“For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you…” 1 Peter 1:18   In 1 Peter 2:13-14 , Peter then says: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” Notice what the apostle does here as he encourages the saints. First, he reminds them of what Jesus has done for them (and for us.) What a blessing to be reminded of the great love of God. We’ve been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is not something to be viewed as cheap or common. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He was unblemished and sinless. He appeared (that is He came to earth) for our sake or for our benefit! Peter emphasizes the great salvation we have and what we have to look forward to when Jesus returns for His church one day. Second, Peter encourages the saints with having the proper response to this great gift given to us by Jesus! How? We are to live a certain way for the sake of the Lord. Specifically, we are to submit ourselves to every human institution. This can prove quite challenging for some, and yet we are called to do this. This could have proved challenging for Peter’s listeners because of suffering they were experiencing. But for the sake of Jesus, this is how we respond. In fact, in 1 Peter 1:17 , Peter says, “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” Why? For the sake of Jesus and what He’s done for us. Finally, consider what Peter says in 1 Peter 2:18-19 : “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.” Let us bear up under sorrows for the sake of conscience toward God. Other translations say: “…Because of a consciousness of God…” CSB “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.” NIV “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”   Jesus suffered unjustly for our sake. Let us be willing to do the same His sake. Jesus appeared for our sakes! One day He will appear again. In 2 Peter 3:10 Peter says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” Why will Jesus return to bring His people into heaven with Him? For our Sakes. Therefore, let us live our lives for His sake.

What is a Parable? A parable is often defined as "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning." Jesus frequently used parables to convey spiritual truths in ways that were relatable to everyday life. He spoke of planting seeds, losing something valuable, and other simple, timeless scenarios. These stories are easily understood and still relevant today, showing how basic and universal their messages are. But the challenge lies in uncovering the deeper, spiritual meaning behind these relatable stories. The earthly part is easy to grasp, but what spiritual lesson is Jesus trying to teach? Why Did Jesus Use Parables? Why didn’t Jesus just state the spiritual truths directly? In Matthew 13 , the disciples ask this very question. After hearing the Parable of the Sower, they wanted to know why Jesus spoke in parables. Jesus explained that the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to those who are willing to seek them. The gospel is for everyone, but only those willing to seek the truth will understand it. This doesn’t mean that some people are excluded from understanding. The truth is available to all, but it requires a heart that is willing to seek, ask questions, and think critically. Jesus wasn’t trying to hide the truth from people. In fact, He explained the meaning of His parables to those who sought understanding, like His disciples. In Luke 8:16-18 , Jesus emphasizes the importance of listening carefully and seeking the truth. Nothing He taught was meant to remain hidden; it was all there for those willing to put in the effort to understand. "He Who Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear" This phrase, often used by Jesus, is a call to truly listen and seek understanding. It’s not just about having physical ears but about having a mind and heart open to the truth. Whether you’re listening to a sermon, reading the Bible, or studying on your own, the key is to be attentive and willing to learn. Albert Barnes, in his commentary, explains that "He who has ears to hear let him hear" implies that it is every person’s duty to pay attention to what is being spoken. Jesus wasn’t responsible for making His teachings easy for everyone to understand. Instead, He expected people to seek the truth within his teaching themselves. What Hinders Understanding? Several factors can hinder our understanding of Jesus’ parables or any other teaching: - Unwillingness to Learn : If we don’t feel the need to learn from Jesus, we may miss the point of His teachings. - Complacency : Believing we already know enough can prevent us from truly understanding. - Arrogance: Assuming we have all the answers closes our minds to new insights. - Preconceived Ideas: Thinking we know what’s being said before fully listening can lead to misunderstanding. These attitudes were present in many of those who heard Jesus' parables but didn’t grasp their meaning, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees. They missed the deeper truths because they weren’t willing to seek them. Conclusion Understanding Jesus’ parables requires more than just hearing the words. It requires a heart and mind open to seeking and understanding the truth. Anyone can understand the truth, but not everyone will. It’s up to us to be the kind of people who stick around, ask questions, and seek deeper understanding. In doing so, the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven will be revealed to us.

There are few displays of God’s power and might that are quite as amazing to see as storms. While they can be scary and dangerous, they also show just how powerful of a God we serve. David uses storms to describe God’s power in delivering him from his enemies in Psalm 18:12-16 :   "Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters…"   Throughout the nation of Israel’s history, there are many examples of God doing incredible things for them. Even within just a few chapters in Joshua, for example, He destroyed walls while the people marched in circles, held the sun in the sky, and used hail to destroy Israel’s enemies. Joshua was a faithful leader that helped encourage the people to have faith in God’s power over their own, even when they were outnumbered ( Joshua 10-11 ). Up to this point in their history, they had gone from a family of twelve brothers to a mighty nation in just a few generations, seen the plagues and other miracles to get them out of Egypt, been sustained in the wilderness for forty years, and then were being given the land of Canaan without much effort or any military expertise on their part.   Centuries later, David shows himself to be “a man after God’s own heart,” in part meaning that He relied on God’s power rather than his own ( 1 Samuel 13:14 ). He knew that despite his personal shortcomings and moral failures, God was eternally holy, upright, and good. Not only that, He had immense historical and personal evidence of God’s working on behalf of His people. To this end, he is honest with himself (and appropriately humble) about the role his own faith had God working on his behalf. He says in verses 20-24 :   "The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight."   While it is untrue that the righteous will never experience suffering or hardship, we do know that the Lord protects His people and works powerfully on their behalf. Whether we are observing the power of a thunderstorm, lose electricity, experience hail or wind damage, we can take courage knowing that the Omnipotent God that controls creation is still and will always be on His throne in Heaven.   When we look at our lives, do we have the same confidence that David did that we are presenting ourselves as blameless before God? It is incredible to think that as Mighty as God is, He still cares about and loves us. He has communicated His will to us through His Word, and has expectations for our lives and how we use them for His glory. David obviously knew what it was like to turn his back on God, ignore His laws, and make horrible mistakes, but he also knew that the way back into God’s favor was repentance and continued obedience. When we see God’s power on display, do we put our faith in Him and “keep ourselves from guilt?”   Praise God for saving us, cleansing us, and always working on our behalf. May we trust and serve Him faithfully as He continues to powerfully provide for our needs and act as our Refuge, Shield, and Fortress throughout life’s many storms.

There are many common phrases in modern vernacular that come from the Bible, one of which is “the blind leading the blind.” We often use this idea to talk about a situation in which someone is helping a group of people and no one in particular is better equipped to lead or teach than anyone else. For example, if I were to teach someone piano, it would be the “blind leading the blind.” I cannot play piano! It would just be two novices messing around (and it would sound pretty terrible)!   This phrase is first found in Matthew 15:10-20 , and in the context, Jesus is talking with the Scribes and Pharisees, who have taken issue with the fact that his disciples do not wash their hands before they eat, thus “breaking the tradition of the elders” (vs. 1). Jesus then cites an example where scribal tradition had gone directly against something that was explicitly commanded by God. By making this point, Jesus brings to light the importance of staying true to the word of God, no matter what “traditions” man may have made from it. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with traditions (as long as they do not go against God’s word), but fidelity to the scriptures and obedience to God’s commands has always been of the utmost importance. At the end of the day, though, it was precisely due to this intense affinity for their rabbinic traditions that caused the Jewish elite to lead their followers “into a pit,” so to speak. They cared more about their extraneous regulations than they did about the straightforward laws laid out by Moses.   Jesus uses this discussion as a teaching moment in which he informs his disciples about the danger of the Scribes and Pharisees’ approach to teaching: they are selfishly putting their interpretation of God’s word above the self-evident truth of the Word itself, and leading themselves and those that listen to them toward destruction.   Jesus uses several metaphors in this passage, but here are some key takeaways: - Uncleanness: Cleanness and purity laws were a core aspect of the Old Law. Many of these laws had to do with physical contact with people or objects that were unclean. However, the point of these cleanliness laws was always to point to the purity of heart that God expects from His people. We are to be holy, for He is holy ( 1 Peter 1:15-16 ) Food is ingested and excreted; this is a normal biological process that says nothing about our heart. - Roots: We are to be “rooted and grounded in love” ( Ephesians 3:17 ). We are “established in the faith, just as [we] were taught,” being “rooted and built up in [Christ]” ( Colossians 2:7 ). Christ is the Rock upon which our lives are build ( Matthew 7:24-27 ). There are so many ways in which our lives are built on Christ: He impacts everything: how we treat people, how we make decisions, even how we view life itself! Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 15 that His Father has specific intentions for the type of fruit His followers will bear. He defines what productivity and success looks like in His vineyard. If we are not rooted in Him, we are not rooted at all. - Blindness: This lack of roots leads to blindness. Without a “home base,” we are aimless wanderers, headed into the abyss with our eyes shut. People who claim to know they way to eternal life, glory, or deep-seated joy are blind frauds. Jesus tells his disciples to leave those kinds of people alone ( vs. 14 ). They are truly the blind leading the blind: people that know nothing about the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and both they and those that follow them will end up falling into a pit. In other words, there is no way but Jesus’ way!   Jesus concludes this section by defining what does in fact defile a man: sin. Sin comes from the heart and can take many forms. Whether ungodly thoughts about others, unbridled anger, lust, envy, etc., all sin separates us from God and “defiles” us. That is why we must guard our hearts so closely.   Jesus makes it clear that the issue the pharisees were originally so worried about was not a problem at all. There is no spiritual problem in eating with unwashed hands. An unclean heart, however, leads to all types of issues. For this reason, whether we are teaching or learning about God’s word, we must be careful to do exactly as it says, or we may just find ourselves leading others or being lead other right into a pit…

Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said, ‘There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a great many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd, to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him; Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.’ Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, ‘As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die. He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.’ Nathan then said to David, ‘You are the man!’ 2 Samuel 12:1-7   This is the parable Nathan gave to King David to help him to see his sin concerning Bathsheba. There are a few thoughts that stand out in this story. It was a great approach to get King David’s attention. Jesus often taught in parables. It’s good for us to do the same. David could clearly see the problem of the rich man in the story yet couldn’t see his own. Why is it easier to see the problems of others, but not our own? Pride? Denial? Lying to ourselves? David knew exactly what the rich man in the story was to do. Yet David failed to do what was right. Because of David and his sinful choices, Bathsheba was taken, her husband Uriah was killed, David and Bathsheba would lose a child, and the sword would never depart from King David’s house. David was the problem. Sometimes we may find that in relationships we are the problem. That can be hard to admit. In fact, many have denied that they are the problem. Consider some examples:  “When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, ‘Is this you, you troubler of Israel?’” 1 Kings 18:17 Elijah was innocent. He was doing God’s will. It was easier for Ahab to say the prophet was the problem instead of himself. “But Jehoshaphat said, ‘Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him? The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophecies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla. But Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.” 2 Chronicles 18:6-7 The prophet wasn’t the problem: the King was! Yet he failed to see or acknowledge his wicked ways! “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:4-7 Was Abel the problem? No! Yet Cain took out his angry (not justified) out on his brother. Cain was the problem but failed to heed God’s warning. When challenges and difficulties arise, we may find that we are the problem. How are we to respond? Not like Cain or Ahab. But rather like David. David heeded the words of Nathan who helped him to see his sin, 2 Samuel 12:13. David could have ignored the words of Nathan. Many kings ignored and rejected the words of prophets. We too, if not careful can ignore wise counsel from God’s word and godly people. We will all need a Nathan in our lives at some point. Let us be wise and listen when what is shared is valid. David acknowledged his sinful behavior, 2 Samuel 12:13 . There was no one for David to blame. He took ownership of his sin. We must do the same. David remained with the LORD even through the difficult consequences, 2 Samuel 12:16-24 . David didn’t get angry at the LORD. Rather, he turned to the LORD. When we are the problem, we can still turn to the LORD for forgiveness. We can run back to HIM! When we find that we may the source of problems, there’s a right way and a wrong way to respond.

In Luke 18:10-13 , Jesus shares the following story:   “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’   If you are unfamiliar with this type of story, it is referred to as a “parable.” You can somewhat think of a parable as a sort of “spiritual fable,” so to speak, in the sense that the story is not meant for entertainment, nor is it a factual anecdote of something that Jesus really saw. It is a story meant for demonstrative and teaching purposes. In the context, Luke tells us that this parable was told “to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt” ( vs. 9 ). First-century Pharisees were notorious for this type of attitude, so much so that people with such an attitude of hypocrisy, virtue signaling, and moral condescension are referred to at times as “pharisaical.”   This is precisely why Jesus appears to use them as an example in His parable. Jesus was keenly aware of people’s hearts, and we know that as God, Jesus could read people’s hearts ( Luke 16:15 ). On the one hand, I am sure many of us have known people where we thought they were a good person, maybe we even looked to them as a role model, and then something happened that made it clear that their heart and mind was corrupt and much different than we would have suspected. On the other hand, maybe you have had the experience where you assumed the worst about someone, but then they turned out to be a really great person. I will be the first to admit I have had that experience. This is the precise phenomena Jesus is expressing in His parable. See, while Pharisees were famous for being highly educated Jewish teachers and religious figures, tax collectors were known essentially as traitors of the Jewish people. At the time, the Roman Empire was occupying Jerusalem, and tax collectors had the job, as the name indicates, of collecting taxes from the citizens for the Roman Empire. As you can imagine, these taxes were often steep, unfair, and the punishment for not giving Rome their money would be harsh, making these tax collectors even less popular than the modern IRS! They were viewed with great contempt, essentially as sellouts working for the enemy. However, go back and read the parable itself again. Between these two men, whose attitude do you think is more Christlike: the Pharisee or the Tax Collector? More simply, which man’s attitude is more palatable? I would imagine many of us have great distaste for outspoken arrogance like that of the Pharisee. Maybe we find it difficult to even fathom going to God in prayer and being so bold as to talk about our own righteousness, while talking to The Eternally Righteous One. The two men in this parable are not only contrasted by their attitudes but by their social standing. They are not only juxtaposed to each other but to themselves—the Pharisee, an outwardly religious man who ironically exalts himself before God, and the tax collector, a likely wealthy and somewhat powerful man who begs God for mercy. It is because of this Jesus explains the meaning of the parable by simply saying, “I tell you, [the tax collector] went down to his house justified, rather than the [Pharisee]. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”   Jesus makes it clear in this parable that God is the one who exalts, not us. We must always be careful and cautious that we do not get to the point that the Pharisee reached where we are so overzealous about our holiness that we are boastful. On the other hand, may we look at God with the eyes of the tax collector and allow ourselves to be humbled by His holiness and overwhelmed by His mercy. We need not proclaim to God all that we have done, as the Pharisee does; He already knows. The only appropriate response to being in front of The Almighty I Am is to fall on our faces and plead with Him to bless us. He assures us that if we do this, He will exalt us well beyond any social status, career, or financial gain this world can provide us.   We were dead in our sins. God is unlimited in His mercy. Keeping that in perspective is of the utmost importance.   “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” ( Romans 5:6-11 )

What if I told you that you were at war, whether you knew it or not?   What if I told you that the Enemy would love nothing more than for you to ignore the battle and not fight back at all?   What if I told you that victory was guaranteed?   Renowned Christian author C.S. Lewis published “The Screwtape Letters” in 1942, a fictional story of a demon named Wormwood who is being trained by his uncle Screwtape how to tempt Christians. Harrowing in its portrayal of spiritual warfare from a demonic perspective, Screwtape at one point reminds his nephew that “…the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts…”   While the story of Screwtape and Wormwood is completely fictional, the above quote could not be truer. For those, like myself, who have never been in a true, physical, military conflict, it may be standard practice to imagine war as it is sometimes portrayed in movies: one massive army on one side, the enemy on the other, and then they run at each other and fight until one side annihilates the other, captures them as prisoners of war, or  forces them to retreat. Spiritual warfare is not always this clear or dramatic.   While there have been many wars in the past century (and, really, throughout human history) perhaps one of the most horrifying (if they can even be ranked) is the Vietnam War. One of the factors that notoriously made the Vietnam War especially horrid was the use of guerrilla warfare by the Viet Cong. The Viet Cong were obviously familiar with the jungles of Vietnam and used the natural brush cover, the darkness of night, the element of surprise, and other tactics to take complete advantage of their opponents, further exacerbating the devastating psychological effects of not being able to see the enemy plainly, know precisely where danger was, or if even taking another step forward was safe. Thinking of the terrors of the Vietnam war reminds me of the clandestine nature of spiritual warfare as stated so eloquently in the above quote. Satan will not put out flashing neon lights that say, “Death available here!”  anymore than the Viet Cong would have put a caution sign in front of a booby trap in the jungle or a lion would blow a trumpet before it jumped out of the brush to attack a gazelle (1 Peter 5:8).   Another layer to spiritual warfare that makes it even more difficult is that some do not even acknowledge there is a war. Ever since the garden of Eden Satan has been, as I hear one preacher put it, “painting something that will kill you as something you cannot live without” ( Genesis 3:1-6 ).  Satan is so vile he will not only trick you into stepping on a land mine, he will make it look fun. Worse still, he will do his best to numb us to the effects of sin so that we have to partake of more and more to get the same thrill we used to. By doing this, snake-like as ever, he acts as a boa constrictor slowly and surely tightening his grip around his victim ( Revelation 20:2 ).   Now, if the enemy is so strong and evil, what tactics can we use to fight back? What hope do we have of winning? If he is so subtle, how can I know how well I am doing?   According to Galatians 5 , the Christian is called to live in the spirit rather than living according to the flesh. Making decisions based on God’s will and not our own physical will is a major part of our spiritual battle. In verses 19-21 , Paul lists some works of the flesh—clearly identifiable actions the Christian is to stay away from—“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” Also in Galatians 5 , some Godly qualities are listed; indicators of victory and Christlikeness, if you will: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Again, we see the idea of doing what may be counter to our temporary, physical desires in order to please our eternal, spiritual God.   The spiritual nature of this battle is further emphasized in Ephesians 3:11-18 , when Paul draws a comparison between the elements of a Christian life and how they pertain to the spiritual battle at hand.   “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance…”   Notice especially what he says at the end there: alertness and perseverance. We must realize that there is, in fact, a battle going on for our souls, and that it will take great perseverance to “stand against the schemes of the devil.” However, while we must never drop our guard, notice that the armor belongs to the Lord. It is Him that is protecting us, providing for us, encouraging us to stay in the fight. His, ultimately, is the victory.   To this end, 1 Peter 5 is not only clear about the predatory and deceptive nature of Satan, but about the active role that God takes in fighting for His people: “Resist [the Devil], firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”   At the end of the day, may we stand firm and fight on, ever mindful of 3 vital facts: the Devil the enemy, we are not fighting alone, and we are fighting for the winning army—the army of the Eternal, Glorious, “God of all Grace.”

While the 4th of July brings celebration for many Americans, commemorating their national independence with fireworks and patriotic anthems, as Christians, we are called to acknowledge a more significant allegiance. This allegiance is not to a flag or a country but to the kingdom of God—a realm that transcends borders and offers a deeper, eternal freedom. This is a kingdom not built by human hands or achieved through historical battles but established by Jesus Christ and rooted in spiritual truths that govern our very existence. As we reflect on the festivities of the 4th of July, it's crucial to remember the greater kingdom we are part of, which offers not just temporary liberty but eternal salvation. Jesus is King In the kingdom of God, Jesus serves not just as a figurehead, but as the ultimate ruler, whose authority surpasses all earthly power. Scriptures like Ephesians 1:20-23 depict Jesus as resurrected by God and seated at the right hand of heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority. This sovereign rule over all things was affirmed by the early church and is vividly captured in Revelation 19:16, which refers to Jesus as the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." So what does this mean? It means Jesus is in control. It means we must submit to him. We need to be sure that in both our words and actions, we acknowledge him as king.  The Nature of Jesus' Kingdom Unlike earthly kingdoms built through political and military might, Jesus’ kingdom is fundamentally spiritual. While Jesus was here on earth teaching, this was a point of confusion even among His closest followers, who expected an earthly king. When tried by Pilate, Jesus was being questioned as to whether or not he truly was to be king of the Jews. Jesus, in response, told Pilate: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36 Oddly, one of the few people who did seem to understand what was happening was a thief. A thief who, like Jesus, was being killed on a cross. This man recognized His true kingship when he asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom ( Luke 23:42-43 ). The theif knew that death was not preventing Jesus from ruling in his kingdom. This acknowledgment highlights a profound truth: Jesus' kingdom transcends earthly realms and continues to rule over the spiritual lives of believers. The Laws of the Kingdom Being under Jesus' kingship means adhering to the laws He has set. Matthew 7:21-23 stresses the importance of not just calling upon His name but actively doing the will of God. The kingdom of God requires true obedience to God's commandments, even those that go against current societal norms “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Clearly there are certain actions and lifestyles we can live that are incompatible with the laws required to be citizens in this nation. There are many things throughout the word of God that are provided as actions and lifestyles that will cause one to lose their opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven. These laws must transcend above the laws of our earthly nation (USA). Here in our country there are many things that are legal by our governments standards. Yet, despite this fact, they will still cause us to lose our salvation if scripture defines them as contrary to God's law. The Freedom Offered by the King Despite its laws and rules that many call restrictive, the kingdom of God offers unparalleled freedom. "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 6:16-18 (NIV) If we going to reap the benefits of the one whom we dedicate ourselves to, why not pledge that allegiance to one who will give us life? Because until we pledge our allegiance to God and Christ Jesus we are slaves to sin which will only bring death. When we write off God as our ruler, then we are writing off the only ruler who can truly offer freedom and liberty. We get to choose who we follow; Jesus or our own pleasures and unrighteousness. And as a result, we will reap the benefites of our choice; sin or eternal life. The King's Invitation The beauty of Jesus' kingdom is that it is open to everyone. Regardless of past actions or societal labels, Jesus extends an invitation to all. This inclusiveness is emphasized in 1 Timothy 2, which expresses God’s desire for all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. However, accepting this invitation requires a conscious decision to follow Jesus, to obey His teachings, and to be baptized into His death and resurrection, as outlined in Romans 6:3-11. The kingdom of God is not just a theoretical concept but a practical reality that demands a response. It invites us to shift our allegiance from worldly institutions to a spiritual kingdom. Just as nations celebrate their independence and values, we, too, are called to celebrate and live out the values of the kingdom of God daily. The decision to accept this invitation is personal and transformative, offering not just freedom from sin but an eternal inheritance of joy and peace.

Throughout the years I have had numerous Bible studies and discussions with people. Many of them have gone well, while others have been challenging. When discussing the subject of salvation, Heaven and Hell naturally come up. Jesus taught about both, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:12 Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you… Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” In Matthew 5:28-29 Jesus says, “…But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” One of the more challenges when studying with people is having them read from the Scriptures what the Bible says about salvation. When they realize what they have done does not align with the Scriptures an objection is often raised. Something I’ve heard is, “So, you’re saying I’m going to hell?” When someone asks this, it can become unsettling to the one who is teaching. There are some things to keep in mind. God’s word is the standard, not me or anyone else. We will be judged by His words according to John 12:48-49. One should take seriously whether their conversion story aligns with what’s revealed by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, there are no examples or commands for a person to say a prayer to receive salvation. How then can one be confident in something they can’t hear about in the scriptures? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17. God is the Righteous Judge. He knows the hearts of men and will judge accordingly, John 2:25. Yet, this does not mean that we can’t share and teach what is explicitly revealed in God’s word. We should believe what Jesus says when He says, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; He who does not believe shall be condemned, Mark 16:16.” We should believe it and act on it. There’s something else very important to consider as well when this objection arises. In Acts 13:43-46 as Paul and Barnabas were preaching the gospel, there were some who refused to believe. Paul says something interesting as a result. He says, “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.” Let’s consider some additional thoughts from this and the statement, “So, you’re saying I’m going to hell?” The word of God had been preached to these people. They repudiated it (or rejected it). Paul said they had judged themselves. Because of their rejection of the truth, because of their stubborn hearts, Paul said they were unworthy of eternal life. What is the opposite of eternal life? Jesus said in Matthew 25:46 “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Those who reject the gospel and refuse to believe in Jesus judge themselves unworthy of eternal life. They (as well as all of us) will have to give an account before the Lord on Judgment Day. No one has to go to hell. Jesus died so we can be saved from our sins. The choice is ours. We must choose if we wish to be in heaven or hell. Have you judged yourself unworthy of eternal life?

In Deuteronomy 30, Moses is about to die. As he nears the end of his life, and by extension, the end of his time as the leader of Israel, he talks at great length about the importance of the Israelite’s continued obedience of God’s commandments as they move on to conquest the land of Canaan without him. He has always emphasized obedience of course, but especially as they are finally entering the land after a forty-year delay because of their disobedience and lack of faith, he assures them that as long as they are faithful God will allow them to be successful and prosper in the land. On the other hand, disobedience will bring about severe consequences. After going into great detail about both possible futures—i.e. the horrors of disobedience and the splendor of obedience—Moses makes an interesting point about the commandments he has laid before them. In Exodus 30:11-14, Moses says: “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” Unfortunately, sometimes we can mistakenly think that God’s will is either too obscure or too difficult for us. On the one hand, some may think that God has not made His will clear enough, and that the Bible is too difficult to understand. On the other hand, we can tend to act as if God gave us certain qualities that cannot be changed and then demanded more of us than He gave us; as if He made us five feet tall and demands we be over six foot to get to heaven. This way of thinking, however, could not be farther from the truth! As Moses reminds the people in Deuteronomy 30, God’s commands are neither “far off” nor “too hard.” In fact, God has always been extremely clear about His desires and expectations for His people, and the importance of remembering them always. Notice what Moses says about the commandments he had given them: “But the word is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it” (vs. 14). This calls to mind Deuteronomy 6:6-9—immediately after the famous commandments referred to as the Shema by Jewish people and quoted by Jesus in Matthew 12:29-30—when Moses tells the people that “these words which I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” The fact of the matter is, God knows that His people are often forgetful and need to surround themselves with His Word in order to both literally and figuratively keep it before them. Moses knew this too, and over the course of his leadership had seen the devastating effects of forgetting God and His commandments. In fact, it was due to one of his own moments of shortsighted disobedience that he was not entering the promised land (Numbers 20, Deuteronomy 32:48-52). While God has high hopes and high expectations for His people, He is not a God that sets the bar for obedience impossibly out of reach. He is not a God that taunts and demeans, but a God that uplifts and encourages His people. He is a God that provides for repentance and forgiveness when necessary. At the beginning of Deuteronomy 30, even after laying out the potential blessings and curses the Israelites have ahead of them, God reminds them that even if they are cursed, scattered, and taken into captivity, if they are truly repentant and turn back to God, “then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there will he take you…And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your hear and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:3-4, 6). Upon reading these hopeful and merciful forewarnings from Moses as he nears the end of his life, I cannot help but be reminded of two teachings of Jesus: In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus famously says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Then, in Luke 15:11-32, we read the parable of the prodigal son. This young man had “forgotten who he was,” so to speak, and yet despite his disobedience and wastefulness, his father is overjoyed upon his return home, running out to eagerly meet him halfway. These two moments in Jesus’ ministry, in light of Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 30, show that God has not changed. He is constant in His desire for His people to know Him, serve Him, obey Him, and share in His glory. In the words of Moses, offering his concluding thoughts on the choice between life/obedience and death/disobedience, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” To put it simply, no, God’s will is not, nor has it ever been too hard. Obedience is difficult, and it takes work, but with the LORD as our God, we are unstoppable. Just like the Israelites, then, let us remember “that there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God…[and] let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intensions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:9-12). God’s word is clear, His yoke is easy, and His reward is well worth it. May we never forget that.

In the first chapter of 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul pens a heartfelt letter to his young protege, Timothy, who he left in Ephesus. The core of his message? To ensure that the gospel—or the law—is communicated and upheld correctly. Through this epistle, Paul delineates two primary purposes of the gospel that resonate deeply with the challenges and aspirations of spiritual life. Purpose #1 - The Primacy of Love Paul begins by setting the stage in verse 5, where he states, "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." This passage highlights love as not only the fundamental outcome of the gospel but also its driving force. This love, Paul explains, should be genuine and transformative, pushing us towards a closer relationship with God. He elaborates that such love stems from three key qualities: A Pure Heart: Unmarred by ulterior motives or selfish desires. A Good Conscience: Maintained by living in a way that is harmonious with divine teachings. A Sincere Faith: Rooted in genuine belief and commitment to God’s word. Paul underscores that advancing God's work through the law should ultimately cultivate this profound sense of love. Purpose # 2 - Correcting The Wayward Moving onto the second purpose, Paul delves into the role of the law for those who stray from it. In verse 9, he points out, "We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful…" This statement introduces the corrective function of the law. It serves as a guide and a check for those who rebel against divine teachings, highlighting the path back to righteousness. Paul's letter is not just a theological idea but also a call to action. The things Paul is writing would evoke some soul searching questions: Do you embody the love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith? Are you engaged in the spiritual warfare of maintaining these qualities against worldly challenges? He warns in verse 18 about the stakes of this spiritual battle, urging believers to adhere to these virtues to "wage the good warfare." Furthermore, in verse 19, he cautions, "By rejecting [these], some have made shipwreck of their faith." This vivid imagery of shipwreck illustrates the disastrous consequences of neglecting the spiritual tools provided by God. An Invitation to Commitment Paul's message culminates in an invitation—a call to either reaffirm or newly commit to cultivating a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Whether you are steadfast in your spiritual journey or have wandered away, Paul's words offer a chance for renewal and realignment. As we reflect on these teachings, consider where you stand. Are you fostering the love that Paul speaks of, or are you at risk of becoming a 'shipwrecker' in your faith? . As you ponder these thoughts, may you find the inspiration to embrace the transformative power of genuine love and faith.

Do you think there are very many people in the world that have a healthy, stable view of themselves? From what I see in the world around me, there appear to be a lot of people who are either disproportionately proud and arrogant or people who have an unhealthy, unbiblical self-esteem that often manifests itself with thoughts like “I just mess everything up,” or “I don’t know why God put me here,” or “The world would be better off without me.” Ironically enough, these two extremes can oftentimes be related, and they both seem to go back to lies the devil has been telling since the beginning of time. When we look at what happened in the garden of Eden, it can be shocking to read how blatant the lie that the devil told Eve was. God had told Adam and Eve, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). With this in mind, look at the exchange Satan has with Eve in chapter 3: “…He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’” And after Eve explains that they are allowed to eat of all but one tree, and that if they eat of the forbidden tree, as God said, “you shall surely die,” Satan responds with “You will not surely die.” It does not get any more contrary to God’s command than that! Satan blatantly says the opposite of what God has said and in doing so, calls God a liar. He does what he has always done, and, as I heard one preacher put it, “paints something that will kill you as something you can’t live without.” Now how does this apply to our view of ourselves? Well, it seems as if, in many ways, Satan has sold our society two opposing lies that contradict each other and that work together to send us into a downward spiral of pride and self-loathing, where many rarely encounter the happy, healthy middle ground God has given us. Those lies are as follows: first, that my life is all about my happiness and pleasure and if something does not serve me personally or make me happy then it is not worthwhile. Second, that if we are not doing everything perfectly then we are worthless, and our life is futile. If we are not happy, healthy, and rich, then we are insignificant. Do you see these two ideas in the world around you? Do you see how they diametrically oppose each other? One leads to boasting and pride; the other, to sorrow and despair. However, the good news is that neither of these views are Biblical, and God’s will for how we view ourselves is higher and better than either one! Consider these passages: Galatians 6:14 – “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” If we are boasting, we should boast in the cross! Anything we have that is truly worth boasting about comes from God. Let us always be sure that we remember what Christ accomplished on the cross, and that any intrinsic value comes solely from bearing His name. James 4:6, 10 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” God demands that His people view themselves with appropriate humility next to Him. He is an Awesome God, the Creator, and King of the Universe. He is Lord of all! That not only puts into perspective how small and limited we are but is a profound reminder that He wants to exalt us to be fellow heirs, sons, and daughters along His Firstborn Son. Wow! 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul here is talking about his thorn in the flesh that God refused to remove, stating that His grace is sufficient for Paul. If God’s grace is sufficient for Paul, it is sufficient for us too! We definitely have weaknesses and limitations, and that is okay. Those things should appropriately ground us and keep us humble, as they did Paul. However, God in His infinite power and immense grace can make us strong despite our weaknesses. If we just view ourselves as vessels and tools for His use, He can do incredible things with us, despite whatever we feel holds us back. God has been using imperfect people to accomplish remarkable things since the beginning of time! Genesis 1:27 - “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”. We are made in the image of God! That means we are incredibly powerful, but that also means we must act like it!