The P.C. train gets longer and more unsightly all the time. Self-appointed elitists shelter their pet groups and blast and decry any who offend the sensitivities of these select groups in any way.Under the Political Correctness shelter are certain groups defending sexual immorality in various forms, anti-Christian groups, and the generally philosophic liberals.
Certain words mobilize their police force, terribly offensive words like God, Bible, work, men, patriotism, fossil fuels, and sin. Despite all the foregoing, I have decided that I want to be “P.C.” In fact, I think God wants us all to be. Let me explain.
I want a “pure conscience.” The New Testament word “good” (1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Pet. 3:21; etc.) modifying “conscience” means upright and excellent. It is possible to have an unbothered or permissive conscience, but we can get this from blindness to our own faults, improper teaching, or by being guided by feelings over truth. I want a conscience, trained, softened, and guided, by a diligent attempt to know God’s Word and please God’s heart.
I want to be a “passionate Christian.” We can get passionate about our ideas, pet projects, feelings, opinions, and worldly interests, but that’s not what I mean. I want to be in love with the Lord. I want to care deeply about those things about which He cares deeply– lost souls, truth, the church and each member thereof, etc.
I want to be a “peace creator.” It’s easy to do this through compromise and unscriptural change. That’s not true peace (cf. Jer. 6:14). Yet, I do not want to be the center of strife, division, and conflict among God’s people however I can help that (1 Cor. 1:10). I want people to be truly at peace with their Lord (Eph. 2:17). I want harmony to follow in the wake of my path.
I want to be a “pride crusher.” I do not want to be a crusader that stamps out others’ pride. That’s their cross to bear. I want to look at myself in THE mirror (Jas. 1:23) and see myself as God sees me. Wherever I find pride in my heart and life, I want to eradicate it (cf. 1 Pet. 5:5ff). I want true conviction that “pride goes before destruction” (Prov. 16:18) and that “selfish ambition” invites “disorder and every evil thing” (Jas. 3:16). I want to remember that “every way of a man is right in his own eyes” (Prov. 21:2; cf. 12:5), but that does not clear me with God’s perfectly discerning eye!
Let me be “P.C.” in these ways, at least for starters. I am not out to please the world or to sacrifice my relationship with God to make either sinners or the self-absorbed happy. In these and other ways, I can truly be a “Paradise chaser.” I want that! Don’t you?
My truck overheated today. A couple of hours and $100 later, it was back on the road. Whoever worked on it last had put the thermostat in backwards, and had failed to bleed the system after a coolant flush.
Dad pointed out at lunch that we use objective standards for everything. How I feel about the orientation of a thermostat — or whether I believe its orientations makes a difference — is irrelevant. The engine will overheat if it’s not correctly installed, because that’s how it works.
We have standards in almost every field we rely on. We don’t want bankers changing their standards on us while handling our assets. We don’t want automotive or aircraft manufacturers going solely by what feels right to them. We don’t want surgeons to just wing it while we’re under the knife.
Standards keep chaos at bay, and allow for reliable, consistent, effective results. On what basis would we throw standards away in the field of morality? If everything else in life requires some kind of standard to make it functional (ie. not chaotic), why wouldn’t the same apply to ethics and morality?
There is mostly order, not mostly chaos. Good standards bring order, no standards have only ever produced chaos. When postmodern or any other progressive ideals attack your faith, find out what their standards are. There most likely are none, or they are arbitrary and reliably chaotic.
How we feel about most things could not matter less. Our feelings do not magically bend reality! Always ask, “By what standard do we believe this to be true/false?” If that standard is subjective, it’s probably safe to throw it away.
Adeulir Antonio de Carli was a priest who became famous after strapping hundreds of helium filled party balloons together in an attempt to break a world record. The stunt was part of a fund-raising plan but it would end, predictably, in disaster.
Before his flight the priest was being interviewed by a News outlet and on camera he’s informed about approaching bad weather. After hearing this he states,
“There will only be good weather during my flight…”
Moments later, the 41-year-old priest strapped himself to a seat attached to green, red, white and yellow balloons that hoisted him high up into the air.
He was reported missing some eight hours later after his final contact with port officials in which he had asked for assistance in using a GPS device that was tracking his coordinates. His final recorded words were,
“I need to get in touch with the ground crew so that they can teach me how to use this GPS tracking device. It is the only way I will be able to transmit my latitude and longitude coordinates in order for them to know where I am.”
The deceased Priest, Adeulir Antonio de Carli, was spotted in the ocean by a tugboat near the city of Macae, three months after he disappeared.
You’ve likely heard that the individual letters in the word Bible can be used as an acronym— “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” While perhaps this has become cliche, much like WWJD (What Would Jesus Do), there’s still much truth to be found in it.
Paul tells Timothy that God’s Word is something which must be used properly. The Bible won’t be able to tell us where we are spiritually, or even how to get to our desired eternal location unless we know how to use it effectively. Why would anybody “take off” without knowing how to utilize such an important tool? If we don’t know how to apply the inspired Word in our lives then we’re hopelessly trying— like a high-flying priest.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Since the world this week celebrated Valentine’s Day, I saw it fitting for us to talk about God‘s love. In the bustling noise of life with all its hardships, trials and tribulations, there is an unwavering truth–God’s endless love,. Let’s jump through Romans and unravel the depths of this divine love that sustains and transforms our lives.
Romans 5:8 – Sacrificial Love:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ, willingly laying down His life for us, even in our brokenness. It’s a love beyond comprehension, a love that saw our flaws yet chose to redeem us.
Romans 5:5 – Overflowing Love:
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Let’s dwell on the overflowing nature of God’s love, filling every corner of our hearts through the presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s a love that brings hope, assurance, and a sense of belonging.
Romans 8:38-39 – Unbreakable Love:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Meditate on the unbreakable bond of love between us and our Creator. Nothing in this world, no circumstance or force, can sever this divine connection. It’s a love that endures through eternity.
As we ponder Romans, may we experience the richness of God’s love. Let’s embrace the truth that we are cherished, forgiven, and empowered by His love. Let this love be our anchor in the storms of life, our light in the darkest nights, and our joy in every season. For in God’s love, we find our ultimate fulfillment and purpose.
As a global learner, I enjoy having background noise serve as the soundtrack to my life. It could be music or a talking head providing news or opinions. I can block out the details and rely on the background noise to keep me going. In addition to learning strategies, individuals with ADHD like myself find certain grooves oddly exhilarating, similar to an energy drink. I frequently run errands on Thursdays each week, and this week was no exception. Therefore, it was inevitable that I would have my “symphony” supporting me. Amid the hustle and bustle, I heard a headline stating that more than half of American “clergy” have considered quitting since 2020 (see Blair, 2024).
Whenever I encounter such information, I look into it further. After I finished my errands, I looked up an article about the subject online. For the sake of brevity, the study concluded that the changing religious landscape following the pandemic was the primary source of discontent. These “clergy” have claimed that the pandemic has made it more difficult for them to interact with congregations and that the decline in in-person attendance depresses them. According to the demographics of those surveyed, the so-called Silents (born 1925–1945) and Generation X (born 1965–1980) are less likely to want to quit than Millenials (born 1981–1996) and Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964). Catholic and Orthodox ministers were less likely to feel this way than Protestants.
These attention-grabbing headlines no doubt fill our hearts with existential dread. However, we must realize Jesus’ promise that even death could not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16.18). One knows that regardless of how dire things in the world may seem, there are always those not bowing the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19.18). Hence, Satan could be the author of such headlines designed to discourage the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Satan whispers, “You are all alone in your devotion. And would a loving God truly expect you to shoulder these burdens alone?”
But lest we grow too comfortable, we are reminded of Jesus’ words following the Parable of the Unjust Judge, also known as The Persistent Widow (Luke 18.1–8). Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” I know that contextually, Jesus is asking if His followers will have the faith to pray. At least, other preachers often say this as they exegete Luke 18.8. Well, yes. But is it so tidily summed up in the one word “prayer”? Jesus’ question is whether people will continue to believe and be faithful, even in the face of delays or challenges, just as the widow was persistent in her pursuit of justice. As a result, we can interpret this verse as an encouragement to keep the faith and pray, even when justice appears slow, or God’s promises appear delayed. It expresses a theme of perseverance and faithfulness in the Christian life, particularly in light of Jesus’ return.
Jesus expressed concern about whether He would find faithful followers upon His return. The followers can show their faithfulness to Him by exercising their faith through prayer. Unfortunately, people prefer tangible things over intangible ones, leading to practical materialism and a lack of faith. Additionally, scientific advancements may encourage disbelief by providing natural explanations. The hurried, self-centered, and financially motivated nature of the modern age can also undermine faith, which requires quiet contemplation. Faith is a moral quality rooted in the heart, not just an intellectual asset. It grows by living a righteous life, feeding on Biblical promises, and putting one’s limited faith into practice. Therefore, building faith requires setting aside regular quiet time for meditation and communing with God. Faith progresses through continual moral effort.
We are currently living in a time where people are hesitant to return to the Church after the pandemic, which was a time of isolation and a shift in priorities for many. In addition, those who provide moral leadership face challenges, feeling a growing temptation to step away from their roles. This combination of factors is worrisome in response to our Lord’s probing question in Luke 18.8. This study paints a concerning picture of the future of spiritual commitment and the resilience of faith communities.
However, despite these challenges, there remains a beacon of hope. The persistence of faith, even in a few, can be a powerful testament to the enduring nature of spiritual commitment. In the face of adversity, the true strength of faith often emerges, not just in the tranquility of prosperous times but in the tumult of trials. To answer Jesus’ question and reaffirm enduring faith and commitment, faith communities must explore ways to nurture resilience and adapt and thrive.
In today’s world, we face various challenges that can test the foundations of our faith communities. Distractions and the effects of global pandemics can make it difficult to hold onto our beliefs. However, these challenges can also provide opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal. Jesus’ question in Luke 18.8 invites us to deepen our faith, pray more persistently, and live out our beliefs with renewed vigor and commitment. As believers, we all have a unique role in this ongoing faith journey. Instead of seeing our challenges as insurmountable obstacles, let us embrace them as catalysts for strengthening our collective resolve. Doing so ensures that Jesus will find a thriving and active faith on earth when He returns.
The “good news” is that Jehoram, the son of Ahab, was not AS BAD as his father and mother (2 Kings 3:2), but that was little consolation. He still “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (2) and “clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin; he did not depart from them” (3). Like his older brother, Ahaziah, he had a political and military mess on his hands. The king of Moab, Mesha (4), rebelled against Israel after Ahab’s death, and Jehoram mustered his military while leaning on a new ally, Judah, to join them in going to war with their neighbors. For good measure, they traveled through the oft-unfriendly territory of their cousins, Edom, and the king of Edom joined them in the attempted rout of the Moabites.
But, in the route they took to meet the enemy, after a week the troops and cattle were suffering from a lack of water. Jehoram’s immediate reaction is to attribute this to divine punishment (10). But, Jehoshaphat exhorts his fretting northern counterpart, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” (11). Will you notice the contrast in attitude toward faithful prophets that sets Jehoshaphat apart from the house of Ahab? Jehoshaphat held God’s spokesmen in such high regard (12). Remember Micaiah (1 Ki. 22:7). He respected the men and revered their word. But look at Jehoram. Does his servant reflect his contempt as he describes Elisha as the one who used to wash Elijah’s hands (11; 1 Ki. 19:21). In return, Elisha has complete disdain for Israel’s king but condescends to them on behalf of Judah’s righteous king, Jehoshaphat (12-19). Elisha works through the words of a minstrel to prophecy an incredible act of God to both water their men and animals and facilitate the destruction of Moab in an unthinkable way.
The miraculous induction of water came via Edom, filling the country with water (20). To the Moabites, the water appeared to glisten like blood. Their king made the reasonable deduction, given the turbulent history between Israel, Judah, and Edom, that they had turned on one another. He took this as an invitation to despoil his enemies (23-24). Only when he reached the camp of Israel did he and his army discover their fatal error. Israel and her allies handily defeat Moab and mar their land, and after one last-ditch effort to break through to Edom, King Mesha retreats to his citadel and offers his son, also his heir, as a burnt offering on the wall (27).
What do we learn from this unusual incident? Among the many potential lessons is one overriding reminder. God’s Word and will are sure. He cannot be thwarted, surprised, or overcome. He sees the end as the beginning (Isa. 46:10). He had already foretold the demise of Ahab’s house (1 Ki. 21:21-24). He not only foresaw what for man was the unforeseeable fate of Moab, but He produced it. He knew that Israel would persist in the ways of Jeroboam and would eventually reject Israel and allow her destruction (2 Ki. 17), but He was engineering the incarnation of His Son through Jehoshaphat’s lineage (cf. Mat. 1:8). Providentially, he protects the seed of David in times of war and peace until the Messiah descends through this family tree. There were human heroes throughout these centuries, kings like Jehoshaphat and prophets like Elisha, but they simply submitted to the sovereignty of Jehovah!
Today, God has promises yet to be fulfilled (Matt. 25; Rom. 8; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Pet. 3:9-13). It will happen as surely as these past events occurred. We have the choice to follow the legacy of the wicked like Ahab and Jehoram or the legacy of the righteous like Jehoshaphat and Elisha. If you stop and examine it, it’s not much of a choice, is it? Victory or defeat?
Godly men and women can voice their views and opinions in a healthy and helpful way by adopting some basic principles found within scripture. Even if some disagree with you (eventually they will!) everyone can leave encouraged if it’s approached appropriately.
First, they understand that the truth must be spoken in love (Ephesians 4.15). The faithful are able to tell the difference between matters of opinion and matters of salvation.
Second, they are eager to maintain a unity of spirit and a bond of peace (Ephesians 4.3-6). Godly members are not purposefully divisive or quick to start heated debates.
Third, the older Christians recognize the responsibility they have to share their wisdom with the younger generation and the godly youth respect the wisdom that is given from the older generation (Titus 2.2-12).
When the body of Christ is unified it’s also unstoppable. The church family that respects those God-given roles that we are all assigned will find that Bible classes, Biblical discussion, and relationships are enriched and strengthened. Knowledge is both shared and received in love and humility.
A Deep Dive Into Jesus’ Teachings In Matthew And Luke
Brent Pollard
I am unsure if the statements made by Jesus in Matthew and Luke regarding the eye as a lamp qualify as one of the “hard sayings” of our Lord, but I am willing to confess that they have caused me difficulty. These words require more contemplation, like all of Jesus’ metaphors and parables. I’m not sure we’re always willing to give Jesus’ words the consideration they deserve. Therefore, let us examine these texts, think about them, and explore their meaning more thoroughly.
“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6.22-23 NASB1995).
“The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.” (Luke 11.34–35 NASB1995).
We must begin by looking at the setting where Jesus said these words. Even though they sound alike, Jesus spoke these words at separate events. Matthew includes these words in the context of the Sermon on the Mount. But these words appear in Luke at a time when the Pharisees have blasphemously said that Jesus could drive out demons through Beelzebul rather than the Holy Spirit and when people are pressing Jesus to perform signs for them. As a result, the meaning of Jesus’ words will take on the nuance intended for their context.
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stresses the importance of inner purity and sincerity. He uses the metaphor of the eye as the body’s lamp to illustrate the significance of having a clear and uncorrupted perspective. This metaphor highlights that a sincere heart and faith lead to a life of righteousness and truth. This mindset contrasts with a life of hypocrisy or merely following religious laws without proper understanding or commitment.
The book of Luke emphasizes distinguishing truth from falsehood, especially in situations involving religious leaders like the Pharisees, who were outwardly religious but inwardly corrupt or misguided. In this context, the teaching that the eye is the lamp of the body serves as a warning against spiritual blindness and the danger of misjudging what is true of God. It is a reminder to examine oneself and ensure that hypocrisy, legalism, or false beliefs are not hindering one’s spiritual perception.
The metaphor of the eye is a powerful tool used in both Matthew and Luke to emphasize the importance of spiritual perception and integrity. In Matthew, Jesus uses the metaphor to teach about sincere and authentic religious practice, while in Luke, it addresses the issue of correctly discerning spiritual truth. This latter point is critical in the face of misleading religious authorities, such as the Pharisees. Although the passages may appear similar in wording, they have distinct emphases based on their contexts.
Upon examining these passages, we can identify four recurring themes:
The metaphor of the eye
Light versus darkness
One’s inner spiritual state
A call to self-reflection
The metaphor of the eye represents one’s perspective on life. When the eye is clear, it suggests a spiritually enlightened or morally sound outlook. This clarity of vision allows the light of understanding, wisdom, or divine guidance to fill and guide the entire body or being.
In the Bible, the contrast between light and darkness is a frequently used theme, representing good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, or God’s presence versus the absence of it. Light is often associated with goodness, purity, truth, and guidance from God, while darkness usually symbolizes evil, sin, or ignorance.
The texts suggest that a person’s inner spiritual state impacts their entire life. If a person’s internal state is “clear” or “healthy,” it denotes an alignment with spiritual truth and moral clarity, leading to a life filled with light, including understanding, moral integrity, and closeness to God. On the other hand, if a person’s inner state is “bad” or “unhealthy,” it represents a corrupted, selfish, or misguided outlook, leading to a life full of darkness, including ignorance, sin, and separation from God.
Luke 11:35, in particular, warns us to be vigilant and examine ourselves, ensuring that the light within us is not darkness. It calls for believers to constantly evaluate their spiritual health and motivations, verifying that what they perceive as light or good is not misguidance or darkness.
These passages urge people to develop a spiritually and morally sound outlook on life, as this inner state profoundly impacts their well-being. They encourage individuals to seek spiritual wisdom and moral integrity, ensuring their lives are guided by what is truly good and enlightened rather than misguided or harmful perceptions.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as a lamp to stress the immense impact of our spiritual state on our lives. A clear, sincere, enlightened perspective fills us with moral wisdom and brings us closer to God. But, a corrupt outlook marked by hypocrisy, selfishness, or falsehood leads to ignorance and separates us from the truth. Jesus urges us to examine ourselves through honest self-reflection and ensure that we walk in the light of authentic faith instead of darkness masked as light. As we ponder upon these teachings, may we assess our inner state, align our vision towards godliness, and allow the light of Christ to fill our entire beings.
Concerning Money: Don’t judge a book by its cover (7). The wealthy face threats and dangers that the poor do not (8). Get rich quick schemes usually fail (11). People who are “too smart” to learn earn poverty and disgrace (18). A good name is better than wealth (22; cf. 22:1). The resources of the poor are often robbed by injustice (23).
Concerning Desire: You can tell a lot about a person by what he wants (2). Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life (12). A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools (19). Godliness with contentment is great gain (25; cf. 1 Tim. 6:7).
Concerning Laziness: The lazy person wants but never gets, but the hard worker gets by diligence (4).
Concerning Teachability: A scoffer ignores rebuke (1). The wise take advice, but strife follows the rebellious (10). Those who hate the word destroy themselves (13). Good teaching is a fountain of life helping us avoid deadly traps (14). Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly (16).
Concerning Speech: The difference between life and ruin is determined by how well you control your tongue (3; Jas. 3:2ff). A faithful messenger brings healing (17).
Concerning Character: The righteous hate falsehood (5). Righteousness paves a protected path (6). The light of the righteous rejoices (9). The righteous are rewarded with good, not disaster (21). The righteous have enough, but the wicked never do (25).
Concerning Common Sense: Good sense wins favor (15). Every prudent man acts with knowledge (16).
Concerning Friends: To be wise, walk with the wise (20).
Concerning Child Training: Spare the rod, spoil the child (24).
Proverbs are general truths, tried and found to be the rule rather than the exception. All of God’s Word serves as a guidepost for success in every way it can be measured. These proverbs are short, insightful, and inspired tidbits of helpful guidance, intended to help us know the way to strengthen our relationships and steward our resources. Many are the sad, foolish persons who ignored these instructions to their own hurt. Many who thought they came up with brilliant insights do not know that they are merely echoing the sounds of God’s wisdom.
He was born of a virgin, foreseen by the few A miraculous event— many know to be true He would save those in sin both friend, neighbor, and stranger But all that happened when He got out of the manger
His life was a short one, at least on this earth Some overlooked Him, his power, and worth He faced many challenges, his future looked bleak He was tortured and beaten, but turned the other cheek
A beautiful life— filled with joy and with danger, But all that took place once the Lord left the manger He holds many titles, king of kings and Lord of Lords He established His kingdom without even a sword
He’s the healer, our Savior, and any-life-changer But there’s more to His story He’s coming in glory Because Jesus left the manger
1 Chronicles 12 describes David’s loyal followers gathering and supporting him as he prepared to become King of Israel. This chapter emphasizes the unity and strength that resulted from the various tribes rallying behind David, laying the groundwork for his reign and the kingdom’s unification.
The men of Issachar stood out among these tribes for their understanding of the times and their knowledge of what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12.32). They understood that God had anointed David as king while Saul was on the throne. Their kinship with their brethren and willingness to support Israel led them to assist David and his men at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12.40). Their leadership in this matter served as a model for other tribes that were still undecided.
We can draw inspiration from the men of Issachar and apply their lessons to our modern world during our current cultural civil war, characterized by fierce rhetoric and ideological conflicts.
We need wisdom and insight above all else. We must understand the complexities of our times like the men of Issachar did while avoiding falling prey to mere sentiment or rhetoric. We must recognize the cultural shifts, ideologies, and conflicts shaping our world today.
A usurper rules the world (1 John 5.19). We recognize that this usurper is a master manipulator who duped our mother, Eve, into sin (Genesis 3.1–7). Jesus referred to him as the father of lies and a murderer from our beginning (John 8.44). On the other hand, Revelation 19.16 reminds us that Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, God’s anointed (Acts 10.38). Yet, unfortunately, many people, including some of our family, friends, and neighbors, still regard Satan as their king.
We must demonstrate the men of Issachar’s willingness to put our efforts into action since we know what we must all do. When making decisions, we must use sound judgment by weighing various options and understanding the consequences. The Gospel’s teachings give us a sound mind, which leads to discipline. These characteristics enable us to face our opponents and carry out our duties without fear (2 Timothy 1.7). Amid our cultural civil war, it is critical to make decisions guided by God’s truth and values, contributing to the well-being of others and the pursuit of justice.
Second, even in discord, we should strive for harmony, following in the footsteps of the men of Issachar, who were instrumental in establishing and maintaining national peace. Even though we offer peace terms to people whose sins have gotten the best of them (cf. Matthew 5.9), they must know that their rebellion against God warrants death (Romans 6:23). Nonetheless, we bring the good news of God’s gift of eternal life through Christ. Regardless of contentious issues, we are encouraged to approach discussions and conflicts humbly, preaching the truth in love (Ephesians 4.5). We can contribute to a more constructive and peaceful engagement with those harboring different points of view by encouraging dialogue and building bridges.
Third, Christian ethics should guide our responses to current issues, just as God’s commandments guided the men of Issachar. God has given us everything we require for life and godliness (2 Peter 1.3). We look to the Scriptures in our cultural context because the words of Christ will judge us (John 12.48). We can apply Christian ethics to issues of cultural civil war by drawing on Christ’s teachings and grounding our engagement in love, truth, and reconciliation. Even during heated debates, our words and actions should reflect Christ’s character (1 Peter 2.23). Peter reminds us that Christ suffered for us, leaving an example for us to follow in His footsteps (1 Peter 2.21).
Finally, the example of the men of Issachar encourages us to develop a voice of reason in these contentious times. We must cultivate a reasoned voice that speaks the truth, confronts sin, and offers hope, just as the men of Issachar did.
An event in the divided monarchy’s history illustrates this task. Ben-hadad, the Aramean king, had besieged Samaria, resulting in extreme conditions and even cannibalism. In a twist of events orchestrated by God, the Arameans were frightened into fleeing, leaving their supplies behind. The discovery of the abandoned camp by four lepers resulted in abundant riches and food.
Their consciences, however, troubled them, and they realized they couldn’t keep the good news to themselves (2 Kings 7.9). Likewise, we have information that is too good to keep to ourselves. As a result, we, like Issachar, should provide leadership and point people to the transformative power of the cross.
By incorporating these insights into our understanding of the men of Issachar, we can navigate the challenges of the cultural civil war with discernment, seek unity amid division, apply Christian ethics, and cultivate a reasoned voice. As a result, we can contribute to a more constructive and transformative engagement in our culture, even amid heated rhetoric and ideological clashes.
May the Lord give us the wisdom and courage to apply these principles daily. May we be reconcilers, peacemakers, and bearers of Christ’s transformative power.
In 1 John 4, we read from John some warnings concerning spirits. He says in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” John tells us that not every spirit is from God. He goes on to say in verse 6, “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
These verses clearly teach us that there is the Spirit from God, and then there are spirits in the form of false prophets. These false prophets are from the world. The teachings of the apostles were and continue to be the standard for the church. John 13:20 says, “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.’ The one whom Jesus sends is His apostle. God sends Christ and Christ sends the apostles. Therefore, If you accept the apostles you accept Christ, and if you accept Christ then you accept God. We wouldn’t even know of Christ if it were not for the apostles. They were to distinguish these spirits by seeing if those speaking were speaking things that were of the apostles and God, or of the world (1 John 4:5). 1 John 2:25 says that these people were teaching things that were contrary to John’s teachings.
So what does all of this mean? Who is the Spirit of Deception? We can piece together through 1 John, that the Spirit of Deception is that which teaches against John. By doing so, the spirit of deception has gone against the Spirit of Truth.
The Spirit of Deception can be described as someone/something that does not teach that which is in accordance to the apostles or God, it is that which does not obey the commands of Christ, and it is that which tries to mislead Christians. The Spirit of Truth is contradicted by the Spirit of Deception. We see in the early church that one of the gifts of the Spirit was discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10).
The Holy Spirit (Helper) was given to the apostles to help them remember what Jesus had taught them, to preach about Christ, to tell the world of its sin, to preach righteousness and judgment, and to bring glory to Christ (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7- 8,13-14). Demonic spirits spoke through false prophets to confuse and convert God’s people (1 Timothy 4:1ff). This spirit of deception was the reason for John’s writing. He says he is wrote, “concerning those who are deceiving you,” (2:26). He also said, “Children, let no one deceive you,” (3:7). The Christians John wrote to needed to learn how to distinguish these Spirits.
Sadly, we are still in the same circumstances today. People are still advocates of the devil. We find false teaching everywhere and it is up to us to test and discern between what is from God and what is from the world. May we always be vigilant and wary of the teachings that comes from the mouth of Satan!
Praught definition: (nonstandard) Simple past tense and past participle of preach
Speaking of praught…
Matthew chapter five records the greatest sermon ever praught. This has been known as the “Declaration of the Kingdom” and the “Sum of Jesus.” It’s powerful and it covers nearly all aspects of the Christian walk. It covers topics that are still relevant and close to home for every person on the planet— past or present. It breaks down as follows.
1-12 “The blessed ones”
13-16 “salt, light, cities”
17-48 “understanding the law of God”
Jesus makes His way to the top of the mountain and His listeners stands while Jesus is seated.
“After sitting down He opened his mouth to teach.” 5.2
Someone commenting on this seemingly small detail said,
“It is not superfluous to say that ‘he opened his mouth, and taught them,’ for he had taught them often when his mouth was closed.”
The sermon on the mount is a lesson on the totality of life. Jesus teaches the objective truth. He said what was needed, and not what was necessarily easy to say. He preached the truth and He did so perfectly and with perfect love. It would be worth our while to familiarize ourselves with this lesson especially in the world we’re living in today. Jesus told us what to tell others. Let’s live for and like Jesus this week.
This is a fun question to tackle. We won’t be able to do it justice in article format, unfortunately. But it’s very difficult to find out what’s actually true when it comes to almost anything. Many scientific disciplines are riddled (ironically) with dogma, bias, conflicts of interest, and corruption. Religion is surrounded by deafening opinions, zealots, and detractors. History is clouded, uncertain, and subjective. Everyone has an opinion and too much information bombards us relentlessly.
So we’re told “reality is an illusion” or “reality is a simulation” or “reality is undefinable” or “there is no good or evil, only balance,” etc. While each of these is an intriguing study, we’ll focus on what we know is true.
Christianity believes this to be true — God is real. He took a shapeless, empty rock and turned it into the beautiful earth we have now. He’s the only entity with unlimited power, but cares most about one group: us. We are nothing in the vast universe, but God cares about us (Ps 8.4).
The collection of books we call the bible is God’s message to humanity. I am fully convinced that the origins of this library are from not earth. Since the bible claims to be from God, and internal/external evidence overwhelmingly suggests a non-earth origin, I believe that it really is from God.
So what’s true? God made reality (Gen 1). He gave us consciousness and the ability to interact with the reality he made. He gave us complete freedom to choose our own destiny. He let humanity kill his son, just to bring his son back to life as tangible hope for all people. If we do what God wants, we get that second life too. There is good and there is evil, function and dysfunction. Good will last forever, but dysfunction will be destroyed permanently when Jesus comes back (Rev 20.9-15).
This earth is not going to last forever, a fact supported by both the new testament and mainstream science. This is truth. Where we’re going when the earth is destroyed is up to us.
That’s all we really need to know about reality — it’s as real as God is, and our next life will be as real as this one.
Not long ago my wife and I went to visit the ark exhibit located in Williamstown, Kentucky. While exploring the decks you get to imagine what it may have been like to walk in Noah’s sandals. Half of one floor was dedicated to ancient legends that told of a worldwide flood as well as the religious beliefs and backgrounds of the various cultures. Two things resonated with me as I read the plaques and took in the artifacts on display. First, the similarities in the flood legends. The second observation was the fact that the further from Mesopotamia you traveled, both in time and distance, the more implausible the story seemed. While the inspired Genesis account gives a great deal of detail other legends lack the realism and plausibility factors. Genesis records construction of the ark giving us the material, water-proofing methods, dimensions, and labor period. It tells us where the flood waters came from and even the general area where the ark came to rest. Interestingly, the seaworthiness of the ark has even been tested in the modern era.
“…naval architects have confirmed that a barge with the Ark’s dimensions would have optimal stability. They concluded that if the wood were only 30 cm thick, it could have navigated sea conditions with waves higher than 30 meters”
(Hong, S.W. et al., Safety Investigation of Noah’s Ark in a Seaway.,Journal of Creation)
Known legends written closer to Noah’s time and neck of the woods like the Sumerian version (Epic of Gilgamesh) describe an ark as being cube shaped. A cube shaped ark would tumble and role in the treacherous deluge. Further evidence for the reliability of the Biblical account can also be seen in the date of writing. Noah’s flood was written earlier than the Sumerian version and the proof is in the religious practices depicted in these competing tales. Even secular scholars confirm that early mankind were monotheistic. In the Epic of Gilgamesh there’s a small pantheon of gods mentioned, and this pantheon grew as time passed. One character in the Sumerian version offers a sacrifice after the flood waters receded, but Christians will pick up on the language used to describe this offering.
‘The gods smelled the savor, the gods smelled the sweet savor, and collected like flies over the sacrifice.’
The gods also bickered amongst each other and showed incredibly human attributes. They were fickle and violent, often contradicting their own alleged virtues.
Two Concluding Thoughts About The Almighty
God is the only form of our imitation. His Holiness and righteousness is set apart from humanity— He supersedes the natural world.
God is the owner of absolute truth: To know Him is to know truth, to know love, to know forgiveness, to know honesty, to know perfection. God wants all of us to come to a knowledge of Him, because a knowledge of Him is to know Truth. This point is emphasized in the Book of John. It’s essential in the development of our relationship with Him. If one doesn’t know Truth, then one doesn’t know God.
Many of us were startled by an automatic alert sent to our phones last Saturday morning, alerting us of potential violence and danger in our usually serene city. The reason was a planned protest and counterprotest, a racially-charged event centering on a horrible incident that happened almost seventy years ago in another state. Predictably, it stirred up some division and exposed extreme and racially-prejudiced views from some.
The world prefers to keep people divided on the basis of race, gender, political affiliation, and the like, and uses such tools as identity politics (Brittanica defines this as “political or social activity by or on behalf of a racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, or other group, usually undertaken with the goal of rectifying injustices suffered by group members because of differences or conflicts between their particular identity or misconceptions of their particular identity and the dominant identity or identities of a larger society”) and tribal alliances. Subject to human biases, emotions, and subjectivism, easy to misjudge and assume others’ motives and intentions, it becomes a massive roadblock to oneness and unity.
But we would expect no less from the world. Who is the prince and ruler of this world? He is a murderer (John 8:44), a devourer (1 Pet. 5:8), a sinner (1 Jn. 3:8), and a deceiver (2 Co. 11:3,14). Chaos, disorder, and division serve his purposes quite effectively.
In the midst of such mayhem, the Lord has the church in this world to be a beacon and light (Mat. 5:13-16). What an opportunity we have in the midst of the world’s divisiveness to show a people united on the foundation of truth, regardless of our race, background, education level, economic strata, or any other way the world wants to divide us. We won’t compromise the eternal truth of God’s Word, but we will stand together on that even however difficult or unpopular. We will live by 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” We will honor His objective and follow His blueprint to achieve it.
When an onlooking world gets a glimpse of us in action, red, yellow, black, and white, working in love, harmony, and acceptance of one another, they will find an alternative to the world’s hate. When they see the poor esteemed and accepted as much as the well-to-do (Js. 2:1-8), they will see a bright alternative to a cold, status-conscious world. If the church will be the church, we can help the world–one searching person at a time. But the world will always be the world. We should not expect them to show us the way to be one. Their ruler wants chaos. Ours wants peace.
We’re writing this to you so you’ll know you have life forever. This is for those of you who believe the name of God’s son. We can be confident when we talk to God — if we make a request that aligns with his will, he listens to us. We know he listens whenever we ask, and that he’ll give us what we ask for.
If one of you sees a Christian family member sin (not the kind that causes death), ask God to give them life, and he will. This only applies to the kind of sin that doesn’t cause death. There is a kind of sin that leads to death, and I’m not saying you should pray for someone who commits that kind of sin. Every morally wrong act is sin, but there are sins that don’t lead all the way to death.
We know that no one in God’s family continues to sin. God’s son personally protects us, and evil can’t affect him at all. We know that we belong to God, but evil controls the whole world. We know that when God’s son came to earth, he gave us the ability to understand the true one. We live in truth through his son, Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and he is life forever. Children, keep each other away from idols.
For some, it’s their wallets. But, “beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
For some, it’s their walls.Whether the one at our national border or the ones around our home. National security is important. Law and order derives from God and Scripture (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14). But, remember, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain” (Psa. 127:1). There should be higher motivation.
For some, it’s wokeness. Whether to protect hyper-racism or to combat cancel culture, some on either side will be driven by this issue. This certainly has been central to those whose vote is driven by education matters. Yet, it is so easy to let subjective ideas supplant God’s authoritative Word. We must be convicted by the truth of Jesus’ words in John 12:48: “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”
For some, it’s the womb. How sobering to vote in support of taking the life of the unborn or to be motivated by such. May we remember that one of the things God hates are “hands that shed innocent blood” (Prov. 6:16)!
For some, it’s worry. It may be general unease and anxiety about the “direction” of our country. There’s a fine line between civic duty and sinful worry. God is always on His throne. As ever, “…the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes” (Dan. 4:32).
For some, it’s the Word. The continued ability to teach the gospel to the lost, to worship together according to that Word, and to live according to God’s Word should underlie everything we do. That includes informing our votes in elections. But, may we keep in mind what the angel tells Zechariah to tell Zerubbabel: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). No election, however favorable to our convictions, is a substitute for making disciples (Mat. 28:18-20).
Many say “democracy is on the ballot,” though what that means depends on who says it. Hopefully, we all prayerfully deliberate and do our best to align everything we believe, endorse, and encourage with what the Word says! But when we leave the voting booth, we need to “go into all the world” and give them what they need more than anything–the hope of eternal life!
If we are honest, some days it is easier to worship with focus and enthusiasm than others. We’re human and we struggle. With mental preparation and prayer, we can minimize the frequency of such times, but they happen to the best of us.
Have you ever thought about God getting tired of the worship brought by His people? I don’t mean worship done incorrectly and according to the will of men which violates what He commands. Apparently, He rejects such worship (Mat. 15:9). I don’t mean the idea that He gets bored and had rather skip a Sunday here and there. No such picture is ever painted of God.
But through the prophets, He repeatedly talks about being weary of the worship brought by His people.
“I have had enough…I take no pleasure in…your worthless offerings…an abomination to me…I cannot endure…They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them” (Isaiah 1:11-14).
“I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies…Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps” (Amos 5:21,23).
“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you” (Malachi 1:10).
Each prophet is dealing with specific circumstances prompting such a response from God, but it should cause us to take notice that just coming into the “meeting house” and going through the motions does not equal acceptable worship. Neither does simply following the New Testament pattern for the acts of worship. You will find in each of the passages above that the people were at the right place offering the right sacrifices on the right day led by the right people. The problem was either one of attitude, hypocrisy, or outright worldly living. Jeremiah documents how the people lived just like the world for the rest of the week, then filed into the temple to sing, “Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!” (7:4-10).
Worship is a special privilege, to come into the presence of our Maker and Savior. At our best, we worship Him with sin and weakness in our lives. He knows that and the cross proves that He knows it. He is not expected sinless perfection, but He is looking for characteristics in our worship just beyond doctrinal accuracy. He wants:
Feeling (Psalm 95:6; John 4:24).
Engagement (Matthew 15:8).
Effort (Hebrews 13:15).
Gratitude (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:16-17).
Thoughtfulness and Intentionality (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
Devotion (Acts 2:42).
Consideration of one another (Hebrews 10:24).
It is such a blessing that God communicates with us not only about the “what,” “when,” and “who” of worship, but also the “how” and “why” of it. When we are assembled for worship, He tells us what worship should look like. Between the assemblies, He tells us what a life looks like that partners with that worship.
God speaks of the various sacrifices of His children being a “fragrant aroma” to Him (Philippians 4:20; ). He likens the prayers of His faithful people to incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:1ff). Jesus assures us that true worshippers offering true worship are highly sought after by God (John 4:23). That’s the aim, isn’t it? The idea of presenting God with both a worshipper and worship which enthuses Him is the pinnacle of excitement!
Next Sunday, before we come together in worship, we can read Psalm 95, Psalm 96, Isaiah 6, or a similar chapter which reminds us of Who we get to worship. Today and every day, let us strive to build on the most recent worship we have offered by a life of faithful service and sincere devotion. That will set the table for worship God can’t wait to receive!
“But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.” (Ecclesiastes 12.12 NASB1995)
As Solomon reaches the end of his treatise as “The Preacher,” he expresses his feelings, using his life as an example. During his life, as today, people wrote on many topics. If there is a difference between our two eras, it must be that more people today have access to education and can read all of the books that people write. Otherwise, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1.9). Yet, with education comes self-reflection. And self-reflection often prompts men to take pen to page and write in poetry and prose. Even so, that self-reflection brings melancholy, as with men like Edgar Allen Poe.
And this is where we find Solomon. But even though cynical at this point, Solomon still sounds as if he could have found a home among the other literary figures of the Romantic era, like Alfred Lord Tennyson or Henry David Thoreau. When it is fashionable for men to be scholarly, one notes more men willing to put thoughts and feelings into words. Whatever the rationale, whether to be praised, make money or achieve catharsis, it spawns one of the hallmarks of culture: literature.
Generally speaking, literature and its study are positive. From those writers in the past, concepts have been communicated through time, influencing future generations. Before the Romantic era, the West went through the Age of Enlightenment. Academics and thinkers drew ideas from the classical thought of ancient Greece. Some thinkers in this epoch penned literature the American Founding Fathers read and sparked a revolution. Others, like Sir Isaac Newton, were inspired to unlock the secrets of the cosmos.
But then there is another class of literature written by men with a deleterious effect on the reader. No, I am not just talking of the smut peddler, though that is terrible. Instead, I am referring to those like Karl Marx or Adolph Hitler, who took to pen to write dangerous, subversive ideas that upset the course of civilization. Although World War 2 effectively destroyed Hitler’s brand of fascism, Marxism still flourishes in the ivy-covered walls of U.S. colleges and universities. And we have not even mentioned those like Friedrich Nietzsche, who was desirous of taking away his reader’s hope in God.
Even so, the written word remains one of man’s greatest inventions. And it is apropos that the first book produced by a printing press was a copy of God’s Word. That book, the Bible, is itself a compilation of 66 books. And think of the diverse and storied men who wrote those books’ words through the Holy Spirit’s influence: shepherds, kings, tax collectors, tent makers, doctors, et al. So the final product is something we can even enjoy as literature, despite being written for our moral guidance.
In this Information Age, as some have dubbed it, we still have our writers. They may write as I do for a blog, a funny-sounding word that didn’t even exist a half-century ago. It is short for “weblog.” Or they may write for journals, newsletters, and books. But men still write. You may have never guessed that it is a tiresome task, especially when dealing with the denizens of the interwebs. These readers crave new content, not unlike the way the ancient Athenians daily gathered on Mars’ Hill to hear some new thing (Acts 17.21). And if you don’t keep your content fresh, you lose readers. So even if you do not monetize your blog, as this is a non-monetized blog, one still wants to have readers to make the endeavor worthwhile. It is not necessarily a numbers thing, but more eyes ensure that more seed-casting and watering can occur so that God brings an increase (1 Corinthians 3.5-7).
Hence, there is wisdom in distributing this chore to five men, each bringing their perspective to the task. As one who has repeatedly tried and failed at blogging because of physical infirmity and ADHD, one article a week is a fantastic achievement. However, I get tired at even the thought of multiplying that effort by five weekdays. But Solomon pointed out that writing is tiring. Yes, this is not a book, per se. But it is still wearisome. Some may mock how something like preaching, teaching, or writing devotional content could be tiring since it is not blue-collar work. The answer lies within physiology since even the brain of a resting person requires about 20% of the body’s energy.1
There are also emotional highs and lows. Sometimes you become sad like Solomon. When you realize, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10.31 NASB1995), you want to figure out how to convince the most stubborn person of their need to obey God. Sometimes you must surmount cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and generational differences to do this. So how do I tailor a message to convince this man or woman I desire to win for Christ?
At other times you encounter a gold nugget, something that had never caught your attention in your prior readings through the Scriptures. So, naturally, you want to drop everything and research it, plumbing its depths. But maybe your search leads nowhere. And you end up tossing it upon that humongous pile of things that are the secret things known only to God (cf. Deuteronomy 29.29). Then again, you might hit the Comstock Lode. In this case, not only do you learn something new, but it may even be something that corrects you from the error you ignorantly embraced and taught. At the end of the day, one realizes that he will never exhaust his capacity to learn something from God’s Word. And that should be something that humbles you.
No wonder Solomon ends his message by saying one should not try to tackle the wisdom that we see residing beyond God’s Word. If it can be wearisome to study the Bible, imagine trying to wrap your head around fields of study that are contingent on theories since no one can prove what they believe. For example, just recently, the James Webb Space Telescope showed no signs that the universe is expanding, something necessary if the big bang occurred. There is also no red shift in those galaxies farthest away, indicating no cosmic expansion. So now cosmologists and physicists will go back and have to come up with a new explanation for the universe’s origin. How frustrating, even panic-inducing.2
Solomon sums everything up after the “wearied Preacher’s” last admonition against too much study and “excessive devotion” to books of no eternal value. Our purpose is to fear God and keep His commandments because He will be judging us (12.13-14). If you know enough to save your soul from hell, you are indeed a wise man or woman.
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