and seeking the Lord. Even though her circumstances were overwhelming and she could have easily lost hope, she prayed until she was victorious (1 Samual 2:1).

We all face difficult times that seem unbearable or hopeless. But we can be encouraged by Hannah’s commitment to trusting God. We need to speak life and victory over our circumstances. It’s easy to become distracted by opposition, negativity, or self-doubt but we can choose to seek God’s Word for renewed hope and walk in the victory that we have in Jesus.

Walking in victory does not mean that all our trials or difficult circumstances will magically disappear, but it does mean that we have decided to not let them consume us. If we ask for God to guide us through trials or difficult circumstances He will.

Prayer is a powerful tool given to us by God to stay connected to Him. And overcome the tactics of satan.

Communicating Online

In what ways do you communicate online?

There are many different ways to communicate online that are open to us. It’s not just emails anymore.

I have a few social media accounts that I have chatted on. Either to communicate with distant relatives. But hosting I just read and observe others. If you’re not careful anymore it’s easy to become one of those rabid dogs out for blood while forcing your point of view on others.

I only use email as a last resort. I would much rather talk to a person on the phone or person to person not just for the human connection the world is trying to take away from us. Chatting online isn’t for me. But, it was a godsend having it when my son was working thousands of miles away.

In today’s world if you put something online everything to say has the potential of being spread across the world. We must be careful to spread love and not hate.

Removing Satan’s Authority In Your Life

Satan never does anything new. He always repeats the same attacks, his power is inferior -unless you give it to him. When a person is ignorant Satan can have power over that person. That is why we must have the knowledge and empowerment to understand and overcome these things.

For nearly 30 years I was blind to Satan’s attacks on me. I couldn’t understand how my life was so messed up. Yes, I made mistakes but that left the door open to let Satan come in. He used guilt, and worthiness to keep me down in a deep pit.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us for we are not ignorant of his devices” -2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV).

A stronghold is a place Satan uses to attack us and it is a place of operation. From the mind to our emotions, Satan can use these things to control areas of our lives. Be aware of Satanic strategies. The area where you don’t have revelation-knowledge is the area where he will establish a stronghold in you.

There are two mistakes we make when it comes to Satan. We either underestimate him or overestimate him.

The strength of Satan is ignorance. When we have the right kind of knowledge of who Satan is, we will not react to him and we will not play into his devices. We must have the correct knowledge of who Satan is, who we are fighting against, and who we are fighting for.

Satan has power, but we must remember that he cannot use his power against us unless we give him the right. Always be aware of his devices because he will look for a place to take legal access and have authority over our lives.

When we sin, our disobedience gives Satan the right to attack our lives.

When Jesus came, he came without a sinful nature. Because Jesus had no sin. He had authority to cast out demons and was able to rebuke and stop them. No one else was able to do this because they were born with Adam’s fallen nature.

“Saying, Let us alone! What have we to do with You… Jesus of Nazareth? Did You came to destroy us? I know who You are -the Holy One of God! But Jesus rebuked them, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him! And when the demon had thrown him on their midst, it came out if him and did not hurt him” -Luke 4:34-35.

There was a confrontation of two kingdoms. Jesus was a manifestation of domination and the demonstration of the kingdom of God. We cannot cast out every demon without taking dominion. When we cast out demons, we are taking dominion over spiritual territory. Every time we cast out spirits and demons, we are taking dominion and are demonstrating the kingdom of God.

Jesus took away Satan’s and his demons right and gave us the right to have dominion and power ti overcome Satan. In any war, we must know our rights. As a believer in Jesus, we have the power and authority.

“Insomuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” -Hebrews 2:14-15

The Status Of Satan

  • He is defeated

We must declare the defeat of Satan all the time.

  • He is dethroned

“Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church” -Ephesians 1:20-22

  • He is destroyed

“He who sins is of the denial, for this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” – 1 John 3:8.

Satan can’t do anything without the consent of men

He can regain rights in our lives:

  • When we disobey. Living a life of disobedience
  • By certain things we declare

Life and death is in power of our tongue. What we say comes to pass. If we continuously declare we are sick, Satan has the right to make you sick. Satan is always ready to enforce the words we say that give him legal rights.

Don’t ever give any place for him to come in. Do not underestimate him, but do not magnify and overestimate him. Any teaching that magnifies the work of satan we must stay away from. We must always and only magnify the work of Jesus.

“Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion searching whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith knowing that the same sufferings are experienced to your brotherhood in the world” – 1 Peter 5:8-9.

How To Remove Any Authority Satan Has Over You

1. Repent

Always check if you have given satan any legal right in your life. With any sin that is not confessed, any disobedience or ignorance leads to open doors for Satan to enter.

A heartfelt repentance always removes any legal right of Satan. Check your heart, the things you say, your thoughts and your actions. When you repent Jesus washes away your sins and removes any authority that Satan has over you.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9.

2. Refocus

The Bible says we must keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the battle. However, every time we are close to our breakthrough, distraction will come and shift our focus away from God.

Satan uses accusations, persecutions, and distractions to take our focus off Jesus.

We must realize that Satan’s distraction is never more powerful than looking to Jesus.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and us set down at the right hand of the throne of God” – Hebrews 12:2

When you truly repent from your heart and refocus on Jesus, you will remove any legal right Satan has in your life.

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of then triumphing over them by the cross” – Colossians 2:15.

My sin that kept satan attacking me was forgiveness and hate. Along with my anger at God because I didn’t understand how a loving God could allow me to endure so much pain.

Everything I went through was to make it possible for me to help others. I have struggled with many different things in life, but God has always been there to help me through them. He has always been there to convict me and teach me, reproof me, and mold me. God is worthy of praise.

The 3 C’s Of Life

Life is made up of choices that change our present and future.

When I was struggling to put myself back together after years of abuse before I was a true believer I began seeing a therapist. I was broken and lost. I had been to many, and was convinced there was no hope for me. My thoughts were it was just another one that people insisted me to go to. Their choice, not mine.

If I would have had I choice, mine would have been to crawl in a hole and die. That’s harsh I know. But after 30 years of pain and suffering my mind was definitely not in a good place. I was broken in a way no one could fix (so I thought). As I walked in the office, I seen people sitting there and immediately thought “I wonder if these people as messed up as me.”

When I entered the office and met the therapist my head was I swivel mode. Looking for anything that would tell me what kind of person the therapist was. The pictures, the hangings on the wall that were supposed to make you feel better, you know the ones that say, “good things are going to happen.” I saw nothing like that just a few scenic pictures.

As we began he asked about my life. And like any time before I told him some but I had secrets I wouldn’t tell anyone. Those were between the devil and me.

As I continued in therapy, I was complaining about my husband. All in my version of course.

After a few times in therapy, he told me something that changed me and the way I saw life. He called it the 3 C’s of life:

  • Choices
  • Chances
  • Changes

These three choices are in relation to situations and in particular our life situations that we may not be to happy with. Every circumstance we find ourselves really boils down to this.

1. You can remove yourself from the situation

2. You can change the situation

3. You can accept the situation fully

Ultimately we all have choices in life, we all have the ability to choose, the issues come when we don’t feel empowered to make right choices that will benefit us or make our lives better.

The therapist I was so discouraged about seeing changed my life. I slowly began to learn how to change my life for the better. And eventually told him all the secrets I was holding onto that only the devil and I knew. I began healing.

The Bible tells us in Luke 8:17 that “nothing is hidden that will not come to light.“

We have to work on empowering ourselves to make the choices, or at least to be comfortable with how the situation may pan out.

We have to develop self-awareness to realize that we can create our reality and that there may be some things we can’t change right now, but we can work towards being able to.

Sometimes we will find ourselves in situations that we aren’t happy with, it’s in those times that we have to ask ourselves whether we can change it, remove ourselves from the situation, and if not then how can we accept it and embrace what it is?

This little lesson that took about 5 minutes to learn completely changed my life. It’s simple, direct and to the point.

False gods And Idols Today

“False gods and idols that are worshipped today can be just about anything, from a statue representing money to a living person like self. Anything that is held above the Lord God is a false god or idol. We need to examine our lives to make sure we are not holding anything above the Lord God” -Exodus 20:3-6

It was common in ancient times for people to worship gods made out of wood or stone. These false gods were idols that didn’t exist but were created and carved by the skill of man. Deuteronomy 32:16-17 tells us that “those who worship false gods wittingly or unwittingly, pledging their allegiance to evil spirits who desire to usurp God’s rightful place.

The false gods and idols that are being worshipped today can be called power, fame, materialism, lust, and the great “me or I self.” The sad thing is these false gods and idols are taking over the lives of the people of the Lord and replacing His love and compassion He had for them.

Psalm 135:15-18 explains “idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not, eyes have they, but the seen not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone one that trusts in them.”

Exodus 20:3-6 reminds us that “we shall have no other gods before Him. We shall not make unto us any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; we shall not bow down our self to them, not serve them; for I the Lord they God am a jealous God, visiting the inquire of the fathers upin the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

If we look at these false gods and idols we can see that they are being worshipped and that there are images that are being created by man. The also gods of money and materialism have been around forever and that includes during the time Jesus was on the earth. He posed the question in Matthew 16:26 when He asked; “For what is a man profited, if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? With the temptation of Jesus by the devil who took Him up into an exceeding high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Satan told Jesus that if He would fall down and worship him. Then Jesus said to him, *Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve Him only.” (Matthew 4:8-10).

Materialism is greediness, and covetousness that desire to have more and more. There is such a good in the lives of many people that they are looking for anything to fill this void. Yet they never have enough. There is no amount of money, possessions like cars, houses, even clothes that can fill that void. There is no smoubf of food, friends or anything that causes they adrenaline rush that will be able to fill that void. It is only the love of Jesus that can fill that void.

Jesus tells us “that those things that come out of man is what defiles the man. It is from within, out of the heart of men that proceeds evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, deceit, lust, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness all of these evil things come from within, and defile the man” -Mark 7:20-23. We are warned to “take heed and beware of covetousness for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which we possess” -Luke 12:15.

1 Corinthians 10:19-22 gives us a clue as to what an idol is. An idol is anything that is offered in sacrifice. It is also the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: it would be like we having fellowship with devils. We cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: we cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and the tables of devils.

The worshiping of just and sexual sin has grown rapidly in the world today. The idol of lust is found in all aspects of society today. There are billions and billions of dollars spent on pornography, and prostitutes both men and women and children are sold for sex like property. Lust has taken over television, video games and all forms of media. The worshipping of the idik of lust in ruining the trust of marriages, corruption of our youth. Eventually, it even leads to abortions being used as a form of birth control, transmitting sexually transmitted diseases.

The Bible tells us that whosoever looks on a woman with lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28. Romans 1:27 likewise also with men leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was met.

We learn in James 1:14-15 that every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished; brings forth death. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father but is of the world. The world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:16-17).

The most popular false god in the world today is self. It is when a person places themselves and their needs ahead of God are when it becomes an idol. The idol of self can take many forms depending on the many ways a person puts their will and their own desires before the will and desire the Lord has for us.

We all know those types of py do not seem to care what anyone thinks just as long as they can “spew” their own mouths, thoughts, and opinions. They only care about their time, their money, and their impression of their purpose dealing with themselves only. The only thing that comes first with them is themselves. Their marriage, children, and families are never more important them themselves.

The idol or false god can crush marriages. The worshipping of self can lead to physical or sexual abuse. This type of false his hurts and destroys anyone who gets in the way. They push away or reject anyone who does not serve their purpose. Power and fame are also false gods that attach to the self. It becomes the authority of the lives of people that most often replaces God. Power and fame becomes the ruling power of the lives of individuals who are full of arrogance and tyrannical power.

Even the crimes today including drug abuse are idols of worshipping self. These false gods or idols that are being worshipped are ultimately sinful, destructive, and controlled by someone else. Eventually, when someone is giving intovwotshio of the sekc in one form of another, that person is really worshipping the devil and under his control.

We are to know that in the last days, perilous times will come. “ Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, I’m thankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, despisers if those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:2-4).

Gentleness or meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in the goodness and control over any situation by the Lord. The gentle person id not occupied with self at all. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and not of human will. Those who have Christ have crucified flesh with the affections and just. If we live in the Spirit then we should also walk in the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-26.

The Bible talks of the inner man which is the soul, conscience. If the inner man is what it should be the Father of our Lord Jesus of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, they you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, depth, and height, and to know the love of Jesus which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of the Lord God (Ephesians 3:14-19).

Once we realize that the Lord shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Let it be hidden, concealed, secret part be hidden in our hearts, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealing with us as good, and therefore without disputing it resisting (1 Peter 3:4), False gods and idols can do nothing for anyone except cause destruction and falling away from the Lord.

That being said, we are humans and doing the best we can do and to try and do better than we did yesterday. Repent often, and love the Lord your God putting Him first in everything we do.

How To Stop Overthinking God’s Way

What does the Bible say?

Most people don’t realize that the Bible gives us solutions to every issue we will ever have in our lives.

Overthinking is an issue we all have these days. I know when covid happened there were a lot of people who were overthinking and causing people anxiety and stress. But any kind of situation that concerns us can cause us to overthink.

King David describes the stress of overthinking in Psalm 6 where he writes that “My soul is in deep anguish” and “I am worn out from my groaning” yet he celebrates God’s intervention to help him in 6:9 “The Lord had heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.”

Psalm 42:5 sheds light on how overthinking is harmful for the soul and presents a solution to that problem: “Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

Jesus addresses exhaustion that comes from life’s stresses, including overthinking, in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls; For me yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Here is Jesus encouraging you to find relief from overthinking and all other stress through a relationship with Him.

Colossians 3:2 urges, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” The Bible assures us that it’s possible to take control of your thoughts. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes, “We demolish agreements and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” it’s by taking every one of our thoughts captive that we can fight off overthinking and find peace of mind.

While overthinking is a challenging issue to deal with, the Bible offers us power so that we can experience peace of mind.

I have been an over-thinker all my life. Learning from the Bible has taught me to calm myself down and reduce this to a minimum. Here are a few tactics I use,

  • Ask The Holy Spirit To Renew Your Mind

Romans 12;2 advises us “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” When we overthink our minds can get stuck in a pattern of repeating thoughts that do more harm the good. We can fight it off by asking the Holy Spirit to renew our minds regularly. The Holy Spirit will help you at any moment when you pray for help. It’s also wise to ask for His help when you begin each day, so you can see the situation from an accurate perspective on a regular basis. As you make this a regular habit it will become easier.

The Bible calls the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities can lead to a healthy mind.

  • Turn Your Worries Into Prayers

Philippians 4:6-7 urges us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving give your requests to God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” whenever you notice yourself worrying about something because you’re overthinking it, take that thought captive by praying about it. Refuse to dwell on anxiety, instead talk with God about what’s concerning you, asking Him to help you with that situation and give you peace about it. Worrying just wastes your energy, but prayer always works because it invites God’s power into the situation. Choose to trust God will answer your prayers at the best times in the best ways. When worries are persistent keep praying persistently, following the advice of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray continually.” The more you pray when you catch yourself worrying, the more you’ll be able to overcome overthinking. Prayer focuses your thoughts on God, and Jesus assures us in Matthew 6:33-34 that seeking God is much better than worrying, “But first see His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34). Each day has enough trouble of its own.

  • Focus On Positive Thinking

Overthinking can cause negative thoughts spiral out of control. You can fight that off by focusing on positive thinking. Philippians 4:8-9 encourages us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is no key, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lively, whatever is admirable -if anything is except praiseworthy – think about such things… and the peace will be with you. Bible verses about positivity show that choosing positive thinking can help you move closer to God, which will empower us to overcome overthinking and trust in God in deeper ways.

  • Be Still

Rather than letting thoughts run wild through your mind with overthinking, choose to rest your mind by reading God’s word and praying about them (mediating the Bible) this brings God’s presence closer to you. “Be still, and know that I am God.” God encourages us in Psalm 46:19. When you trust God, you don’t need to overthink, because God will fight for you in any situation.

Exodus 14:14 assures us that, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” You can strengthen your ability to still your mind by developing prayer and meditation habits you enjoy and will be motivated to practice regularly. My pastor uses playing his guitar during his time with the Lord and singing the scriptures. I prefer to spend time outdoors in nature when I spend time with the Lord. When you incorporate something you enjoy with spending time with God,it becomes easy to make it a habit. And in the process, your faith will grow stronger, eloping you trust God more and be still with him in peace.

Learning what the Bible says aboard overthinking gives you the wisdom you need to stop the stress of unhealthy thoughts running through your mind. As you practice ways to overcome overthinking, you’ll experience more peace, and be free to notice and enjoy God’s presence with you, no matter what circumstances you face.

The Most Expensive Thing In The World

There are many things that have penalties. At present I am suffering the penalty of loving sugar than I should. We find penalties for poor diets. We find penalties for failing to recognize the limits of our bodies, perhaps after spending the day hiking and not bringing enough water. Maybe we’ve learned about penalties because of poor spending habits.One thing we notice though is that penalties inherently bear negative consequences.

The word penalty comes from the Latin word “pain.” Penalties come in the form of pain which comes after the penaltyb breaking a law, rule, or contract at least according to the dictionary.

Do the Scriptures warn us about penalties? Well, that depends on who you ask. In our ordinary lives, we get a variety of answers to the same question. For example, “What do you think about the president? Unlike the ordinary spheres if our world, In matters of being a believer in God, we don’t want to merely gather together the opinions of others. We don’t want to make assumptions. We want the truth. So with that in mind, what does the Bible have to say about penalties?

Every penalty in Scripture in connected to sin. Sin is our unwillingness to love God. Sin may involve failing to do what is right. But in all things, sin is dishonoring the name of God, it is an undervaluing of His character and a rejection of what He stands for,

All sin deserves eternal punishment and separation from God forever. Sin is easily overlooked in our world, but God sees all things and cannot ignore unrighteousness. He would have to deny His nature. God’s holiness necessitates that sin be punished.

Jesus speaks about the future punishment of the wicked in a parable of the marriage of the king’s son in Matthew 22:13, “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The same end is echoed in other scriptures, but what is sufficiently presented is that everyone who denies Christ, who fails to repent of their sins and believe in Him, shall receive the penalty of their sins, which is death – not physical death, but spiritual death. “For the wages of sin is death” -Romans 6:23.

Why do those who are believed talk about punishment at all? It’s done for the sake of love. Love drives us to yell in the middle of the night when we find a neighbor’s house is on fire. Love leads us to pray every day for our children when we know they are lost. Love calls us to action. All sin leads to death, and if we are indifferent about reality we ought to wonder if our hearts are for flesh or stone.

Just in America in 2023, 510,000 abortions were estimated to have been aborted. And people wonder why what’s happening in America got so bad. You can’t kill that many human beings and God sit and do nothing. Isaiah 59;7-8 tells us,

“Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is not justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them know peace.”

Deliberate sin is a conscious rejection of grace. We shouldn’t be surprised when sin leaves us lost in fear and doubt, feeling like we have been cast away from God. Jonah literally ran from God, and God chastened him for his sin. (Jonah 3:4).

Judas’s sin was collecting blood money, that dripped pure and red from the righteous Lamb Himself. Still, that same blog could’ve covered his sin if he had repented instead of just feeling guilty. The end result was Judas hanging himself.

When you start reaping the whirlwind of of the sin you have down, remember God is merciful. We must own our sins and recommit to walking God’s path, believing that His Fatherly face will again shine on us.

Sin is never free. There is always a cost.

Failure to start on God’s path will result in serious injury. Reflect on on the manifold cost of sin can warn souls against wandering from the safe path of faithfulness.

Snacks

What snack would you eat right now?

I would eat a Quest Protein Bar. It’s z fast easy snack that’s very low in sugar and only 140 calories. At 140-190 calories z bar and 20-21 grams of protein.

I began eating these when I had knee surgery. Protein helps repair damaged body tissues and form antibodies to help fight infection and produce collagen which is essential for scar formation.

Crazy Business Idea

Come up with a crazy business idea.

Some pet owners want more for their fur babies than just mete boarding when they have a choice to leave them for vacation, business trips, or even an extended time in the hospital. I think a pet hotel would be an excellent choice. One that offers upscale facilities, food, and entertainment.

Some added services would include:

  • Private suites
  • Runs in the park (as opposed to time and an enclosed dog run
  • Grooming, including teeth cleaning at an extra cost
  • Pet massage
  • Aquatic activities

The Jewish Jesus

Within the Christian faith, there are no ethnic divisions or racial walls. Nevertheless, at the center of Christianity is Jesus, and Jesus is a Jew.

Jewishness of Jesus -Yeshua

The movement which began with Jesus the Jew has grown to include every tribe and nation on earth. The Christian faith has crossed over every cultural line and social barrier. Yet all to often, the Jewishness of Jesus -Yeshua is lost among believers. Many people. Jews and Christians alike, are astonished when they first realize that Jesus is a Jew.

Jesus was born to a Jewish mother, in a Jewish family. Like all Jewish sons, He was circumcised on the eighth day. In keeping with Jewish tradition, He was given His Hebrew name on the same day He was circumcised. He was named Yeshua. Yeshua means “salvation.” He was named Salvation because He will “save His people.” He people are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: Jewish people.

Jesus was raised as a Jew within an Orthodox Jewish community. Nazareth, His hometown, was a thoroughly Jewish village pioneered by descendants of King David. Keeping with the ancient Jewish tradition, He had His hair cut when He was three years old. He kept the festivals and the Sabbath. He ate only kosher. He ate matzo on Passover; He fasted on the Day of Atonement.

He dressed as a Jew. He did not wear a mixture of wool and linen. He wore fringes on the corners of His garments. He wore Tefillin (phylacteries).

He had a Jewish education. He learned Hebrew. He learned the Hebrew blessings. At age 5, He began to learn the Torah (Bible). He went to the Synagogue every Sabbath. He taught from the Holy Books of the Jews. He taught about the God of the Jews. His disciples were all Jews. They called Him “Rabbi.”

Theology often parts Jesus against Judaism. But the anti-Jewish Jesus is not the Biblical Yeshua. He is a creation of the anti-Semitic and anti-Torah climate of the developing gentile church.

The gospels in the Bible portray Yeshua as a faithful and deeply committed Jew operating within the context of First Century Judaism. Although His interpretation of the Torah (Bible) was often at odds what that of His contemporaries, He never abolished the Law of God. He repeatedly demonstrated His affection for His people. He compared Himself to a shepherd and Isreal to His sheepfold.

Yeshua is a Jew. The Yeshua of the gospels is not a one-size-fits-all mystic. To remove Him from His Jewish context is to misunderstand Him. He lived as a Jew, He taught as a Jew, He prayed as a Jew and He died as a Jew. His blood was Jewish blood. The sugb above the cross said, “Yeshua of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”

Someone used Artificial Intelligence to create an image of what Jesus really looked like. This is what He looked like, and it’s different than all the images that we have come to recognize.

Jesus As A Jew

Don’t Become Stagnant

Do you remember the “Rubik’s Cube” that crazy cube made up if rows of colored squares that would rotate in every direction? The idea was to line up the little squares in a way that all six sides contained only one color. If you had one you probably remember how badly you wanted to solve it.

That “Rubik’s Cube” is just one thing in a long list of things I started with great enthusiasm, that went by the wayside as j lost interest in them, things that I started and lost interest in.

I’m sure if you think back through you life it wont take long to compile a list of things you started with great enthusiasm and lost interest in too.

We lose interest as we begin to see ourselves as unable either to physically or mentally complete the project. We are unable to understand the basic concepts that would allow us to finish whatever it is that we have started. We decide that even while others may be able to don’t, we can perform at that level. We can’t make it work.

There was no shame in that “Rubik’s Cube,” hidden in the back of the closet and forgotten about. It probably saved hours of frustration.

The problem comes when we do the same thing happens with our spiritual life or even our beliefs. I remember being on fire for God, it started out that I was full of enthusiasm and excitement, and I wanted to shout it out from the rooftops how good God is.

Many people lose this enthusiasm and excitement over time, they lose their focus. They decide it doesn’t work for them. The joy they experienced with salvation stagnates with neglect into the traditions and soon they become disillusioned with the entire experience. Some fall away and never return and others remain in the church long after they gave given up on experiencing a meaningful relationship with God. They hang on to the habit of going to church but no longer expect to experience growth.

Let’s look at Revelation 2:4-5 you will find a better to a stagnate church in Ephesus,

“But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and so the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of it’s place, unless you repent.”

If you have lost your first love, I urge you to repent. If you have traded the Gospel of Jesus for a ceremony called church. Or set aside the teachings of Jesus for the traditions of men. It today’s world it is easy to backslide. In our busyness, it’s easy to put God off for another time but another time never comes.

For a person to remain an active believer we have to do more than merely attend a weekly worship service. If we are to remain in Christ and not fall away we must forever be active in Christ.

If we are to continue in His service do not become disillusioned we have to understand few stages of growth and maturity through Christ. There are three stages of being a mature believer. That maturity is not a destination to be reached but a continual journey that should be experienced and enjoyed.

Stage 1.

Surrender. Surrendering in the Bible is different from what we it means in the world. The world identifies surrender as humiliation, But the Bible identifies it is the willingness to surrender your life, your desires and your will to Jesus.

Today there are many who have professed to God but have never surrendered their lives to Him. They have fallen for the lie of an easy salvation that requires one to only stand up and express a belief to obtain eternal life. I do not believe that one can repeat a canned prayer off a 3×5 card and have a surrendered life to Jesus. And salvation cannot be earned by good works, it comes by grace through faith, it is the gift of God not works, so that no one can boast.

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 19:2)

There are many.p in this country on church rolls, listed as members who will be nothing more than fodder for the fires of hell unless they surrender their lives to Jesus. If you think you can have the assurance of eternal life because you stood up and made a public profession of Jesus and then put your Bible away on a shelf like an unsolved puzzle to gather dust, then you are mistaken, without surrendering to God, you are a candidate for hell.

Matthew 21:28-31 tells of an account of 2 sons in the vineyard,

“”But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, some, go, work in my vineyard. He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise, And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’

Those who place their faith in public profession that produces no work are no better off than the son who said he would but then did not go.

A stagnant believer that produces no fruit is no surrendered to Christ. We cannot always be a good judge of the fruit of others but we should a least check our own branches for fruit.

If we are truly surrendered to God there will be growth because if you are surrendered then you will be in submission and if you are in submission there we will growth.

We must come to the knowledge of our own sin, we must come to the knowledge of salvation that we have been offered by the blood of Jesus which brings us to a state of love and appreciation for a God who would sacrifice His Son for us. Our surrender is an acknowledgment of our love for Gid, it is a step that we confront the first and greatest commandment,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” – Matthew 22:37.

Stage 2

Submission. This is the process of learning and applying God’s rules for our lives as we learn to let others see Jesus living in us and it is during this process that we discover in our attempt to serve God that we serve those around us. It is in our state of submission that we, imitating Jesus, learn the second greatest command,

“Love your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 12:31

If we are to be like Jesus then we must live as He lived and He tells us clearly in Matthew 20:28,

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

And as we seek to serve Him we are told in Matthew 25:40 what we must do as Jesus proclaims,

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Doing for others is serving Jesus. It is a never-ending process that we build on the rest of our lives as we aspire more and more to be like Him.

Submission: learning to love our neighbors will lead us to the third stage.

Stage 3

Sharing. By submission to His will for your life the Holy Spirit will build such a great love within you for others that you will not be able to sit on the sidelines while a world full of lost people, each one made in the image of God, goes to hell for lack of the gospel message. As we grow and mature into the third stage of maturity we find ourselves compelled by compassion to reach the lost. We must take the literal and personal command from God as individuals,

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” -Matthew28:19-20

I am still growing in this process. I will continue to mature as a true believer in Christ until Jesus returns.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged as we face the challenges of this life, but we cannot afford to lay our belief in Christ aside like some incomplete puzzle that we have lost interest in. Our salvation is at stake as well as all those who will ultimately be affected if you stay on track in our spiritual growth and maturity.

It doesn’t matter where you are in the process but it does matter whether or not you are still involved in the process.

Incredibly Attached

Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it?

One of the things I was attached to was my Siamese cat. My father breeder Siamese cats and sold them. Usually, I was not allowed to touch them as kittens. They were for profit only. I think my father got tired of me asking for a cat. And finally gave in and let me have one. He was a Chocolate Point Siamese and I named him Arthur. He became by emotional support pet forever.

Between him and music, it took my mind off what was going on in my life. Arthur finally died of old age, then I turned to music even more to get through my tough spots as a youth.