faithful

Tourist Season is Over

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Some people love to travel. They love to experience new foods, new cultures, new scenery, new geography and more. They must not mind the packing and unpacking, the planning and preparations, or the cost and effort a traveler’s lifestyle brings. I assume there are many rewards in a life well-traveled.  Sights unseen by most have been witnessed. Foods untasted by most have been consumed. Cultures unknown by most have been experienced. Architecture and nature at its finest have been sighted. Perhaps, famous people have been spotted along the way. There is no end to what one can experience when traveling the world. 

Tourist season is typically a certain time period throughout the year. Weather seasons are different throughout the world, so tourist season won’t always be the same days and months for each location. So, traveling that provides the best and most relaxing experience must be properly researched and planned. Spontaneity can pay off at times, but at other times, timing is key. 

When we look at life as a forward moving trip, we realize we will face many new sights and sounds and peoples. Unless we put ourselves in a box and refuse to budge, we can be open to adventures that will enrich our lives. But are we satisfied with always being on the go? Do we ever want to settle down and slow down?

Each of us are on the journey called life. And in the course of that journey, we have many life choices we must make. Daily, we pack and unpack all the circumstances we face, pleasant or not. We surround ourselves with friends of our own choosing, right or wrong they may be. We may or may know know who, what, when, where and how influences us. Some choose to live a busy life, while others have chosen a deliberate, slow life. Regardless of our lifestyle, we move forward each day. 

This world is not a place where we should feel comfortable. As believers, we should stand out as ones who don’t go with the flow of culture. We can’t bow to the whims of the latest trends or accept the most current social customs. For they will lead us astray. If we’re not careful, they will lead us down a path that leads straight to hell.

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. Jude 1:20-21

Perhaps it’s time to put away the spiritual luggage and resort wear and prepare for the trip of a lifetime. It’s time to move from tourist to serious pilgrim in our Christian walk. It’s time to move from being a casual Christian to being a dedicated follower of Christ.

It’s time now while there is still time to buckle up and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. It’s time to study the Bible and know what we believe. It’s time we learn whether our current beliefs align with the Bible or not. And if they don’t, it’s time to change those beliefs to honor God. For this world is not our home. We’re only passing through. And when our tour of duty is over here on earth, our souls will still live on somewhere. And while we’re passing through this life, we have a choice to make of where we spend our next life. Heaven or hell.

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Peter 2:11-12

We are on a journey toward eternity. There is a path that leads to heaven, and it’s time to choose that path. Our days on this earth are short. We don’t know when our life is over. But we do know that Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life. If Jesus is the Way of Life for us, then he will lead us down the path of life. And the path is not for fainthearted tourists, because it is full of bumps and bruises, twists and turns. It’s for the serious traveler. It’s for the one who deliberately chooses to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life. We must always stay packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

A traveler may collect souvenirs as reminders of their travels. They can be on display at home to provide a moment of reminiscence when a memory hits. As pilgrims on the road of life, we too can store treasures in our eternal home. They will serve as reminders of our faithful witness and pilgrimage. This collection won’t be on display until we reach our final destination, but the collection is building with each breath we take. 

Like Paul, our goal should be to finish the fight of this life with a strong faith. Our prize is being prepared as we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s put away our suitcases and build a strong case for our faith that can’t be denied.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Book of Names

~ mercyfortheday ~ 2 Comments

Court documents were unsealed this week. Previously unpublished names were released. Trouble is. These people want to remain anonymous. But a judge has ruled that their names are to be published for all to read. Oh. Some names had already come to light, so they were no big surprise. But others have remained hidden from hungry eyes. Unless someone stopped this from happening, all signs were a go earlier in the week to the release the names. And the documents are slowly trickling out for public eyes to see.

The people called out most likely never thought their names would become public knowledge. But then. They probably never thought that the owner of the list would ever be brought to trial. Or imprisoned. But here we are. The parties who were found guilty are either dead or in prison. And the names have remained behind lock and key until now. And those people are probably thinking that some people just can’t leave things well enough alone. Hopefully, no one will be killed because of the exposure of names. After all. The names reveal privileged and wealthy people who were associated with a man who partook in illegal activities. Let’s just say. Young girls were involved. And some of those girls, now women, have come forward because of the activities they were required to perform.

It appears that some of those named in the lawsuit are doing everything within their legal power to keep their identity from coming to light. But since it’s already in the light, they want their names to be darkened. As in redacted. Oh. Their names can never be fully expunged. Only blacked out. And even then, there’s always a possibility that their names could be revealed in one way or another. Because once you’re named, you’re named. 

And just to be straight. This isn’t a list that anyone should desire to be on. We know there are lists that people clamor to join. The list of most beautiful women. The sexiest man of the year. Athlete of the year. Billionaires of the world. But this list is much different. This is the list no one named in it wanted to be published. And it isn’t even a list. It’s documents of court testimony uncovering people who associated with those found guilty of crimes. The actual list of names has never been found. Some wonder if it even exists. We may never know.

I wonder, though. If these men knew back then that their names would someday become public, would they have done anything differently? Would they have still associated with the man of ill repute? Would some of them still have been willing to travel on that private jet? Would some have still gone to the exotic island to do unspeakable things? Are they smiling and laughing and happy now? Are they still toasting each other, or have they turned against each other? Have any of them gone into exile? Is anyone being paid to remain silent? Have private threats been made to anyone willing to publicly expose them? Is the judge under protection? Should she be?

The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! Luke 12:2-3

If you haven’t heard, books are being written with each of our names in them. This has been going on for centuries now. Books that list all our activities, good and bad, are being written.  And these books will one day be opened. The seal will be broken, and the contents revealed. The only thing is. These books will never be published for all to see. You’ll only know what’s been recorded about you when you stand in front of the Judge of all times. Your account will be made known to you alone. 

Before the books are opened, though, we are living our lives. And we’re being watched, quite frankly. God knows everything. There is no hiding. Oh. We can try to hide our actions from God, but it’s futile. There’s no way around his all-seeing eye. He knows everything. He sees everything. And he’s everywhere. It’s foolish of anyone to think they aren’t seen by God. 

What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the Lord , who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The Lord can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!” How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”? Isaiah 29:15-16

You can bet that Someone is keeping track of all our words and actions. Even our intentions are being recorded. Yes. He’s a mind reader. And you want to be in his good graces when the books are opened. Because. The records don’t lie and they can’t be changed. Oh. Our sins can be forgiven if we ask. But then we must stop sinning. 

The Book of Life is the one where you definitely want to find your name. In this book are the names of those who have been given eternal life in heaven. Any sins, once confessed, are erased and are no longer remembered by God for those listed in this book of books. God’s judgment is the final word and determines where we spend eternity. So, if your name is not currently in the Book of Life, you still have time to have it entered. Repent of your sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. And then live in full obedience to the Lord. You have a choice. And while it is still today, repent while there is still time.

I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. Revelation 20:11-15

Name Your Friends

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The importance of having a network of fellow Christian friends is so obvious in today’s environment. As noted in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he had close ties to believers in the cities where he had preached. This wasn’t a coincidence. This was intentional, because he needed fellowship and encouragement with people who had common beliefs and interests. When he was discouraged, his friends would encourage him and vice versa. Honestly, it can be lonely to be in a church and have no friends.

Who do you turn to when you need advice? Do you turn to friends who have no biblical foundation, or do you turn to those who can lead you closer to Christ? Do your friends believe in Jesus Christ? Are they faithful followers and seeking God’s will in their lives? Will they hold you accountable when necessary, and will you do the same for them? If you want to grow your faith, look for people who are likeminded.

There are ways to grow friendships with fellow believers, and none of them can be accomplished if we sit at home crying alone. Oh. There may be times when crying alone is called for, but it won’t help develop long lasting friendships. But there are also times when you may need a shoulder to cry on, or someone may need you to shoulder their burden. Stay grounded in the Bible, so you’re well-fed enough that you can speak truth and love to others.

Attend church regularly and get involved. Consider discipling other believers in the church. If your gift is teaching, lead a Bible study. Train others to read the Bible and how to study it. Join a book study that offers sound Biblical teaching. Join the church volleyball league or any other group that interests you. Invite others to your home for dinner or coffee.

Don’t be discipled by social media influencers. They could lead you astray, if you aren’t grounded in the Word of God. As you get better acquainted with fellow believers, allow those with more biblical maturity and wisdom to mentor you. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to help guide you through a difficult phase of life. You never know when the opportunity will come full circle, and you’re on the giving end of godly advice.

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. Matthew 18:20

Paul didn’t stay at home long. He traveled the world sharing God’s message. He had the opportunity to meet many people and witness their conversion to faith in Jesus Christ. Not only did he live and work with them, he spent months on end building into their lives. He discipled new believers, so they would have a strong faith when he wasn’t with them. He also kept up to date on the happenings of the churches and of his faithful friends. Paul was a true friend and discipler of other believers. Can I say the same of myself?

The first friend Paul mentions in a long list of friends as he closes the book of Romans is Phoebe, who lived in Cenchrea and was enroute to Rome. Perhaps she carried the letter to the Roman church. Priscilla and Aquila were close friends and fellow tent makers who had been deported by the Roman officials because they were Jews. They had landed in Corinth, Greece where Paul first met them, but were eventually able to return to Rome.

Epenetus was one of Paul’s first converts in Achaia, and he was a beloved friend. Paul mentions several other friends he identified as hard workers for the church.

Two highly respected men, Andronicus and Junia, were fellow Jews who had been in prison with Paul. They had become followers of Christ before Paul did, and were also willing to lay down their lives and livelihoods in order to spread the gospel message.

Urbanus was a co-worker in Christ, and Stachys was a dear friend. Apelles, was a good man approved by Christ. Aristobulus held church meetings in his home. Herodion was another fellow Jew. The household of Narcissus was occupied by followers of Christ. Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis worked hard for the Lord. Rufus was chosen by the Lord to be his own, and Paul was close enough to his mother to call her his own.

Paul also lists multiple believers who met in other home churches. They too were faithful followers of his teachings of Jesus Christ. And he called them friend.

Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. Romans 16:1-15

In total, Paul listed by name twenty-seven people who were his friends. He generously complimented his friends and built them up. These individuals lived notable lives and were worthy friends of this man Paul who had once hunted and imprisoned Christians. He was a trusted man, and he had developed many close friendships throughout his years of travel and ministry. These people he listed are real people. Most likely, they are commonplace people trying to earn an honest living, and they’ve accepted the call to follow the Savior that Paul preached to them.

We too can have a long list of friends if we consistently cultivate new relationships. If we read closely Paul’s descriptions of his friends, we will note that they aren’t all extremely close friends. But they are notable enough to deserve a greeting. As with Paul, not all our friendships will be extremely close. That’s not the point. While it’s important to have a close circle of trusted friends and advisors, we still need a broader range of friendships with people who have various gifts and abilities. It’s never too late to add a new name to your list.

Out of Stock

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It was eleven thirty in the morning. The restaurant had only been open for thirty minutes. I ordered a baked potato. The server said they were out of potatoes. So I kindly asked how they could be out of potatoes when they had only been open for thirty minutes. She said the potatoes had been a popular item the evening before.

This wasn’t the first time I had encountered this issue at this particular restaurant. A time before, the out of stock item was brussels sprouts. I thought then that it must have been a one-time event, but now I’ve concluded that the manager doesn’t prepare for busy weekend diners. They don’t plan far enough in advance for popular menu items. And I’m assuming that food deliveries aren’t made on weekends. So, I knew I wouldn’t be the only customer to face a lack of potatoes since it was early in the day. First world problem. I know.

Perhaps, the manager sees their management style as one of good stewardship. They don’t want to over plan and then have potatoes growing eyes. But really. It’s a restaurant. They’re open seven days a week. People order baked potatoes all the time. So, what this manager may see as good stewardship, the disappointed customer sees as poor management. The customer isn’t satisfied. They see poor planning and lack of concern for the customer’s satisfaction. Doesn’t the manager know that disappointed customers may choose not to return? And they most definitely will tell others about the lack of popular items. It doesn’t seem to be a win/win situation in the eyes of the disappointed customer.

I’ve heard that the customer is always right. So, is that really true? Is there ever a time when the customer is flat out wrong? I know. It depends on the situation.

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21

As another story goes, there were ten virgins heading to a wedding. The bridegroom was delayed, so these ten fell asleep. They awoke to the sounds that the bridegroom was on his way. Five of the virgins had thought ahead and brought extra oil for their lamps. The other five did not, and they asked for the others to share. The five with extra oil said no. If they shared, then they too would run out before the bridegroom arrived. So they trimmed their lamps and headed out to the party. The other five had to run back into town and get more. As they were getting their supply of oil, the bridegroom arrived and they weren’t at the meeting spot. Once the door to the party was shut, no one else was permitted to enter. When the last five virgins arrived, they weren’t allowed entry. They were too late. They were left standing outside while the party carried on indoors.

You can read the story of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

You may wonder how baked potatoes and virgins are related. Well. They aren’t. But the moral of the story is preparation. The manager of the store needs to be prepared to serve any item on the menu at all times. Lack of planning on his part should not constitute an emergency for anyone else. But it does. And angry customers may never return. The situation is easily avoidable.

The virgins in the story are another matter. Half of them planned for waiting an extended period of time, and the other half did not. Those who were prepared were rewarded for their faithfulness in planning. They were allowed to celebrate with the bridegroom. The others were left behind. They could not and would not be allowed entry, regardless of having received an invitation.

As believers, we must prepare for our eternal meeting with Christ. We must repent of our sins. But then the work to become more Christlike begins. And that work is ongoing. Until we breathe our last breath, we must pursue a deepening relationship with Christ. Our walk must match our talk. If we say we’re Christians and are following Christ, then our actions must line up with our words. If we say we believe the Bible, are we living like the Bible tells us to? We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouth. Sounding Christian while we’re at church and then acting like the devil the rest of the week doesn’t work with God. We must be prepared at all times to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our Bridegroom. If we aren’t prepared to meet him, he may come to take us to our eternal home and we’ll miss it.

Oh. The Bible tells us that the gate to heaven is narrow, but the gate to hell is wide. We need to make sure we’re heading toward the narrow gate, for it is the gate to eternal life. We can’t allow ourselves to be fooled by following the large crowd walking the wide path, for we may find ourselves on a path straight to hell and wonder how we missed heaven.

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

The Art of Doing Hard Things

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So then there’s Jeremiah. He was a prophet who shared God’s message of impending doom to the people of Israel and Judah. The problem is. They didn’t listen to him. They mocked him. They shunned him. They threatened him. They ignored him. They didn’t like him. They wanted him dead. But they didn’t kill him. Oh. He suffered physically and mentally. He lived with deep anguish. He wanted to give up. He asked God why he was even born. He wondered if it would have been better if he had been born dead. But he wasn’t. He was to live the life that God had laid out for him. Every single day. Whether the day was good or bad. He was used by God to warn his people that they must repent and turn from their sinful ways.

And then God asked the impossible of him. God told him not to marry and have children. God said that if he did, his family would be among other families to die horrible deaths. They would have no one to mourn or bury them.

The Lord gave me another message. He said, “Do not get married or have children in this place. For this is what the Lord says about the children born here in this city and about their mothers and fathers: They will die from terrible diseases. No one will mourn for them or bury them, and they will lie scattered on the ground like manure. They will die from war and famine, and their bodies will be food for the vultures and wild animals.” Jeremiah 16:1-4

Jeremiah was involved in political and religious events during his day. He was a spiritual leader who faithfully served God. He showed great courage as he shared God’s word with God’s chosen people. He spoke on the Lord’s behalf to a people who didn’t want to hear what he had to say. He felt great sorrow as he saw his nation moving toward destruction. If only they listened, they could be spared future devastation. His was not an easy life.

For his entire career, Jeremiah served in a position where he was unfairly treated and criticized. His words fell on deaf ears, but others felt free to speak ill of him. Oh. He was born into a family of priests. That was his expected line of work. But somehow. God had other plans for him. He was a God ordained prophet who was given the task of sharing God’s impending punishment on a people who despised him. His was not an easy job.

Jeremiah held a deep love for his fellow Israelites, yet he knew the punishment headed their way if they didn’t return to obeying God. He was also deeply concerned about his personal safety, because he knew that speaking directly against the fallen people put a bullseye on his back. Yet he stood faithful in delivering God’s message of impending judgment.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

I think of the young woman who was a collegiate swimmer. Her plan was to attend dental school, yet she somehow finds herself in another profession at this moment. After being a victim of unfair discrimination, she speaks out against the ideology that men participating in women’s sports is fair. She has stood in a women’s locker room with a male posing as a female and has felt the discomfort the situation caused for her and her female teammates. She has remained faithful to her call for only women to participate in women’s sports. Yet she is ridiculed and persecuted for speaking the truth. She has felt the bitter sting of rejection. She has been isolated and physically assaulted, yet she continues with her message. She now expects to see protesters at any event where she is scheduled to speak. She knows they are out to silence her. Yet she still speaks.

Oh. Her message isn’t one of spiritual salvation, yet it is significant. If falsehoods are accepted as truth in any area of life, then biblical truths are also on the line. This young woman is no prophet or biblical scholar, yet she is a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. She has accepted the call to be a voice for young women coming behind her who may also be asked to step aside for a lie. She doesn’t want anyone else to be in a situation similar to hers.

Sure. There are those who support her message of fairness. Behind closed doors, they too tell her they want to save women’s sports. But those who show support in private are silent in public. Shame on them. I get it. They’re fearful for their jobs. Their career may be on the line if they challenge the new status quo. They don’t want to be cancelled or sued. So they stay silent. But if no one speaks up, then women’s sports is a thing of the past.

The message of truth is offensive to those who deny it, but it doesn’t make the truth less powerful. Being offended doesn’t change the truth. But the messenger of truth must remain faithful, at all costs.

In no way am I trying to compare a college swimmer to a Jewish prophet, but they both showed tremendous courage when called upon to speak truth to those who opposed it. They and many others who dare to show courage in uncertain times are to be applauded and thanked. Their example of faithful obedience is a lesson each of us must learn. Who knows when we may be called on to stand for truth and face the difficulties of doing so. Hard times may come upon us, but we must let the example of those who come before us embolden us to always be a voice for truth.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

Faithful Witness

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Daniel worked with King Nebuchadnezzar for roughly thirty years. During that time, Daniel had many opportunities to be a godly example to the king. In the way he carried himself. In the way he made decisions and interacted with others. In the way he led his team of wise men. In the way he helped rule the nation. And he always prayed three times a day at the window in his house. During these prayers, we’ve got to believe that he was praying for his job, his boss the king, and for those under his authority. He no longer had a family. His job was his life. He had been brutally taken from his home in Jerusalem and marched to Babylon as a teenager. And he lived there the rest of his life serving kings, always serving the man in charge. For seventy years, he served the kings who ruled Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t much older than Daniel. I wouldn’t say they became friends, but they both had deep respect for the other. Although they worshipped different gods, Nebuchadnezzar never required Daniel to give up his faith in the One True God. Nebuchadnezzar saw the One True God as just one of the many gods, but he didn’t worship God. He only acknowledged him as a god.

Daniel was faithful through all his years of exiled service. He didn’t lose his faith. His faith only strengthened over time, because his sole source of strength was God. As a young child in Jerusalem, Daniel never expected to leave his home or country. He never realized that he would be taken prisoner and held captive for the remainder of his life. Yet that’s where he found himself. Who knows what level of power he could have attained if he had been able to stay in Jerusalem. He was most likely from a noble family and was headed toward a career within royalty serving a Jewish king. Instead he found himself serving Babylonian king in hostile territory.

We won’t ever what he could have done in Jerusalem. But we do know what he did in Babylon. And that was noble and notable. It was the sacrifice of a lifetime. And he had no say in any of it. His role was to serve God faithfully wherever he was placed. And that is what he did. It wasn’t a job he chose. It wasn’t a nation he chose. It wasn’t the life he chose. But he found himself there, regardless. And there was nothing he could do to change that. He was a prisoner, but he held a high position in the country. King Nebuchadnezzar respected him and looked to his advice as solid and trustworthy.

Daniel had many opportunities through the years to live out his faith among the courts. Imagine being in a position for thirty years with one boss who didn’t believe in your God but allowed you the freedom to pursue your faith. Even when it wasn’t the faith of the nation. The king had witnessed God’s work in Daniel’s life and in his own life, because there were time when he called on Daniel to solve his problems. Daniel, of course, called on his God, the Host of heavens armies, to show him how to identify and present this problem to the king. Daniel didn’t try to do that work on his own. And God showed his majestic power to King Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel.

Daniel always consulted God first. And God gave him the ability to perform difficult tasks. Tasks such as telling the king what he had dreamed and then interpreting it. Even if it was bad news. It’s easy to say that Daniel had a way with words, but God filled him with humility, kindness and deep respect for this king. This was a king Daniel didn’t necessarily approve of but was strong armed into serving him. At some point, Nebuchadnezzar must have been dishonoring the poor and elderly, because Daniel called him out on these two issues. The king had such high respect for Daniel that he expected Daniel to always speak truthfully. In this particular moment, the truth that Daniel had to share was a very difficult message. Yet he spoke the truth courageously.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23

When we think of our lot in life, we may feel that we’ve been given the short stick. We may think that we are owed a grand and glorious life, but somehow it has evaded us. We consider our family, where we live, and who we work with. We think of our loved ones who aren’t living for God, who aren’t obeying Him or who may just tolerate our faithful living. They know we attend church every week. They know we read our Bible and pray. They may know that we give part of our income to the church. They hear the comments we make consciously and unconsciously letting them know of our faithfulness to God. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

Neighbors notice when we back out of our driveway every Sunday to go to church. They notice when cars pull in our driveway to attend a Bible study. They hear our language. They notice our demeanor. They see our lives. They see our temperament. They witness our lives on a daily basis. Knowing that we say we are followers of Christ, they watch to make sure we live up to the standard they have set for us. They set an unvoiced standard for Christ followers, even though their standard might not line up with ours. You can count on that.

Our witness counts. Our faithful witness counts. Even though we may not recognize it as a witness. We may not recognize that our day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year life is a witness to those around us. We have people in our lives who aren’t following God, whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or bosses. There may come a time when we have the opportunity and responsibility to speak biblical truth to them. We must not hesitate. And yet. They still have the option to refuse Christ’s open invitation. But we will know that we’ve been faithful in our witness.

Our friends may get annoyed with our words about Jesus Christ’s sacrifice by dying on the cross for them. They may become frustrated when we share that they need salvation. They may ignore the message. They also might become convicted and repent of their sins. But they can never say they haven’t heard the message of salvation. The words that we’re speaking, and the life we’re living is faithfulness to God. God is faithful, and he will not let his word return void. So we must continue to live our lives faithfully for God in front of those who are living in direct disobedience to him. Our witness counts. Our witness matters. Our witness must remain faithful, because we don’t know when our witness will cause another to turn to Christ. We may be the only Jesus in their lives. Let’s do right by him. Let’s honor his Word and his sacrifice.

Oh. May all who come behind us find us faithful.

Trouble Spotted Ahead

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I believe Jesus could return at anytime to take his followers home with him. We’re seeing prophecies being fulfilled. We’re witnessing the changing of the guard as it relates to morality and acceptance of blatant sin. There is military unrest throughout the world. Countries once thought enemies have shaken hands. Countries once thought friends have parted ways. Citizens of countries throughout the world have been put on notice that the clamp is tightening on personal freedom and autonomy. Privacy is pretty much a thing of the past. Food shortages are said to be coming soon.

I read an article recently that caused unwanted anxiety. If the warning is true, a catastrophic event could occur soon and you may never read what I’m writing. Or the supposed event may have already passed without fanfare. If the warning is false, life will continue as normal for the time being. All future stability in the world is up for grabs. Some call these warnings conspiracy theories. Others note them as plain conspiracies that will eventually play out in front of our lives. I’ve read that we should pay attention to what is being said about future catastrophic events. I assume we should consider ourselves warned. If the crazy words are being said, then someone has possibly planned to cause destruction. And many lives will be endangered or ended. Only time will tell.

Regardless of what does or doesn’t happen, at the moment, all our hearts are still beating. The sun is shining. The weather is muggy in my neighborhood. And American flags are flying. It looks to be a good day. No one knows at this point what the end of the week will look like. But isn’t that the case for any week?

It just so happens that I was reading in Psalms this morning and came across some chapters that were like a salve to my anxious heart. My soul is at peace, but my physical being is at times shaken by the news and speculations that I read. Perhaps I shouldn’t read them, but I want to be in the know. I’m not one for surprises. But I also know that I can’t plan for every disaster.

But back to the Psalms. The soothing words were written long ago by men facing uncertain times of their own. Their nation, too, had turned its back on God. They too were facing known and unknown enemies. Yet there were some who were faithfully serving God. They were obeying his commands and following his lead. But because their leaders had bowed to false gods, the nation was unstable.

What we must remember is that the enemy we’re facing is unseen. He’s lurking. He’s pushing. He’s gaining power where he once would have none. And he’s being allowed to expand his reach further and further into civilization. He wants full and total control. And there will be a day when that happens. But it isn’t today. Yet he still causes major friction and turmoil in hearts and in homes. In leaders and in followers. In cities and in countries. Yet he is not the savior of the world. He is the world’s worst enemy. But he wants the world to think of him as friend and savior. That he is not. He is Satan. The enemy of our soul.

So during the times of turmoil in my heart, these Psalms are a balm of peace. The one constant, unchanging element of life is God. He is always present, even when times are uncertain. And these Psalms speak peace and comfort in those uncertainties.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Psalms 42:1-2

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalms 42:8

For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. Psalms 43:2-3

Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. Psalms 44:5-8

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalms 46:1-3

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalms 46:6-7

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalms 46:10-11

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.

Jim Bailey

Just Say No

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These three young men said no. No. They wouldn’t bow to the image the king had made. They wouldn’t bow to a god that was manmade. They would risk their lives and their livelihoods in order to remain faithful to the One True God. And so they didn’t bend their knee just to puff up the king’s ego. Oh. It’s most likely that they knew in advance what they would be asked to do so. How could they not know the king was having a huge image built outside the city limits? I’m sure it was the talk of the town. I can imagine people passing each other on the street and checking to see what progress had been made. I’m sure it was a curiosity of sorts. And what exactly was it for?

Then suddenly anyone who was anyone was asked to bow to this monstrosity. As the king and his top officials sat and watched, the crowd was instructed to bow when they heard the orchestra begin to play. I’m sure it was a large crowd. After all, anyone with a title and leadership role from far and wide had been invited to this celebration. And they were expected to attend. To refuse would have been a career breaker. To say the least. So all invitees were in attendance on that day.

But back to these three young men. Most likely, they were still teenagers. They had been taken captive by the Babylonians when King Nebuchadnezzar had seized the city of Jerusalem. They and many other young men of nobility had been whisked away to a foreign land to live as exiles. They had no choice but to go. And then they were sent to a re-education school where they learned exactly what their new employer, the king, wanted them to know. His plan was to erase their allegiance to God and insert allegiance to his many gods. His plan was a failure, at least when it came to these three guys. But they had become acquainted with the king, so he knew who they were. They weren’t total strangers to the king, much as all the other attendees in the crowd were. The king could identify these three young men, because they were close friends of one of his top officials named Daniel.

As they heard the news that a celebration was being planned for the new image being built, these three men set in their hearts to stand true to the God of their people, the Israelites. They would not bow to this new idol, regardless of the cost. And so, when the music played announcing it was time to bow, they stood tall. They refused to bow. They refused to obey the king’s orders. And, of course, their act of disobedience was noticed. When everyone is bowing, it’s easy to see who isn’t. So they didn’t go unnoticed on that day, and their act of alleged treason was reported to the king.

At first, the king gave them a second chance. There must have been enormous pressure on these young men to just bow. Just do it. As they say. Perhaps they didn’t understand the instructions to bow. Or perhaps, they were sidetracked by gawking at all the other attendees. But no. They knew exactly what they were doing when they didn’t bow. And they even said so in no uncertain terms to the king. They would not bow to this idol. Of course, the king changed his mood from kindness to anger very quickly. He lashed out at them and demanded that they be thrown into a fiery furnace. He wanted to see them die.

You can read the full story of these brave young men in Daniel 3.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17

I wonder. What would I have done? If I was told ahead of time that my employer was planning to require all employees to bow to an idol they had made, what would I do? Perhaps I could call in sick for the day. But I’m sure that would be noticed. Could I half bow? Would that appease them? Or. I could make the tough decision to stand firm in my faith and not let fear of the unknown weaken my stance. If I knew ahead of time that this idol worship was to be required of me, I could prepare my defense. I could begin praying and asking my friends to pray with me and for me. I could surround myself with prayer warriors who would stand in the gap if my faith began to waver.

People today are being called on to go against their faith. Some are asked to add pronouns to their work email signatures. Some are asked to appease men who want to participate in women’s sports. We’re asked to applaud and affirm social agendas that go directly against our faith. We’re asked to support events and speakers who stand against those who present a biblical worldview.

And just for the record. When we’re asked to go against our faith, we must refuse. We must make the decision beforehand that there is a line we won’t cross. We must decide that we will be willing to defend our faith when the moment comes. Do or die. We must be ready, willing and prepared to die on the hill that stands before us. If we’re asked to do or say anything that would defile our relationship with God, we must be courageous and stand strong in our faith. If God doesn’t approve of it, this his followers mustn’t either. If we contradict God, we’re placing our relationship with him in grave danger. 

Perhaps our step of courage will be the start of a movement that gives others the same courage to stand for their faith. Let’s never underestimate the power of God working in us and through us. Children of God, we are not in this fight alone. God is on our side. Let’s make it known that we’re on God’s side. No hesitation. No doubt. No denial.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

But all it takes is the courage of one in the face of opposition for others to follow.

Unknown

Sustainable Faith

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We hear a lot about sustainability these days. We’re told we need to green up our environment. We need to drive electric cars. We need to remove gas stoves from our homes. We must quit eating meat and start eating crickets. We must drive shorter distances. We must lower the number of cows on this earth, because of their gas emissions. We are now being told that we can be replaced with artificial intelligence. It makes a person wonder if humanity is sustainable on an earth that was created by God, but is being overrun by those pretending to be God.

Oh. It’s not the first time people of this earth have been hoodwinked into doing something that sounds good at face value. But then once the changes are being made, we realize that it wasn’t such a good idea, after all. The plan isn’t really sustainable. Someone was playing mind games with us and we got tricked into a false ideology. I’m sure all of us have fallen prey to some type of conspiracy theory at one time in our lives.

But we don’t have to be suckers when it comes to what’s going on around us. We need to keep our eyes open, our ears alert and our hearts guarded. We can fall prey to temptations and ideas that sound good, but are downright deceitful. How often do we make decisions or act under the pressure of soundless ideologies? Ideologies that haven’t been vetted. They’ve just been thrown at us, and we’re expected to bow to them without asking any questions. Shame on us if we don’t dig in and investigate the idea and the instigator of the idea.

Is your faith strong enough to sustain any threat or temptation? Do your actions defile your relationship with God?

When we take a new job, we’re saying that we’ll show up and do our best every day to get the work done. But this week, my coworker didn’t live up to his end of the bargain. He was a no call, no show for several days. He’s now unemployed.

When we call ourselves followers of Christ, we say that we’re following his commands. How can we follow his commands if we don’t know them? If we don’t read and study the Bible, how will we learn to live biblically? Are we committed to our relationship with God or not?

How do we sustain our faith if we’ve never built a solid foundation? How do we build a solid foundation? I’ll say this until I’m blue in the face. If we’re not reading the Word of God daily, we are not building a solid foundation. We can read books about the Bible. We can read devotional books. We can listen to sermons and podcasts. We can attend a Bible study. But we need to read the Bible for ourselves. We need to dig deep and learn God’s Word. That is how we build a sustainable faith. One that can stand against any hard knocks this life throws at us. If we don’t know God’s Word, we are settling for less than the best for ourselves.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written on it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8

Before Moses died, he appointed Joshua to replace him as the leader of the nation of Israel. And God confirmed that Joshua would be successful as the leader if he obeyed God’s instructions. One of the instructions that God gave Joshua was to study the Book of Instruction that he had given to Moses. He told Joshua to study it continually and meditate on it day and night. Joshua did just that, and he was successful in leading the nation of Israel to victory in taking the land of Canaan, as God promised to them.

There was another man in the Bible. His name was Balaam, and he was a wicked Midianite prophet. Israel was conquering nations on their way to Canaan, which caused fear among the surrounding countries. Balak, the Moabite king who feared Israel, trusted Balaam and asked him to curse the Israelites. Through a series of events that included a talking donkey, God instructed Balaam to say only the words that God gave him to say. And so, Balaam proclaimed blessings on Israel and curses on Moab, angering Balak.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the end of the story.

Later, Balaam went back to Balak and told him how to launch a counterattack on the nation of Israel in a more subtle, inoffensive way. He counseled Balak to send Moabite women into Israel’s camp to seduce the men and introduce them to Baal worship. They began to eat meat offered to idols. This was far worse than any curses Balaam spoke against Balak. He showed Balak how to trip up God’s chosen people. And some of the men of Israel went along with it. What man doesn’t like a pretty girl who pays attention to them and offers them free food? How can that be wrong?

God’s people today get tripped up by false teachers and seemingly innocent ideas that look far more appealing than sacrifice and obedience to God looks. Sin will be presented to us as something pretty, convenient and comfortable. It won’t be a physical, knock down drag out fight. It could be an activity or event that makes you feel accepted by your peers and friends. It could be a new acquaintance who puts you on the edge of uncomfortable, but you let them influence you, anyway. After all. Who wants to appear to be a goody two shoes? Beware of who influences your thoughts, desires and actions. Are those you trust the most in life influencing you in a godly way? Or are they influencing you to move farther from your life as a follower of Christ? Oh. It may be subtle at first. Until one day, you wake up and notice your life is unrecognizable. You no longer desire the things of God. Are you living for the One True God or a false god? Can you tell the difference between godly advice and ungodly influence? Beware. Lest you fall for something that causes you to fall into sin.

You can find the story of Balaam and Balak in Numbers 22:1-25:15, Joshua 13:22 and Revelation 2:14.

But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. Revelation 2:14

God is Able

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Life is hard for a lot of people right now. Just watch the news, and you’ll see a senseless war that’s been going on for far too long. Thousands of people have been killed. Millions more are homeless. And still the fighting continues. Cities are decimated. Lives are changed forever. Will the madness ever end?

In the greatest country on earth, we are in shambles. Someone leaked a very confidential piece of information earlier this year, and we’re even more unsettled than we already were. People are on edge. Whose right is more important, yours or mine? The born or the unborn? The markets have been tanking, while gas prices have risen. Interest rates are rising. We’ve been warned of shortages. Famine in some parts of the world are expected in the coming years. We wonder what this world is coming to.

And then even closer to home, we have someone who’s received a diagnosis that has shaken them to the core. Someone else has lost their job. Others are having difficulty making ends meet. And yet the sun comes up every morning and sets each evening. So we keep breathing in. Breathing out. And life goes on. Even if it’s hard. Life goes on.

A billionaire who once was the leader of the free world has announced he’s once again running for office. Many opinions float amongst us about that issue. Another billionaire just bought the largest social media platform. He’s unblocking all types of once censored information and blocking others who track his whereabouts. He’s causing heads to spin. He’s recently announced he isn’t suicidal. Just in case. And a third billionaire has been arrested for one of the greatest financial frauds of all times. Only time will tell what’s on the horizon for him and his victims. Do these men think their money can buy the safety and comfort of the world? Don’t they know that the Savior of the world has already been born? And he was killed by those deeply opposed to him.

We ask why all this is happening? Why now? Why?

Should we be afraid? Are we headed toward really difficult times? Will lives be at risk? Will we face a recession or depression? Or another lockdown? Will mandates become the norm? Are those some of the many questions swirling in people’s heads these days? Is this what we will call normal from here on out? People are anxious and unsettled, because life continues to throw twists and turns never before navigated.

Oh. There was once a large group of people. A nation. And they were afraid. There were headed on a journey to places unknown. God told them not to be afraid. He would fight for them every step of the way. He had fought for them as they were foreigners in a land for four hundred years. Now he was delivering them from slavery. And he had a magnificent plan laid out for them. All they had to do was obey him.

All they had to do was obey God.

He went before them as they traveled through the wilderness. He performed miracles in front of their eyes. He made a path in the middle of the river so they could walk on dry ground. He provided food when there was none. Their clothes didn’t wear out throughout this forty year journey. God was with them every step of the way. He provided for all their needs. All they had to do was obey him.

All they had to do was obey God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Oh. These people weren’t perfect. They complained. They disobeyed. They did their own thing. They turned from God. And they were punished. They learned the hard way that obedience always pays. God must be first. It’s that simple.

God planned to move them to the land he had promised them. He was with them throughout the journey. He knew the land they would settle in had everything they needed. Plenty of space for everyone. Plenty of food. Plenty of land for the livestock. Their new homeland was filled with abundant goodness.

God also knows our lives on this earth. He knows when we struggle to trust him. He knows when we’re fearful. He knows when we turn from him. He knows when life seems too much to bear. He has plans for us that are far beyond our imagination. But he also requires our obedience. God is able to provide abundantly more than we could ever hope or imagine. We must trust him, not only in the good times, but also in the trying times.

All we have to do is obey God.

Even during uncertain times, God is with us. We will be fearful when we face the unknown. We will be consumed with the cares of the day. But God is our refuge and strength. God’s abundance doesn’t necessarily mean material wealth or happiness. It means God is with us through all of life’s unexpected turns.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalms 46:1-3

If we’re God’s child, we are surrounded by him. So why do we fear when troubles come? He goes before us and he goes behind us. He paves the way. He fights for us, so we are to be still. We don’t need to fight. We are to obey. We must let God direct us. Our problem is that we want control. We want to be in charge of making decisions. We don’t want to follow God. We want to be God. And that can’t happen. That won’t ever happen.

So in our attempt to pave our own way, we forget that God is able through his mighty power to accomplish more than we could hope or imagine. He will walk with us through the darkest nights. He’ll be beside us when the waters surround us. He is in control. Always and forever.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

God is able to do so much more than we can imagine. But he only does those things that fit within his purpose. He could calm the raging storms of our lives right now. He could turn the tide in these uncertain times. He could heal every sick and hurting person. He could open doors that are closed. He could right all the wrongs that have ever been done to mankind. I’m not saying he won’t do these things. But he will if they fit his plan and purpose. And if his plan is for his people to go through deep trials and testing, then he will be with us. He won’t leave us to suffer alone. Oh sure. Suffering is hard. Pain is unbearable. Loss is unfathomable. But God is good. And God is good all the time.

We must separate our hard times from God’s goodness. In our difficulties, God is still good even though he allows those difficulties. He will walk with us through the storms of life and through the fires of oppression. He is the one and only holy God.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord , your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3