Ask The Question

Have you ever heard someone speaking, thought it was profound, but didn’t understand? Were you afraid to ask the person explain it to you? Were you afraid you would sound uneducated, ignorant, or foolish?

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard something said and did not understand what the person was talking about. I believe we have all been there. For much of my life I was afraid to ask for an explanation. I didn’t want to appear foolish. I didn’t want to appear like some back woods uneducated simpleton. Thankfully…those days are gone.

I still hear people say things I don’t understand. The difference between then and now is I will ask for an explanation. I’m no longer afraid to say I am ignorant. After all, the definition of ignorant is that I simply do not know. I have not come across that subject before. If I learned nothing over the years, I have learned this, not one person in this world knows everything. There is no shame in stating we don’t know and ask for an explanation in order to learn.

Unfortunately, in today’s passage, the apostles have not yet learned this truth. Jesus is telling them a very important prophecy. He is giving them a message to prepare them for what is to come. They don’t understand and won’t ask the question. The good news for them is they will understand in time.

That is the good news for us as well. If we will continue to seek to understand, continue to read Scripture, continue to ask God to reveal the meaning of it, and be unafraid to ask questions of those we respect in the learning of God’s Word, we will gain understanding. This principle applies to gaining a better understanding of God, our jobs, our friends, and our family. Asking questions is not a sign of foolishness. Quite the contrary. Not asking a question to learn is foolish.

I pray we all seek to understand God’s Word. I pray we seek to know Jesus better tomorrow than today. I pray each one of us earnestly seeks to understand Scripture, God’s plan, and our own purpose. Read God’s Word. Ask questions. Ask God to reveal Himself to you. Seek to understand. Stop being foolish. Be wise. Seek to know God.

Mark 9:30-32 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

To Know God

Do you read or hear God’s Word and fail to understand it? Do you struggle to determine the meaning of Scripture? Do you desire to understand it? Or do you merely take a superficial approach to it? Do you know there is a difference?

There are many, many people in this world and in our churches who claim they don’t understand Scripture. They will claim it is too difficult for them. Unfortunately, their lack of understanding reveals their lack of desire to understand.

Satan hardens hearts and minds. He lures people away from God’s Word by enticing them to chase after the things of this world. He tells us we need to be know what is going on in other people’s lives. The more famous the other person is, the more important it is we know about them. We believe the lie. We believe what is published in news media, social media, and tabloids tells who the person is.

We can quote the names of every actor on our favorite television program but cannot name the twelve apostles. We can spout statistics of our favorite sports team and its players but can not state just half a dozen places the Apostle Paul visited on his three mission trips.

Do not misunderstand. I am not saying we need to memorize the entire Bible, though that wouldn’t be a bad thing. We do, however, need to pay attention to the lessons and sermons. We do need to read Scripture with a desire to understand. Understanding does not come in just a moment. It takes time.

While studying for a very challenging professional test, I purchased the most recommended book to study. The author stated it was not until we read something three times that we retain it and understand it. We might want to take that approach to reading Scripture. How many times have you sat down to read just one book or one chapter of a book in the Bible? Satan loves to lure us away from knowing God’s Word.

I pray we all spend time reading Scripture. I pray we determine to know Scripture as well as we know meaningless worldly trivia. I pray each one of us will turn our eyes and ears to Jesus for understanding. Read God’s Word. Seek understanding. Read it multiple times. Ask Jesus to reveal its meaning to you. Make knowing God a priority.

Matthew 13:14-15 “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’”

Worship Only God

Who do you worship? Who do you serve? Do you think you serve no one? Do you serve whoever will promise you the biggest reward? Have you spent time thinking about the reward being promised?

We often commit to the person who is promising something we like. We see it in our politics. We see it in our workplaces. We see it in our schools. It comes down to what sounds good for the moment rather than what is best in the long run.

Today’s culture is all about the moment. What can I get today? We want whatever we want, and we want it now. Patience is gone. Due to our impatience, we will succumb to the temptation to get what we want in any way possible, even if it means selling our soul.

In today’s passage, Satan tempts Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rightly declines. Why? He knew He was not only going to inherit them anyway, but He also knew that worshiping Satan was wrong. He knew He was to worship God only. He knew it was only by worshiping God that He would inherit it all.

Notice what happens when Jesus refuses to fall prey to Satan’s scheme. Satan leaves Him. Have you connected the dots? When we refuse Satan’s temptations, he flees from us. He knows he cannot defeat God. He knows that Jesus has already defeated him. When we stand strong in Jesus’ name and are willing to wait for the best reward, we no longer need to fear Satan.

I pray we all decide to stand strong in Jesus’ name. I pray we refuse to fall prey to Satan’s schemes. I pray each one of us will ask God to strengthen us with His Spirit to resist evil. Stand strong. Resist evil. Refuse to fall prey to Satan’s schemes. Watch Satan flee. Be free of fear.

Matthew 4:8-11 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Showing God’s Love

Do you want the world to know that God loves them? Do you know how to make it apparent to them? Will you work to fulfill Jesus’ desire for all of us? Are you willing to stand in unity in Jesus Christ?

Sometimes we make it very difficult to be loved by others. Sometimes we don’t want to love others because of something they have done or said. Yet, Jesus calls us to love one another.

But merely saying we love one another isn’t enough. It takes action. What action? It requires the unity of the body of Christ. In the last few verses of John 17, beginning in verse 20, Jesus is praying for us. His desire is that we have complete unity.

What is complete unity? It is standing shoulder-to-shoulder against the evil of this world. It means we set aside petty differences with one another. It means working together as one to teach others about Jesus and His life-giving grace and mercy.

As we stand together in unity, showing love for one another, we show the world the love of God. When we fight, bicker, argue, and put our disagreements in the public eye for all to see, we become like the world rather than Jesus.

Make no mistake about it. We can’t simply put on a show. We must allow God to change our hearts and minds. We need an attitude adjustment. The tiniest of cracks in our armor allows Satan’s arrows to sneak through.

I pray we all want to show God’s love to others. I pray we are determined to be unified in Jesus Christ. I pray each one of us gives up our petty sniping at one another in favor of unity in Jesus so we can put the love of God on full display. Be unified. Set aside petty differences. Stand together. Show God’s love.

John 17:23b “Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Eternal Love

Have you thought about how long God loved Jesus? Do you think it is two-thousand years? Do you think it is thirty-three years? Do you think it is longer? Would it be nice if we were to be certain, if we were told?

Jesus does tell us how long God the Father loved Him. As we look at today’s passage, we are told the Father loved Jesus before the creation of the world. Have you ever noticed that before? But it should not be a surprise to us.

Why should it not be a surprise? Let’s walk through the clues just briefly. As we look through Genesis chapter 1, we see over and over “God said.” This is God’s Word that is being spoken. Now, let’s look at John 1:1-2, 14. Those verses say the Word was there at the beginning, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Then, the Word became flesh and walked among us.

When we piece this information together, we come to understand that Jesus was known as the Word of God in Genesis 1. When He was born of Mary, He became known as Jesus. We can also conclude that all things were created through Jesus, even if known by a different name. Doesn’t this make sense? After all, we also know Jesus by Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

There are literally thousands of connections throughout the Bible. Those connections are made between various books and the two testaments. As we study the Bible and see the connections, we see the bigger picture of God. In this case, Jesus tells us the Father loved Him since before creation and we can see why through the connections pointed out.

I pray we all study the Bible and see the connections. I pray we know that Jesus existed before creation. I pray each one of us understands the Father loved Jesus before time began. Read the Bible. Study God’s Word. Know the Father loves the Son. Know Jesus has always existed. Know that God’s love is for eternity.

John 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

The Same As Jesus

Ever wonder if you are loved? Are there times you feel as though no one cares? Are you looking for confirmation God loves you? Do you trust Jesus at His word? Have you read what He was praying to the Father on your behalf?

There are times we experience doubts. The doubts creep in when things are not going our way. They come when people we trust turn their backs on us. Doubts are sown by Satan, especially when he knows we disobey in the smallest of ways.

It is during the times of doubt that we need to read Jesus’ words again. It is when we are being mistreated or persecuted, we need to hold fast, trusting Jesus. Jesus has told us the truth of the matter. He has told us how much God loves us.

How do we access the love of God? In today’s passage, Jesus tells us God’s love is shown, proven, and accessed through unity in the body of Christ. In other words, it is through our interaction with other Christians. It comes through our unified belief in Jesus. It comes through the family of God.

God can, and sometimes does, display His love for people in one-on-one action. But that is not His normal modus operandi. God works through others, in community to express Himself. As I have heard and repeated myself, “You cannot be a lone ranger Christian.” We must be in a community of Christians. We need the support that comes through that community.

When in a well-functioning community of Christ that is unified, God expresses the same love for us that He has for Jesus. Yes, the very same love. God loves each of us in the same way He loves Jesus. He loves us far deeper than any love we can experience on this earth.

I pray we all seek to be in community with other Christians. I pray we trust Jesus at His word. I pray each one of us knows and experiences the love of God in our lives. Be part of a Christian community. Experience God’s love. Know that God loves you. God loves you the same as He loves Jesus.

John 17:22-23I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Burden Carrying

Have you caught a fellow Christian in sin? What did you do about it? Have you been caught in a sin? What was done about your sin? Do you know what we should do? Are we to carry out punishment? Are we to demonstrate grace and mercy?

Our culture is two-faced. We want to dish out punishment for sins. We say that people deserve the punishment for being disobedient…until it we get caught. When we are on the hot seat, we beg for mercy. We promise not to do it again if we are let off.

As Christians, we are to be different. We often equate being different to showing love to one another. That is one way we are to be different, but not the only one. Being a Christian is about being a community. It includes supporting, helping, correcting, and carrying one another in love. It includes showing grace and mercy to one another.

It is true that each one of us is to put our best foot forward. But it is also true we are not to ostracize someone to fails. Instead, we are to pick them up, stand beside them, and help them get back on the correct path. It doesn’t mean there will not be repercussions for the misstep, especially if the misstep includes breaking a law. It does mean the person should not face the situation alone.

I have been in that type of environment. When I was a young Marine, the platoon I was assigned to was a close-knit group. We might pick on each other, but no one outside our platoon was allowed. If someone did, they faced the entire platoon. Are our churches like that? We are to carry one another’s burdens. We are to stand with our brothers and sisters.

I pray we all commit to standing with our fellow Christians. I pray we show grace and mercy to one another. I pray each one of us will lovingly help carry the burdens of our brothers and sisters. Demonstrate grace. Show mercy. Carry other’s burdens. Demonstrate the love of God to your brothers and sisters.

Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

From The Beginning

Do you know how long Jesus has existed? Do you believe it is approximately two-thousand years? Would you be surprised if I told you it was much longer than that? What if I told you everything was created through Him?

Many people think Jesus did not exist until Mary gave birth to Him. It is fair to believe that from a human perspective. Yet, Jesus is both divine and human. From a divine perspective, Jesus existed long before He was born as a human.

This is just one instance in which we do not fully understand the story of God. However, I have seen in more recent years more Christians grasping the understanding that Jesus existed before He was born to Mary and Joseph. As more Christians are returning to studying the Bible rather than simply listening to someone preach, we see them gaining a deeper understanding of God.

It has been a long time coming. For a few decades, people grew lazy. Rather than reading and studying the Bible themselves, they sat back in the pews and expected the preacher to tell them what they needed to know. Unfortunately, a preacher can only cover so much in a fifteen- or twenty-minute sermon. I find it challenging at times to cover a passage within an hour-long Bible study session.

No, preacher’s do the best they can, but they can only scratch the surface during a sermon. Perhaps that is why Paul preached several hours until a young man fell asleep and fell out a window (Acts 20:7-12). Thankfully, Paul was able to revive him.

Jesus was known as the Word during creation. When He became flesh, he became known as Jesus. Therefore, it is through Jesus that all things were created. Also notice, today’s passage states the Word was God. Therefore, Jesus is God.I pray we all realize Jesus existed before creation. I pray we recognize Jesus as God. I pray each one of us dig deeper into the Bible to study it and see how God’s Word connects throughout it. Know who Jesus is. See Him as Creator. See Him as God. Know that Jesus has always existed. Study the Bible. See the connections.

John 1:1-2, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Unfailing Love

Do you have doubts about God’s love for you? Do you sometimes think God has turned His back on you? Are you unsure about your future? Would you like to have some assurance things will be alright? You can have it.

God’s love for us is never ending. His love is unfailing. God continues to love us regardless of what we have done or the situation we are in. He doesn’t care if we are rich or poor. He doesn’t care if we are male or female. It doesn’t matter if we are healthy or ill.

When we think God has abandoned us, it is us who have abandoned Him. God is always with us. He is with us in the form of His Holy Spirit. Don’t think so? Jesus was also called Immanuel—God with us. This is a prime example of God’s love for us.

Think about this for just a moment. As the Creator, God has created us. Unlike the possibility of a parent who may not love their children, God always loves His children. God is the very definition of love. He cannot not love.

We sometimes mistake discipline or repercussions from our bad choices as God not loving us. If we fall for that, we are listening to Satan’s lies. Satan loves to lie to us. He wants us to believe God has abandoned us. His goal is to pull us away from God with false beliefs—lies.

Maintain your belief that God loves you. Know that He will never abandon you. God’s love is unfailing. He will remain with you in all situations, even when you are suffering repercussions from bad decisions. God loves each person walking this earth.

I pray we all remember God loves us. I pray we remember God is always with us. I pray each one of us will love God at all times, returning His love to Him. Know God will not abandon you. Know He is always with you. Know God always loves you. Love God. Turn to Him at all times.

Psalm 13:5

But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Perfection Through Obedience

What concerns you today? Are you in anguish over something? What would you like to change? Is there something in your life that needs rescuing? Are you in need of being saved? Have you chosen to obey God?

We all need rescuing from something. There is something in our lives that needs God’s attention. We may be in a situation we cannot get out of on our own. We may have a favorite sin that continues to hound us, prompting us to rebel against God.

How do we overcome whatever it is in our lives that continues to derail us or cause us anguish? There is only one way to overcome, it is with God’s help. We are weak people. We fall prey to the desires of the flesh. Our weakness draws us into bad situations. Our weakness allows us to be lured where we should not go.

Jesus was perfect while walking this earth. He obeyed every step of the way. Though He did not want to go to the cross, He went out of obedience to the Father. Because of His obedience, we may have eternal salvation. Because He understands our weakness and human desires, He has become our perfect interceder.

Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to help us. He does not merely help us get out of those bad situations. He helps us by guiding us in our daily lives. He provides guidance in all situations. Our job is to listen. Jesus is with us, through His Spirit, every step of the way. Because He has already walked this earth perfectly, He can guide us through our lives perfectly.

I pray we all look to Jesus to guide us. I pray we seek His guidance at all times, in all situations. I pray each one of us will turn our weakness over to Jesus and allow Him to make us strong. Seek Jesus. Seek His guidance. Listen for His guidance. Follow His guidance. Know you have salvation through Jesus. Obey God.

Hebrews 5:7-10 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.