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Today we come to four short instructions that are especially important in a time when we are constantly surrounded bycompeting voices and spiritual claims. Paul writes: “Do not quench theSpirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.Abstain from every form of evil.”  FirstPaul says: “Do not quench the Spirit.” The word “quench” is normallyused of putting out a fire. The Holy Spirit is often pictured in Scripture inconnection with fire. Paul is saying, “Do not resist or suppress the work ofGod's Spirit in your life.” How can we quench the Spirit? We can ignore Hisconviction. We can knowingly hold on to sin. We can refuse to obey somethingGod has clearly shown us in His Word. We can become spiritually cold andindifferent. The Holy Spirit desires to work in us and through us. Paul tellsus: Don't put out the fire. Thenhe says: “Do not despise prophecies.” In the early church, before theNew Testament Scriptures were completed, God used prophetic utterances in aspecial way to communicate His truth. But Paul immediately gives an importantbalance. Verse 21 says: “Test all things.” In other words: Don't believeeverything simply because someone claims it came from God. That is tremendouslyimportant today. Just because someone says: “God told me…” does notautomatically make their words true. Just because a preacher says somethingwith confidence does not mean it is biblical. Just because something appears onthe Internet, television, or social media doesn't mean we should accept it. Paulsays: “Test all things.” Whatis our test? The Word of God. The Bereans in Acts 17 were commended becausethey received Paul's teaching eagerly but then: “Searched the Scripturesdaily to find out whether these things were so.” Think about that. Theyeven checked the teaching of the apostle Paul against the Scriptures! That is awonderful example for us. Don't simply ask: “Does this sound good?” Ask: “Is itbiblical?” Don't ask only: “Is this preacher popular?” Ask: “Is what he issaying consistent with God's Word?” Don't accept a teaching merely because itmakes you feel good. Test it by Scripture. ThenPaul says: “Hold fast what is good.” Once something has been tested andfound true, don't let it go. There are some truths we should hold with a firmgrip. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for our sins. He rose bodily fromthe grave. Salvation is by grace through faith. The Bible is God's Word. Jesusis coming again. Hold fast. Our culture changes rapidly. God's truthdoes not. Thenverse 22 says: “Abstain from every form of evil.” The Christian lifeinvolves both holding on and letting go. Hold fast to what is good. Stay awayfrom what is evil. Sometimes we ask, “How close can I get to something sinfulwithout actually crossing the line?” That is the wrong question. Paul says: “Abstain.”Move away from evil. Joseph demonstrated that in Genesis 39 when Potiphar'swife tempted him. He didn't stay there and discuss the situation. He fled. SecondTimothy 2:22 says: “Flee also youthful lusts.” There are times when themost spiritual thing we can do is simply get away from the temptation.  Thesefour instructions give us a wonderful pattern for spiritual discernment: Don'tresist the Holy Spirit. Don't reject truth merely because it challenges you. Testeverything by God's Word. Hold tightly to what is good and stay away from whatis evil. We desperately need that kind of discernment today. Let'spray. Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit and Your Word.Help us not to resist or quench the work of Your Spirit in our hearts. Give usdiscernment so that we do not believe every spiritual claim we hear. Teach usto test everything by the truth of Scripture. Help us hold fast to what is goodand faithfully reject every form of evil. In a world filled with confusion andcompeting voices, keep our hearts and minds anchored firmly in Your truth. InJesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Today we come to three of the shortest verses in the NewTestament. But although they are short, they contain enough truth to challengeus for a lifetime. First Thessalonians 5:16–18 says: “Rejoice always, praywithout ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God inChrist Jesus for you.” Three commands: Rejoice always. Pray withoutceasing. In everything give thanks. Let's look at them one at a time. First:“Rejoice always.” Paul does not say rejoice only when everything isgoing well. He says always. How is that possible? Because Christian joy is notbased primarily upon our circumstances. It is based upon the Lord. Paul wrotefrom prison in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I willsay, rejoice!” Circumstances change. Our health changes. Our financeschange. Relationships change. But Jesus Christ does not change. Hebrews 13:8says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” So evenwhen we cannot rejoice in what is happening, we can rejoice in the Lord. We canrejoice that our sins are forgiven. We can rejoice that God loves us. We canrejoice that He will never leave us. We can rejoice that heaven is our home. ThenPaul says: “Pray without ceasing.” Does that mean we should spend everywaking moment on our knees? Obviously not. Paul himself worked, preached,traveled, and ministered. The idea is that prayer should be the continuingattitude of our hearts. Our communication with God should never be permanentlydisconnected. We can pray while driving. We can pray while walking. We can praywhile working. We can whisper a prayer before a difficult conversation. We canthank God when something good happens. We can ask for wisdom the moment we needit. Prayer should become as natural to the Christian as breathing. ThenPaul says: “In everything give thanks.” Notice he does not necessarilysay for everything. There are painful things in life for which we do notnaturally give thanks. We do not call evil good. But in everything, we canstill find reasons to thank God. Why? Because we know God is still with us. Weknow He still loves us. We know He can work even through difficultcircumstances. Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that all things work togetherfor good to those who love God.” It does not say all things are good. ButGod can work through all things for our ultimate good and His glory. Andthen Paul makes a statement we should not overlook: “For this is the will ofGod in Christ Jesus for you.” People often ask: “What is God's will for mylife?” Here is part of the answer. God wants you to be a rejoicing Christian. Apraying Christian. And a thankful Christian. That doesn't require discoveringsome hidden secret. God has clearly revealed it in His Word. Sometimesgratitude changes our entire perspective. We can become so focused on what wedon't have that we forget what God has already given us. Perhaps today weshould stop and count some blessings. The gift of life. Family. Friends. Oursalvation. God's Word. The privilege of prayer. The promise of heaven. Andabove everything else: Jesus Christ. Nomatter what today holds, if we belong to Christ, we have reasons to rejoice,reasons to pray, and reasons to give thanks. So maybe we can carry these threeshort commands with us all day: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Ineverything give thanks. Let'spray. Heavenly Father, thank You for these simple but powerful instructions.Teach us to rejoice not merely in favorable circumstances but in You. Help usto develop a continual attitude of prayer so that throughout the day our heartsremain in fellowship with You. And Lord, make us thankful people. Even indifficult circumstances, open our eyes to Your goodness, faithfulness, andpresence. Help us to live today according to Your will—rejoicing, praying, andgiving thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. In His name, we pray. Amen. Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Delivered by Yovita Della Herpriyanti and Antonius Fitrianto from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Hebrews 5: 7-9; Rs psalm 31: 2-3a.3b-4.5-6.15-16.20; John 19: 25-27.THE FORGIVING MOTHER The theme for our meditation today is: The ForgivingMother. Today the Church celebrates Our Lady of Sorrows. The Virgin Mary'sexperience of grief was closely related to the suffering of Jesus Christ in theway of the cross. At the time when Jesus underwent the whole process of deathpunishment, He was alone. The apostles left Him, except for His mother and thedisciple He loved so much, John. Mary, the Mother of Jesus and three otherwomen were near at the foot of the cross. There at the foot of the cross, the Virgin Maryexperienced the peak of grief, namely the death of the Son who was born throughher womb. Long before that, when the baby Jesus was offered in the temple,Simeon had predicted that Mary would meet the terrible suffering, a sword thatpierced her heart. Furthermore, she participated in the journey of the crossuntil Jesus' final moment at Calvary. Many members of the Church consider Marya martyr in the spirit. However, Mary did not lose hope and give up because ofthese sorrows and loss. Her sorrows and difficulties were sustained by faith inGod and love for her Son. The sign of her strong faith is her unity with Jesus.Our Lady has the power of forgiveness which is equal to Jesus' power to forgivesinners, and we can see this as Jesus Himsef spoke from the cross:"Father, forgive them because they don't know what they are doing."The Blessed Mother was the witness of this. From the cross, Jesus also mandatedHis mother to adopt all her followers of all generations, and the beloveddisciple, who was with the Virgin Mary, represented them all. So, Mary waswilling to take up the duty to care for all people including those who executedher Son, they too would be forgiven, freed from sins and return to the truth ofGod. Until now, Mary, in her unity with Jesus Christ, feelssad when she sees disciples of her Son fall into sins and try hard to freethemselves from the grip of evil. Any follower of Christ who falls into sinclearly brings pain and sorrows to the body of Christ, which is the holyChurch. If some members of the Church sin and live with evil, they surelyaffect the others. Even though this grieving is hard for us to avoid, Our Ladyfrom her merciful heart asks Jesus Christ to forgive and transform us. Part ofthe Church's prayer "Hail Mary", which goes " Holy Mary, Motherof God, pray for us sinners ..." is the most obvious expression of how OurLady is always there to help us sinners. As we reflect on the sorrows of Our Lady, this shouldremind us not to constantly cause her grief and sadness because we continue tosin anytime in our lives. This is the same as we do not want to constantlycause our own mothers at home sad and grieving because of our bad attitudes andcarelessness.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us toalways have true and enduring devotion to Mary, our mother who always forgives.Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...

“For,in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffertribulation.” Notice that Paul had warned them ahead of time. When Paulpreached the gospel, he did not promise people that if they trusted Christ alltheir problems would disappear. He did not tell them that following Jesus wouldguarantee an easy life. Actually, he told them just the opposite. He said, ineffect, “If you follow Christ, you should expect opposition.” Paul hadlearned this personally. Everywhere he went preaching the gospel, there seemedto be opposition. He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. He was drivenout of Thessalonica. He faced opposition in Berea, and eventually he foundhimself alone in Athens. Paul knew from experience that living for Christ doesnot exempt us from trouble. And neither does it today. Sometimes we get theidea that if we are walking with the Lord, praying, reading our Bible,attending church, and trying to live right, then nothing bad should happen tous. But the Bible never promises that. In fact, sometimes our troubles comebecause we are faithfully following Christ.  ThenPaul adds an interesting statement in verse 4: “just as it happened, and youknow.” In other words, Paul said, “I told you it was coming—and now youhave experienced it for yourselves.” But notice what concerned Paul most. Itwasn't simply that they were suffering. His greatest concern was what thesuffering might do to their faith. Verse 5 says: “For this reason, when Icould no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith.” Paul wanted to know,“Are they still trusting God? Are they still standing? Are they still believingthe gospel?” And then Paul tells us why he was so concerned: “Lest by somemeans the tempter had tempted you.” Here Paul calls Satan “the tempter.”That immediately reminds us of Matthew 4, where Satan came to Jesus in thewilderness and tempted Him. Satanis still the tempter today. And one of his favorite opportunities to tempt usis when we are going through difficulty. When we are hurting, Satan whispers,“If God really loved you, why did He allow this?” When our prayers seemunanswered, he whispers, “God isn't listening.” When something doesn't turn outthe way we hoped, he says, “You can't trust God.” When we become discouraged,he whispers, “What's the use? Just give up.” That is why we need to understandsomething very important: The trial itself is not necessarily the temptation.The temptation is how we respond to the trial. God can use a trial tostrengthen our faith, while Satan wants to use that same trial to destroy ourconfidence in God. Remember Job? Satan believed that if Job lost hispossessions, his family, and his health, Job would turn against God. But in themiddle of his suffering, Job could still say, “Though He slay me, yet will Itrust in Him.” That is faith standing in the storm. Paulfinishes verse 5 by saying that he was concerned that “our labor might be invain.” Paul wasn't suggesting that his ministry had been meaningless. Hewas expressing the heart of a spiritual father. He had invested his life inthese people. He had preached Christ to them, prayed for them, loved them, anddiscipled them. Now he wanted to know that they were still standing. Today,maybe you are facing a trial. Remember this: Your trial does not mean God hasabandoned you. Don't listen to the tempter. Instead, listen to the promises ofGod's Word. Satan says, “God has forgotten you.” God says, “I will never leavethee, nor forsake thee.” Satan says, “You cannot make it through this.” Godsays, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Satan says, “Give up.” God says,“Stand fast in the Lord.” My friend, the enemy may use the storm to try toshake your faith, but God can use that same storm to strengthen your faith. Sotoday, keep trusting Him. Keep believing His Word. Keep standing on Hispromises. The tempter may come, but our God is faithful!

Paul says in verse 14: “For you, brethren, became followersof the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus.” The wordtranslated “followers” carries the idea of becoming imitators. The Thessalonianbelievers had never visited those churches in Judaea, but they had somethingvery important in common with them. They were suffering because of their faithin Jesus Christ. Paulcontinues: “For you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen.” Rememberwhat happened when Paul first came to Thessalonica in Acts chapter 17. Paulwent into the synagogue and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them out ofthe Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that Jesus was the Christ. Somebelieved. A great multitude of devout Greeks believed. And a number of theleading women believed. But almost immediately, opposition arose. A mobgathered. Jason's house was attacked, and eventually Paul and Silas had toleave the city by night. But the persecution did not end when Paul left. Thenew believers were left behind to face it. Think about that. These were youngChristians. They had not known the Lord for many years. They didn't havedecades of Christian experience behind them. Yet when opposition came, theystood firm. That teaches us something very important. Genuine faith is notproven merely by how loudly we praise God when everything is going well.Sometimes it is proven by how faithfully we continue to trust Him whenfollowing Jesus becomes difficult. Paul says in verse 15 concerning those whoopposed the Gospel: “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets,and have persecuted us.” Paul then tells ussomething particularly serious in verse 16. Their opponents were: “Forbiddingus to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved.” Thatwas the heart of the problem. They weren't satisfied simply to reject theGospel themselves. They wanted to prevent others from hearing it. And noticePaul's words: “That they might be saved.” There is the heart of theGospel! Why did Paul endure beatings, imprisonment, rejection, persecution,hunger, weariness, and eventually martyrdom? Because people need to be saved. Whydo we preach the Gospel? Why do we support missionaries? Why do we send theGospel around the world? Why do we share Christ with our neighbors, ourfriends, our children, and our grandchildren? Because people need to be saved. Paulunderstood that the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to everyonethat believeth.” Then Paul closes this section with a very solemn warning.He says that these opponents continued: “To fill up their sins alway: forthe wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” Persistent rejection ofGod's truth has consequences. God is patient. God is longsuffering. God ismerciful. But God's patience should never be mistaken for God's approval. Therecomes a point when persistent unbelief and rebellion bring judgment. Thisshould not make us proud or self-righteous. It should make us compassionate andurgent about sharing the Gospel. We should never look at someone who rejectsChrist and think, “They deserve judgment.” Instead, our hearts should say,“They need Jesus.” Because apart from God's grace, every one of us would belost. AndI believe there is a wonderful connection between yesterday's verse and today'spassage. Verse 13 tells us that the Word works in those who believe. Verses 14through 16 show us what that working Word can produce. These Thessalonians hadreceived God's Word so deeply that when persecution came, they would notabandon their faith. Their circumstances changed. Their friends may havechanged. Their neighbors may have turned against them. But the Word of God wasstill working in them. Maybe today you are facing opposition or difficultybecause you have chosen to follow Jesus. Remember the Thessalonians. Rememberthe believers in Judaea. Remember Paul. And most importantly, remember Jesus.

Paulwas thankful because when these people heard his preaching, they recognizedthat there was something different about his message. They realized that thiswas not merely Paul's opinion. It was not simply another philosophy. It was notanother religious theory. They received it “as it is in truth, the word ofGod.” And then Paul tells us what happened: “Which effectively worksalso in you that believe.” I have often used this verse over the yearsbecause it reminds us of a wonderful truth: When we receive the Bible as theWord of God and believe it as the Word of God, it begins to work in our lives. Thereis transforming power in God's Word! Notice the progression in this verse. First,they heard the Word. Paul says, “the word of God which you heard of us.”Romans10:17 tells us: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word ofGod.” Somebody has to proclaim the Word before people can hear it. That iswhy preaching and teaching the Scriptures is so important. That is why weshould share God's Word with our children and grandchildren. That is why weshould send it around the world through missions. And that is one of thereasons I enjoy sharing these Pastor's Chats every day.  Buthearing the Word alone is not enough. Second, they received the Word. There isa difference between hearing something and receiving it. You can sit in churchand hear the Bible preached every Sunday without allowing it to change yourlife. You can read your Bible every morning and close it without responding towhat God has said. James 1:22 reminds us: “But be you doers of the word, andnot hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” The Thessalonians didn'tmerely hear the message. They welcomed it into their hearts and lives.Butnotice something even more important. Third, they recognized it as God's Word. Paulsaid they received it: “Not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, theword of God.” That makes all the difference. If I believe the Bible ismerely the words of men, then I can take what I like and reject what I don'tlike. I can say, “I agree with this part, but I don't agree with that.” Butwhen I believe that this Book is God's Word, my attitude changes. Instead ofstanding in judgment over the Bible, I allow the Bible to judge me. Instead oftrying to change the Scriptures to fit my life, I allow the Scriptures tochange my life to fit God's will.  Thennotice the final truth. Fourth, they believed the Word. Paul says that the Word“effectively works also in you that believe.” That little phrase is soimportant—“in you that believe.” The Bible sitting unopened on a shelfwill not transform your life. Even knowing Bible verses intellectually will notnecessarily change your life. The Word becomes effective in us as we believeit, receive it, obey it, and allow the Holy Spirit to apply it to our lives. I haveseen this truth demonstrated countless times over the years. I have watchedpeople hear the Gospel, believe the Word of God, trust Jesus Christ as theirSavior, and become completely different people. I have seen marriages changed. Ihave seen families restored. I have seen people delivered from destructivehabits. I have seen discouraged people find hope. I have alsoseen grieving people find comfort. I have seen believers discover God's willand give their lives to serving Jesus Christ. And it wasn't because of theeloquence or ability of the preacher. It was the Word of God working in thosewho believed! Thatis why, as a preacher, I have always believed that my primary responsibility isnot to entertain people or impress people with my knowledge of the deepermeaning of the Scripture. My responsibility is simply to faithfully give themthe Word of God. Because my words cannot change a heart. But God's Word can! Myopinions cannot produce spiritual life. But God's Word can!   

Delivered by Ria from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 Corinthians 1: 17-25; Rs psalm 33: 1-2.4-5.10ab.11; Matthew 25: 1-13.HE IS THE BRIDEGROOM Our meditation today has the theme: He is theBridegroom. The image of God in the Scriptures is described as a bridegroom,which is one of the big points of reference in the teaching on the Kingdom ofGod. God Himself takes a position being paired or coupled with the bride, whichin our common understanding to be a woman. A woman who follows her vocation toget married, she surely needs a groom because she can't marry with an emptyspace. Likewise a bride indeed needs a man to be her bridegroom, because shecannot marry herself. God had made Himself a bridegroom so that therelationship between Himself and us human beings becomes a community of Hisbelievers. This relationship fits in comparation with a husband and his wifewho are joined together through the sacrament of matrimony. The blessing giventhrough this sacrament is the grace that unites and binds them for the rest oftheir lives. This is what we understand about the unity of Christian marriage.Thus, God desires to marry us His believers. To prove this, He Himself entersourselves and our lives with His own Word that had become flesh in the personJesus Christ in order to make us bear fruits. There was a religious sister or a nun who has justmade her perpetual or final vows, who lived out her daily life in the light ofher communion with Jesus Christ as her Bridegroom. She shared her experience,that every morning she woke up, she tried to make her day more than just aroutine life. As she was preparing to go to the chapel for the morning service,her mind was already focused on the belief that, her Bridegroom, Jesus, hadbeen waited for her inside. When she was already in the chapel for communityprayers then followed with the Holy Mass, she made herself the true bride whomet and enjoyed the unity with her Bridegroom. She always desired to have God present in her mind,aspirations, and plans. She was sure that her awareness and understanding ofGod remain alive and not lost either by unfocused attention or by temptation toget bored or sleepy. This real story is really for us a description of how thebride and bridegroom unite in harmony, or to be precise, there should be thereality for every human person who is always connected with his or her God. Anybride and her bridegroom who do not have intention to unite and live as oneharmony, or to complement each other, and create a communion, they must not usethe name bride and bridegroom. They are only a man and a woman. God as a bridegroom for us is more meaningful thansimply a husband-wife relationship, because our relationship with God is forperfection that surpasses all types of unity in this world. Saint Augustinedescribes this relationship in his belief that human hearts are restless ofseeking God until they feel peaceful when they arrive in where they live withHim forever. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, may we worship You as our God andto no one else we offer our thanks and praise except you alone are our Lord andGod forever. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...

Yesterdayin verse 10, Paul reminded the Thessalonians how he and his companions hadlived among them: “holily and justly and unblameably.” Now in verses 11and 12, Paul says: “As you know how we exhorted and comforted and chargedevery one of you, as a father does his children, That you would walk worthy ofGod, who has called you unto His kingdom and glory.” Earlier, in verse 7,Paul compared himself to a nursing mother who tenderly cherishes her children.Now he changes the picture and says, “as a father does his children.” Whata beautiful picture of spiritual ministry! A godly father doesn't simply tellhis children what to do. He walks with them. He encourages them. He teachesthem. He corrects them when necessary. And most importantly, he wants to seethem grow and become everything God intends for them to be. Paulgives us three words describing what he and his fellow co-workers did for thesenew believers. I trust that you have noticed that Paul hasn't been saying “I”,when addressing the people at Thessalonica, but he acknowledges his companionsas he says, “we”. He first says, “As you know how we exhorted.” Toexhort someone means to come alongside them and encourage them to keep going inthe right direction. Sometimes we need someone to say, “Don't quit. Keep going.Stay faithful. God is with you.” Then Paul says, “We comforted.” Thereare times when people don't need a lecture—they need comfort. Life has itsdisappointments. There are heartaches, losses, illnesses, broken dreams, andunexpected difficulties. A loving spiritual father knows when someone needsencouragement and when they simply need an arm around their shoulder. Then Paulsays they “charged every one of you.” That word is stronger. It carriesthe idea of giving a solemn testimony or urging someone with seriousness. Thereare times when we need encouragement. There are times when we need comfort. Butthere are also times when someone who loves us needs to look us in the eye andsay, “This is the way you need to go. This is what God wants you to do.” Andnotice something else that I love in this verse. Paul says they did this for “everyone of you.” Paul wasn't merely interested in crowds. He was interested inindividual people. Every person mattered. That is a wonderful lesson forministry. We can become so concerned about numbers that we forget that everynumber represents a person—a person with a name, a family, a burden, and aneternal soul. Jesus ministered that way. He preached to the multitudes, but Healso had time for Nicodemus. He had time for the woman at the well. He had timefor blind Bartimaeus. He had time for Zacchaeus. Every person matters to God.  Butwhat was Paul's goal in all this exhorting, comforting, and charging? Verse 12tells us: “That you would walk worthy of God.” That is the goal ofChristian discipleship. The word “walk” in the Bible often refers to the way welive our everyday lives. Paul is saying, in effect, “Live your life in a waythat is worthy of the God who saved you.” Andthen Paul gives us a wonderful reason: “Who has called you unto His kingdomand glory.” Think about that! God has called us out of darkness and intoHis marvelous light. He has called us out of a life of sin and given us eternallife. He has made us His children.Andone day, we will share in His kingdom and His glory. If that is our calling andthat is our destiny, then surely it should make a difference in how we livetoday. After54 years of marriage, I can look back and see many times when Edith and Ididn't know what the future held. But we knew Who held the future. And that isstill true today. Whether we are talking about marriage, raising children,ministry, friendships, or simply living the Christian life, we need the graceof God every day.

Delivered by Everine Lo from the Parish of Saint Theresia in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Rs psalm 107: 2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9; Matthew 22: 34-40.THE SECRET OF LOVE The theme for our meditation today is: The Secret ofLove. There was a young couple who has been dating for three years and they didnot reveal to anyone about their love relationship. They kept it as a secret.People might have seen them sometimes by chance, but they didn't know exactlythis secret love relationship. The fact that they managed to keep it secret wassomething that they worked it out together. They had their own way to make itremain secret.  There is another story. It was an affair of a husbandwho worked in an office among many women as his officemates. His wife andchildren at home did not really notice any signs of forbidden love or adultery, as the husband already engagedin a deep relationship with one of those women. This adultery has been tightlywrapped for certain years and none from the family could not even trace anysmell of it. The husband and his woman somehow managed to keep secret theirillicit relationship. These two stories show us how love is understood andpracticed differently from one person to another. Love is often understood inthe context of male and female relationship. The secret of love is also seen inthis line, that is between a man and a woman, or a boy and a girl. However,love should be also put in a broader understanding. For example, a person whohas an excessive self-love, he should be considered to have his own secretabout love. Parents' love for their children also has a secret that otherpeople do not know. Love among friends and associates has its secret too. From this perspective, we can say that love has manysecrets. We can also perceive that there is love that is shown with strongexpression, there is love that is expressed so little and there is even lovethat is weak or love that is expressed to gain negative results. And so thequestion is: what is the secret of love to be the standard for all of us, sothat everybody can rely on it and put all hopes on it?  For example, if someone is not happy withsuch little or poor expression of love from his neighbor, he resolves to lookfor the ideal love. That is the higher standard of love and its goal as well.We all believe that the ideal love is only in God because He his the fullnessof love and He is the source of love. In human standard, it happens that many acts of loveare not sincere or genuine, thus, they are to be hidden or kept secret. In thestandard of God, it is completely different. His love is expressed in all truthand goodness to be visible and open to the world and to all people. There is nohidden agenda or deception that His love need to be put in secret. The realsecret of God's love is not found in its secrecy, but in its essence andexpression. The Lord has shown and taught us that the secret of His love is theoffering of oneself for the sake of others. Jesus Christ is our perfect exampleof this offering of self. We just have to imitate and enjoy the secret love ofGod to every one of us. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus Christ, strengthen us always intruth and goodness of Your love. We thank You with our whole hearts for thisgift of love and for giving us ability to live in this love. Glory to theFather and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

“For yourselves,brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But evenafter that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know,at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God withmuch contention.” Paulbegins by saying, “For yourselves, brethren, know.” In other words, Paulcould point to their own personal experience. They knew what kind of man he wasbecause they had watched his life. They had seen his character. They had heardhis preaching. They knew that his ministry among them had been genuine. ThenPaul says that his coming to Thessalonica “was not in vain.” That meansit was not empty, useless, or without results. And certainly it wasn't! Achurch had been established. Lives had been transformed. People had turned fromidols to the living God. And now their testimony was spreading throughoutMacedonia and Achaia. Butwhat makes this even more remarkable is what Paul and Silas had experiencedimmediately before coming to Thessalonica. Paul says they had “sufferedbefore, and were shamefully entreated... at Philippi.”Youcan read about that in Acts chapter 16. At Philippi, Paul and Silas had beenfalsely accused. Their clothes were torn from them. They were beaten with rods.They were thrown into prison, and their feet were fastened in the stocks. Yetat midnight, instead of complaining, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praisesunto God. Then God sent an earthquake, the prison doors opened, and eventuallythe Philippian jailer and his family trusted Christ. Butthink about this. After Paul and Silas were released from prison, they didn'tsay, “We've had enough. Maybe we should take a break from preaching.” Theydidn't say, “If this is what happens when you preach the gospel, perhaps weshould find something safer to do.” No! They traveled on to Thessalonica andpreached the gospel again! Paul says: “We were bold in our God to speak untoyou the gospel of God.” I love that phrase: “Bold in our God.” Theircourage did not come from themselves. Paul wasn't saying, “We were naturallybrave men.” He said they were bold in God. There is a tremendous difference. Christianboldness is not arrogance. It isn't being loud, argumentative, or offensive.Biblical boldness is having such confidence in God and His Word that wefaithfully speak the truth even when it might cost us something. Andnotice something else. Their suffering did not silence them. They had beenbeaten for preaching the gospel, but they kept preaching. They had been put inprison for preaching Christ, but they kept preaching Christ. They had beenpublicly humiliated, but they kept telling others about Jesus. Why? Becausethey knew that the gospel was worth suffering for. Paul later wrote in Romans1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power ofGod unto salvation to everyone that believes.” My friend, we live in aworld today where it is becoming increasingly unpopular to stand for biblicaltruth. We may sometimes be tempted to remain silent because we don't want tooffend someone. We don't want to be criticized. We don't want someone tomisunderstand us or reject us. But we need the same prayer today: “Lord, makeus bold in You.” Not bold in our opinions. Not bold sothat we can win an argument. But bold in our God to speak the gospel of God.  Andthere is another wonderful encouragement in these verses. Paul says theirentrance into Thessalonica “was not in vain.” Sometimes we may wonderwhether our witness is making any difference. We share Christ with someone, andwe don't immediately see a response. We pray for someone for years, and nothingseems to happen. We teach God's Word, encourage others, give out a gospeltract, invite someone to church, or simply try to live a faithful Christiantestimony. And sometimes we wonder, “Is it really accomplishing anything?” Paulreminds us that when we faithfully serve the Lord, our labor is never wasted.

Now,the Gospel certainly must come to us in words. Romans 10:17 tells us, “Sothen faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Someone musttell us the wonderful story that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into thisworld, lived a perfect and sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, wasburied, and rose again on the third day. The Gospel has a message, and thatmessage must be proclaimed. The word“power” reminds us that the Gospel is not merely information to be considered;it is the power of God that transforms those who believe. Paul said in Romans1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power ofGod unto salvation to every one that believes.” Thinkabout that. The Gospel can take a sinner and make him a saint. It can takesomeone who is spiritually dead and give him spiritual life. It can break thechains of sin, give hope to the hopeless, peace to the troubled heart, andcompletely change the direction of a person's life. I have seen that power overand over again through the years. Programs can help people. Education caninform people. Good advice can encourage people. But only the Gospel of JesusChrist can give a person a new heart and make him a new creation. SecondCorinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation:old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Butnotice where this power comes from. Paul says the Gospel came “in the HolyGhost.” Paul understood that he could preach the truth, but only the HolySpirit could take that truth and apply it to the human heart. Jesus said inJohn 16 that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, andjudgment. That should be a great encouragement to those of us who want to shareChrist with others. Sometimes we become concerned that we do not know exactlywhat to say. We worry that we will not have the right words or be able toanswer every question. But remember, we are not the ones who save people. Goddoes. Our responsibility is to faithfully share the Gospel. The Holy Spirittakes the Word of God and works in the heart. That is why prayer is soimportant when we witness. We should pray, “Lord, give me the words to say, andHoly Spirit, take those words and use them to touch this person's heart.” ThenPaul adds another phrase. The Gospel came “in much assurance.” There is a tremendous differencebetween speaking about something we merely know intellectually and speakingabout something that has become a reality in our own lives. Paul could preachChrist with assurance because Paul knew Christ personally. And theThessalonians could see that conviction in him. Noticethe final part of the verse: “As you know what manner of men we were amongyou for your sake.” Paul is reminding them, “You not only heard ourmessage—you watched our lives.” That is so important. The Gospel should notonly be heard from our lips; it should be seen in our lives. People arewatching us. Our family watches us. Our neighbors watch us. The people we workwith watch us. The people we go to church with watch us. They want to knowwhether the Gospel we talk about on Sunday makes a difference in the way welive on Monday. Paul could say, “You know what manner of men we were amongyou.” What a testimony!Hewas not saying that he and Silas were perfect. But their conduct was consistentwith the message they proclaimed.AndI believe this verse gives us a wonderful pattern for effective Christianwitness. We need the Word of God— “not in word only.” We need the powerof God— “but also in power.” We need the Spirit of God— “and in theHoly Ghost.” We need the assurance of God— “and in much assurance.” Andwe need a life that demonstrates the reality of the Gospel— “what manner ofmen we were among you.” My friend, the world does not simply need morereligious talk. The world needs to see the Gospel demonstrated by lives thathave been transformed by Jesus Christ.

Delivered by Gladys from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indoneisa. Nahum 1: 15; 2: 2; 3: 1-3.6-7; Rs psalm: Deut 32: 35cd-36ab.39abcd.41; Matthew 16: 24-28.IF LIFE CAN BE EXCHANGED Our meditation today has the theme: If Life Can BeExchanged. The exchange of goods in the past was done in a barter system, forexample, it was occurred when bananas were brought from mountains zone in orderto be exchanged with fish from beach zone. However, times have changed and theexchange system also changed, and so it is no longer the activity ofexchanging goods but buying goods. We use money to buy goods in markets andshopping centers. Can a person be bought or exchanged in this way? Forexample, a person goes to a rich man, then he is taken by that rich person withamount of money as his value to be given to the person's family. Perhaps thiskind of purchase could be happened, but such incident should be classified assomething abnormal and even a crime in our society. This type of exchange takes place in the context ofmarket and trade. The Lord Jesus teaches us a type of life exchange, which isnot in the context of trade or market. He presents a new lifestyle that bringssalvation to our bodies and souls. To those who choose to follow Him, theprinciple condition is to make a life exchange, that is, a change ofpersonality and the spirit of life. The lifestyle of this world with its temporalachievements is no doubt has made us selfish, enjoying easy life, and wanted tobe served. Jesus demands that this style is to be exchanged with the newlifestyle of His own, which is a self-denial or renunciation. Its main symbolis the carrying of the cross. This act complements what God has done for eachone of us, when He bought us from this world with a very high price. We werealready made His own by the sacrament of Baptism and by our membership in the Church.So we experience an exchange of life in the sense that we belong to Jesus andthe lifestyle of this world is exchanged with the one of Jesus Christ, namelythe self-denial. This does not mean that the world, culture and societyare no longer part of our lives, or rather we lose our right to have thisworld. We actually still experience and have all in this world, but we haveassumed a higher dignity for ourselves being people from this world, namely thefollowers of Christ. We have this dignity and we feel how meaningful we are.The proof is that we promise to befaithful to God through our words and deeds. However, we are not totally freefrom temptation and sin. In fact, the great challenge for sons and daughters ofGod is to maintain their dignity. The prophet Nahum in his preaching said that,God always wants to restore human life that has been damaged by sin. As sonsand daughters of God, we are so special because we are always being restored bythe good and merciful Lord.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Father, give us your power to sanctifyourselves through our words and deeds, and may our lives today be pleasing toYou. Hail Mary ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 2: 1-3.7-8.12-13. Rs psalm 36: 6-7ab.8-11; Matthew 13: 10-17.WAY TO UNDERSTAND HIM Our meditation today has the theme: Way To UnderstandHim. There were three girls who fell in love with a young man who was of theirage. Each girl always tried to win the heart of the young man with her best wayof appearance. Sometimes they competed unfairly in the manner that one tendedto highlight the weaknesses of her other friends. Sometimes they competed in ahealthy and positive way in order to show the real personality each of them. The young man also had his own way to appear nicely toeach girl who was so fond of him. As time went on, each of them became boredand tired. The three girls were confused about who really deserved to be thebest and chosen, because it was not possible for all three of them to bechosen. The three of them agreed to discuss about this. They finally concludedthat the young man would definitely have his own way to understand them and tochoose only one whom he loved. This illustration shows how love is expressed. Aself-expression certainly has a peculiar quality to make other people havetheir impressions on it. A good impression would normally develop the feelingof attraction. A guitarist appears so talented, then those who have passion formusic would be attracted to him. A person's self-expression aims to make otherpeople understand about him and they normally support him. If this is a kind of human attractiveness that deservesappreciation by all of us, it should be all the more the attractiveness ofGod's love that always move our hearts to be in love with Him and to love ourfellow brothers and sisters as well. The Lord first revealed Himself to ushumans. The quality and power of the expressions of His love are beyond the oneof ours, simply because God incarnates in us. Through incarnation He purifies,empowers and perfects our lives in the world. He reveals Himself in order tosanctify the world and all of us. To the Israelites, God had revealed Himself as theLord who was so kind and merciful to them for their obedience and faithfulness.But He also became the Lord who had punished this people because of theirungratefulness and sinfulness. Jesus also made His listeners understand Himthrough His various ways of preaching or teaching. He uses parables, so thatHis listeners understand that He is so concerned about those who are humble,suffering, alienated and persecuted. He also opened the mind of those who aregreat, powerful, rich, proud, and smart but they were not willing to accept andunderstand Him. So we have a duty to be always ready to understand theLord who reveals Himself through His words and deeds that help our faith grow.But we also have the same important task to make our neighbors understand usfor the witnesses of our faith. This is also the way we serve others. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, help us to always havegood and true understanding about You and our neighbors. Our Father who art inheaven ... In the name of the Father ...

The heart is fundamentally “deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jer 17:9) - this opening establishes humanity's spiritual condition.Explore the universal nature of depravity: all have sinned and fall short ofGod's glory (Rom 3:23) and none seeks God, all have turned aside, and no one does good (Rom 3:10–18). Consider the origin of this condition—humans are conceived in iniquity (Ps 51:5) and its manifestation: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, and other vices flow from within the heart and defile a person (Mark 7:21–23). A powerful sub-theme is humanity's self-deception: there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death (Prov 14:12).

Delivered by Fiona from the Parish of Mary Queen of Rosary in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 1: 11-17; Rs psalm 50: 8-9.16bc-17.21.23; Matthew 10: 34 - 11: 1.SPIRITUAL WARFARE The theme for our meditation today is: SpiritualWarfare. In one particular morning there was a girl who was quarreling with hermother. They shouted and blamed each other over something not substantial. Whenleaving home to work, she was still angry and during work she remained angryover that problem with her mother. But the mother at home was continuallypraying for her daughter. She just wanted that her daughter's anger couldimmediately go away. In the afternoon when the girl returned from work, there wasno more anger and the atmosphere in the house returned to normal as if therewas nothing just happened. Anger, like many other sins, originates from the evilone, which is the devil. When we allow ourselves to be dominated by this evilpower, any sinful act can happen as quickly as possible. Even a human personwho is good and intelligent, if he is controlled by the power of darkness, hewill be defeated and eventually perished. This evil power aims to afflict anddestroy him. This power always seizes the opportunity that is available, whichis those persons who are mentally and spiritually weak. The incident above between that girl and her mother isan example of the spiritual war. In a spiritual war, the physical violence thatinvolves tools or weapons does not occur, but people normally use words,thoughts, arguments, criticisms, advices, and the powerful force of prayer. Thespiritual warfare in its true sense is the fight between the power of good andthe power of evil. From His part, the Lord wants that truth and goodness are tobe safeguarded because the forces of evil have already inflicted chaos or haveambition to take power over the life of mankind. In this regard, the prophet Isaiah insisted theIsraelites during their exile period, that in the presence of the almighty Godthey must cleanse themselves by avoiding all the evil deeds. The sword thatJesus used in the spiritual war is the Word of God. This sword has two equallysharp sides used to defend our spirits and souls from the danger of evil, theconsideration and decision of our minds, and the purpose of  our hearts. The Word of God is actually thesword of the Holy Spirit that is used to destroy the spirit of darkness thatbrings us into sin and ultimately removes our dignity as sons and daughters ofGod. So it is Jesus Christ who leads the war that createsdivision among the relatives and friends, where the power of darkness anddestruction of human souls can be found existing there. Purification must bemade there, in order to give us sons and daughters of God an opportunity tolive righteous, peaceful, and joyful in the Holy Spirit. We should always usethe spiritual sword of Jesus Christ in our lives as Christians. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O beloved Father, we pray that may the fireof Your Spirit burn our zeal to be courageous and diligent to fight all formsof evil that at any moment can disturb and conquer us. Glory to the Father andto the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Thinkfor a moment about how many thoughts enter your mind every day. Researchersestimate that thousands of thoughts pass through our minds daily. Some arehelpful, many are harmless, but others can be destructive. Satan knows that ifhe can capture your mind, he can influence your emotions, your decisions, youractions, and eventually your character. That is why the battle for theChristian life is largely the battle for the mind. Noticethe connection with the previous verses. In verse 6 Paul tells us to prayinstead of worrying. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayerand supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”. Thenin verse 7 he gives us God's wonderful promise: “And the peace of God, whichsurpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through ChristJesus”. The word guard is a military term. It means to guard or stand watchover. God's peace stands like a soldier around our hearts and minds. Butnow Paul tells us something else. While God guards our hearts with His peace,we have the responsibility to guard our minds with His truth. God neverintended for our minds to remain empty. An empty mind quickly becomes occupiedby fear, temptation, discouragement, resentment, lust, pride, or worry. Theanswer is not merely to stop thinking wrong thoughts. The answer is to replacethem with right thoughts. This is a principle found throughout Scripture. InProverbs 23:7 we read, "For as a man thinks in his heart, so ishe." Ourthoughts eventually become our character. The Lord Jesus emphasized the sametruth. In Matthew 15:19 He said, "For out of the heart proceed evilthoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,blasphemies." Everything begins on the inside before it ever appearson the outside. Paul also wrote in Romans 12:2, "And be not conformedto this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Noticethat transformation comes through the renewing of the mind. Theworld says, "Follow your heart." God says, "Renew yourmind." The world fills our minds with fear, anger, impurity, selfishness,and confusion. God fills our minds with truth, hope, purity, love, and peace. Someonehas wisely said, "You cannot keep the birds from flying over your head,but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." We cannot alwayscontrol the thoughts that suddenly enter our minds, but we can choose whetherwe dwell on them. A temptation may come, but we do not have to invite it tostay. Paulends this verse with a command: "Think on these things." Thephrase means to deliberately dwell on them, to continually consider them, tocarefully evaluate them, and to let them shape your thinking. The Christianlife is not lived by accident. It is lived by intentionally filling our mindswith God's truth.  Overthe next several days we are going to examine each of these wonderful qualitiesPaul lists. They provide a divine filter for every thought that enters ourminds. Before we allow a thought to remain, we should ask, "Is it true? Isit honest? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report? Does itdisplay virtue? Is it worthy of praise?" If the answer is yes, dwell onit. If not, replace it with God's Word. Remember, if you want to enjoy thepeace of God in your heart, you must also guard your mind with the truth ofGod. Let's ask the Lord today to help us win the battle for our minds. Let'sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to guide our thinking.Forgive us for allowing worry, fear, bitterness, impurity, and worldlyinfluences to occupy our minds. Help us, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, tothink on the things that honor You. Guard our hearts with Your peace, renew ourminds with Your truth, and transform our lives for Your glory. In Jesus' name,Amen. Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of Saint Laurensius in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. 2 Kings 24: 8-17; Rs psalm 79: 1-2.3-5.8.9; Matthew 7: 21-29.STONE HOUSE VERSUS SAND HOUSE The theme for our meditation today is: Stone HouseVersus Sand House. When Jesus spoke about a house or building that was notstrong enough against rain, floods and hurricanes that would destroy it, He wasin line with the thought of the writer of Proverbs who said: "Whenhurricanes hit, sinners are destroyed, but the righteous will lastforever" (Prov 10.25). There were two mothers who were sharing stories abouttheir children who are currently studying in the city. Each lives in adifferent city. Parents and their respective families in the village reallyhope that their children are diligent in their spiritual life even though theymust also study with all their efforts. While still at home and before going tocollege, they were so committed in personal prayers, family prayer together,Sunday Masses and other Catholic youth activities. When they are already far from home, the story hasbecome different. One of those two students has a happy story. The atmospherein the boarding house where he lives, bonding with friends and environment incampus lead him to grow better in the spiritual aspect. His personal prayerhabit becomes stronger and he involves also in youth activities in the local parishChurch. He attends Mass every Sunday, even he goes also for the daily Masses.This student is a spiritual stone house, as described by Jesus in today'sGospel. The story about the other student is very different.His environment in the city has transformed him into a young person who is outof his family's expectation. He becomes a hard-tempered person and he alsoinvolved in crimes. Several times he was targeted by the security forces but healways escaped. His spiritual life is in danger. He recognizes himself as abeliever who has faith in Jesus Christ, but his real life was very much inconflict with his faith. This young man is an example of a sand house buildingthat is also illustrated by today's Gospel. Faith that grows as a stone house is a life lived bybelievers with two important characteristics, namely listening to the words ofGod and practicing them. Instead those who listen but do not put them intopractice, belong to the life of faith as a house made of sand. In our lives,there are often these two types of people live together in one family,community, environment, and the Church. Here the real test takes place. Each istrying to win. If the stone house of faith becomes stronger, thepower and glory of God will rule our entire lives. But if the sand house isstronger, then disasters will soon hit our lives, such as the bitter experienceof the Israelites who were defeated and put in to exiled in Babylon. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, bless us with the growth of ourhealthy and mature faith that we may contribute in the growth of the Kingdom inthis world. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...

The heart of fatherhood is summed up this way - one whom, in love, is willing to take responsibility for things beyond himself. Acts like these can only come from our character. Fatherhood changes who you are  - we cant show what we don't know.The areas we struggle with the most are the very areas we allow Gods love in the least.Biblical fatherhood is not about conjuring for ourselves the right moves at the right moments but rather letting the example ofGod to you - flow through you.

AfterPaul shares what he did in verse 8, he continues in verse 9: "And befound in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but thatwhich is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God byfaith." Oh, what a wonderful verse! Paul has just told us that knowingChrist is the greatest treasure in all the world. Now he explains one of thegreatest blessings that comes from knowing Christ. When we trust Jesus, we arenot only brought into a relationship with Him, but we are given a righteousnessthat we could never produce ourselves.  Noticefirst Paul's negative statement: "Not having my own righteousness,which is from the law." Paul knew all about self-righteousness becauseif anyone could have boasted in religious achievements, it was Paul. Verses 4–6already list his impressive credentials. He was circumcised on the eighth day.He was of the nation of Israel. He was of the tribe of Benjamin. He was aHebrew of the Hebrews. He was a Pharisee. He was zealous. Outwardly, he wasblameless according to the law. Yet after meeting Jesus Christ, Paul realizedthat all these accomplishments could never make him righteous before a holyGod. Theprophet Isaiah said it this way in Isaiah 64:6: "But we are all like anunclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags." Whata humbling truth. The best that we can produce in our own strength falls farshort of God's perfect standard. You see, religion always says, "Tryharder." But the gospel tells us that Christ has already done what wecould never do. The problem is not that we need a little improvement. Theproblem is that we need a completely new standing before a holy God. Noticewhat Paul desired instead: "But that which is through faith in Christ,the righteousness which is from God by faith." This is whattheologians often call imputed righteousness. That simply means that when weplace our faith in Christ, God credits Christ's righteousness to our account. Thinkof it this way. On the cross, Jesus took our sin upon Himself. In salvation,God places Christ's righteousness upon us. Oh, my friend, what a gloriousexchange! In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read: "For He made Him who knew nosin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God inHim." Jesuslived the perfect life that we could never live. He died the death that wedeserved to die. Then, when we trust Him, God declares us righteous in Hissight. Another word for that is justification. We are justified in the sight ofGod. This is not because of what we have done. It is because of what Christ hasdone. Noticehow many times faith appears in Philippians 3:9: "through faith inChrist" and "from God by faith." Faith is simply theempty hand that receives God's gift. We do not earn righteousness; we receiveit. We do not work for it; we trust Christ for it. We do not achieve it; Godgives it. Martin Luther called this "the great exchange." You knowhis struggle with self-righteousness until the day he discovered the truth ofjustification by faith. This truth ignited the Protestant Reformation andchanged the course of human history. Perhapsone of the most important phrases in this verse is found right at thebeginning: "And be found in Him." Everything Paul desired wasfound in Christ. His acceptance was in Christ. His righteousness was in Christ.His salvation was in Christ. His future hope was in Christ. That is still truetoday, my friend. The question is not whether you are religious enough. Thereal question is whether you are in Christ. Have you stopped trusting in yourown goodness, your own efforts, your own religious performance, and placed yourfaith completely and entirely in Jesus Christ? When you do that, at that verymoment, God places you in Christ through the baptism of His Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12:13). Then you stand clothed in Christ's righteousness before aholy God.

Paul moves from what he inherited to what he personally achieved. Listento what he says: "As to the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecutingthe church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Thesewere not things that were given to Paul. These were things he worked hard toattain. If anyone could have earned a right standing before God throughreligion, dedication, and moral effort, it was Saul of Tarsus. First,notice that Paul said, "As to the law, a Pharisee." ThePharisees were the strictest religious group in Judaism. There were not many ofthem compared to the population of Israel, but they were highly respected fortheir devotion to the Law. The word Pharisee actually means "separatedone." They separated themselves from anything they believed would makethem spiritually unclean. They carefully studied the Scriptures, observedreligious traditions, and sought to obey every detail of the Law. SoPaul was not merely a religious man. He was a religious leader. In Acts 23:6,he boldly declared, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee." Hehad studied under the famous Rabbi Gamaliel according to Acts 22:3. Hepossessed the finest religious education available in his day. Yet with allthat learning and all that religious devotion, it could not save him. It ispossible to know the Bible intellectually and still not know Jesus Christpersonally. Many people today know Bible stories, memorize verses, and attendchurch regularly, yet they have never experienced the transforming grace ofGod. Knowledge alone cannot save. Secondly,Paul said, "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church." Thismight seem shocking to us. How could persecuting Christians be considered acredential? But before his conversion, Paul believed Christians were theenemies of God. He thought he was serving God by trying to destroy the church. Acts8:3 tells us that Saul made havoc of the church, entering houses and draggingmen and women off to prison. In Acts 9, he was on his way to Damascus withauthority to arrest believers when he met the risen Christ. In Acts 26:9-11,when he gave his testimony before Agrippa, he said: “I punished them oftenin every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme. Being exceedingly enragedagainst them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities." Paulwas sincere. He was passionate. He was committed. But he was sincerely wrong. Thisreminds us that sincerity alone is not enough because a person can be sincereand still be lost. A person can be passionate and still be mistaken. The mostimportant question is not how sincere we are. The important question is whetherour faith is based on the truth of Jesus Christ. Today, many people are zealousabout religion, politics, causes, traditions, or philosophies. But zeal withouttruth can lead us far from God. Paul had zeal, but he still needed a Savior. Third,Paul said, "Concerning the righteousness which is in the law,blameless." Notice he did not say sinless. He said blameless. In theeyes of the people around him, Paul lived an exemplary life. No one could pointto some scandalous sin and accuse him of hypocrisy. Outwardly, he appeared tobe everything a religious person should be. If Saul of Tarsus had lived in ourcommunity today, many churches would probably have wanted him to be a deacon, aSunday school teacher, an elder, or a ministry leader. Yet despite all hismorality and religious discipline, he was still lost. Thisis one of the most sobering truths in Scripture. Aperson can be religious and still need salvation. Remember, Jesus said inMatthew 7 that many will come to Him in that day and say, "Lord, Lord,have we not done many wonderful works in Your name?" And Jesus willsay to them, "Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity. I never knewyou." That is sobering. Are you sure—really sure—that you have beenborn again? We need the grace of God and salvation through Christ alone. 

SEE THE BOYS LIVE - https://www.samtallent.com/     Sponsors: Cash App - Download Cash App today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/g0yurtz9 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/en-us/card-agreement. Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http:///cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.     IndaCloud - If you're 21 or older, get 30% OFF your first order @ IndaCloud with code CHUBBY at https://inda.shop/CHUBBY #indacloudpod     Chubbies - Chubbies is here to keep you comfy & looking good year-round. Get 20% off with code chubby at https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/chubby #chubbiespod #ad     PATREON EPISODES: https://www.Patreon.com/chubbybehemoth     This week the boys are wearing hats and standing up. Sam is a sweet little cannonballer, has a Cold War brewing with some neighbors, and helped a man with his community garden. Nathan braved a stop at Buc-ee's, wants to be left on the ground, and was turned into a half cartoon. Gridlock traffic in taint city.     00:00 Unless Ghosts Can Buy Tickets 02:16 I Knew What I Wanted 03:45 Roll Up Your Sleeves 06:18 Fort Wayne 09:07 The Way I See You In My Head 12:23 Stray Dog Update 13:29 Saw The Curtain Move 14:11 Some Fun Local News 16:03 Playing Goalie 18:56 Crazy Pitch 19:56 Giant Production Crew 22:38 Dorfing It 25:08 Not Sustainable 29:34 Smoke Signals 32:34 I'm The Shadow 34:05 Pentagram Music Video 37:09 Set Off My Own Alarm 39:25 Pool Yoga 41:54 Dickin Around 43:34 The Thighs Don't Lie 46:10 Pushing War Machine 48:13 Bunch Of Thistles 50:22 Like A Psycho 52:09 Horseshoe Of Hell 53:58 This Isn't Of God 55:05 Working In Shifts Down Here 57:01 On Your Bellybutton 59:36 The Good Chef Quit 01:02:18 Candles Made Of Other Melted Candles 01:04:21 The Orphan Special 01:06:46 Brent The Golf Man     Nathan Lund and Sam Tallent are Chubby Behemoth   MORE WIDE WORLD: @SamTallent   Pre-Order Sam's New Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593978897/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3I4LOBQ02YIGW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k5eCApJdjwVfn7hSelWi5VdRMlVrzKa4zf68ficcjcg.tZZOiI0nB0n3kkWiGAbidMQy5yUS_MkvmEIaXp-LXjo&dib_tag=se&keywords=sam+tallent+brut&qid=1769522903&sprefix=sam+tallent+,aps,181&sr=8-1&dplnkId=90401c83-a6a0-4ad4-999e-ece570a5d320&nodl=1

Today we are continuing in Philippians chapter 2, lookingspecifically at verses 26–27. We are talking about Epaphroditus, a wonderfulservant of God from Philippi who was in Rome ministering to the Apostle Paul.We are going to find in this passage that he became very sick and almost died. Whenwe think about Epaphroditus, we are reminded of the four illustrations Paulgives us in Philippians 2 about being a servant, being a surrendered person,and having a submissive mind—the mind of Christ. Iam amazed at the many times in the book of Acts that Jesus is called God'sServant, the Servant of God. As you look through Scripture and history, you seemen like Moses. When Moses died, God referred to him in Joshua 1 as “Moses Myservant.” Then, at the end of the book of Joshua, when Joshua died, Godreferred to him as His servant, Joshua. Oh, my friend, great men and women ofGod are people who make themselves servants of God and serve Him by servingothers. Itis also what the Apostle Paul did. That is what Timothy did. And now we see itin the life of Epaphroditus as we read verses 26 and 27: “Since he waslonging for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and notonly on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” Thinkabout this for a moment. Epaphroditus was the one who was sick. In fact, henearly died. Yet he was not primarily concerned about himself. He was concernedthat the Philippians were worried about him. What an incredible spirit! Most ofus naturally focus on ourselves when we are hurting, suffering, or sick. We areoften not thinking about what others might be going through because of ourillness. But Epaphroditus was different. His concern remained fixed on others. Thisreminds us of Jesus in Gethsemane. Even while facing the cross, Jesus thoughtabout His disciples. Even while dying on Calvary, He thought about His mother. Asa matter of fact, the word translated “distressed” in verse 26 is verysignificant. Some translations render it “full of heaviness.” This isthe exact same Greek word used to describe Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane inMatthew 26:37: “…He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed His spiritwas exceedingly heavy.” The burden was so great that Jesus sweat greatdrops of blood..Oh,my friend, we see something of that same spirit in Epaphroditus. Even in hissickness, even when he was near death, his heart was burdened for the believersback in Philippi. He worried because they were worrying about him. But then weread these wonderful words: “God had mercy on him.” God had mercy onEpaphroditus. Whata reminder that we are in God's hands. Even in suffering and sickness, God issovereign over our health. Notice that the passage does not say Paul healedhim. Paul had been used by God to perform miracles. There were times when evenhandkerchiefs associated with Paul were used by God to bring healing. Yet thatis not what happened here. The Scripture simply says, “God had mercy onhim.” Godis sovereign over our health. God is sovereign over our circumstances. God issovereign over our future. Sometimes God heals. Sometimes He sustains us in themidst of our sickness. But God is always faithful. He will never allow us tosuffer beyond His purposes for our lives, and He will always provide the gracewe need for every trial. Today,perhaps you are carrying a burden. Maybe you are facing an illness. Maybe youhave come to a place of discouragement in your life. I want you to know thatjust as God had mercy on Epaphroditus, God has not forgotten you. He knows yourneed today. He knows your suffering. And even in the midst of your suffering,God can still use you to encourage others through your service. What awonderful blessing to know that God has a perfect plan, even in the midst ofsickness and hardship.

June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The Sacred Heart symbolizes Jesus' divine and human love for humanity. The prayer's central message is simple: Jesus' heart is a sign of God's unfailing love, and June is a special time to contemplate and respond to that love.'Like the Rosary, the litany is a repetitive prayer, and the repetition of “Havemercy on us” after each line is, in fact, like our regularly repeating heartbeat, verycalming: once we meditate on the references, it gives us insight into the love ofGod for us in Jesus, and it gives us serenity through the heartbeat of its repetitivepattern. In our frazzled world these days, we especially need both that insight andthat serenity.' Cardinal Thomas Collins

Today we've been looking at Philippians chapter 2, where theApostle Paul is encouraging the church at Philippi to live in unity, to haveunity of spirit as they fellowship with one another. The only way they can dothat is, as he says in verse 4, to “let each of you look out not only forhis own interests, but also for the interests of others.” In the previousverse, he talked about having “lowliness of mind and letting each esteemothers better than themselves” (v. 3). Aswe were thinking about that, our minds went to Psalm chapter 15, a great psalmthat teaches us the character of a man who walks with God, who enjoysfellowship with God, who enjoys fellowship with other believers, and who livesa life of peace in his relationships with others. Today,we are looking at Psalm 15:3b, where the psalmist writes, “Nor does evil tohis neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his neighbor.” Remember,the first part of verse 3a, that we talked about yesterday, “He that doesnot backbite with his tongue”—in other words, he is not a gossip or aslanderer.  Herethe psalmist is speaking about the fact of loving others and refusing to joinin spreading accusations. “He does no evil to his neighbor”. He doesn'tthink about how he can hurt his neighbor or cause harm to come to his neighbor.Who is a neighbor? A neighbor could be somebody you work with. It could besomebody who lives across the street from you, somebody who sits on the samepew with you at church, or someone you encounter during the day as you goshopping or go out for entertainment. A neighbor is anybody around you who hasa need in his life, and that need is always Jesus and a relationship with God. So,we do no evil to our neighbors. For example, when someone becomes a source ofirritation to us by the way they're driving, we don't respond and then drive ina way that causes evil to them. “We do no evil to our neighbor”. Thenhe goes on to say: “Nor does he take up a reproach against his neighbor.”We don't listen to criticism and then repeat it. When we hear something bad aboutsomeone else, we don't carry it on to another person so they will also thinkbadly of that individual. Usually, when we spread criticism, we are trying toput somebody else down so that we look a little better ourselves. The motive inour own hearts, of course, is pride, and that is the opposite of the lowlinessof mind that Paul talks about in Philippians 2. Godcalls us to be peacemakers, not troublemakers. This verse is basically teachingus what we read in Romans 12:18: “If it be possible, as much as lies in you,live peaceably with all men.” Remember, Jesus Himself said in the Sermon onthe Mount, found in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for theyshall be called the children of God.” Whencertain people come into a room, immediately it seems like there aredistractions, division, strife, discord, and bad feelings. You know what I'mtalking about. But there are other people who come in with the glow of God uponthem, walking in fellowship with the Lord—people who love anyone and everyone,and it radiates in their eyes, in their speech, in their attitude, and in theirconversation. They come into the room, and they are peacemakers. Oh,how blessed are the peacemakers! Jesus said they shall be called children ofGod. You know what that means? It means they are recognized as having anintimate, close relationship with God Himself as their Father. One Bible translationcalls them the sons of God. People see them and say, “This person must live ina different family than I came from. I need to find out about that family.” Howinteresting is that? Ipray that as we think about these things, we will live lives of integrity andtruly become people who lift others up rather than tear them down. Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

“Only let your conductbe worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or amabsent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with onemind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we are continuing to look at verse 27 of Philippians 1.In the first part of the verse, the Apostle Paul talked about our conduct, ourconversation—our citizenship in heaven. We have citizenship on earth, but weshould live on earth as though we are citizens of heaven. We are different. Welive differently. You read this throughout all Paul's epistles. It is soimportant. Todaywe are going to continue with the last part of the verse, where the ApostlePaul writes: “So that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear ofyour affairs.” Here it is: “that you stand fast in one spirit, with onemind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Today we are talkingabout standing and striving together for the faith of the gospel. Now,the word “faith” here is not referring to our personal faith—like my faith inJesus Christ for salvation. The word “faith” here refers to the truth—the truthof Scripture, the truth of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God untosalvation to everyone who believes. The gospel is the death, burial, andresurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the good news for every person whowill trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life. TheApostle Paul now shifts from what we might call citizenship to teamwork. Andthe first thing he writes is, “Stand fast.” That phrase means tohold your ground, like a soldier in battle. First Corinthians 16:13 says, “Standfast in the faith. Be strong. Be brave.” Ephesians 6:11 reminds us to“put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wilesof the devil.” To stand—to stand fast—is to hold your ground. We are in aspiritual battle, but my friend, we are not standing alone. Thenthe Apostle Paul writes, “with one spirit and with one mind strivingtogether.” That phrase “striving together” gives us our wordathletics. It paints a picture of a team working together toward one goal. TheChristian life is not a solo race—it is a team effort. Buthere is the reality: our enemy, the enemy of the church, the enemy ofChristianity, loves division. “Divide and conquer” is still his strategy. Evenin Philippi, there were tensions. We will see that when we get to Philippians4:2. That is why Paul emphasizes one spirit, one mind, one purpose. InPhilippians 2:2, he writes, “Be like-minded, having the same love, being ofone accord, of one mind.” No doubt that is why Jesus said in John 13:35, “Bythis all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for oneanother.” Unity is not optional—it is essential. A divided church isa defeated church, but a united church is a powerful church for the glory ofGod. Ilove the quote we have used for years in the churches I pastored: “Inessentials, we have unity. In non-essentials, we have liberty. But in allthings, we have charity.” The Bible reminds us in Romans 12:5, “We, beingmany, are one body in Christ.” So we are to stand fast in the truth. We areto work together in love. We are to strive together for the sake of the gospel. Whyis that? Because the main thing we are to be about as a church—and asindividuals—is sharing Jesus Christ with people who are lost, who are in theirsins, and who are headed for a devil's hell. We are their only hope. The churchis the institution God has placed on earth to share and carry forth His greatgood news. Matthew 28:19–20. Myfriend, let us make sure we stand fast. Let us hold our ground. Let us worktogether with other believers in unity for the sake of the gospel. We will beblessed as individuals. We will be a blessed church. And we will be excitedabout what God is doing as we join Him on His mission—telling the good news ofChrist to a lost world around us.

Have you ever truly encountered the fear of the Lord? Not being afraid OF God, but being in AWE of Him. The problem is we've made God comfortable. He's dangerous in the most beautiful way. Let Him restore the fear of the Lord to your life, because it's the beginning of wisdom.

www.theinvisibleeverywhere.com In an era of high anxiety about artificialintelligence, one former Harvard physicist is using it to exploreGod. Dr. Michael Guillén's groundbreaking 80-minute documentary,The Invisible Everywhere: Believing Is Seeing, was createdentirely with consumer-grade AI tools by Guillén alone on a home computer — noHollywood studio, no Hollywoodcrew. Premiering April 8 at www.theinvisibleeverywhere.com, the film uses stunning visuals to tellthe story of how modern science dismantled Guillén's atheism. Please refer to the press release belowfor additional information, and let me know if you would like toschedule an interview with Dr. Michael Guillén. View the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/1168838844?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci [1]. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Groundbreaking AI-Generated Documentaryon Science and Faith Premieres April 8 DALLAS, Texas, March 6, 2026 — At a timewhen artificial intelligence is raising urgent questionsabout authenticity and truth, The Invisible Everywhere: Believing IsSeeing demonstrates how emerging AI tools can be used to exploreenduring spiritual questions. The 80-minute documentary might verywell be the first feature-length motion picture created entirely by asingle filmmaker using consumer-grade artificial intelligencetools on a standard home desktop computer. The film chronicles former Harvardphysics instructor and Emmy Award-winning ABC News Science EditorDr. Michael Guillén's adventurous and surprising journey fromatheism to Christianity — and his conclusion that modern sciencepoints beyond materialism. “While AI raises many legitimateconcerns about authenticity and truth, The Invisible Everywhereillustrates how AI is enabling ‘the power of one' — liberating talentedfilmmakers from traditional Hollywoodgatekeepers by democratizing the cinematic arts and sciences,” Guillén said. As a scientist and committed atheist,Guillén used to believe that reality is limited to what can beobserved and measured. His guiding principle was “seeing is believing.” That conviction began to unravel when helooked to empirical science for answers to life's biggest questions: How did the cosmos begin? Where is themind located? How did life on Earth begin? Is there life after death? Are we alone? Does God exist? Through physics, cosmology and rigorousinquiry, Guillén reached a conclusion that stunned him: Modernscience does not eliminate God; it clearly points to Him. “Modern science now believes that mostof reality is not visible, not logical and not even imaginable,”Guillén said. This unexpected revelation shattered hisatheism and turned his lifelong motto on its head — from“seeing is believing” to “believing is seeing.” Many documentaries explore the visibleuniverse. The Invisible Everywhere explores what cannot be seen. “If I still lived by the motto ‘seeingis believing,' I'd be blind to most of what's real,” Guillénsaid. “Today, because of what I've learned on my long, windingjourney, I now can see the invisible creator — everywhere. It's ajourney that changed my life forever.” The Invisible Everywhere premieresworldwide April 8 exclusively at www.theinvisibleeverywhere.com [2]. “Modern science is not the enemy ofGod,” Guillén added. “It might very well be His strongest ally.” EARLY PRAISE FOR The InvisibleEverywhere “Amazing film.” — Glen Reynolds, founder, Circus RoadFilms “Literally breathtaking!!!Transcendent.” — Kathy Ross, co-founder, Reasons toBelieve “Eye-opening! Magnificent.” — Dr. Rice Broocks, author, God's NotDead TIP SHEET The press release above may be publishedin part or entirely by any print, broadcast or internet/digitalmedia outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing. Additional reviews, photos, links toprevious interviews and Q&As are available upon request.

For decades, we've been told that "male and female He created them" means two rigid, separate biological blueprints. But what if the science of our brains actually shows a beautiful, diverse mosaic?In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking research of Dr. Dafna Joel at Tel Aviv University. By analyzing Thousands of MRI scans, Dr. Joel found that the human brain isn't a "pink or blue" binary—it's A beautiful mosaic. For the LGBTQIA+ community, this research is incredibly liberating. It suggests that our unique identities aren't "errors" in a binary system, but a natural expression of human neurobiology. Of God's creation. Inside the episode:• The Mosaic Brain: Why almost no one has a purely "male" or "female" brain structure.• Physical Plasticity: How our environment and experiences physically sculpt our neurobiology.• Reframing Identity: If our brains are unique mosaics, how does that change the way we view "gendered" expectations in the church?Join us as we explore how science is finally catching up to the beautiful complexity of how we are truly made.

Neil McClendon, Lead PastorGrand Parkway Baptist ChurchThe Clarity and Priority of Following JesusMatthew 8:18-221. Jesus wants disciples not a crowd, v. 18• Matthew 8:14-17Two things that drew a crowd...a)spiritual authorityb)physical dominion• Luke 14:25-272. To follow means to experience, v. 19-20• John 15:18-213. Following interrupts timing, v. 21-22“I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to seeher no more in this world ? Whether you can consent to her departure to a heathen land, andher subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent toher exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India;to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violentdeath? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died forher and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory ofGod? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory,with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall resound toher Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?”-Adoniram JudsonMental worship...1. Do you ever think of yourself in terms of having spiritual authority and physical dominion?2. Can you remember a negative Christlike experience that you had and how did you respond?3. How would your mental health be affected if you saw your negative experiences as aChristlike experience?4. Do you ever wonder if God's plan for your kids is different than yours?5. Is there anything you've told God you would do when ____________ happens?

Todaywe're looking at Philippians 1:9–11. These verses teach us how to pray. Paulprayed these words for the believers at Philippi. This is a powerful prayer—aprayer that we can pray for each other. But I think it is also a prayer that weneed to understand can be applied even to ourselves.  Todaywe want to look at this phrase: “that you may be sincere and withoutoffense till the day of Christ”. Till the day of Christ—sincere andwithout offense. Of course, sincere carries the idea of being pure and genuine,without hidden motives. Did you realize that one day, when we are standing atthe judgment seat of Christ as believers, we will be judged? There we will bejudged for our works—not so much for what we did, but why we did what we did.What was the motive behind our work? (Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-15). Didwe go to church? Oh yes, we went to church. But why did we go to church? Did wego so people would see us and think, “Oh, you're a good Christian,” and we wantpeople to notice that we're trying to be a good Christian? No. The motive isnot to go to church to show others what kind of Christian we are. The motivemust be to glorify the Lord. Why did we tithe? Why did we teach Sunday School?Why did we go on the mission trip? We will be judged and rewarded not for whatwe did or didn't do, but for our motive behind the act of service or giving. That'swhy Paul ends this prayer by saying that “we are being filled with thefruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise ofGod”. Whatever we do, we are to do to the glory of God through JesusChrist. Remember, it is not so much what you do—it is who you are. That's whatJesus said in His first recorded message in the Gospels, in Matthew chapter 5.We call it the Beatitudes. I often say these are the attitudes that humanbeings ought to have—the attitude of Jesus Christ. Rememberwhat they were in Matthew chapter 5. He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of God.” It is the spirit of humility, not of pride.That's the first thing that must be going on in our hearts. We are totally,absolutely dependent upon Jesus Christ. “Blessedare those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We are broken over our sin.The first words we have recorded that Jesus preached in the Gospel of Matthew4:17. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We have anattitude of turning from our way to God's way. That's what it means to repent.Then we become sincere, and we are without offense in our motives—genuine, withno hidden motives. “Withoutoffense”means living in a way that does not cause others to stumble. We can say toothers, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” and we say it in humility. “Blessedare the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” The word meek means thatwe are totally, absolutely yielded to the Lord in every aspect of our lives.We've given up ownership of our lives. We've given up the right to ourselves toJesus Christ. He is Lord of our lives. Whenwe live in sincerity and without offense, it is “until the day of Christ”.Remember in verse 6, Paul used this same thought: “Now, being confident ofthis very thing that He who began a good work in you will perform it until theday of Christ.” One day, we're going to give an account for our works—notjust what we did, but what we were. Did we do them in the name of Jesus Christ?Remember John 15—Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.” Asyou think about these things today, ask yourself, are you living a life that issincere and without offense till the day of Christ—that is honest,transparent, and consistent? And why? Is it all to the glory of God?Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:9–11. This is a prayer that theApostle Paul prayed for the church at Philippi—for the believers there. He waspraying that God would help them be the best they could be for the glory ofGod. Oftentimes we ask the question: How do I pray for my family? How do I prayfor my friends? How do I pray for my pastor? My friend, there are severalprayers in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul prayed for believers indifferent churches. Take time to look those prayers up. Make them your prayers.Write them out. Maybe memorize them, and pray those very scriptural, biblicalprayers for those you want to see the Lord work in. In doing so, you are askingthe Lord to fill them with His Holy Spirit and to give them what they need tobe all that they should be for the glory of God. Asa matter of fact, that is exactly what Paul says in this prayer. Read itagain—Philippians 1:9–11:  Now,as we look at this prayer, we have already talked about how he first prayedthat their love would abound more and more. He prayed that they would have alife of knowledge—living in the understanding of who God is and dedicatingtheir lives to His glory. Then he prayed that they would have discernment. Howimportant it is to have spiritual discernment—to know what is right and what iswrong, what path you should go down, and which path you should avoid. Myfriend, that kind of discernment only comes from being in the Word of God andallowing the Word of God to be in you, guiding your life.  Nowtoday, we come to this next phrase: “that you may approve the things that areexcellent.” This takes discernment one step further. It is not just knowingwhat is right and wrong—it is choosing what is best. You see, there are manythings in life that are not necessarily wrong, but they are not the best use ofour time, our energy, our focus, or our resources. So Paul is praying thatthese believers would prioritize what truly matters in life. Some have calledthis living a life of significance. Too many of us today live on the level ofsuccess—we are always looking for something more or something better for ourselves,our families, and even our grandchildren. When instead, we should be asking,“What does God want for our lives?” Rememberwhat Jesus said: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, andall these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). My friend, we areliving in a day of what could be called “weapons of mass distractions.” Ourtelephones, our emails, our text messages, our iPhones—all of these things canpull us away from what truly matters. Let me encourage you: do not think oflife as a list of priorities—God first, family second, church third, and so on.Instead, think of it as a circle. In the very center of that circle is God—theHoly Spirit, the Lordship of Jesus Christ. ReadRomans chapter 14, where it speaks of Christ being Lord of all. Is Jesus trulythe Lord of your life? Is He at the center of everything you do? This does notmean you simply rank one thing above another. It means that whatever you do,you do it for the glory of God, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and withHis blessing upon your life. That is what Paul is talking about here—“thatyou may approve the things that are excellent.” Choose carefully the thingsthat are best for your life. Youmight consider reading Charles Hummel's The Tyranny of the Urgent, which speaksabout how urgent things often crowd out what is truly important. They demandimmediate attention, and as a result, we neglect the important things thatmatter most. So I encourage you, my friend: read the Scriptures. The Bibletells us that these things are given to help us become men and women ofGod—complete and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let the HolySpirit of God take the Word of God and help you not only to do what is right,but to choose what is best. “Approvethe things that are excellent.”

Ihave good news. They have finally scheduled the surgery for May 7th. On top ofthat, it will be an in-and-out procedure. It is not highly invasive. They willperform the surgery, and when I wake up and begin to feel a little better, Iwill be able to get in the car and come home. Please continue to pray that everything goes well. Now,we are looking at Philippians 1:7. In the previous verses the Apostle Paul hastold the church at Philippi and how thankful he is for them, how he prays forthem with joy, and is confident that God will complete the good work He hasbegun in them. Now Paul says in verse 7, “Just as it is right for me tothink this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in mychains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakerswith me of grace.” Today,I want to talk about what Paul means when he says, “in the defense andconfirmation of the gospel.” The Apostle Paul saw his mission in life asproclaiming Jesus Christ and Christ alone. That meant he defended and confirmedthe gospel. What does that mean for you and me today? He says, “You arepartakers with me in this mission of defending and confirming the gospel.”  Todefend, of course, means to stand up for the truth. The Apostle Peter, in 1Peter 3:13-17 addresses this same subject: “And who is he who will harm youif you become followers of what is good?” He is talking about suffering. “Buteven if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do notbe afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in yourhearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reasonfor the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience,that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct inChrist may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to sufferfor doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for our sins.” Basically,what he is saying is that suffering gives us the opportunity to stand up andproclaim the gospel. It confirms the gospel. And we need to always be ready togive a defense of the gospel because they will be amazed at the hope that youhave and they will ask, “How do you still have joy and peace when you aresuffering wrong?” Ialso like what Jude wrote in the book of Jude, verse 3: “Beloved, while Iwas very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found itnecessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faithwhich was once for all delivered to the saints.” Why? Because certain ungodlymen had come in and were trying to undermine the deity of Jesus Christ (v. 4).  Now,my friend, in this world today that mocks and derides the Christian faith, youand I have the opportunity to defend and confirm the truth of the gospel. In 2Corinthians 5:17 we are told if we are in Christ Jesus, everything has changed.We are new creations. In 2 Corinthians 4 our conduct should reflect the “lifeof Christ in our mortal flesh” in the midst of our suffering. We have thistreasure in earthen vessels. It is often through suffering that the goodness ofGod, the grace of God, and the mercy of God are most clearly seen—and thatgives us an opportunity to contend for the faith. Not to be contentious for thefaith, but to contend—to speak up for it, to defend it, and to live it out soothers can see Christ in us. Thisis so important. People are watching. What do they want to know? They want toknow if what you have is real. It is real when you have Jesus, and He is livingHis life through you in the midst of difficult times. That is what Paul isspeaking of in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. “You arepartakers with me.” Let us be partakers with Christ and with the ApostlePaul, even today, in a world that desperately needs the reality of JesusChrist.

“Grace to you and peace from God ourFather and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul uses this same greeting in all 13of his epistles in some form or another, mentioning both God's grace and God'speace that we can experience when we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Itis interesting that all of Paul's epistles also end with at least the mentionof grace, because everything in the Christian life begins with God's grace andends with God's grace. We need God's grace. When Paul first mentions “grace toyou” in all his epistles, he is reminding us of what we read in Ephesians2:8–9: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not ofyourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvationcomes because of God's grace being given to us. We do not deserve God'sunmerited favor—His mercy—but He gives it to us when we humble ourselves andrecognize that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. We are bound one dayto face a holy God in judgment. If we do not experience His grace andsalvation, we are in terrible trouble. Myfriend, the grace of God comes first in our life. But we must also understandthat we can only live the Christians life by the grace of God. I like what theapostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God, I amwhat I am. His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantlythan they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Paulattributes everything that he accomplished in his Christian life and ministryto the grace of God. And in 2 Corinthians 9:8, he reminds all of us, “God isable to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having allsufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Myfriend, how we need the grace of God. But it only comes when we submitourselves to God. James 4:6–7 tells us that when we humble ourselves, God givesgrace to the humble, but He resists the proud. When we try to do things in ourown strength, in our own way, without taking time to make sure we are in aright relationship and fellowship with the Lord, we are going to struggle. Paulthen adds, “grace to you and peace.” Peace is one of the greatestblessings of salvation. Before we knew Christ, the Bible teaches that we wereenemies of God. But through Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God.Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I will never forget February 21, 1971,after I invited Christ to come into my heart—the peace of God and theforgiveness of sins that followed, and the assurance of knowing that I had aright standing before a holy God, filled my soul. There is no peace like thepeace that comes into our life when we are reconciled to God through His bloodon the cross (Colossians 1:20, 22). Myfriend, this peace is not only peace with God; it is the peace of God. It isthe peace of God that comes in the middle of our uncertainty. It is the peacethat quiets us in the midst of trouble. Grace and peace always come from Godour Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, this grace and peace arenot found in circumstances. They are not found in success. They are not foundin possessions. Grace and peace flow from a relationship with God through ourLord Jesus Christ. Whenwe receive His grace, His peace settles in our hearts. We must be careful notto reject or “fail” the grace of God that He gives us for every circumstance inlife (Hebrews 12:14-17). Grace is available to us every day. By the grace ofGod, Paul said, “I am what I am.” His grace is sufficient. His grace isavailable. God will give you today what you need if you will, by faith, humbleyourself before Him and trust Him. WhereHis grace flows, my friend, His peace always follows. That is why Paul beginsevery epistle with “grace to you and peace.” And where does it comefrom? It comes “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those thingswhich are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling ofGod in Christ Jesus.” Today,we conclude our introduction to the book of Philippians by looking at one ofthe most powerful statements that Paul makes in this letter. In Philippians3:13–14, he writes: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; butthis one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reachingforth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prizeof the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” These words reveal the focusand the passion of the Apostle Paul's life. I'dlike for us to take a few moments to remember what Paul was doing as Saulbefore his conversion. We first meet Saul back in Acts 7:58. He was standingthere when Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death. He held the clothesof those who cast the stones at Stephen. In Acts 8:1-3, in the opening verses,we find that Saul was making havoc of the church—persecuting Christians,dragging them from their homes, throwing them into prison, and even puttingthem to death. Then, in Acts 9, Saul meets the Lord Jesus Christ on the road toDamascus. When he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Jesus answered from heaven,“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul was persecuting JesusChrist as he was imprisoning and killing believers. Later,when Paul gave his testimony in Acts 26:9-11 before King Agrippa, he said: “ThisI also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, havingreceived authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, Icast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue andcompelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, Ipersecuted them even to foreign cities.” Can you imagine that? He said hewas “exceedingly enraged” against them. He hated the followers of Jesus Christ.But then he met Jesus—and everything changed. Sowhen Paul says, “forgetting those things which are behind,” can youimagine the burden he carried after becoming a follower of Christ? He had toface families of those who had suffered because of him. He had to seekforgiveness from people whose loved ones he had persecuted. He must have carrieda tremendous weight from his past. But, my friend, Paul did not live in thepast. He did not dwell on past failures—or even past successes. Instead, hepressed forward toward the mark that God had set before him. Inthis same letter, Paul makes another well-known statement in Philippians 1:21: “Forto me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This verse captures the veryheart of Paul's life. Living meant serving Christ. Dying meant being withChrist. Either way, Jesus Christ was everything to him. That is the centralmessage of the book of Philippians. Joy is found in Christ. Strength is foundin Christ. Purpose is found in Christ. Aswe begin our verse-by-verse study of this letter in the days ahead, we will seeagain and again how Paul points believers back to the Lord Jesus Christ. InPhilippians 3:10–11, he writes: “That I may know Him and the power of Hisresurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Hisdeath, if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Myfriend, the more we know Christ, the more our hearts are filled with joy. Themore we trust Christ, the more we experience peace. The more we follow Christ,the more our lives begin to reflect His love and His humility. Iam convinced that as we study through this book together, God will use it todeepen our faith, strengthen our walk, and fill our hearts with a joy that onlyJesus Christ can give. Maythe Lord bless you in the days ahead as we explore this wonderful and excitingbook together.

Todaywe come to Ephesians 6:23, where the Apostle Paul finishes this letter with abeautiful blessing: “Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from Godthe Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” First,Paul speaks about “peace to the brethren”. Earlier in the letter,remember in Ephesians 2:13-17, the Apostle Paul wrote about this: “But nowin Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the bloodof Christ. For He Himself is our peace... And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off andto those who were near.” Jesus Christ Himself is our peace. Remember,this peace comes in two ways as far as the believer is concerned. First, wehave “peace with God”. Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore being justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Also inEphesians 2:8-9 we read: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and thatnot of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man shouldboast.” We are justified. We are made right before a holy God. We have aright standing before Him. We are without guilt, without shame, and without theburden of sin when we stand before God. Why? Because we have peace with God byfaith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Thenthere is another kind of peace. As believers we can experience the “peace ofGod”. Philippians 4:6 says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything byprayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known toGod; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guardyour hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This is the peace of God thatcomes when we commit and yield everything we are facing—our circumstances, oursituations, and our lives—to the Lord Jesus Christ. We give it over to Him. Thenin Philippians 4:9, Paul says: “And the God of peace will be with you.” Whenwe do the things Paul instructed the believers in Philippi to do—when wemeditate on the right things and live according to the truth—then we can havethe confidence and assurance that the God of peace is with us. Myfriend, peace comes first. After that, notice Paul mentions “love with faith”.Three powerful words: peace, love, and faith. Faith and love belongtogether. Love is the source, and faith is the strength that sustains theChristian life. Love reaches down from God to us. Faith reaches up from us toGod. Love provides everything we need. Faith takes hold of what God hasprovided. Throughout this book, the Apostle Paul repeatedly emphasizes thesetruths. We are saved by faith, and then we are called by faith to walk in love,just as Christ loved us. Noticealso something very important: these blessings come from God the Father and theLord Jesus Christ. Every spiritual blessing originates with God. Peace does notcome from circumstances. Love does not come from human effort alone. Faith isnot something we produce in our own strength. These gifts flow from ourrelationship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is thesource. Jesus is the source of every spiritual blessing. Itis remarkable that the Apostle Paul was writing these words while sitting in aRoman prison. From a worldly perspective, his circumstances looked verydiscouraging. Yet Paul spoke about peace, love, and faith. Why? Because hisconfidence and his joy were not rooted in his surroundings. They were rooted inthe unchanging character of God. Ohmy friend, that is the same way it should be for us today. No matter what weface in life, our peace, our love, and our faith come from the Lord Himself andfrom our daily relationship with Him. As we dive into His Word, as we take timeto meditate on who He is and what He is doing for us right now—“ever living tomake intercession for us”—we can experience that peace.  Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful, peaceful day.

“And for me, that utterance may be given to me,that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains;that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” As we look at thesetwo verses, Paul is now asking for prayer for himself. What's striking is whathe does not ask for. He does not ask for release from prison. He does not askfor comfort, healing, or even safety. Instead, he asks the church at Ephesus topray that God would grant him boldness to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ. Wemust remember that Ephesians is one of the four Prison Epistles. The others arePhilippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Paul is in prison in Rome when he writesthese letters. To be a prisoner in Rome was no small matter. It was not apleasant place. No doubt he was suffering greatly—experiencing hardship, pain,and difficulties we can scarcely imagine. Yet Paul does not say, “Oh, pray thatI get out.” He says, “Pray that I have boldness. Pray that I have the grace ofGod to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ.” Inanother Prison Epistle, Philippians 1:12–14, Paul writes: “But I want you to know,brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for thefurtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palaceguard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of thebrethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more boldto speak the word without fear.”  Paul issaying that his testimony in chains has encouraged others. The guards know heis imprisoned for Christ. Fellow believers have grown more confident. They arespeaking the Word without fear because they see his faithfulness. Afew years ago, Iread the book, “The Insanity of God” by Nik Ripken. In it, he recountsinterviews with persecuted believers in places like China and Russia. Thosesuffering saints did not ask him to pray for relief from persecution, torture,or hardship. They asked him, “Pray that we will be faithful.” On oneoccasion, they even said, “Persecution is good for us. It purifies the church.”We are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ wherever we are. Today,I am asking for special prayer for a dear friend of mine. Just this week, hewas forcibly taken from his refugee work in a war-torn country and placed onthe front lines of conflict. He is 55 years old—a precious friend, someone withwhom I have shared mission trips and many meaningful times of ministry. Thiswas not something he was prepared to face. Yet he is not asking for prayer forrelease. We have not heard from his family that he is saying, “Pray that I getout.” Instead, they are asking us to pray for grace and for wisdom. He wouldwant us to, like Paul, to pray for boldness—to be a faithful witness whereverhe finds himself right now. Please,I'm asking you to pray for him. I cannot share his name or more details at thistime, but please pray for my friend. He is in a special place of need, and heis asking for boldness to be a witness where he is. Of course, we can also praythat he will be brought home safely to his family who are here in America.Please do pray for him. Aswe reflect on these passages of Scripture, we are reminded that prayer producesboldness. I thank God for the prayers that have been offered for me as apastor, as a believer, and during mission trips. I can sense those prayers.They make a tremendous difference. Prayer overcomes distance. Prayer dispelsfear. Prayer strengthens boldness. Myfriend, we must also remember that our spiritual leaders are special targets ofSatan. That is why we must pray for our missionaries, pray for our pastors, andpray for spiritual leaders across America. May God grant them grace to befaithful to the Lord for all they must face. Maythe Lord bless you as you think on these things. And as Paul says—"prayfor me”. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.

Wehave already spoken about the soldier on his knees, breathing out prayers. Thespiritual breath of the believer is prayer. In contrast, the breath of thewicked person in Proverbs is lies. This does not mean that we are alwaystalking in prayer. Jesus even warned about vain repetitions in prayers in Matthew6:7. No, He is speaking of constantly having communion with the Lord—living inthe awareness of His presence. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.I believe the fear of the Lord is a constant, continual awareness of the Lord'spresence. It means you never have to say, “Lord, we come into Your presence,”because you are already in His presence. Topray always means that we take His hand in the light as we read His Word in themorning. We open our hearts in prayer, asking Him for grace, help, mercy, andstrength for the day. As we do that, we keep hold of His hand. I have told youbefore about a dear older lady in our church. She did not have the mostbeautiful voice, but she was a godly woman who could share the good news ofChrist in a powerful way through her songs. I will never forget what she saidone time: “If you take the hand of the Lord in the light, when it gets dark youdon't have to look for it.” That is continuing instant in prayer. That ispraying always. Topray always means that when you are tempted, you ask for help. I wouldencourage you to study James 1 very carefully, especially if you are dealingwith temptations and trials. If you do not know which way to go, if you needwisdom, then pray for wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask ofGod, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall begiven him” (James 1:5). God gives generously and does not hold back. Whenyou are blessed, you give thanks. You open your heart and acknowledge that “everygood gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Fatherof lights” (James 1:17). When you see evil, you pray for righteousness. Youflee from evil and pray that you will continue to walk in the righteousness ofJesus Christ. When you meet someone who is lost, you pray for their salvationand for wisdom to be a witness to them.Ithink about the disciples. They observed the Lord praying. They saw Himwithdraw to solitary places to pray. On one occasion they said, “Lord, teachus to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” That request is recorded inLuke 11. The Lord then began to teach them how to pray. My friend, I never readwhere the disciples said, “Lord, teach us how to preach. Teach us how towitness. Teach us how to heal. Teach us how to perform miracles. Teach us howto speak in tongues.” They never asked for those things. But they did say, “Lord,teach us to pray.” In essence, they were asking, “Teach us how to have thekind of constant awareness and communion with the Father that You have.” Thatshould be our prayer today: Lord, teach us to pray. Prayeris continual God-consciousness. In Acts 2:42, we read that the early church “continuedsteadfastly… in prayers.” David said in Psalm 55:17, “Evening, andmorning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Myfriend, we are always subject to attack. Therefore, we must always be inprayer.Jesustold His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Watch and pray.” Butthey slept. Jesus prayed. When the temptation came, Peter failed. But Jesusstood strong in the midst of the greatest temptation ever faced—on the cross. Myfriend, we too can stand strong when we continue instant in prayer. Jesussaid in Luke 18:1 that men “ought always to pray, and not to faint.”Either we are praying, or we are quitting. We are praying or we are fainting. Oh, my friend, prayer is the breath of the Christian—that constant awareness of the breath of God. So what is the frequency of prayer? Itis this: praying always—in every situation, every day, at all times—keepingyour mind set on Him and continually asking for His grace and

Now we are not only holding up the shield of faith, but we arealso taking the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We have alreadysaid many things about this but today is especially important as we talk aboutthe Word of God and prayer—the Word of God and prayer. Youcannot separate the Word of God from prayer. If you are praying as you should,you will be reading the Word of God as you should. You will be in the Word, andthe Word will be living in you. If you are not in the Word, you will not bepraying as you should. There is another very important truth: you must pray infaith. So we have faith, the Word, and prayer. These three are interdependentupon each other. You will not continue to do what you ought to do in any one ofthem without the others. Ilove what Mark 11:22–24 says: “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Havefaith in God. For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Beremoved and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, butbelieves that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that youreceive them, and you will have them.'” They go together. If you want powerin prayer, pray the Word. If you want boldness in prayer, pray the promises ofGod. Iwant to encourage you—if you have never read it before—you can find it onAmazon: Faith's Checkbook by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. It is available as adaily one-minute devotional book. I encourage you to get it. I used it foryears, and I continue to use it. It contains 365 promises that you “cash in.”It is like a checkbook—you take that promise, make it yours, and pray it backto God. When you pray the promises of God, it gives you boldness. God has mademany promises. Pray those promises. Ifyou want clarity in prayer, pray the Scriptures. One of the best books I stilluse every day—and I have given it to hundreds of people—is The Power of Prayer,a little one-minute devotional by E. M. Bounds. It is like a catalyst. It islike priming the pump. You read it, and you are motivated and encouraged topray. Justyesterday's February 24th reading was based on Romans 12:12: “Rejoicing inhope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” Prayer andGod's promises are interdependent. The promises inspire and energize prayer,but prayer isolates and locates the promise, giving it realization andapplication. I love this illustration: The promise is like blessed rain fallingin full showers, but prayer is like the pipes that direct the rain—focusingthese promises until they become direct and personal, until they bless,refresh, and fertilize.Prayertakes hold of the promise and guides it to its marvelous end. It removes theobstacles and makes a highway for the promise to reach its gloriousfulfillment. Thereis always a little prayer at the end: “Dear Lord God, thank You for Yourpromises. Thank You that our earnest prayers can put Your promises to bless andrefresh in action. I praise Your name. Amen.” SoI want to encourage you today and understand that when you pray God's Word backto Him, you are praying according to His will. Because 1 John 5:14 says: “Andthis is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything accordingto His will, He hears us.” Oh, the precious promises, the Word of God, andprayer—this is the sword of the Spirit. My friend, it energizes. It carriesprayers to the place where they are needed in the lives of people. Menlike Andrew Murray wrote books such as, “With Christ in the School of Prayer”.Get hold of those books. Read them—but more importantly, pray as you read them.Listen to what God is saying to you. Be encouraged today to take up the shieldof faith, to hold up the sword of the Spirit, and to pray always. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.

TheChristian life, as we said, is a battlefield. Satan is warring against us. Hewants to defeat us. He has come to steal, to kill, and destroy. But God, ourGod has given us an armor. The armor of God. Did you hear that? The armor ofGod. Not the armor of some man, some person in the past, or the armor that wehave made up for ourselves. No, it's the armor of God Almighty Himself that'sbeen made available to us. Remember how Saul gave David his armor to put on tofight Goliath. But after David put it on, he realized that he couldn't wearsome other person's armor, and he didn't need it when he by faith knew he hadthe armor of God on already! So the last thing we are told to dois to take and put on is the helmet of salvation. We've talked about that inthe past number of chats. Right now, we're talking about the sword of theSpirit. We're talking about what that is. It's the word of God. It's the Spiritof the living God through the word of God. Then we find out why we should usethis sword because it's our offensive weapon against the enemy, the devil. Wealso learn how to use this sword. We look at an example of even Jesus ChristHimself.Jesusused the sword of the Spirit against Satan. The clearest example in the Bibleis when Jesus was in the wilderness and Satan came and tempted Him. What didJesus do when Satan tempted Him three times? Each time Jesus answered, "Itis written." He was quoting Scripture from the Old Testament. Myfriend, Jesus did not argue with Satan. He did not negotiate with Satan. He didnot reason with Satan like Eve did when she was tempted and failed. No, Heanswered the temptations with Scripture. Every time Satan came with a lie,Jesus came back with the truth. Now, that tells us something. And that is, ifthe Son of God, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God, chose to resist the devilwith scriptures, then you and I better learn to do the same.Inthe Scriptures, the Christian life is picture or describe as a battle, but theChristian life is also pictured as a walk. We are to walk in purity, walk inthe light, and walk in love. We've talked about that here in the book ofEphesians. The Christian life is also described as a run in Hebrews 12:1. Itsays, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud ofwitnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  How do we do it? We do this by “looking untoJesus” (v. 2).TheChristian life is also a fight. But it's not a fight with Satan, my friend.It's a fight to stand strong in the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul said, "Ihave fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.”The fight is to keep the faith, to be armored with a faith in the Scripture, inthe Word of God, which is a life of obedience. Then it is also “taking a stand”.We've read that here in Ephesians 6. “And having done all, to stand”.  We stand but Paul also said we “wrestle”. I'llnever forget when I went out for wrestling in high school. I found out it's anexercise of resistance and endurance. You're resisting the strength of the personthat you're wrestling with. That's what we are told to do with the devil. James4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil." Howdo you do it? You do it with the Word of God! Then we are promised that, “hewill flee from you”. Todaywe should be encouraged with the last verses in Isaiah 40:28-31, “Have younot known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator ofthe ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding isunsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might Heincreases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young menshall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.”  

Paul opens this entire section with a keyprinciple in verse 21: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear ofGod.” That word submission is foundational. Submission does notcancel authority or reverse roles. Children are not placed over parents, andservants are not placed over masters. Rather, submission governs howauthority is exercised and how it is received. JesusHimself taught this principle repeatedly. He warned His disciples not to seekgreatness by throwing their weight around or promoting themselves. Sadly, theystruggled to learn that lesson—even at the Last Supper, they argued over whowas the greatest. When Jesus washed their feet, He demonstrated that truegreatness uses authority to serve others, not to exalt oneself. Scripturereminds us to esteem others as more important than ourselves. By nature, wewant to promote ourselves, but the Holy Spirit enables us to submit ourselves. Paulthen applies this principle first to marriage, and it is important to rememberthat he is writing to believers. He is not teaching that women areinferior to men, nor that all women must submit to all men in every situation.By using Christ and the church as his illustration, Paul makes it clear that heis describing the Christian home.Hebegins with wives. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as untothe Lord.” Paul gives two reasons: the lordship of Christ and the headshipof the husband in Christ. When a Christian wife is submitted to Christ as Lord,she will not find it difficult to submit to her husband. This submission is notslavery, because the husband himself is also submitted to Christ. When bothhusband and wife live under Christ's lordship, harmony becomes possible. Headshipdoes not mean dictatorship. It means loving leadership. A Christian husband andwife should pray together and spend time in God's Word, seeking His will fortheir lives and for their home. Many marital conflicts arise when one or bothpartners fail to submit to Christ, neglect God's Word, and stop seeking Hiswill daily. Thisis why Scripture warns believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Amarriage where only one partner is submitted to Christ begins with built-inconflict. But even Christian couples must be careful to submit to Christ beforemarriage. Couples who pray together, seek God's will, and obey His Word lay astrong foundation.  Paulthen turns his attention to husbands, and he says much more to them. “Husbands,love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.” This is anincredibly high standard. Paul lifts marriage to its highest level by showingit as a living illustration of Christ's relationship with His church. Marriageserves many purposes—emotional companionship, family, and physicalfulfillment—but Paul emphasizes its spiritual purpose.  Ahusband's love is to be sacrificial. Christ gave Himself for the church,and the husband is called to give himself for his wife. True Christian love isnot selfish. It willingly pays a price so that the other may grow and glorifyGod. Thislove is also sanctifying. Christ cleanses His church through the Word,and a husband's love should help his wife grow spiritually. Marriage is meantto be a setting where both husband and wife are becoming more like Christ. Eventhe physical relationship, when governed by God, becomes a means of spiritualenrichment, not selfish use. Love that sanctifies always builds up—it neverdegrades. Finally,a husband's love is to be satisfying. Because husband and wife are oneflesh, loving one's spouse is loving oneself. Love nourishes, strengthens, andfulfills. There should be no starvation for love in a Christian home. When bothhusband and wife are submitted to Christ and to one another, their physical,emotional, and spiritual needs are met, and the temptation to seek fulfillmentelsewhere loses its power. 

“Foryou were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children oflight” (v.7). Thatstatement is very important. Paul does not say we were merely in darkness—hesays “we were darkness” (v. 8). Before salvation, darkness defined us.It shaped our thinking, our desires, and our behavior. But when we trustedChrist, everything changed. We didn't just step into the light—we became lightin the Lord. Because of that, Paul asks a searching question, echoed elsewherein Scripture: “What communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians6:14) Light and darkness are opposites. They do not blend. They do notcooperate. And it is impossible to live in both at the same time. Paulthen describes what the light produces. In verse 9 he writes, “For the fruitof the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Darknessproduces unfruitful works, but light always bears fruit. Goodness is love inaction—it is a heart that reflects the kindness and compassion of Christ. Righteousnessspeaks of right character before God and right conduct before others. Truthmeans our lives are shaped and governed by God's Word and God's will.When we walk in the light, we livehonestly, transparently, and humbly before God, with nothing we are unwillingto bring into His presence. But walking in the light is not only about personalholiness—it is also about public testimony. Jesus said, “You are the lightof the world.” And He added, “Let your light so shine before men, thatthey may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew5:16). Asbelievers, we carry God's light into a dark world by the way we live, speak,and love. The unsaved person is blinded by sin and by Satan, as Scripture tellsus. Only as we share Christ and live out the gospel can the light of God breakthrough that darkness. Just as a healthy person can help the sick, a child ofGod can help lead the lost out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Paulalso reminds us that light exposes what is wrong. Light reveals reality. Nosurgeon would operate in the dark, and no artist could paint truthfully withoutlight. In the same way, God's light reveals the true character of sin. That'sone reason people often avoid the Bible or the church—light exposes whatdarkness would rather keep hidden. AsChristians, Paul tells us not to fellowship with the unfruitful works ofdarkness, but instead to expose them. Sometimes that exposure happens simply byliving godly lives. When Christ walked on this earth, His perfect life exposedthe sin around Him, and that is one reason He was rejected. A believer livingfaithfully for Christ will often do the same, not intentionally, but naturally.However, Paul gives us an important caution in verse 12. He says it is shamefuleven to speak of certain things done in secret. There is a danger in exposingsin in the wrong way—by sensationalizing it or advertising it. We are notcalled to dwell on evil, but to shine the light. As Scripture reminds us, “Iwould have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Romans16:19). We do not need to study darkness in detail to expose it. All we need todo is turn on the light. Paulthen closes this section with a beautiful image in verse 14: “Awake, you whosleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Salvation ispictured as waking up to a brand-new day. When Christ rose from the dead, thedawn of a new day broke for the world. And when we trusted Him, we were raisedfrom spiritual death into the light of life. We are no longer sleeping indarkness—we are alive in Christ. That means the believer has no business livingin the shadows. We are saints, partakers of the inheritance of the saints inlight. We have been delivered from the power of darkness and transferred intothe kingdom of God's dear Son. As Paul reminds us again, we are “light inthe Lord.”

This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with JOURNAL author Doug Groothuis about his article, “Resurrecting the Dead with AI? Digital Necromancy and the Christian“. https://www.equip.org/articles/resurrecting-the-dead-with-ai-digital-necromancy-and-the-christian/This is also part of Doug's ongoing Cultural Critique column.One way you can support our online articles and podcasts is by leaving us a tip. A tip is just a small amount, like $3, $5, or $10, which is the cost of a latte, lunch out, or coffee drink. To leave a tip, click here. Additional Related podcasts and articles by this author:Blaise Pascal: Three Misconceptions and the TruthEpisode 460: The Death of Credentials: How Social Media Influencers Dumbed Us Down & Made Everything Worse“The Death of Credentials: How Social Media Influencers Dumbed us Down and Made Everything Worse.”Episode 436: Why Read Books?Why Read Books?Episode 424 Of God and Dogs, With Constant Reference to Sunny“Of God and Dogs, With Constant Reference to Sunny“Episode 416: The Art of Bracketing in Apologetics: Switching Ground Without Losing GroundThe Art of Bracketing in Apologetics: Switching Ground Without Losing GroundEpisode 401 How Truth WorksHow Truth WorksDon't miss an episode; please subscribe to the Postmodern Realities podcast wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Please help spread the word about Postmodern Realities by giving us a rating and review when you subscribe to the podcast. The more ratings and reviews we have, the more new listeners can discover our content.

Paulgives us a sober warning in Ephesians 5:6: “Let no one deceive you withempty words.” That tells us two things right away. First, deception isreal—even among believers in the church at Ephesus. And second, deception oftencomes wrapped in words that sound appealing, reasonable, or comforting, but areultimately empty—void of truth, power, and life. The enemy has always workedthis way. From the very beginning, Satan has used empty words to deceive God'speople.Thinkback to Genesis 3. Satan did not come to Eve with obvious lies or threats. Hecame with words that sounded harmless, even enlightened. He said, “You willnot surely die… you will be like God.” Those were empty words. They werelies without substance, promises without truth. Eve believed them, and theresult was sin, separation, and death entering the world. Paul is warning usthat the same tactic is still at work today. Empty words promise freedom butlead to bondage. They promise pleasure but deliver destruction. They promiselife, but they produce death.Thatis why Paul says, “Let no one deceive you.” This is a call fordiscernment. It is a call to measure every message—whether it comes from theworld, culture, false teachers, or even our own hearts—against the truth ofGod's Word. The book of Proverbs gives us many warnings about deceptive words. Proverbs14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end isthe way of death.” That verse perfectly captures the danger of empty words.They seem right. They feel right. They appeal to our desires. But they lead usaway from God.Anotherpowerful warning is found in Proverbs 7, where Solomon describes a manseduced by flattering speech. Proverbs 7:21 says, “With her enticingspeech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him.”Words were the weapon. The result was ruin. King David also fell victim todeception—this time not from Satan directly, but from his own uncheckeddesires. When David saw Bathsheba, he allowed himself to believe empty words inhis heart: “I deserve this.” “I can get away with this.” “This won't costme.” Those lies led to adultery, deceit, and murder. The pleasure wasbrief, but the consequences were long-lasting. Sin always overpromises andunderdelivers.Thatis why the writer of Hebrews tells us about Moses in Hebrews 11:24–26. Mosesfaced the same temptation—the allure of empty promises. Egypt offered pleasure,power, and prestige. But Hebrews says Moses “chose rather to sufferaffliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for aseason.” Why? Because Moses saw through the emptiness. He understood thatsin's pleasures are temporary, but God's reward is eternal.Emptywords always minimize sin and ignore judgment. That's exactly what Paulconnects in Ephesians 5:6: “For because of these things the wrath of Godcomes upon the sons of disobedience.” The world says, “God doesn't care.”“God won't judge.” “Everyone lives this way.” Those are empty words. God's Wordsays otherwise. Jesus warned about this as well. In Matthew 7:15, He said, “Bewareof false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they areravenous wolves.” Their danger is not obvious because their words soundspiritual, compassionate, and inclusive—but they lack truth.Paullater warned Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3–4 that people would gather teachers whotell them what they want to hear, turning away from the truth. That isdeception fueled by empty words. So how do we guard ourselves? First, we staygrounded in God's Word. Truth exposes emptiness. Jesus said, “You shall knowthe truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Second, we walk in thelight, as Paul has already taught us earlier in Ephesians 5. Light reveals whatdarkness tries to hide. Third, we listen to the Holy Spirit, who guides us intoall truth and convicts us when something is not right.

Ephesians 5:1-21Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, asChrist also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrificeto God for a sweet-smelling aroma.Today we are looking at Ephesians 5:1-2, where the Apostle Paul gives us theclear admonition to walk in love. Also in in these two verses, Paul also givesus several reasons why we should walk in love. First, he tells us in verse 1 to“be imitators of God as dear children.” As the children of God, we areto be reflectors of who He is. God is love, and therefore we should reflectthat love—the love God has for us and for the world around us. Themost quoted verse in the Bible, one we all know so well, tells us: “For Godso loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” God is a lovingGod, and because He is love, He is also a God who gives. As His children, weare called to love and to give of ourselves sacrificially for His glory. Ilove the phrase Paul uses here, “as dear children.” Sometranslations say, “as beloved children.” Remember, at least twicein the Gospel of Matthew, the Father speaks from heaven and declares His lovefor His Son. At the baptism of Jesus in Matthew chapter 3, and again on theMount of Transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17, God says, “This is Mybeloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Nowthink about this—we too are His beloved children. 1 John 3:1–3, tells us, “Beholdwhat manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be calledchildren of God.” In Romans chapter 8, we are told that we cry out, “Abba,Father.” We have an intimate, personal relationship with our Father inheaven. Because of that relationship, and as proof of it, we should desire toshow forth His love to the world around us as imitators of God and as Hisbeloved children. Ialso think about what Jesus prayed in John 17:23. He said, “I in them, andYou in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may knowthat You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”Jesus prayed and said, “Father, just as You have loved Me, You love them.”Can you imagine that? Jesus is the beloved Son of God, and He tells us that theFather loves us in the same way He loves Him. How much does God love you? Heloves you with the same love He has for His beloved Son—whom He gave as asacrifice for the sins of the world. So,we see several reasons here for walking in love. We are children of God. Weshare in His nature, and His nature is love. We are beloved children who desireto please our Father in heaven. We cry out, “Abba, Father.” And then we see athird reason in verse 2: “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Thisphrase, “a sweet-smelling aroma,” is very meaningful. Our reflection ofChrist's love is pleasing to God—it rises as a sweet fragrance before Him. Inthe book of Leviticus, chapters 1 through 3 describe the three sweet savorofferings: the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the peace offering. Theburnt offering pictures Christ's complete devotion to God. The meal offeringreflects His perfect character. The peace offering shows Christ making peacebetween sinful man and a holy God. Thesin offering and the trespass offering, found in Leviticus chapters 4 and 5,are not sweet savor offerings. Why? Because sin is not sweet or beautiful. Sinis what put Christ on the cross. Sin is what condemned us and would send us toa devil's hell apart from Christ.  Oh,my friend, today let us remember who we are. We are dear children ofGod—beloved children—loved with an unimaginable, unconditional, selfless love.Therefore, let us walk in love as “His beloved children” Godbless you and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.

Today,as we continue in Ephesians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul is dealing with sinsthat can destroy our testimony. The fourth one is: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, butwhat is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to thehearers.” Here,Paul warns us against corrupt speech. We must understand that the mouth and theheart are directly connected. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heartthe mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34). Jesus also said in Mark 7:21: “Forfrom within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, anevil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” Jesus concluded by saying thatall these things come from within and defile a person. They destroy thetestimony of an individual believer and can also destroy the testimony andwitness of a church when these things are allowed to take root. Jesusfurther warned us in Matthew 12:36–37: “But I say to you that for every idleword men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For byyour words you will be justified, and by your words you will becondemned." The apostle Paul certainly understood the power of words.In Romans 3:14, he connects the mouth with cursing and bitterness. But when wetrust Christ, something changes. In Romans 10:9-10, we confess Him with ourmouths and we openly profess that Jesus Christ is Lord. As condemned sinners,our mouths were once stopped before the throne of God (Romans 3:19). But asbelievers, our mouths are opened to praise Him (Romans 15:6). When God changesthe heart, He changes the speech. Thattruth became very real to me personally. I hate to admit it, but before I cameto Christ, I was a cursing, foul-mouthed sinner. I couldn't stop the words thatcame out of my mouth, even when I didn't want to use them. They flowednaturally because I had a dirty, sinful heart. But on February 21, 1971, around4:00 in the afternoon, when Jesus Christ came into my heart and gave me a newheart, the cursing stopped immediately. It stopped. Why? Because I now had aheart that belonged to God, and out of that heart He began to produce goodthings and good words. Paul'sadmonition is clear: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth.”The word corrupt means something that is worthless, rotten, or decaying. Thatkind of speech often shows up as gossip, idle talk, words that tear othersdown, or speech designed to make ourselves look better at someone else'sexpense. Remember what Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us: “These six things the Lordhates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him.” After listing six sins, theseventh is “one who sows discord among brethren.” That is often donewith words. Sowhat is the remedy for corrupt speech? The remedy is a heart that has beencleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ—a heart filled with the love of Christ,the truth of Christ, and the grace of God. When God's Holy Spirit controls theheart, He controls the mouth. This is how God wants us to minister to others.Our words should not tear down or destroy the unity of the church, nor damageour testimony before a watching world. Instead, our words should be a testimonyof God's grace, His love, His forgiveness, His kindness, and His goodness. Jesussaid of false teachers, “By their fruit you shall know them.” (Matthew7:16-20). But the same can be said of true believers. And one of the biggestfruits of the Christian life is the fruit of our speech—the words that come outof our mouths. So today, we should take heed to this admonition: “Let nocorrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessaryedification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  Today,may the words out of our mouths always build up others and reflect the grace ofGod. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.

Part 2 of an exposition of Psalm 110.Psalm 110shows that the one “at the right hand” of God not only has been given the authority to rule as YHVH's designated King Messiah, but is also appointed by YHVH as Priest Messiah. The high priest mediates between humans and God. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the mediatorial role of Yeshua the Messiah who as our high priest has gone into the presence of God, being at the righthand of God, as our mediator (Heb. 1:3, 1:13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2). The author of Hebrews hardly mentions that Jesus is the designated King Messiah, but emphasizes that Jesus is the Priest Messiah who mediates for us in the presence ofGod. Paul agrees. The one mediator between God and man is the man Christ Jesus, not a God or a god-man (1 Tim. 2:4-6).  In this way,Jesus is David's Lord not only because Jesus is David's king, but also becauseJesus is David's mediating priest who enables David, eventually, to come beforeGod (cf. John 14:6).Psalm 110:1 (Part 1) https://youtu.be/GLEEV9emNT0

15 But the free gift isnot like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much morethe grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, JesusChrist, abounded to many. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reignedthrough the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and ofthe gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) But wheresin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned indeath, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal lifethrough Jesus Christ our Lord.Wehave been talking about the spiritual disciplines and how they put us in thepath of God's grace. Notice in the above verses in Romans 5: 15-21 how manytimes the word grace is used. I trust that today's Pastor's Chat will encourageyou to make the choice every day to put yourself in the way of God's graceinstead of putting yourselves in the path of sin. Take a minute to read Psalm 1:1-3.The book of Psalms begins by telling us we should not be walking as the ungodlywalk, sitting and standing with them, but we should be delighting in God'sword. The discipline of walking in truth will put you in the path of God'sgrace.  InRomans 5:15–21, we find one of the great assurances of the Christian life: thegrace of God within the believer is far more powerful than the power of sinthat once ruled us. Grace is not merely God's favor shown to us in the past. Itis God's life-power actively at work in us every day through Jesus Christ. TheApostle Paul makes this unmistakably clear in Romans 5 as he contrasts thedevastating effects of Adam's sin with the overwhelming triumph of Christ'sgrace. Sin brought death, condemnation, and bondage. Grace bringsjustification, righteousness, and life. Paulrepeatedly emphasizes the word grace in these verses. As you look atthem again, you'll notice that Paul says we do not merely survive. My friend, hesays we reign in life. The believer who receives the abundance of grace is notdominated by sin but empowered to live victoriously through Jesus Christ. Sinmay still be present, but it is no longer supreme. Grace is greater. Pauldrives this point home again in Romans 5:20: “Where sin abounded, graceabounded much more.” Myfriend, no failure, no weakness, and no struggle ever outpaces the supply ofGod's grace. Grace always outdistances sin when we are walking in the path ofGod's grace. How do we put ourselves in the path of God's grace? We do thisthrough the spiritual disciplines God has lovingly given us:Readingand studying God's Word, where grace instructs, corrects, and renews our mindsPrayer,as we come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy and help. (Hebrews4:16)Worship,where grace lifts our hearts to adore the Giver.Fellowshipwith other believers, where grace is shared, strengthened, and encouraged.Givingunselfishly to God's work, where grace flows through us to othersObedientservice, where grace empowers us to walk in good works prepared by GodThesepractices do not create grace—but they place us where grace freely flows. Ilove what we read in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8: “He who sows sparingly will alsoreap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So leteach one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; forGod loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound towardyou, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have anabundance for every good work.” Didyou notice that language? All grace. All sufficiency. All things. Every goodwork. That'show it happens. As you practice these disciplines daily, you make a deliberatechoice—starting when you get out of bed in the morning—to spend time with Godin His Word and in prayer.  Godbless you and may you have a truly blessed and wonderful, wonderful day!

QUOTES FOR REFLECTIONParagraph One: The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in and of Himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty. Paragraph Two: God, having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases; in His sight all things are open and manifest, His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain; He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them. Paragraph Three: In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on Him.~“Of God and the Holy Trinity” in the 1689 Second London ConfessionSERMON PASSAGEDeuteronomy 6 (ESV) 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Jeremiah 32 (ESV) 17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.' John 1 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 14 (ESV) 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”John 17 (ESV) 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 20 (ESV) 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

"For by Grace you have been saved by faith! And this not you own doing, but a gift Of God., not a result of work, so that no one may boast."Ephesians 2:8-9

Welcome back to the Disciple Hinson Podcast! We are walking through our statement of faith meditating on what we believe as a church family. You will be helped by following along with this handout. In this episode, we dive into Article 9: Of God's Purpose of Grace to marvel at God's sovereign, free grace that saves sinners like us, gives us hope in evangelism, and provides wells of assurance that we will make it to the end.