“Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. And concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, ‘Thus says the Lord, You have burned this scroll, saying, “Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cut off from it man and beast?”’” – Jeremiah 36:28-29

Powerful people often hate God’s Word. Evil people always do. So do immoral, sinful, cruel, and selfish societies. It was true thousands of years ago and it’s still true today. That hatred can’t change the truth of God’s Word. Efforts to silence God are ultimately futile. God has spoken and His Word will endure! The desperate desire of political, financial, and cultural elites to suppress God’s Word will ultimately fail. Those efforts certainly won’t change the eternal fate that has been written by the unchanging hand of God.

Ignoring God’s Word isn’t a winning strategy. Not for the powerful and not for ordinary people. Neither is arguing with God’s Word. Neither is trying to destroy or undermine God’s Word. Neither is twisting God’s Word for personal purposes. The only winning strategy when it comes to God’s Word is to listen to it, embrace it, and obey it! That brings life and blessing. That brings transformation and wholeness. That is the power of God’s Word.

What do you do when you discover that you disagree with the Bible? When you don’t like what it has to say? When the Bible disagrees with your politics or social mores? When it points out some sin or shortcoming in your life? Do you argue with it, ignore it, or submit to it? Do you try to change God’s Word or change yourself? There is only one response that brings life and blessing. Hear God’s Word and obey it! #FollowJesus

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 21:25

The Book of Judges is a biblical horror story that unfolds over 400 years. It chronicles Israel’s ever-deeper descent into cruelty, sinfulness, selfishness, and violence. Why did this happen? Because the people were governed by their own appetites, opinions, ideas, and judgments rather than the word of God! They submitted to no authority other than their own. Countless lives were shattered because of it.

Godlessness isn’t freedom, it’s death! God had given them everything they needed to enjoy long and blessed lives in the Promised Land. But they ignored it and did whatever they felt like. Whatever they hungered for. Whatever they rationalized. Whatever they excused. They lurched from one terrible decision to another as they “lived their truth” with disastrous consequences. They fought, kidnapped, raped, murdered, and committed genocides among themselves. All while periodically asking God’s advice and blessing in their terrible situation.

The only way out of such a disastrous pattern – then and now – is to stop making yourself the king of your life! Submit to God as your King. He alone is the perfect, just, and wise King Who can bless your life forever. Stop listening to the voices and influences that lead you deeper into sin and disaster. Embrace Jesus as your Lord and enter into peace with God, Follow Jesus and let His guidance and commands give you true freedom and blessing. Let His love fill your soul, pushing out the fear, contempt, and cruelty that so easily infects our sin-darkened hearts. #FollowJesus

“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?

…

I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.

…

The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer.”

– Psalm 6:2,3,6,9

King David, the man after God’s own heart and inspired author of so many psalms, teaches us how to pray amidst pain. Sometimes there will be tremendous pain in life. Sometimes that pain doesn’t end, at least not as quickly as we’d prefer. How should we pray in these situations? Honestly! God already knows your heart and mind. There’s no need to wear a mask with God. There’s no need to pretend that everything is OK when it isn’t. David teaches us how to pour out our hearts to God. It’s OK to do so. You won’t offend God by telling Him of your hurt and your desire for the pain to end.

At the same time, David teaches us how to pray with faith and respect toward God. Even though his pain continued, David knew that God heard his prayers and that He cares for His suffering children. For followers of Jesus, we have the ultimate guarantee of this. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, suffered and died for our sins so that when we entrust our lives to Him, we are adopted as precious children of God. This guarantees that our Father in Heaven hears our prayers and loves and cares for us amidst our pain. Indeed, our Savior lives in us and walks with us through our suffering. And so, we can pray in faith, even when our pain continues.

Faithful honesty. That is prayer that will always be heard and honored by our Father in Heaven. Even when our pain will continue. Even when God’s answer is what it was for the Apostle Paul, that His strength will be displayed to the world through our weakness. Even then, there is value in faithful, honest prayers because they bring us closer to the presence and love of our Lord. #FollowJesus

“I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.”
– Psalm 3:6

King David was well aware of his danger, but he chose not to be afraid. He knew that God was his shield, his strength, and his sustainer. There is no army on earth that can win against the power of God! It was true 3000 years ago and it’s still true today. And so, even in the worst circumstances imaginable, David could trust and rest in the Lord.

God’s power hasn’t diminished. His will hasn’t grown weak. His love hasn’t grown cold. His plan isn’t in flux. If Jesus is your Savior, then you too can choose to trust and rest in the Lord. Serve Him without hesitation. Follow the promptings of His Holy Spirit even when others say that you’re being foolish. Follow Jesus and make disciples wherever He leads. Even when enemies oppose you. Even when the odds seem impossible.

Could enemies damage or end your earthly life? Certainly. But they can’t touch your eternal life and future! That is guaranteed by the blood of Jesus and the seal of the Holy Spirit on your life. Moreover, if you’re following God’s will, He remains infinitely strong and capable to make a way for His will to be done. It doesn’t matter how powerful the opposition – if God chooses, He can sweep it all out of the way to accomplish His purpose. Whether He does or doesn’t, either way, your faithful obedience brings Him glory and brings you blessings that will never end. Don’t fear! Just #FollowJesus

“And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.” – Acts 22:20

Saul of Tarsus was a committed enemy of Jesus and the church. He loved persecuting, pursuing, imprisoning, and killing followers of Jesus. And yet, there was abundant, overflowing, amazing grace available, even for him. When Saul repented of his sins and turned to Christ in faith, his sins were fully and completely forgiven, just like everyone else who submits their life to Lord Jesus. Not only was Saul forgiven, the Lord sent him out to do great things for Him. Things that would bring God glory and open the way of faith to many people throughout the world.

There is no sin that can’t be forgiven when a person turns to Christ in faith. There is no sinner so terrible that God can’t put them to work for His Kingdom and glory. God’s grace is sufficient to cover even the most vile of sins, because all sin is vile. If there is any sin in your own life that you haven’t yet confessed and turned over to God to fully wash away through the blood of Jesus, confess that sin right now, ask God’s forgiveness, and be free of it forever. Sin has no power compared to God’s grace!

Likewise, never assume that anyone is too far gone to be saved by God’s grace. Don’t assume anyone is too hardened to hear or accept the Gospel. Share hope and life with them in the name of Jesus. Offer them a relationship with God through faith in His Son. If they say, as many do, that God can’t possibly forgive them for what they’ve done, share the story of Saul with them. God may yet have great things planned for them, no matter how terrible their current spiritual situation. God’s grace isn’t merely pretty good or adequate, it’s amazing! #FollowJesus