Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, ‘You shall die!’” – Jeremiah 26:8

When you’re faithful to share God’s truth from His Word, don’t expect everyone to be happy about it! Some will be, for sure. Some will recognize the word of God for what it is and choose life and repentance. However, many others will find the words of life and truth to be utterly distasteful. God warned several of His prophets to speak faithfully but expect only rejection and persecution. Certainly that was Jeremiah’s experience! It may be yours as well.

As a follower of Jesus, you have a role to play in making disciples. That must not be avoided simply because you’re afraid of how people will respond. That certainly involves speaking and teaching the truth of Christ’s commandments, even when people don’t want to hear it. It means proclaiming hope for sinners through submission to Jesus as Lord, even to those who refuse to bow their knee. It means telling people to crucify their flesh in order to walk in the Spirit. If you’re faithful, your words will give life to those willing to receive God’s grace while highlighting the reality of spiritual death for those who want no part of God’s grace.

Don’t let this discourage you. Don’t let it keep you from speaking as you have been commanded. Speak with love, gentleness, humility, respect, AND with unflinching integrity and honesty. How people respond to the truth is up to them. Simply be faithful, day in and day out. God will eternally bless and reward your faithfulness! #FollowJesus

“She followed Paul and us, crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.’” – Acts 16:17

Demonic spirits always know exactly Who Jesus is, Who God is, and how to get saved. That makes it extra frustrating that it can be so challenging to convince humans we care about of those very same truths. Why is what’s so obvious to demons so hidden for many? Because of the world, the flesh, and the devil! These three are the long-term enemies of God’s people. They each play a role in keeping people from understanding the truth about Jesus.

The world overwhelms minds and senses with physical reality. It constantly offers the promise (or experience) of pleasures and pains. It crowds out a person’s abilities to see and understand the deeper spiritual realities of the world convincing many that there can be nothing more than what can be seen, heard, touched, tasted, smelled, or measured. The flesh desperately wants to take god’s place in ruling over lives. It does its best to keep people from embracing the True God. And the devil, who knows the truth, is a master of lies. He weaves deception into everything in order to keep people from calling on Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

As a follower of Jesus, that’s what you’re up against as you share the words of life and hope with people who don’t yet believe in the Lord. That’s what makes it challenging. But don’t despair! After all, the demons know that what you’re saying is 100% true and that Jesus alone offers the way of salvation. You can be sure you’re on solid ground and that when you share Jesus with people, you’re offering them life, hope, and rescue from their sins. Don’t grow weary of doing good or proclaiming truth in the name of Jesus. #FollowJesus

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up.” – Jeremiah 24:5-6

A terrible disaster had fallen upon Israel. Countless thousands had been forcibly taken away into exile in far off Babylon. They would never see their homeland again. They would never again celebrate the mandatory festivals in Jerusalem. They couldn’t worship in the Temple. They certainly had to have believed that God’s wrath was upon them. But they were wrong!

Those taken into exile were the ones with a spiritual future. They were the ones who would be loved and blessed by the Lord. God was going to use their time away to break their addiction to idolatry. He would use their exile to re-build them as people faithful to His covenant and covered by His love. They had a bright future and a strong hope in the Lord. It was those left behind in Jerusalem who were actually under God’s wrath. They would soon suffer the terrible consequences of their sinful lives and spiritual rot. There would be no renewal or restoration for them as their sin was complete and God’s judgment was coming.

Please, please, please remember this! Especially when false teachers lie and claim that a follower of Jesus should never suffer, never experience sickness, loss, or defeat. Never be persecuted. The truth is that God blesses and disciplines those He loves. He uses the hard seasons of earthly life to shape His people for eternal blessings. God will absolutely put you into a place of exile if it lets Him lavish more blessing upon you! He will certainly use the trials of life in a fallen world to invite you to come closer to Him and experience Him more deeply.

Comfort at home isn’t necessarily a blessing and exile on earth isn’t necessarily a curse. Just #FollowJesus

“And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.” – Judges 8:27

Unfortunately, Gideon began to believe his own press. God had done extraordinary things after choosing Gideon to lead Israel. The nation was saved, set free, and united. Rather than be humbled by the awesome activity of God, Gideon became impressed with himself. Despite a display of false modesty, he allowed himself to become the center of Israel’s attention, lived like a king, and introduced false worship that infected himself and his family.

Rather than condemn the foolishness of Gideon, let us learn from him. After all, most of us are fairly ordinary people who happen to be loved, adopted, and empowered by the same extraordinary God! Which means, that after God does something amazing through us, we’re easily tempted by all the praise that naturally flows our way. Be very careful to keep your eyes on Jesus, no matter what. Keep pointing those who applaud you or pat you on the back toward the Lord. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings of a faithful life, but make sure you actually keep living that faithful life.

Remember John 15:1-11. As a follower of Jesus, all true and lasting fruit comes only through your connection to Him. Apart from Him, you can do nothing that will endure for eternity. Never let people get confused about Who or how you did amazing things. And never let false modesty replace genuine humility in Christ. #FollowJesus

“And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.’” – Judges 7:7

Why did God send thousands of able-bodied soldiers home and leave Gideon with just 300 for the battle? To make it very clear Who was actually saving Israel! To keep people, including Gideon, from thinking they did it all themselves. To instill faith in a generation that had lost their way spiritually. To bring not only physical freedom to Israel but spiritual freedom through renewed faith in the Living God.

This is still God’s agenda. He yearns to see revival throughout the world, including in this country. He desires for people to be set free from bondage to sin, the world, and the devil through new life in Jesus Christ. He will once again do wonders to accomplish this. Believe in it and pray for it to happen! Pray for revival and renewal because the day is coming. When it does, you can be sure God will once again make it clear that it isn’t by anyone’s hand or talents but His Own! Pray and #FollowJesus