I Corinthians 6 No Entitlement

by Jill Ice

 As we meditate on this verse in today’s reading…

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

and pair it with this Scripture…

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

I Peter 1:18-19

we get a clear picture of a better way of life. Being born into a fallen race, our ways are futile. Everything we know and do will degenerate and eventually die. We have no hope within ourselves because we are broken, and the world we live in is broken.

Fortunately, we do not have to stay broken. There is One Who has ransomed us and paid the price demanded by a holy God for our redemption. Because of our awe-inspiring redemption, our bodies are now His property. The Holy Spirit lives within us.

So we seek to glorify God with our bodies, because they belong to Him. But something interesting happens here. Our lives are no longer futile. There is purpose. The brokenness is replaced with fulfillment. He creates beauty where ashes once were.

Why do we cling to our broken ways when God offers lasting satisfaction through a life lived for Him? Let’s give up our so-called, frail entitlement to our lives and live a life abandoned to Him.

I am of Jesus Christ - I Corinthians 1-4

by Diana Durrill

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge -- even as the testimony about Christ as confirmed among you -- so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." -- I Corinthians 1:3-9

Paul is extending a message of grace and peace to the Corinthians that I believe we need to be reminded of today.  In the opening of this two part letter to the body in Corinth, Paul reminds them that they have been extended God's great grace through the finished work of Jesus Christ.  This means, says Paul, that they are not lacking in any way as they journey through the Christian life.

On these grounds he exhorts them to:

• Stop emphasizing divisions (I am of Paul, I follow Apollos) (1:10,12-31)
• Be united in the same mind and judgment (1:10)
• Be overcome by the work God has done in their lives, through Christ Jesus (1:25-31)
• Rely on the Spirit of God to reveal truth and give understanding (2:8-16)
• Stop behaving in the flesh (3:3)
• Again, stop emphasizing the divisions (or schools of thought and training) among men and understand that Jesus Christ is the all-important and essential foundation in our lives (3:4-11)
• Know that what is built on that foundation will be tried by fire (3:12-15)
• Live in the knowledge that God's Spirit dwells within you (3:6)
• Understand that spiritually they have nothing that God has not given them (3:21-23)
• Behave as faithful servants, good stewards of what God has entrusted to them (4:1-2)
• Stop judging others and leave that to God (4:3-6)

The Corinthians were arguing, dividing, judging, and gossiping about one another as a result of pride in their lives.  They boasted of who they were trained under and who's school of thought they follow.  They condemned others for not doing things the way they "should be done" rather than focusing on their point of unity -- Jesus Christ.  They failed to respond to the Holy Spirit in their lives, Who was their Counselor and Guide in all truth.  Rather, they puffed themselves up in human understanding.

Sound familiar?  The church today (all stripes) is guilty as charged.  My, how things could change if we'd begin building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, giving up our emphasis on divisions and arguments by uniting where we can:  in Him and His finished work.  

As we have been given an extraordinary measure of grace at salvation, so let us walk in grace with one another and see the church grow - in all ways - as a result.

Active Belief Acts 18:19 - 19:41

by Mike Durrill

[18] Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. [19] And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. [20] So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. - Act 19:18-20 ESV

Throughout the Scriptures one reads of people that do works that contradict belief in God. One also reads of works that people do which correspond with belief. This certainly reminds one of the old adage, "Actions speak louder than words".

James, the brother of Jesus, in his letter to the Jewish brethren scattered due to persecution writes, "Faith without works is dead being alone".

In this Acts 19 passage you have people who "were now believers" recognizing that their past behavior no longer corresponded with their new belief. Change must take place. There must be a severing of the old and a cleaving to the new.

The Apostle Paul reminds these same believers - [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2Cr 5:17 ESV

He also writes to the Roman Christians, [11] Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. [12] The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. - Rom 13:11-12 ESV

Isn't it refreshing to see new believers in Jesus Christ make specific, active changes in their everyday living? Yet, I think it is just as refreshing for the LORD to see "mature" believers making specific, active changes in our everyday living as well. There is always room for growth in regards to behavior matching belief.

The evil behavior may not be as obvious as witchcraft, but yet still anti-belief. Perhaps it is an attitude towards your spouse or children that is self serving? Or maybe negative comments shared to someone regarding another person? It could be eating or spending habits that need to be given over to God?

Whatever they may be, all of us are in a position to seek the LORD continually and ask him for the faith to change our living to match our belief.

Acts 17

by Paul Ice

Well here is something to meditate on.  This paragraph really jumped out at me and one little phrase in particular.

            The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

           

(Acts 17:24-27 ESV)

I love verse 27.  God did this “so that. . .”

What a great way to start the week.

Acts 15-16 A Changed Life

^{By Jill Ice}

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Acts 16:25-34

The trembling jailer accepted the gospel, committed himself to Christ and rose up a Christian man. We see the evidence of this at once in the man’s new spirit and character. “He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, set meat before them, and rejoiced.” Immediately after believing on Christ, the cruel pagan became gentle. The love of Christ began to work in his heart and to work out through his life. He became kindly and compassionate. At once he began to love the Disciples of Christ and to relieve the sufferings of the men who had told him the way of salvation. At once he made confession of Christ before his family and friends, and was baptized. He also began to rejoice. The songs the prisoners had been singing a little while ago in the dungeon broke now from this new convert’s lips, too. No better proof of conversion can be found than we see in him.

The Tests of Faith James 1-5

by Mike Durrill

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. John MacArthur's sermons on the book of James. This poignant little book was written to new believers who had been displaced because of severe persecution. They were scattered abroad! James writes to them as their shepherd in order that he might encourage them in their faith. He gives them hooks to hang their faith upon as they are going through difficult times. Below is an outline taken from Dr. MacArthur to help you as you read through the passages. 

John MacArthur writes, "There are a number of ways to outline the book to grasp the arrangement of its content. One way is to arrange it around a series of tests by which the genuineness of a person’s faith may be measured."

Introduction (1:1)

I. The Test of Perseverance in Suffering (1:2–12)

II. The Test of Blame in Temptation (1:13–18)

III. The Test of Response to the Word (1:19–27)

IV. The Test of Impartial Love (2:1–13)

V. The Test of Righteous Works (2:14–26)

VI. The Test of the Tongue (3:1–12)

VII. The Test of Humble Wisdom (3:13–18)

VIII. The Test of Worldly Indulgence (4:1–12)

IX. The Test of Dependence (4:13–17)

X. The Test of Patient Endurance (5:1–11)

XI. The Test of Truthfulness (5:12)

XII. The Test of Prayerfulness (5:13–18)

XIII. The Test of True Faith (5:19, 20)

The Straight, Fruitful Paths of the Lord - Acts 13, 14

by Diana Durrill

In today's passage Paul aggressively confronts a Jewish false prophet for trying to turn the proconsul (governor or deputy consul) away from faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul goes so far as to call him a "son of the devil" and "enemy of all righteousness."  I am envious of his boldness!  I admire the courage with which he speaks.  But what I love most about Paul's righteous tirade is this:

"Will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?" (13:10)

False prophets will do that.  They will complicate and muddle up the Christian walk, making it more complicated than it needs to be.  Oh, it's true that the gate to eternal life is narrow and the way is hard while the gate to eternal damnation is wide and easy (Matthew 7:13,14), but in the end, the paths of the Lord are straight.  The grace we are given for salvation can and should be applied to the Christian walk as well. Just as we came to Jesus Christ in humility and by faith (the narrow, hard surrender of our pride), so can we walk in humility and faith as we bask in the grace God has lavishly poured out on us.

False prophets tend to make the walk harder than the entrance into eternal life.  Everyone can come through their wide, easy gate (not requiring much humility or faith because of works), but no one can live up to their expectations, rules and regulations "necessary" for sanctification.  This is anti-gospel.  One way to discern the difference between truth and lies is by examining the fruit produced by those walking that path.  On the straight paths of the Lord you will see supernatural fruit (Galatians 5), but on the crooked paths of a false gospel you will lack the evidence of Spirit-produced fruit.  You may see man-made fruit (fake fruit) but you will be hard pressed to find the supernatural fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:15-20 says,

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits.  Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

Which type of fruit are you producing?  Who's message are you listening to?  Are you striving to keep a list of do's and dont's, working to please the god of a false gospel?  Are you soaking up the message of ravenous wolves who seek to keep you from the fulness of joy that comes through faith in Christ?  Or are you enjoying the straight and fruitful paths of the Lord?  I pray that, like the disciples in Acts 13 verse 52, you find yourself filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Many witnesses Acts 9,10

Many witnesses

By Paul Ice

In the reading today we hear the testimony of 4 witnesses.  Their messages transformed the cities around them, and would continue to have an impact to this day.

The first is Saul.  On his way to bind those that profess that Jesus was the Christ, he encounters that very Jesus.  His eyes are opened and his message is so powerful, it confounds the Jews, and "proves that Jesus is the Christ"

Next we meet Ananias, whom The Lord reveals himself to.  His part in the story enables Saul to be the powerful witness.

Then we meet Peter and Cornelius.  Peter is an eye witness to the resurrected Jesus.  Cornelius, a devout Jew and a man of God, receives his message from the Angel of The Lord.   The two of them testify that the message they received from God is that the Gospel of Salvation will be for all people from every tribe and every nation.  Through Peter's preaching and miracles, many come to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes upon them.  They are baptized and the Gospel begins to spread to all the surrounding region.  

The message is set loose.  The gospel is at work.  Many will believe and be transformed by the power of the work of Jesus Christ.

Let it be known

by Rebekah Johnson "Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12 Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world. -  taken from  Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary What a precious responsibility we have to reflect the love of Jesus Christ. I want it to show in my daily activities that I "have been with Jesus." I want to be in close communion with Him so there is no question for Whom and in Who's power I am living.

Acts 1-3 To You and Your Children

by Jill Ice

If you are following the blog, you will recall that earlier this week in Matthew 27 the religious leaders brought Jesus to be put on trial.  Pilate wanted nothing to do with this judgment, but the people cried out, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.”

Now we are in Acts 2 and the Holy Spirit has come upon the 120 disciples of Jesus.  Many in the audience were amazed because each was hearing the disciples in their own language.  But there was a group of mockers claiming they were just drunk.  So Peter steps in to set them straight.

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up. . .

Acts 2:22-24

He echoes this thought again in verse 36.

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Acts 2:36

The Bible says they were cut to the heart.  So they asked,

Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Acts 2:37-38

Now the best part!

For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off. . .

Acts 2:39

Did you catch his word choices?  And do you understand the good news he is proclaiming? When Peter says that "the promise is to you [the Jews] and your children”, it could be that he is referring back to Matthew 27 where we read that the Jews, in crying out for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ cried out, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.”

Here is the good news.  Peter is telling the Jews that God is still ready to forgive those who crucified His Son and their children if they will repent and turn to Christ in faith.

Witnesses Who Testified - Luke 24; John 20-21

by Diana Durrill

"Thus is is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things." - Luke 24:46-48

The disciples and friends were eye-witness to fulfilled prophecy.  Jesus Christ had just suffered and died at Golgotha, was buried, and then rose again.  He appeared before them now in a scarred body, urging them to go and proclaim the good news of the gospel to all nations.  They touched His hands and His side, broke bread with Him, basked in His glory and splendor, then dispersed to live out the greatest assignment one can ever be given:  the Great Commission.

Believe - Matthew 28; Mark 16

by Diana Durrill

"But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it." - Mark 16:11

 When Mary Magdalene shared the good news of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, the disciples did not believe her.  To them, she was an emotional woman overcome by grief who was imagining things.

After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.  And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them." - Mark 16:12,13

Then two more testified of encounters with the resurrected Jesus.  You'd think the disciples would sit up and listen at this point.  You would think that there would be chaos and confusion as they look at the possibilities from every angle.  Were these two hallucinating?  Was it an impostor?   Who would play such a horrible joke?  Is there any way this could be true?  What if it is true -- what does this mean?  This back-and-forth might have taken place or perhaps they simply shot the messengers and shut them down.  "No, please stop talking.  We don't believe you.  You are crazy and are simply confused."  We don't know.  We only know what is recorded:  "...they did not believe them."

"Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen." - Mark 16:14 

This would have been humbling, to say the least.  How could we have missed the obvious?  How could we not believe our friends?   What does he think of us now?  What use can we be to him when our faith was so non-existent?  Jesus doesn't leave them in this state for long.  In typical Christ-like fashion, He quickly restores them to relationship with him by challenging them to pick themselves up and then do something with the gospel.

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."  - Mark 16:15, 16

Do you believe?  These eyewitnesses of His majesty believed and yet we have the prophetic word more firmly confirmed through Scripture.  (2 Peter 1:16-21)  Jesus says you are saved when you simply, by faith, believe.  If you aren't sure, read through the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), making yourself available to the Holy Spirit of God as He reveals truth to you.  If you do believe, be a light in a dark world by participating in the proclamation of the gospel to the whole creation!

Matthew 27

by Paul Ice

“His blood be upon us and upon our children.”

If you don’t know your history very well, you should do some research here.  There has been much suffering because of the misinterpretation of that one line. Long before the second world war, the Jews were persecuted throughout history. The interpretation of this scripture made them outcasts, the Christ-killers, the ones who got it wrong.

This response (“His blood be upon us and upon our children.”) is to the statement that Pilate makes from verse 25: “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves’.”

He had tried to offer them a notorious criminal instead of Jesus, but they would have none of it.

So what does it mean? “His blood be upon us and our children.”  And what of Barabbas?

Imagine being a first century Jew reading Matthew’s account..  Two prisoners, one of whom goes free and one of whom is killed. It sounds very similar to the rituals performed by the Jews many times: a pair of ritually clean animals, doves, of lambs, and some water. The priest would wash his hands, to show himself to be innocent, and then the priest would let one of the clean animals go free, and sacrifice the other, and sprinkle the blood of the slain animal on the person to be purified. Literally, being washed clean by the blood of the lamb.

So what is the message of this statement and is Barabbas important to the story?

Firstly it tells us that God’s will is done, that love will win out, and even instruments of hate, even hearts full of spite and evil will be transformed. However dark the day, love will transform it.

Secondly, it tells us something about how we should believe in such a God of reckless love. The thing which strikes me more than any other, is that this statement is not a controversial statement to God.  His blood is upon all of us and our children.  That is why Jesus offered himself.  Matthew is trying to communicate to the Jews that through this, you are offered real salvation. Salvation will be offered through the one whose blood will be upon them.

Matthew 26 Weakness

by Jill Ice

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

We live in a society that celebrates accomplishments and disparages weaknesses. So we become really adept at hiding our weaknesses and highlighting our strengths. Yet, our weaknesses have a way of showing up and blowing our cover of having it all together (as if!).

Maybe we should not be so concerned with appearing to have it all together. After all, we are a fallen people. We mess things up. This is how we know our need for Jesus is pervasive, deep, and never-ending. And praise God, He is there in our weakness.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Our weaknesses push us to Christ. Therefore, we should view those weaknesses as a means of grace. As we step out of the way, Christ steps in to our difficult lives and situations and makes beautiful things from the ashes that were there. And the beauty of the work of Christ within us brings glory to Himself and gives hope to those around us.

Mercy and Compassion - Matthew 25

by Diana Durrill

"'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'  And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" -- Matthew 25:35-40 

Demonstrating mercy to our brothers demonstrates a love and service toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  It's as if we are performing the act of kindness to Jesus Himself.

I remember a night long ago when I was young -- I think I was 11 or 12.  I was lying in bed, trying to fall asleep since I had school the next morning.  My father was gone and mom was the only one still awake downstairs.  As I lay there in my bed, I heard a man's voice that didn't belong to my father.  As I strained to hear, I realized that my mother had invited someone into our home and that I could hear a nervousness in her voice.  I crept down the hall, trying to listen better and my suspicions were confirmed.  Mom had indeed invited someone in (I couldn't tell who) and she sounded somewhat anxious.  I decided to take my chances and join her downstairs in order that I might satisfy my curiosity, knowing full well that if I got in trouble I would protest that my intention was to be a support to her.  There was no need for worry as she was glad to see me.  What I saw surprised and startled me, but my mother's actions taught me so much about the truths of this scripture.

Sitting on the sofa before me was a shirtless, nameless man, bloodied from a knife fight.  His chest, shoulders and face were a mess, covered in blood.  Mom was bringing him a glass of water and asking him what had happened.  He shared how he had been in fight with another man and when the knife had been pulled, he got away as quickly as he could and ran to the nearest house with lights on (ours).  My mother gave him our telephone to call for help, a cold drink, something to clean his wounds with and the comfort and safety of our home.

I will never forget the image of that man sitting on our sofa as my  mother served him in love.  Yes, she was anxious and concerned for our safety, but she chose to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to serve a stranger in need.  This type of behavior was modeled for me over and over again throughout my childhood.  Oh, not always in such a dramatic or risky fashion, but both of my parents have consistently chose to meet needs and serve others even when it cost them time and resources.

I am not as naturally bent toward mercy as my parents are, but my heart's desire is to hear the Holy Spirit when He is prompting me to serve a soul in need.  Mike and I both desire to use our resources to meet the needs of others and to provide a refuge for the hurting.  We pray that Valley Community will be a church strengthened through selfless serving others in our church community and neighborhoods.

GO Missions - Matthew 24

by Diana Durrill 

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations."  -- Matthew 24:14a

Nothing can thwart the plans of our omnipotent God as His gospel is spread throughout all the earth!  This is a promise from Jesus' own lips -- the gospel of the kingdom of God will be preached  in the entire world to all the earth's people groups.

At Valley Community, we currently have the privilege of partnering with two families who have gone to work in foreign lands with a desire to teach and preach the Word of God to those who are prohibited from worshipping Jesus Christ freely.  As Matthew 24:9 indicates, it will not be without opposition. However, the joys of sharing the truth of the gospel with those who are hungry, and seeing some make the decision to become a Christ-follower is worth every challenge and obstacle they've faced along the way.

How can you pray for our global partners today and in the days to come?

1. Pray that they would keep their focus on God and remain faithful in their own personal Bible study time.
2. Pray for boldness in sharing the gospel and preaching the truths of God's Word.
3. Ask the Lord to give them rest, encouragement, and friendship.
4. Pray for their marriages to be strong and for wisdom in parenting.
5. Pray for unity with coworkers.

And in the meantime, pray for doors of opportunity here in our places of work, in worship, and at home.

Matt 23

By Paul Ice

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
(Matthew 23:23-24 ESV)


I find the contrast between our monetary gifts and justice, mercy, faithfulness so fascinating.
Here is part of Mark Bradford's thoughts on these verse and that I thought he summed up these verses so nicely.

Jesus also pronounced this woe upon the Pharisees in Luke 11:42. The Pharisees were so meticulous in their tithing, they would count out individual leaves and seeds in their gardens to give a tenth to God. That’s admirable, but what had they left out? They had forgotten justice. After all, they were at that moment plotting to kill an innocent man. They had forgotten mercy. In the version of this woe in Luke, Jesus says they had forgotten the love of God. Mercy and the love of God are the same thing. In spite of our sins against him, because of his great love, God shows us mercy. He gives us what we need rather than what we deserve. According to Jesus, if we want to receive mercy from God, we must extend mercy to others (5:7).

And they had forgotten faith, or as some translations put it, fidelity. In the previous woe, Jesus had condemned the Pharisees for coming up with objects to swear by that wouldn’t bind them to their oath, so they could make promises and not keep them (23:16-22). That’s forgetting about fidelity, or truthfulness.

Here’s the thing about tithing as God established it in the Old Testament. The whole purpose of it was to celebrate how God had provided for them, and to care for those who could not care for themselves. It was about justice (giving God what was just) and mercy (helping the helpless). It wasn’t just about keeping a rule so people could feel righteous. The Pharisees had forgotten that. To them, tithing was a way to show how holy they were. They were missing the whole point of tithing.

Then Jesus adds this humorous line to drive his point home. They strain out a gnat but swallow a camel (NIV). Gnats were the smallest unclean animal to eat, and camels were the largest (Leviticus 11:4, 23). Gnats commonly got into wine because they were on the grapes when the wine was made. To avoid swallowing a gnat, Pharisees would strain the wine by sipping it through clenched teeth, then wipe any gnats off of their teeth! They would go to ridiculous lengths to avoid consuming the tiniest unclean animal, but by forgetting the more important aspects of the law, justice, mercy, and truthfulness, they were, in effect, swallowing the largest unclean animal of all. In a few days, the Pharisees would demand that Pilate crucify Jesus, while refusing to enter Pilate’s home because it would make them ceremonially unclean. Straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel.

That attitude has been all too common in the church throughout the ages, and remains so today. Many are very strict about keeping the rules of their church body, but are mean spirited and unforgiving. They would never smoke a cigarette or take a drink, but they’ll happily spread gossip. We can get very upset about a relatively minor issue in the church, the color of the carpet or the style of music, but have no concern about the eternal fate of our neighbors. That’s just how the Pharisees thought. If we “major on the minors” but forget about what’s really important, our attitude is like the Pharisees. But if we practice justice, mercy, truthfulness, and the love of God, our attitude is more like Jesus.

Matthew 22; Mark 12

by Adam Johnson


And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:46


Each of Jesus' opponents came to trap Him with His own words. Every question that they asked related specifically to beliefs they held strongly. The Herodians and Pharisees asked Him a political question, the Sadducees asked Him a resurrection question, and the scribes asked Him a law question. Jesus knew they maliciously brought these questions to Him to make Him fail before the people. However the word and wisdom of God brought these events to nothing. Man makes his own principles based on flawed premises, but Gods' word always brings these malicious attacks to futility.

How does this apply to our lives today? People have not changed in the ages since Jesus answered these questions, nor has God changed His responses to people. When we encounter the difficult questions and difficult people in life, it should not make us shrink in fear. It should challenge us to love them enough to give them straight Truth answers regardless of their motive. 

Our goal is not simply to be "right" - rather it is to show the Love of God. People know their questions have been answered by God when it confronts them with their sin.God's Word stopped these men in their tracks, as it will stop all men one day.  "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:10-11

Have faith in God

And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God."   - Mark 11:22

This simple response given by Jesus in response to Peter's amazement of the fig tree's demise is interpreted by  Barnes' Notes on the New Testament as, "Literally, have strong faith or have confidence in God; a strong belief that he is able to accomplish things that appear most difficult with infinite ease, as the fig-tree was made to wither away by a word."

Absolute confidence in God - we make it complicated, but it's simple. God will do what He says, and He longs for us to trust Him with child like faith, believing that what we ask in His name He will accomplish. "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13.

         

Luke 19 The Stones Would Cry Out

by Jill Ice

³⁷ As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, ³⁸ saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” ³⁹ And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” ⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Luke 19:37-40

In this passage we see a small picture of God’s all-powerful presence over creation. Everything was made for Him and by Him, and through Him all things exist. Is it any wonder that all of creation stands to praise God? His rightful place is at the head of all Creation, accepting the praise of all things.

"Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them" (Psalm 69:34)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1)

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth." (Psalm 96:11-13)

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds," (Psalm 148:3-4,7-10).

Let us not be neglectful of our joy-filled duty to praise the Lord. What a privilege to join with all creation and saints from all ages in the praise of the most-high God, Creator of the Universe, Savior of the world!

"Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise you the Lord" (Psalm 150:6).

Hosanna!

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, 

'Hosanna to the Son of David! 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 

Hosanna in the highest!' 

Matthew 21:9