Warfare In The Spirit – 16: Dec 26, 2024 – Jan 10, 2025 – see DAILY DEVOTIONS – 2021 Q2
Devo Reflection
Jan 11, 2025 – Hosea 4:7 – maintaining the glory of God through stewardship
“As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.”
Hosea 4:7
Hi Everyone!
Many people want the blessings of God, but what are we to do with them?
Many people want money, material possessions and security, and on the surface, there is nothing wrong with wanting a nice life with nice things.
Will those things draw our hearts towards God or away from Him?
See, God will withhold something from us when it won’t produce or sustain godliness within us.
Sometimes He blesses us with something that should make us more deeply committed to our faith and trust of God, even though, in the process it may make us be more entitled.
There are many brothers and sisters in prison praying for freedom, but sadly, a number of them want their freedom only to go back to the life that ultimately led to them to losing their freedom in the first place.
We have to not only steward the Gospel of Jesus Christ as believers, but we also have to steward the blessings of God as well by keeping our posture holy before Him.
Today, we will be looking at Hosea 4:7, maintaining the glory of God through stewardship.
“As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.”
The word “increased” means “to experience abundance or plenty”. All throughout Israel’s history before Assyria conquered them, they prospered under the most impossible circumstances.
In Exodus 1:7-9, the Bible says, “And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we”.
There was a famine in the land in Joseph’s day, and God allowed him to experience imprisonment planted in Egypt, where he would later be installed as the second in command in Egypt. Because of this, Egypt prospered and Jacob, Joseph’s father, sent his sons to go buy grain in Egypt. This led to Joseph moving his whole family to Egypt, where they settled in Goshen.
In Genesis 39:2-5, the Bible says, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.”
Joseph’s good stewardship explains why he was blessed so mightily to ultimately lead Egypt. He took the fact that the Lord was with him, that he was favored with man, and he served faithfully. Joseph’s faithfulness in stewardship led to the prosperity of the whole nation.
This is what serving God faithfully can produce in our lives, but do we let it?
There is something that disrupts the flow of God’s glory and provision and that thing is sin.
The word “sinned” means “to trespass, or commit offenses against God”.
The word “change” means “to exchange one thing for another”.
The word “glory” means “splendor, honor, or weight”.
This is a stamp that proves that God is with us, undeniable proof that we are blessed by God.
In Exodus 1:12, the Bible says, “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.”
This is the true mark that Israel was under God’s blessing, favor, and provision, despite what the Egyptians tried to do, Israel grew and multiplied.
Man can’t stop God’s flow on our lives, only we can.
The word “shame” means “disgrace or reproach”.
In Hosea 13:4-6, the Bible says, “Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.”
God blessed Israel exceedingly, even in harsh climates, but instead of serving Him in response, the got arrogant and turned their backs on God.
In Philippians 3:18-19, the Bible says, “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”.
When people look at the blessings of God as a way to remain full, they look at the blessing and not the Blesser, which is God.
This is a recipe for disaster.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 12, 2025 – 2 Peter 2:22 – leaving our old lives behind for good
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
2 Peter 2:22
Hi Everyone!
In my biology class, we learned a phrase, “regression of the means”.
Simply put, this means that when something in the environment goes to one extreme, it won’t remain that way, but instead, will begin to revert back towards it’s former position.
This same phrasing can be used in psychology as well, and it would be to express that life or the mind is meant to experience a state of equilibrium.
When it comes to the faith, we are at the extreme of salvation, but occasionally we sin. This causes a regression of the means; but we shouldn’t regress back into our old habits, our old behaviors, or our old ways of getting things done.
We can’t be people who receive the amazing gift of salvation and then live like we are no different than the world. What distinguishes us from the world is the fact that we remain kingdom and Christ conscious, and we act like it.
Today, we will look at 2 Peter 2:22, leaving our old lives behind for good.
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
The phrase “but it happened” expresses that there is more to this verse that we have to consider in its overall context, so we have to go back.
In 2 Peter 2:20, the Bible says, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
So this verse is written towards those professing salvation who return to the same life that they were delivered from.
This also pertains to the false teachers well, teaching from the Word of God but living lifestyles that are the complete opposite of what they teach.
One will ask if those people are truly saved, but it is not my call to make. I know I used to go to church and left church to serve the world, and I knew I loved church and felt like I was saved, but the minute I got a chance to be who I truly was, I was right back in the streets and the church me was gone.
There was no way I could say that I was saved, because there was no struggle with overcoming sin. People try to cite Romans 7 as some kind of excuse for their sin, but there is a difference with struggling to overcome sin, and making a conscious choice to live in sin.
In Romans 7:15, the Bible says, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”
Do we hate sin? That is a true sign of conversion, to hate that old lifestyle, to despise the sin that we fall prey to.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
We are not old people wearing new clothes, but we are new people wearing new clothes. New creations means we have been birthed into a new life, so we have the chance to live the way God intends for us to.
In Luke 5:36-37, the Bible says, “And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.”
The new and the old don’t agree, and destruction is imminent for those who think they can have the best of both worlds.
In 1 John 1:7, the Bible says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Being cleansed from all sin, this is our clean slate to walk the way God intends, and not have that sin debt and guilt hold us hostage throughout our walk with the Lord.
The dog or the pig have a tendency to eat at something purged from their bodies, or get themselves filthy after being cleansed. This is how the worldly work, making themselves filthy again after being cleansed.
In Luke 11:24-26, Christ teaches, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
Believe me, the enemy is coming back to reclaim what he lost in us, and he is going to continue to try to throw us off course so that we will pick up that old life again. As believers, we don’t have to answer to that nature anymore, but the question is, will we be that dog or pig?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 13, 2025 – 1 Peter 2:18 – obedience to the good and bad leadership in our lives
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”
1 Peter 2:18
Hi Everyone!
Obedience is a word that causes people in this modern age to cringe, believing that we are giving up our complete identity in order to obey those in authority.
Then, we will use the person who is in leadership as an excuse for our disobedience, citing that they aren’t Godly, or mean, and divisive in nature.
In the United States, we just had a Presidential election, and to be honest, I was not a fan of either candidate. One was a brutal prosecutor who mercilessly sent people to prison for extraordinary sentences. She built a record of burying people. Then, we have our President-elect, who “beds” racists, white supremacist organizations, Putin, and has no control over his tongue. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to obey either one of them, but as a believer, it is not about what I want, but about what God commands. If He commands obedience, then that is what I must do, period.
Today, we look at 1 Peter 2:18, obedience to the good and bad leadership in our lives.
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”
The word “servants” means “fellow resident or menial domestic”, someone who is under the authority of another.
The phrase “be subject” means “subordinate or to obey”.
The word “master” means “lord or ruler”.
In Romans 13:1-2, the Bible says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
When I came to prison, I willingly resisted authority, especially the ones who were hard on us because we were in prison and under their authority. There are people who go on power trips because they have been granted authority and I hated that, so I frequently pushed back. As a believer, this is not the posture I am supposed to have, but back then, my heart was still being worked on.
In Ephesians 6:5-6, the Bible says, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart”.
Then, there is another dynamic. There are those, me included, that would serve someone obediently to their face, but behind their backs, would act like we were in authority. Even worse than not obeying is faking like you are obeying, but disobeying in secret. I had a boss who I knew was racist, probably the most racist person I had met at that time. By then, my heart was changed enough to where I put myself to task, to obey everything he said, whether being in his face, or behind his back. I realized that obedience was bigger than both of us, that it was about serving God.
In Colossians 3:22-23, the Bible says, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”.
This point is written to two different places, who received the same word from Paul, which suggests this was a problem within the churches that Paul was working with.
In 1 Timothy 6:1, the Bible says, “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”
When I had the racist boss, I had to seriously tell myself that he was worthy of my obedience, because I honestly didn’t want to obey him, and in fact, it felt like his bossing me around was his re-living some slavery fantasy. What I didn’t know was that my obedience was changing his heart, and not only his heart, but his colleagues hearts as well.
The word “good” means “beneficial, useful, or profitable”.
The word “froward” means “crooked, perverse, or warped”.
In 1 Timothy 6:2, the Bible says, “And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.”
Well, I found out that my “racist boss” goes to church every Sunday, but was conditioned to this racist belief system by his father and grandfather. By my obedience, God showed him that all Black people don’t fit into his stereotypes, and then he realized that none fit into his stereotype. I worked for him for over four years, and even was “on call” when I had a different job. That department went from being predominantly White to predominantly Black for the first time in its history. God changed hearts through obedience, not resistance. God’s will was done!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Jan 14, 2025 – 2 Corinthians 5:8 – present at home with our loving God
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:8
Hi Everyone!
On November 29, 2024, the Lord called my Uncle Michael home.
We knew he had cancer, and he wasn’t doing too well, but the suddenness of it after celebrating Thanksgiving with our family shocked us all.
He flew my Momma from Florida to visit him for Thanksgiving, and he gathered the vast majority of our family together for the holiday. This was also a gift for me because I got the chance to visit my Momma too!
We all thought we had more time with him, but God had other plans.
There are two things going on in the midst of the blow our family is suffering from losing our “patriarch”.
We are grieving in sadness over our loss, but because of where Uncle Michael is, there is a celebration over his homecoming.
Uncle Michael is hearing the angelic host sing praises to God, he is reunited with our family and friends in heaven, and he is no longer sick! It is hard for us to seize God’s perspective of death because it is hard to see beyond the hurt we feel, but if we did, we would understand that life has truly begun for Uncle Michael, a life that doesn’t end!
Today, we look at 2 Corinthians 5:8, present at home with our loving God.
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
The word “confident” means “to exercise courage”.
It seriously takes courage to seize the word of God when our hearts are broken and we only see our sorrow.
In 2 Corinthians 4:18, the Bible says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Seeing God’s perspective requires us to look beyond the tangible things that we see and feel, where we can truly lean on the word of God for perspective and comfort. We will no longer see my Uncle Michael on this earth again, so that means that he has seized the eternal, where God is.
The phrase “absent from” means “to emigrate from”.
The phrase “present with” means “in one’s own country; home”.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1, the Bible says, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
So when this life is over for us on earth, we leave this body and we go home where we have an eternal body. As much as we love to hold onto this life here, this world is not home for believers.
In 1 Corinthians 15:53-54, the Bible says, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
The word “must” is used twice within this passage, showing us that we can’t experience eternity with God in heaven without trading in this life on earth. The sadness of death has been replaced with the victory of eternal life.
In Psalm 116:15, the Bible says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
I first heard this verse my Granny’s funeral 25 years ago, spoken by Rev. Freeman. I hadn’t known that this was one of Granny’s favorite verses, and I mediated on it because I didn’t understand how losing my Granny could be precious for anybody. Once again, seeing death through an earthly lenses will always cause us to see our grief, but God challenges us to see that His creative intent for mankind was that we dwell with Him where He is.
Uncle Michael, just like Granny and Rev. Freeman, are dwelling with God where He is, celebrating life where the light of the Lord shines upon them perpetually. From God’s perspective, they have the best seat in the house, yet our tears fall, because our earthly connection to Uncle Michael is broken forever through death.
Also this verse says, “His saints”, so that means that we ultimately belong to the Lord, even though we are entrusted to build and sustain our families here on earth.
In Luke 23:42-43, the Bible says, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Once our lives here on earth are given over to the Lord, we have the privilege of dwelling with the Lord outside of the limitations of time, space, and mortality.
We live on in our lives on earth to answer God’s call, to steward what He has given us, to experience His invitation to the free gift of salvation, and to live holy as the children of God. When our lives are over, we want to hear the Lord say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant”, and I firmly believe that Uncle Michael heard those words.
Death means life to those in Christ….
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Jan 15, 2025 – Ephesians 2:18 – access to a loving God and an amazing Father
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
Ephesians 2:18
Hi Everyone!
I am hurting, badly.
We are grieving the lost of our patriarch and this is made worse by the fact that I am in prison.
Now, all kinds of stuff is hitting me, and I have to face it head-on, and maintain my joy in the process.
It is hard to pray, and I don’t want to give God a bunch of ritualistic, empty words that will do no more than put on a show instead of ushering in His power and peace.
Herein lies my problem. I have this wonderful, amazing God that hears my prayers, and desires to step in with the comfort and peace that I need, and I assure you that He has already responded. I would be in really bad shape had He not stepped in.
As a believer, I have access to God by Christ, and the Holy Spirit becomes the flow of God to me, especially in my time of need.
But, sometimes, the weight of the world, the magnitude of our guilt, the depth of our sorrow, or the heaviness of our frustration can make us believe that we either don’t have access to God, or we somehow have lost access to God, but that is a lie.
We have a direct line to God as a believer.
Today, we look at Ephesians 2:18, access to a loving God and an amazing Father.
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
The word “him” is referring to Jesus Christ.
It is always important to know who the passage is talking about and who the message applies to.
In Ephesians 2:13-14, the Bible says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”.
This is for the person who has lost their way and the person who is close to the Lord. This is for the person who needs salvation because Christ Jesus paid the ultimate cost for us to not only be saved by faith, but He paid the cost to bust the wall down between us and God, to give us direct access to Him.
Looking at this passage, it also says that Jesus Christ doesn’t just give us peace, but He IS our peace, so if we lack peace, then have we really entered into His rest?
The phrase “we both” is important because it shows us who has access to God.
We have to figure out who the “both” are.
In Ephesians 2:12, the Bible says, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world”.
The first group are the people who don’t have Christ. I was that person who went to church but was not saved.
In Ephesians 2:17, the Bible says, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”
The second group are the believers.
I cried out to God as an unbeliever for salvation and He heard me. I can cry out to God as believer and He will hear me. The same access, the same loving God, but as believers, I believe that we can lose our urgency, our desperation, our yearning for God, causing us to not pursue Him when we need Him the most.
The phrase “access by one Spirit into the Father” means “admission into the presence of God through the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit ushers us into the presence of God and He truly has our backs. Think not.
In Romans 8:26, the Bible says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
When we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit takes our groaning and produces it into a language that not only God hears, but responds to. God gives us the ability to draw near to Him when our hearts are broken, or when we don’t have the words to say.
In Ephesians 3:11-12, the Bible says, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
Sometimes, we come to God like we don’t belong to Him, or we don’t come to Him because we feel He is too busy for our little problems. Coming to God boldly suggests that we have a right to pursue the presence and the help of the Lord.
In Psalm 121:1-2, the Bible says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
This expresses an expectancy that we can find help from the Lord for whatever we have going on.
In Hebrews 4:16, the Bible says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Boldly. This morning, I am going to have a much needed moment with my Father because I need Him terribly. I have access to Him, so why not use it? God desires to meet us right where we are, in our grief and in our mess because He IS the answer!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 16, 2025 – Ephesians 2:4 – living in the love and mercy of God
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us”.
Ephesians 2:4
Hi Everyone!
I’ve done a lot wrong in my life.
When I was in the street life, crime was a way of life, and sadly, violence was how disagreements where resolved.
I cringe looking back on how I used to be, how I used to think, and how I used to respond to adversity, and I can only humbly tell God “Thank you” for changing my heart.
Because I have done a lot of wrong, I understand mercy a lot more, because God didn’t have to provide salvation, He didn’t have to change my heart, and He certainly didn’t have to blessed my life with purpose either.
My penalty deserved to be death, but God gave me life everlasting in Him.
Realizing how deeply God loves me makes me understand that I couldn’t do anything to pay Him back for all He’s done for me, so I decided to pay love forward.
People ask me how I could love people who have abandoned me, people who despise me, and people who look to celebrate my failure, but if God loved me when I was an enemy of the cross, then who am I to not love someone else the same way?
Today, we look at Ephesians 2:4, living in the love and mercy of God.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us”.
The phrase “but God” has been a statement frequently used in churches.
It expresses a shift from a bad set of circumstances into a higher perspective about them because God caused the tide to turn in our favor.
An example of this would be, “I was lost, and I thought I didn’t have a chance at salvation, ‘But God’ stepped in and showed me His free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ”.
Another example of it would be, ” I was in a bad situation that I couldn’t see my way out, ‘But God’ delivered me from something that was guaranteed to consume me.”
The phrase “But God” has been used as a testimony to the goodness of God to us.
There has to be a shift in state or perspective if the verse begins with “But God”, so let’s look at what happened before this verse.
In Ephesians 2:2-3, the Bible says, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
This was my autobiography, because I lived according to the enemy’s agenda, intentionally disobeying God, aiming to fulfill every wicked desire I had. If it felt good, it must be good, and I lived from feeling to feeling, drawing myself further and further away from the presence of God.
So we were living in sin, operating according to Satan’s influence, until we received salvation for our souls.
The word “rich” means “wealthy or abounding with”.
The word “mercy” means “divine compassion or pity”. This term also implies that God didn’t render the penalty or punishment that we clearly deserved for our sin.
In John 3:16-17, Christ says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
In the midst of our sinfulness, God gave Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sin, not rendering condemnation, but salvation.
Even when Jesus hung on the cross, looking at those who despised him, Luke 23:34 says, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Christ spoke on their behalf from the cross, exhibiting mercy and love towards those who put Him on the cross, explaining away their deeds. The mercy of God stood in the gap for the penalty I deserved, and I was spoken up for when I deserved judgment.
The word “love” here is a noun that means “love-feast, benevolent, divine regard of affection”.
The word “loved” used here is a verb, the action of love, “to regard with favour, goodwill, benevolence or affection”.
It is one thing to give us mercy, but it is a totally different thing to love us when we were unlovable.
In Titus 3:4-6, the Bible says, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour”.
God’s love was available despite what we had done, and also despite the good we could do in return. He bestowed mercy and love upon us in our fallen state, not waiting for us to change, but allowing His mercy, love, and salvation to be the catalyst for change.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Jan 17, 2025 – Ephesians 2:5 – dead to sin, alive in Christ
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
Ephesians 2:5
Hi Everyone!
I have received a second chance, a chance to truly live again.
I thought I was living when I was out, but in all actuality, I was actually dying, living a life completely sold out to sin.
When I received salvation for my soul, by the grace of God, the old me died and the new me was born, and I was free to live the life that God created me to live.
Of course, the old nature has tried to resurface with all of its temptations, but praise God, I have gotten stronger and grown into this beautiful life that God has given me.
Many of us struggle with our old natures and think that somehow we aren’t a new creation in Christ, but a believer will grow into their salvation through the sanctification process, where we become more and more like Christ.
People always ask what would someone do if they got a second chance, a “do-over”, but as believers, we did, and what are we doing with it?
Today, we will look at Ephesians 2:5, dead to sin, alive in Christ.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”.
The phrase “even when” expresses a connection between a previous verse and the one we are studying now.
In Ephesians 2:4, the Bible says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.”
Adding the “even when” is providing a reason why we shouldn’t qualify for what God has so graciously provided, but God gave it to us anyway. Too many believers, me included, try to disqualify ourselves from the grace of God, citing that we are undeserving of it, but that is the very reason why we need the grace of God!
The word “dead” is in opposition to the life of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, causing one to be spiritually dead and exposed to the ultimate punishment for sin.
The word “sin” means “transgressions against God that are intentional and deliberate”.
When I was apart from Christ, I sold drugs, robbed people, stole, used drugs, and sadly, took life, all of which I did, knowing exactly what I was doing.
I made conscious decisions to violate God’s law and I was dead in sin.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When I received salvation, this happened immediately. I became a new creation, born again, and the old me was gone. Look at this verse though. It says all things “become new”, so this suggests a process that takes place where we grow into this newness. Just like a baby grows into their identity, we grow into ours.
In Romans 5:6-8, the Bible says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Christ didn’t die for me because I was good, righteous, or worthy of His sacrifice. I was the opposite of Who He is in every way, and it is because of His love and goodness that He willing went to die so that I can live. God didn’t wait until I had it all together and was changed before Christ offered Himself for my sins, but when I was in the midst of my mess, fully given over to sin, the free gift of salvation was already made available to me.
In Romans 5:10, the Bible says, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Not only did our lives change when we were saved, but the perception God had about us changed too. Instead of being rejects, we were now accepted by God as children who belong to Him.
The phrase “quickened us together” means that we are made alive in Christ.
The word “grace” means “divine favour of God” but it expresses that Christ’s death made a bridge between us who believe and God, giving us unrestricted access to the kingdom of God.
We couldn’t pay the cost on our own, but Christ’s death gave admission to us who believe.
The word “saved” means “deliverance from the misery, punishment, and consequence of sin”
In Romans 6:4-5, the Bible says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection”.
We have the ability to live in our newness, understanding that we have died with Christ and came back to life in Him. We don’t have to serve sin, and in fact, we can live in victory over sin. We can truly live free because of what Christ has done for us on the cross, alive for the first time!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Jan 18, 2025 – Joel 2:13 – true repentance that flows from the heart
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
Joel 2:13
Hi Everyone!
Our walk in the Lord is really a heart condition.
On the surface, we can look like we are in the Spirit, but the reality can be totally different. Until the heart changes, there will be no true conversion, and we will be kidding ourselves if we think that God can’t distinguish the difference.
I was this way, and I left people scratching their heads how I couldn’t stay out of trouble, because when I was at church, I looked like I was of the congregation and not of the streets.
I put on the facade like clothing, but I hadn’t put on Christ.
Since I have been saved, God has been showing me that my heart has to posture me to walk this faith out, meaning that my salvation has to flow from within me, not through some external act.
Today, we look at Joel 2:13, true repentance that flows from the heart.
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
The word “rend” is a term that expresses a cutting or tearing, so when we rend our hearts, we experience a deep contrition and anguish behind our wickedness.
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, the Bible says, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
This type of contrition is what creates the pathway for salvation. Too many of us will say that we are sorry and may even feel remorse, but it doesn’t change anything.
In Psalms 51:16-17, the Bible says, “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
God accepts the remorse that flows from the heart, that understanding that we get at our core that we have sinned against God. We can do all of the rituals, but that means nothing if our hearts don’t change.
In Psalm 34:18, the Bible says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
God truly responds when we have hearts of remorse, and salvation comes to those who desire that heart change that only God can provide.
Too many of us haven’t come to the end of ourselves, and that is the reason why we haven’t experienced that godly sorrow.
The word “garments” means “clothing”.
In Genesis 37:33-34, the Bible says, “And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.”
Jacob tore his clothes, grieving for his son, and there was no doubt that he was grieving, but ripping the clothes, does nothing but give and outward display of what is at work inside of us.
In Mark 14:62-64, the Bible says, “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.”
In another example of this, where the high priest tore his clothes at Jesus Christ professing who He was to them. Jesus told them the truth, but the high priest rent his garment, condemning Jesus to death. What about this changes the heart?
We have to check our hearts, and make sure that our outward display is consistent with our inward posture.
The phrase “turn unto the Lord” means “repent”.
In Matthew 4:17, the Bible says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Christ began His ministry by telling us to repent, not physically, but spiritually. We have a God that makes up the gap between who we are and who we should be in order to be accepted by Him. Our God is merciful, meaning His compassion for us doesn’t desire to give us the punishment we deserve for our sin.
The phrase “slow to anger” means “longsuffering or patient”, so He gives us enough time to crack our heads on the wall a few times.
His “kindness” means the goodness and favour He imparts upon us, even when we don’t deserve it.
In Jonah 3:9-10, the Bible says, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
The people of Nineveh heard the word of God, were stricken in their hearts and they repented. God responded by “changing his mind” about destroying them. Won’t our loving God do the same thing for us if we truly repent and turn to Him?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 19, 2025 – Ephesians 2:6 – seated in heavenly places with Christ, no longer confined to the pits of this world
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”.
Ephesians 2:6
Hi Everyone!
When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, a lot of things changed within us.
We were given new identities in Christ, as new creations of God and as children of the Most-High God.
This also gave us the privilege of being heirs of God and a co-heirs with Christ, as we receive the same access that Christ received with God when He rose from His life lived on earth as we now do now do.
Also, we are a little different as in the kingdom we are now partakers in we are no longer slaves to the kingdom of Satan, but we members of the kingdom of God, having all the rights and authority as a child of God.
We no longer are bound by what is happening in the earth, but we have the ability to change the atmosphere everywhere we go.
We live in the earth but we are citizens of heaven, and with that revelation should come an understanding that this earthly place is not true our home, but a place that we are entrusted to steward.
Today, we explore Ephesians 2:6, seated in heavenly places with Christ, no longer confined to the pits of this world.
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”.
The word “and” at the beginning of this verse gives us the indication that there is more attached to this verse that is necessary to understand it’s complete context. So we have to go back.
In Ephesians 2:3-5, the Bible says, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”.
So we began our lives living outside of the will of God, living according to the flesh, according to our own desires and living according to Satan’s agenda. We were slated to die in our sins, facing the wrath of God, until God’s perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ, shed His blood for sins of the world. Because Christ did this, those who believe in Him can now experience salvation and being raised in life with Christ. This is all because God loves us so deeply that even when we were still jacked up, still overrun by sin, He had the answer in place. This is how a convicted murderer is now teaching the Word of God, compiling these devotionals that you are reading, because God completely changed the narrative of my life.
The phrase “raised us up together” means “to rouse from death, to revivify spiritually in resemblance to Christ”.
This doesn’t refer to merely being raised in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection, but it also points to a condition or work effected by union with Christ in His resurrection.
In Ephesians 1:19-21, the Bible says, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”.
This power and authority is above all other authority in the earth, the same authority Christ walked in. God not only gave us a heart transplant, but He also placed us into a position where our prayers will be answered and the things we declare will come to pass.
Sadly, we have the hardest time believing that and because of it, we don’t grow into the authority we have.
The phrase “made us sit together” is a lot deeper than us taking a seat, but it is the ability to move in kingdom authority from a heavenly place.
When a king decrees something, they usually do it from a seated position. They don’t have to move, but when they speak, people are despatched to fulfill the word spoken.
In Psalm 23:5, the Bible says, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
God pours His Spirit upon us from a seated position, and it doesn’t matter who opposes us.
In Genesis 2:1-2, the Bible says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
From a seated position, we can rest and just like how God created, then rested, knowing what He declared was finished, we have this same authority in Christ.
In 1 John 4:4, the Bible says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
We have greatness in us because of the finished work of Jesus Christ in us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Jan 20, 2025 – Romans 8:34 – our loving intercessor Jesus Christ
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
Romans 8:34
Hi Everyone!
We can have the wrong picture of God, and that can vastly affect our stance towards Him.
One brother, a “professed unbeliever” (using quotes because he is in denial/rebellion), asked “If God is loving, why does all this bad stuff happen in the world?”
I told him that all of this bad stuff happens in the wrong, due to sin that is the ruler of so many people, and because we have a loving God, He won’t force us to choose Him.
In fact, Christ not only died for us, but speaks on our behalf, even when we say things that make no sense. I then asked him something to the effect of, “Do you think you’d be alive right now based on the life you lived if God wasn’t keeping you safe?”
Whether we know it our not, we have an intercessor in Jesus Christ that continues to speak for us, with hopes that we would turn to the Lord, then He speaks on our behalf as believers, because He desires the will of God to flow in and through us.
Today, we look at Romans 8:34, our loving intercessor Jesus Christ.
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
The word “condemneth” means “to judge against, to sentence to an explicitly harsh punishment”.
Because we have the wrong picture of God, we tend to see Him as a brutal dictator who enslaved us against our will to follow Him. That is not the case.
In John 3:16-17, Christ says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Christ came as God robed in flesh, and His mission was never to condemn the world of their sin. Christ came to be the atoning sacrifice for sin! When the people brought a woman caught in the very act of adultery, they told Christ, who is the Word of God, that the law said she should be stoned, but Christ told them if they had no sin, then cast the first stone. Christ was the only person who could’ve hurled a stone and did not, and the people began to depart from the oldest to the youngest, leaving Christ with the woman.
In John 8:10-11, the Bible says, “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
Christ not only didn’t condemn the woman, but told her to use her second chance to live holy.
The word “died” is self-explanatory, but look at how He died for us.
In Philippians 2:8-9, the Bible says, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”.
He looked like us, but He mission was completely different, and His death was brutal to say the least. But through His death, burial, and resurrection, He has all power in heaven and on earth.
The word “risen again” speaks of a person who was roused from death, brought back to life. Christ was raised back to life, and in His holiness, He still doesn’t condemn us!
The phrase “right hand” means “strength or power”.
This the highest position of honor and distinction in a kingdom.
In Genesis 35:18, the Bible says, “And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.”
Rachel was about to name her son “Son of my sorrow”, because her health was failing due to this birth, but Jacob named him “Son of my right hand”. In a way Jacob interceded on Benjamin’s behalf, because the names then had divine meaning that governed the course of their lives.
In Colossians 3:1-2, the Bible says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
We have the ability to think and see life through the lens of Christ, to receive things from a heavenly posture.
The phrase “maketh intercession” means “to entreat God in favour for or against, to confer with God on the behalf of someone else”.
In Hebrews 7:24-25, the Bible says, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
I praise God that through ‘this man’ Christ, the people who are a part of “the uttermost”, me being the chief one, can receive salvation for our soul, because not only did Christ die for us, but He still speaks for us today!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 21, 2025 – Psalm 107:9 – food for the hungry soul
“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
Psalm 107:9
Hi Everyone!
My soul hungers. I think about freedom more now than I ever have, I dream about being released from prison more now than ever, and I crave being home, making a difference in my community.
Even as I am still grieving the loss of my Uncle, I long for freedom even more.
Believers are going to have things that they long for as deeply as I do freedom.
One of my friends has a ongoing health condition that she needs healing from, and she continues to hit roadblock after roadblock, disappointment after disappointment.
Sometimes, longing will cause us to question whether God actually hears us, or if He has maybe said no, or much worse, questioning if He even loves us.
But these are not the postures we need to take at all.
I have learned more in the waiting that will equip me to seize the blessing when it manifests itself than I would have learned if God just gave it to me immediately.
Sometimes, we have to grow in order to sustain what God has for us.
Today, we will look at Psalm 107:9, food for the hungry soul.
“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
The word “satisfieth” means “to fill or give enough to”.
The word “longing” means “to course as a bird of prey, or to seek greedily”.
This is the person who truly desires what they are seeking God for.
Sometimes, we have to ask ourselves: whether what we desire is something that God truly wants for us.
In Psalm 37:4-5, the Bible says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
When our delight is in the Lord, we become pliable to Him forming us into what He desires us to be, meaning that what we desire for our lives will also be what God desires, so when we ask God for what we desires, He is all over it, because there is agreement.
In Matthew 18:19, Christ says, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
What if the person we are in agreement with IS God? Who can resist His word from going forth?
Doesn’t Isaiah 55:11 say, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”?
This means that whatever God decrees it will be, because God’s Word is true. The waiting is agonizing because we want it now, but the waiting is building the testimony of victory.
Sometimes, we have to ask ourselves are we truly ready for what we long for? If God would have given me my freedom when I first asked for it, I would have been back in prison or dead within a year. If God would have given me my freedom ten years ago, I wouldn’t have had the desire for ministry, and I would have gotten out, done well, and gone to church, but the yearning I have to serve that I have now, I would have been too intimidated to pursue. If I would have gotten my freedom five years ago, I wouldn’t have met my wife and our babies, I wouldn’t have met Peter and there would be no Red Granite Daily Devotions. If I would have gotten my freedom a year ago, things within my life and marriage wouldn’t have been established like they are now, which will make coming home a lot easier. Do you see my point?
In James 4:1-3, the Bible says, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
Sometimes, we want it so badly from God because we have our own purpose in mind, and we are willing to compromise our faith, our honesty, or our identity in Christ to get what we want. I turned down illicit gains multiple times that would have gotten me a lawyer in no time, because we can’t do wrong and then expect God to bless the fruits of it.
The word “goodness” is worth a look, because the root word is “good”, meaning that God’s intended purpose is fulfilled.
When God blesses us with what we long for, He is bringing His purpose to pass in the process, which means that God will get the glory from it.
In Proverbs 13:12, the Bible says, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
A tree of life is capable of feeding souls, being a place where people can come to experience the presence of God through us. Is what we are longing for going to bring us closer to God, is it going to fulfill God’s purpose in us, and will it allow us to feed others?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 22, 2025 – Psalm 107:6 – a cry for deliverance heard by a loving God
“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”
Psalm 107:6
Hi Everyone!
From my prison environment, I am crying out to God to deliver me from this prison.
I am doing it daily and I know that God hears me. In my discomfort, He has still given me a mission, and brothers in here of all races and backgrounds see me as a leader, someone who represents the faith well.
As badly as I want to go home to my family, I know that I can’t forsake today in order to experience tomorrow’s blessing.
I remember a time when I was rocked by this discomfort and wondered was this all that was left for me, that maybe I have done too much wrong in my life for God to hear me.
That is an agony within itself, but God comforted me with the truth, that I am His child and He truly has me and my prayer covered. In the midst of my faith walk, their is a testimony of deliverance that gives me every indication that He is already providing the means for my deliverance.
Today, we look at Psalm 107:6, a cry for deliverance heard by a loving God.
“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”
Psalm 107 is a psalm that was written after Judah’s return from their exile, and it is a psalm expressing gratitude to God for delivering them.
In Psalm 107:1-2, the Bible says, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy”.
Setting the stage for this psalm of thanksgiving, this psalmist then takes the reader through the journey of how God has delivered them from four different sets of circumstances.
The first were those who wandered in barren places due to the exile, who didn’t have a home and land to dwell in, but God gave them shelter.
The second group were those exiles who sat in darkness, under the weight of imprisonment and death, but God delivered them out of their circumstances.
The third group were the foolish people who suffered due to their own sin and folly, suffering affliction due to their own choices and turning their backs on God, but God healed them as well.
The fourth group were the sailors who were caught in the sea at the service of a foreign king, and when the storm threatened to shipwreck them, they cried out to God and the storm stood still for them.
Over the psalm, there is a pronounced record of God’s deliverance of four groups of people under four different set of circumstances, even those who made foolish decisions that essentially punished the whole group. God reversed their circumstances in a way that only God could, and this psalm expresses thanksgiving because God truly rescued them from impossible circumstances.
The word “cried” means “to shriek, cry out, or proclaim”.
The word “trouble” means “adversity or affliction”.
Who do we cry out to in our affliction? In Proverbs 21:31, the Bible says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”
Do we count on the tools of war or do we count on God who gives the tools power? In prison, a lawyer is that tool, but he can do nothing unless God gives the increase. I have seen more people go home in improbable circumstances, when logic said they didn’t stand a chance, leaving no room for a person to think it was anyone else but God.
In Psalm 50:14-15, the Bible says, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Is our posture thanksgiving, even as we suffer affliction? There is an order to things, and thanksgiving came before the call out to God. I am guilty of this many times over, asking God for His help without first thanking Him for who He is.
In Matthew 6:33, the Bible says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Thanksgiving in advance is a statement of faith that God has provided enough right now to be glorified.
The word “delivered” means “to snatch away, the power of one entity overcoming the power of another”.
The word “distresses” means “anguish or narrowness”.
This is the person who feels the walls closing in around them, and God snatched them away from that very tight place.
In Psalm 34:6-8, the Bible says, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
The deliverance of God, especially when He has answered our cry, gives us a testimony of God’s goodness to share with everyone, to encourage them in their distress.
I know my deliverance is going to ring through the prison system in Wisconsin, and they will all know that it was the Lord who delivered me!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 23, 2025 – Romans 15:5 – being likeminded in the faith
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus”.
Romans 15:5
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we are a body.
At a Bible study this past weekend, I saw something amazing happen.
A brother spoke at the end of the study, and told us he was hurting in his spirit and needed someone to give him a Scripture to help him see things clearly. A brother who just got out of the hole for suffering his own injustice, someone who was hurting too, gave him a verse that helped him.
Then, four more people shared verses and encouragement with him. You could literally see his countenance change, and at the end of the study, a coalition of brothers made their way to him, to give him hugs and encouragement.
Immediately, I saw how a body is supposed to work: when one part is broken or hurt, the rest of the body steps in to help that part heal.
This is what Christ frequently did in His ministry on earth, and this is what He still does today as He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. God desires that we be that body, and be to others what Christ has been to us.
Today, we look at Romans 15:5, being likeminded in the faith.
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus”.
The word “now” expresses that the charge given to us in this verse is attached to a previous command given.
This means we have to go back a little to find out what we need to be likeminded in.
In Romans 15:1-2, the Bible says, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”
Paul desires that the church be a body where the strong help the weak bear the weight that they are under until they build the strength necessary to stand under it. I know personally, that when I was an unbeliever, and when I was a new believer, my tolerance for pain and pressure was not anywhere near where it is now, but I had brothers who took the weight upon their shoulders for me.
They did it for me, not for themselves, but they had Christ in mind the whole time.
The word “patience” means “a cheerful or hopeful endurance and constancy”.
The word “consolation” means “comfort, solace, or exhortation”.
These qualities are part of the identity of Christ, and these qualities live in those who believe.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, the Bible says, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
God gives us this complete measure of comfort, not so we can experience it for ourselves, but so that we can then use it to help someone else in need. If God is telling us to comfort others with the comfort we have received, then that has to mean that God has given us enough comfort and patience to share with others.
The word “grant” implies a command, given by empowering those who are commanded with the ability to perform what is expected of us.
Right now, I am grieving the loss of my uncle, but I can’t grieve the way I expected to, because my strength is needed to encourage those family members who are weakened, and even to take a few “punches” from those who may need to vent.
The word “likeminded” expresses a oneness with each other, but also empathy as well.
In Romans 12:16, the Bible says, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
We can become so high and mighty in our strength that we leave people behind to suffer alone. We have to be willing to stand in the gap for those in need.
In 1 Corinthians 1:10, the Bible says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
What God desires to see is a body of believers who are working together to glorify God in their lives. God desires to see the body loving on each other, and building each other up, comforting those who are broken.
In Philippians 3:16-17, the Bible says, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
I have learned from being in prison that it is a waste of time to knock on the door of someone who is unwilling to help. In following Christ, we are to exercise His example of compassion for humanity, and be willing to step in to help.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Jan 24, 2025 – 1 Peter 2:21 – an example in Christ to thrive in the face of suffering
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”.
1 Peter 2:21
Hi Everyone!
As we move through life as believers, we are going to experience suffering.
It is inevitable, and sadly, this is the point where many people fall away from the faith.
They experience adversity, and it becomes too hard for them to handle. We gladly take the salvation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the revelations that show us that God is speaking to us, but when it comes to the suffering, we quickly try to pass on it.
Why?
Because suffering does not feel good! Being called by God in my prison environment, and being one of the leaders in the faith that people look to, I stick out like a sore thumb, and because I am an outspoken believer, people expect grace and forgiveness to flow freely from me, no matter how poorly they behave towards me. They also expect to see a certain behavior no matter what I am going through, and they should because Christ is our example.
Today, we will look at 1 Peter 2:21, an example in Christ to thrive in the face of suffering.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”.
In 1 Peter 2:20, the Bible says, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
There is a major difference between the consequences that we suffer because of our actions, and the sufferings that we endure for the faith. We don’t get aN award for committing an offense against God and then facing a consequence as a result. Accountability causes us to understand that we are going to pay in some way for the things we have done, but what happens when we suffer for the faith?
Peter is writing this letter to the believers who were experiencing persecution, to encourage them and prepare others to expect this to come.
The word “called” means “to invite into repentance”. In turning our backs on the world and turning our faces unto Christ, we are also going to experience a weight upon us as a result.
In Matthew 16:24, the Bible says, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.“
Christ is preparing us for a cross we have to bear, and everyone has a cross they have to bear, but the cross we have is actually the tool God uses to affirm the truth of the gospel.
In Acts 14:22, the Bible says, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Paul was stoned for preaching the Gospel, and he then went to the next place, encouraging others to continue in the faith, despite the suffering they were experiencing.
In most places in the world, especially the U.S., it is not a life-or-death matter for practicing our faith like it is in some countries.
While other believers are being jailed for the faith, killed for the faith, or having to have church in homes to avoid the authorities from learning about them.
Whereas we only have to deal with someone refusing to hire us, spreading gossip about us, or a social circle not wanting us. We have the easiest pathway to serve God openly, but we don’t take it, and we often check out when we suffer.
The word “suffered” means “to experience pain or a painful sensation”.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4, the Bible says, “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”
The beauty about our walk as believers is that God warns us in His Word, in advance, that we are going to experience some level of pain for the faith. He tells us this so that we can understand that this is a part of the journey.
The word “example” means “a copy for imitation”. We can consider Christ as we endure our sufferings, and we can understand that because of Christ, we will experience victory in the face of suffering if we endure.
In John 13:15, Christ says, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Christ washed the disciples’ feet, a menial task that requires humility, but the example of Christ can be considered in everything we face in life.
In 1 John 2:6, the Bible says, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
When Christ was in agony over the knowledge of His sufferings, He prayed to God and submitted to His will. When we was tried, he didn’t try to get out of it, and when He was nailed to the cross, He forgave the sins of the world, especially those who hung him there. This is our example of what we should copy in suffering.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 25, 2025 – Ezekiel 24:14 – a Sovereign God’s word of truth to His creation
“I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.”
Ezekiel 24:14
Hi Everyone!
“Whose side are you leaning on?”
I remember hearing this gospel song sung, not really having the respect for it like I do now. It implies a conscious choice we make to either serve the Lord or to serve sin. Our choices bear consequences, and just as God provides promises for those who do well, He also provides promises to those who are living lives of sin and offense against Him.
The Word of God is true and when God declares something, you can absolutely bank on it happening. We live in a world where God’s Word is being discounted as truth, and perverted to fit into any box we decide to put it in, but God’s Word will happen and we have to decide for ourselves which side of this coin we are going to be on, because we will be judged by our choice.
Today, we will look at Ezekiel 24:14, a Sovereign God’s word of truth to His creation.
“I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.”
The word “spoken” means “to declare, command, or arrange”.
The phrase “shall come to pass” means “it will happen”.
So God isn’t just talking to hear Himself talk, but people acted like He was.
A little context here. God spoke a word to Ezekiel that Jerusalem was being besieged by the Babylonians. This was happening in real time, and Ezekiel is getting this word from God to write down as a record of what is going on as it was happening. Ezekiel recorded these things while exiled in Babylon nearly 900 miles away. It would be impossible for Ezekiel to know that Jerusalem was being besieged in real time, so this expresses that God is omniscient, all-knowing.
Should this surprise us especially since Isaiah 46:9-11 says, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do”?
God knows our end from the beginning, and He will most certainly bring His Word to pass. The “ravenous bird from the east” speaks of King Cyrus, the Persian king who will ultimately free the people of Judah from the Babylonian captivity that they are now experiencing. We have to count on God’s word being absolutely true because it is.
In Jeremiah 29:4, the Bible says, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon”.
This means that the King of Babylon had no power unless God declared for it to happen.
Then, in Jeremiah 29:10, the Bible says, “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.”
God also had an expiration date for their confinement! So putting all of this together, God spoke in advance that this was going to happen, spoke while it was happening, and spoke deliverance that was going to happen and by whom. This is so that we will understand that God’s Word is the absolute truth, and He is someone we can count on.
The phrase “will do it” means “to complete, accomplish, or perform”.
The phrase “go back” means “relent, refuse, or loosen His Word”.
The word “repent” means “to be sorry or regret”.
Can we blame God for being tired of a people who continued to turn their backs on Him when He has proven Himself faithful time after time again?
In 1 Samuel 15:28-29, the Bible says, “And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.”
God was tired of Saul’s disobedience and gave Him numerous chances, but ultimately decided to tear the kingdom from his hands, giving it to David, a man after God’s own heart.
In Ezekiel 5:11, the Bible says, “Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.”
When we make a joke out of God, we can’t expect Him to reward us. The word “judge” means “to pronounce a sentence that either punishes or vindicates”. Our choice leads to His judgment. Whose side are we going to lean on?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 26, 2025 – Romans 6:23 – choosing death versus life
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
Hi Everyone!
I was on my way to destruction and I had no clue what was in store for me.
The punishment of prison for my criminal acts had nothing on the eternal damnation and punishment for a life apart from God. I was facing a much worst sentence than life without the possibility of parole. I was facing the lake of fire.
The crazy thing is that I had plenty of warnings that I disregarded frequently. I faced some pretty hefty consequences for my actions in the streets, and nothing deterred me from continuing on the path that would lead to destruction
I shake my head now, reading about the continual disobedience of God even though His mighty hand was evident in their lives, but my life was no different than theirs, and I most certainly was no better.
Sin is destructive and it keeps us from the presence of the holy God that we serve. When our lives here are over, we want to be admitted in the kingdom of God, not excluded from it.
That choice is ours to make. Today, we will be looking at Romans 6:23, choosing death versus life.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In Joshua 24:15, the Bible says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Being a Christian first starts with a choice, one that God is not going to force upon us. God is very much a gentleman, who cordially invites us to experience oneness with Him but we have to make the choice to accept His gift and enter into His kingdom. Only a person who deeply loves you gives you the ability to choose them or not
In Genesis 2:16-17, the Bible says, ” From the very beginning, God has given mankind a choice to obey and serve Him, and from the beginning, mankind has deviated from His instruction.”
A person here told me if God was loving, why does He allow all this bad stuff in the world to happen? I then ask him if he had a daughter and he forced her to love him and serve him, what would she do? He said, “Probably rebel”. So if people have rebelled from a loving God giving a simple instruction, and they rebel from a God who would force them to submit, then the problem isn’t God, it is us!
In Romans 5:12, the Bible says,”Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”.
One man’s choice developed sin in mankind, and that sin nature has been inherited and passed from generation to generation.
The word “wages” means “recompense, pay, stipend, or ration”.
The word “sin” speaks of trespasses and offenses against God, including sinful desire, the proneness and propensity to living sinfully. The word “death” refers to the physical death aggravated by the eternal punishment and condemnation from exclusion from the presence and the kingdom of God.
In James 1:13-15, the Bible says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Let’s look at the process of sin. We can’t blame God for the sin that is in the world because God is a holy God and He doesn’t cause us to sin. When we do sin, it is because we develop a desire for what is forbidden and we then act in that desire. We can’t disobey God in our lifestyle and then expect to be blessed.
The phrase “gift of God” speaks of the divine endowment of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ that redeems those who believe from the eternal consequence of our sin. The phrase “eternal life” referred to the admittance into the everlasting blessedness of the kingdom of God as the result of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.
In Romans 5:20-21, the Bible says, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Jesus Christ came to this world to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and His blood is more than capable of cleansing anyone who believes in Him of their sin. He came to give the grace of God dominion over sin and death. What will we choose?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 27, 2025 – Ezekiel 20:38 – a purge of the vile from the clean.
“And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”
Ezekiel 20:38
Hi Everyone!
God knows who are really His, and those who are putting on a show.
God truly sees us inside and out and knows exactly what we are made of. If we think that we are fooling God, then we are kidding ourselves.
God also knows the people who are horrible influences on our faith, and He will clearly distinguishes between us them as well. My Tee-Tee used to say “Whatever’s in the dark is gonna come to the light”, and a lot of times people operate as if their true intentions won’t be exposed.
God desires for us to live a life that brings glory to Him, a life that allows the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, and He wants us to live a life where we are free from things and people that are toxic for our faith walk.
Today, we will be looking at Ezekiel 20:38, a purge of the vile from the clean.
“And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”
The word “purge” means “to chose or select”, and it goes a little deeper than this.
There is an examination involved where God takes a deep, hard look at our faith, our conduct, and our attitude, and then He chooses those who are not of Him, and expels them from our presence. Where does this sound familiar?
In Matthew 22:11-13, Christ says, “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
God extends an invitation for all to become His children by faith in Jesus Christ. I know firsthand that God will go to some pretty dark places to choose those to partake in His salvation, because He went in a dark alley or two to pull me out. Of course, there are going to be people who are going to try to attend service and look the part, but God is going to see what all are clothed in.
Remember when the Bible says in Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”?
If we haven’t put on Christ, then God will definitely know the difference, no matter how clean we try to make ourselves.
Looking at the text in Ezekiel we see that His people are exiled due to sin. Now within those people, are those who are not of God. The word “rebels” mean “those who resist the authority of the Lord”. The word “transgress” means “revolt, break away, or remain in perpetual offense against God”. These are the people who have made up their minds that God is not King in their lives, and they also are involved in soiling those who have made God King.
In Ezekiel 34:17, the Bible says, “And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.”
God is a gentleman, who is not going to force anyone to serve Him, but if someone is operating against Him within His Church and trying to convincing others not to do so, then He is going to respond.
In Ezekiel 34:20-22, the Bible says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.”
There is an ultimate consequence that is going to come to those who sit among us but not be of us, and then try to pull us away from the love of the Lord, and it is also a picture of the end times as well.
In Matthew 25:31-33, Christ says, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”
One group is going to experience the blessedness of the kingdom of God and the other is going to experience outer darkness and perpetual pain. When God clearly distinguished those who serve His purpose from those who clearly don’t, we will know that God truly knows who are His, as 2 Timothy 2:19 clearly says.
I have seen people be removed from my life during the course of my faith walk, not truly understanding why. I didn’t realize that God was removing the connections to the filth I once embraced so I can serve Him only attached to Him. I guess that purge did work!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 28, 2025 – Ezekiel 20:43 – a forgiveness that causes us to remember our faults before God
“And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.”
Ezekiel 20:43
Hi Everyone!
I know what it is like to be in violation of the Word of God.
I lived a life that was totally the opposite of what God desires from me, and despite many warnings, I continued to dive deeper into sin. Despite all I have done, God has provided forgiveness of my sins, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and restoration of my soul to be able to serve Him the way I do now. I know I still have a long way to go, but I am glad that God placed me on this path.
Now, I look back at my old life and cringe, not being able to fathom having the attitude about life that I did. I think about the wrong I have done and I shake my head, knowing that at one point of my life, I consciously made choices that aimed to undermine everything God had in store for me.
I don’t walk around with the guilt anymore, but I still remember that just as I once made decisions to live a life outside of the will of God, I can’t make those decisions again if God isn’t head of my life.
Today, we will look at Ezekiel 20:43, a forgiveness that causes us to remember our faults before God.
“And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.”
The word “remember” indicates a process of mentioning or recalling either silently or verbally, as a memorial sign or symbol. It also means “to mark as a memorial”.
I tell brothers in my prison environment that are going home to always remember this experience, because many try to go home and forget, which leaves them with nothing to serve as a barrier that will keep them from doing the same things again.
The word “ways” means “course of life, mode of action, or road”.
The word “doings” means “deeds or acts”.
The Scripture is clear that God doesn’t want us to forget the things we have done, not to beat ourselves up, but to keep us from re-offense.
In Ezekiel 16:59-61, the Bible says, “For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant. Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.”
God doesn’t not want to punish us perpetually. He actually wants us to understand where we have gone wrong, humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, and live holy lives deeply connected to Him. God will punish our offenses against Him if He deems it necessary, but when we cry out to him for forgiveness out of a sincere heart, God remembers His covenant with us and forgives us, but leaves the recognition of our sin as a reminder to not live a sinful life.
The word “defiled” means “contaminated or polluted”.
Sin contaminates us and makes us disgusting in the sight of God.
The phrase “loathe yourselves” means “to detest, hate, or be grieved”. This happens because we recognize that we have every ability to do better and are making unsound decisions not to, even with a God who forgives our sin. This should make us kick ourselves initially, but it should make us desire to live holy.
In Leviticus 26:39, the Bible says, “And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.”
Sin should make us sick within ourselves, but it should lead to repentance.
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, the Bible says, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
If we are grieved and nothing changes within us, then we have worldly sorrow, but if our grief turns into repentance, then it is Godly sorrow. Also this passage in Leviticus continues by saying that if we confess our sin and iniquity, knowing we have lived lives contrary to God’s word, and humble ourselves before God, He will remember His covenant and deliver us from our sin and our enemies.
In Ezekiel 6:9-10, the Bible says, “And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.”
If we truly understood what our sin really does to a holy God, then it should compel a change within us that will cause us to walk according to God’s Word. Sadly, some of us are hardheaded and have to endure consequences in order to conform to His Word.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 29, 2025 – James 4:1 – wars that come from the lusts that have dominion over us
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
James 4:1
Hi Everyone!
We live in a world broken by sinfulness. God created this world, and then us, so that we would have dominion in the earth, while enjoying all that God had created for us.
The fall changed our desires, because Satan introduced something to Eve that she had experience before, a lie. Satan convinced Eve that God, who created a perfect world, was holding back the good stuff from her and Adam. Eve looked outside of the provision of God for something she felt was better, and this world as we know it flipped on its head as a result.
Today, we are still like Eve, bypassing the provision of God to the things that we feel that God doesn’t provide, and many of us who now believe, will attest that we felt like we would be missing out on life by giving our lives to the Lord. In a world where everyone wants to have it their own way, there are sure to be conflicts everywhere, but what if this is actually happening in the church?
Today, we will look at James 4:1, wars that come from the lusts that have dominion over us.
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
The word “wars” means “battles, quarrels, or disputes”.
The word “fightings” means “brawlings, strife, or controversies”.
There is no way we can fully live Godly in a world where we are not at peace with our brothers and sisters in Church. God is the author of peace, not confusion, and we mess things up when we place our own agenda on things. James is writing this letter to believers, so the church has obviously been exhibiting qualities consistent with the world, and there had been
infighting within the church. Everything has an origin and sin is usually the culprit.
In Romans 7:22-23, the Bible says, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
There are inner conflicts that are happening with believers, personal struggles with sin that they are trying to, or not trying to, fight against. Our inner conflicts with sin can and will rub off on others. Now expand this to the church, where we now have a body of people who are present to serve God while having another nature trying to rear its ugly head. When a person is trying to serve their own purpose, no one else’s matter, and this is where outward fighting comes between believers.
The word “lusts” means “sensual desires, or pleasures”.
The word “war” is a verb meaning “to contend with carnal inclinations”.
The word “members” means “limb or part of the body”.
Nowhere in this battle is God being thought about or glory being brought to His name.
In James 4:3-4, the Bible says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Even when we desire things of God, if our intention is selfish, then we are serving the world, and if that is happening then there will be a battle of the will against others as well. We can’t break ranks from God, war with His children, and then expect peace to fill our lives.
In Genesis 4:14, the Bible says, “Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.”
Cain killed Abel because he was jealous that Abel’s offering was pleasing to God. Cain gave God what he wanted God to have, and not what was desireable, so he slapped some vegetables in a platter and gave it to God as an offering. Because he served his own purpose and it didn’t work, he then attacked the body, Abel, who served God’s purpose. This same thing is happening in the world in lesser and greater forms.
In Galatians 5:13-15, the Bible says, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
We have free will, but if we use free will to serve our own purpose, then we are not walking in love towards our brothers and sister, and eventually, we will begin to tear each other part, which is a reflection of what is happening inside of each individual. The church can’t be a place where people come to experience warfare against each other, but it is a place where we experience victory over the enemy!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 30, 2025 – James 4:11 – walking in love instead of judgment towards our brothers and sisters
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
James 4:11
Hi Everyone!
When I was in the world, wrapped in my sin, I was frequently the subject of discussion in my family.
I was the black sheep of the family, so we know that the discussions about me weren’t good.
I have been told countless times that I wasn’t going to be anything, that I wouldn’t amount to anything but a disappointment.
When I was arrested for homicide charges, everyone thought my life was over and I would get even worse, but praise God, they are still scratching their heads at how God changed my heart and my life.
We have to be careful when we talk about people, because is it a very easy thing to turn an observation about someone into speaking evil and casting judgment on others.
Instead of fixing our speech to speak against someone else, let us step in and help them right where they are.
Today, we will look at James 4:11, walking in love instead of judgment towards our brothers and sisters.
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
The concept of “speaking evil” means “slander”.
The word “brethren” means “those connected in intimacy or fellowship, pertaining to Christians”.
The book of James was written to believers so this is something that is happening in church, the last place people should go to experience slander. Here’s why.
In Romans 3:23-24, the Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Simply put, we are all jacked up in some way, shape, form or fashion, and as believers, we have all experienced redemption through Jesus Christ. This means that no one is in a position to judge, even if they have gotten further ahead in the faith.
Another reason why no one is in a position to judge is because we did nothing on our own to secure our redemption.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Everything we have as believers has been given to us and in fact, someone died a horrific death so we can have the gift of everlasting life, forgiveness of sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We have all received the grace of God, so what puts us in a position to speak evil of another person.
Finally, if we are judging or slandering our brothers and sisters, where is our love?
In Mark 12:30-31, Christ says, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
If I love my neighbor as myself, then I treat them the way I want to be treated. I wouldn’t want to be slandered, lied on and having that lie sold as truth, and I don’t want people opposing me like an enemy instead of a friend. Where is our love?
The word “judgeth” means “to form or give an unfavourable opinion about someone after weighing information”.
This means that a person took careful consideration when they slandered their brother or sister, and they intentionally cast judgment on them.
In Ephesians 4:31-32, the Bible says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
If our hearts have the posture of love, then we will have the desire to build our brothers and sisters up instead of tearing them down. We have to consider Christ and what He did for us. If Christ died for us when we were jacked up, then why won’t we live for our brothers and sisters?
In Luke 6:37, Christ says, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven”.
What we fail to understand is that the same standard why we judge and slander others, is the same standard that we will be judged by.
When we judge others according to our perception of the law and not according to the law of love, we show contempt for God in the process. We tell Him that our opinion trumps His Word.
In Romans 2:1, the Bible says, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
If we are standing in the judgment seat, then odds are, we are breaking the law in worse ways than the people we judge. We are no better than them!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
PRE-CHRISTMAS – Luke 1:38 – the faith that produced a Saviour
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:38
Hi Everyone!
This is the Christmas season, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a season where we reflect on the fact that God sent a Saviour into the world that will introduce us to the kingdom of God and through His sacrifice, make salvation available to all who believe in His name. Christmas is usually presented in our homes through decorations, and many have the manger scene where the wise men bring the gifts before Christ while Mary and Joseph stand watching. Do we truly understand that the unsung hero of this story was the Mary, the virgin that would birth out Lord and Saviour? The Christmas story talks about the gift of the Messiah, but it also talks about the faithfulness of Mary as well, a picture of the Gospel message. She made herself available to obey the Word of God, which led to her being impregnated, or filled, with the Holy Ghost, and in the process, she birthed Christ, which brought glory to God. Today, we will look at Luke 1:38, the faith that produced a Saviour.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
A little back story. An angel appears to Mary, and Luke 1:30-32 says,
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David”.
This is an amazing honor, to have an angel, a divine messenger of God, speak a word from God to her, an ordinary girl. Looking at Mary’s life, we see a young girl betrothed to Joseph, but not married. Mary’s life is going places right now, and she is going to have a baby as well. Sounds like an amazing story so far, right?
Of course, Mary starts asking questions, because she wants to know what to expect and when it will come.
In Luke 1:34-35, the Bible says, “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
So the baby is going to come from the Holy Spirit and not her soon to be husband Joseph? Mary asked a question and got an answer that defied logic, one that would change the direction of her life forever. What if we had a plan, and God came along and changed everything we had in mind?
Then, it gets deeper.
In Luke 1:36-37, the Bible says, “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
God doesn’t have to do this part, but He showed Mary an impossibility being made possible, because her cousin, who is much, much older, who had probably aged out of having babies, is pregnant as well. How many times has God given us examples of His Word manifesting itself into reality, giving us further reason for us to trust in God? God showed Mary that God is the master of what is impossible to us.
So Mary takes this word, and comes into agreement with it, believing the Word from God to be true. Imagine becoming pregnant, not by your husband, in a society that stones women for adultery! There is some serious risk involved, and remember, before the angel spoke to Joseph, he wanted to divorce her quietly.
This Word came with difficulty, but what was Mary’s posture towards it?
The word “handmaid” means “a slave, voluntary or involuntary”.
The word ” Lord” means “Supreme in authority, or Controller”.
Mary presented herself as a slave to a God who is Supreme in authority. She was totally available to the Lord, no matter the risk or the loss.
In Romans 10:17, the Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Mary heard the Word of God and it became law in her life, and she patterned her direction around the Word of God, not according to the plans she had for her own life?
Obedience and faith go hand in hand.
In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Mary’s faithfulness made room for the Holy Spirit to inhabit her, allowing the fullness of God to dwell in her, only because she received the Word of God in total submission.
In Galatians 4:7, the Bible says, “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Mary’s submission to God cause her to inherit the kingdom of God in her womb. What will our submission cause us to inherit?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Jan 31, 2025 – Jude 1:18 – a world after their own lusts
“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
Jude 1:18
Hi Everyone!
Yesterday, I was watching television for most of the day. I usually don’t watch much TV, but with it being the holidays and I am currently off school for two weeks, I am trying to relax just a little bit.
Within the content of shows, commercials, news and talk shows, there is enough to give anyone pause about where our world is going.
I saw the young man charged with the assassination of a health insurance executive, I saw a teenage girl commit a school shooting at a church school in Madison, Wisconsin (which is less than an hour from me), sex being sold in shows and commercials, drugs being used and sold, and this was all before 2pm!
We live in a world where godlessness, sin, violence, and lawlessness are being taught more than the Gospel, but we are warned that this would be this way.
Today, we will look at Jude 1:18, a world after their own lusts.
“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
The word “how” shows us that there is something else that we have to grasp for the full meaning of this passage.
In Jude 1:17, the Bible says, “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jude is speaking to a people who have heard the apostles’ teachings, so in this letter, Jude is reminding them of what they have been taught, so they will pay attention.
Please understand that this letter was written nearly two thousand years ago, preparing them at that time to experience this type of behavior, and we are a million times worse now!
Should this surprise us, since Genesis 6:5-6 says, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
From the very beginning, mankind has been living according to their own lusts, and the same is absolut truth today. The last thing I want to do now is make God regret that He made me, even though I probably did quite a few times in my past.
The word “mockers” means “scoffers, ones who deride, or false teachers”.
The word “last time” speaks of the end times that signify the second coming of Jesus Christ.
It is important for us to understand when the “last times” are.
In Acts 2:16-18, the Bible says, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy”.
The Holy Spirit being pour out on the church marked the last days, so we have been in the last times for nearly two thousand years. So while the Holy Spirit is being poured out, there are people who are also living according to whatever sin has reign. We have a dynamic that draws people closer to God in relationship and a dynamic that pulls us further away from God.
The sad part is the mockers can also be teachers, which means that we have to really seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we are not deceived.
The word “walk” means “live”.
The word “lusts” means “longings for what is forbidden by God”.
In 1 Timothy 4:1-2, the Bible says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron”.
There will not only be people who depart from the faith, but their will be people who appear to be of faith who lead people astray with lies masked as truth. Do we really understand that there are spirits that are trying to pull us away from God?
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the Bible says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Not only do we have to worry about false teachers and seducing spirits, but we have to also worry about the enemy within us, wanting to cherry pick what we want to follow out of Scripture and what we don’t. We have churches that preach a false doctrine by misapplying Scripture to make everyone think they can live any way they want and still please God, because we are under grace!
Let us follow God’s word, and not the passions that erupt within and around us. We are being led to a destructive life absent of God’s presence.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 1, 2025 – James 4:3 – a careful examination of the heart behind our request
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
James 4:3
Hi Everyone!
We life in a world where people aim to get what they want by any means.
We live in a very materialistic society, where we have “the haves and the have-nots”, and there is an inner conflict within people that keeps them from experiencing the bountiful supply of God. Even in churches, there has seeped in a ” name it and claim it” doctrine posing itself as spiritual truth, but it is doing nothing more than reducing our all-powerful God to a genie in a lamp, or an automated teller machine that spews out cash.
God is a loving Father who loves to bestow good gifts upon His children, but do we want the gifts or do we want the Giver? Are we asking God for something merely because we crave for it, without any consideration for it advancing the kingdom of God?
Until our hearts change and the purposes behind our request to God changes, then we are going to find ourselves without.
Today, we will look at James 4:3, a careful examination of the heart behind our request.
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
The word “ask” means “to crave, request or beg of God”.
The word “receive” means “to obtain or partake of”.
James is writing to believers scattered abroad due to the intense persecution of them in Jerusalem, and this is one of the issues that the church faced then, requesting things of God that will bring them pleasure, but do nothing to advance the kingdom of God.
‘It is easy to take the ‘promise’ verses that people go to in order to box God into honoring our request, but we don’t fulfill the conditions that God commands for us to.
The word “amiss” expresses that we have asked something of God improperly, or not aligned with His will.
In the context of Psalm 37:3, let’s look at a couple of examples or verses that are misused where the inherent conditions are not met.
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
Following this in Psalm 37:4, the Bible says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
So if we take pleasure in the Lord, we should get anything we desire in our heart, right? Wrong!
The word “delight” means “to be pliable, flexible, effeminate, able to be formed”, so if we delight ourselves in the Lord, we present ourselves before Him in order to be formed by Him into what He desires for us to be, not into what we want to be for ourselves.
Are we allowing ourselves to be formed into what God desires, or are we serving our own purposes?
And then again Psalm 37:5, has a word within its text that says “also”, meaning that there is another condition that has to be met.
Here the Bible says, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass”.
We must also place our faith, assurance, and full confidence in God’s will, and do things that God has created us for. “Doing good” isn’t mere good deeds, but it is obeying God”s intention for our personal lives and conducting ourselves according to His Word.
There are three conditions in order to receive the promise of Psalms 37:4, but have we fulfilled our part?
Some of us believe that we can behave any way we want and still stick our hands out, requesting something from God.
In Proverbs 1:23-25, the Bible says, “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof”.
God enables us to know His word and receive His direction, but when we refuse what God is providing us to live according to His Word we shouldn’t be surprised at how God responds to those not obeying Him.
In Proverbs 1:28-29, the Bible says, “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD”.
Maybe we should ask ourselves whether or not we are obeying His counsel before we ask of His hand.
The word “consume” means “to waste”.
The word “lusts” means “sensual delight, desires, or pleasures”.
So not only do we refuse to obey God’s Word, but we also ask for God’s provision in order to waste it on what makes us feel good? Feelings are temporary, and so are our sensual desires.
In 1 John 5:14-15, the Bible says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
If we are asking God for something according to His will, then what God desires is our priority, and our request will be something that brings glory to God. God is not concerned with our feelings over His will for our lives.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 2, 2025 – Deuteronomy 12:32 – following the Word of God as it is
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:32
Hi Everyone!
We can’t pick and choose which part of God’s Word we want to follow.
Sadly, we are wrapped up in a society where we tend to make our own rules and leave God out of it.
We don’t fully appreciate that our obedience to God’s Word is not about subjugation, but it is about success, because when we obey God’s word, we aren’t enslaved by the bondage of sin’s consequences.
Imagine a water pipe that is aimed at providing drinking water, but it becomes obstructed by filth and sediment. Not only will this obstruction block the full flow of life-sustaining water, but it will also defile the water we drink.
We are the same way, where if we are not obedience, the flow of the Holy Spirit is blocked and what comes out of us is a mixture of filth and Spirit.
Until we come to an understanding that our successful obedience to God’s Word translates to our success in life, we will always find ourselves living with obstructions that block the Holy Spirit’s flow.
Today, we will look at Deuteronomy 12:32, following the Word of God as it is.
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
Moses gave a series of speeches to the children of Israel ahead of the conquering and possession of the promised land God appointed for them.
God wanted them to be equipped to not only live the way God intended for them to, but to also experience the full benefits of being children of God. Imagine a kid who lives in a palace, but is grounded for some bad acts. Even though they still live in the palace, they have been stripped of all the amenities of their abundance, unable to experience the full measure their livelihood provides. This is what God is trying to avoid from happening to us.
The word “thing” means “a word or matter”.
The word “command” means “to charge, order, or direct”.
Too many of us want the success from God without having to obey Him. Everything we are is attached to the Word of God.
In 1 Samuel 15:22, the Bible says, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
King Saul was given strict instructions to completely destroy the Amalekites, the people and their animals, but Saul kept King Agag alive and kept the best sheep to sacrifice unto the Lord. Some would say Saul’s actions were noble in intent, but he still disobeyed the Word of God, causing him to lose the kingdom.
The word “observe” means “to keep watch or attend to”.
The word ” do” means “to accomplish, fulfill, or obey”.
We can’t pick and choose what we will follow, and we have Saul as an amazing example of what not to do.
In Deuteronomy 4:2, the Bible says, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
This command is extremely important to Moses, who also is being punished for disobeying God’s word by being excluded from going into the promised land that he is leading Israel to. God gave him a strict instruction to speak to the rock and God would cause water to flow from it.
In Numbers 20:11-12, the Bible says, “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck the rock twice, which stole glory away from God. Our disobedience ruins opportunities for God’s glory to shine through us.
In Joshua 1:7, the Bible says, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.”
Moses’ disobedience led to new leadership, and God is telling Joshua to obey His Word as written or spoken. There are not to be any deviations from God’s Word to serve our purpose. What God desires is the priority.
In Proverbs 30:5-6, the Bible says, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
It shows a lack of trust in God to disobey His word, and we will be exposed as the liars we are if we try to add to, or take away from His Word.
God desires to prosper us by our obedience, so let us obey His Word without our own spin to it.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
PRE-CHRISTMAS – Micah 5:2 – the greatest gift from the smallest place
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Micah 5:2
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ is the person our faith is centered upon because there is no salvation for our sins without Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
In Christ, we have the fullness of the power of God resting on the inside of us, the blessed kingdom of God that allows us to bear His image and likeness in the earth.
We would expect Christ to come from one of the biggest tribes in Israel, but he actually came from the smallest.
Never for a second question your inferiority, because the Lord God does amazing work with the smallest of things.
Think about it. A small seed produces some of the biggest trees we have.
This shows what God can do with what we deem to be small and insignificant, because Christ brought the kingdom of God to us, but he came from humble beginnings.
Today, we will be looking at Micah 5:2, the greatest gift from the smallest place.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
The word “Bethlehem” means “house of bread”.
This was the smallest of tribes, but this was the place that kings came from.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Bible says, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”
God intentionally took a king from an extremely small place, which is odd from our perspective, because we would expect the type of king God desires to come from a mighty city, fortified, with a huge army in place.
In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Bible says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God thinks on a wavelength we haven’t considered, and that is so His power can be made known.
What about Bethlehem’s history?
In Ruth 2:4, the Bible says, “And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.”
Bethlehem was also the place where Naomi’s family was from, that Naomi and Ruth returned to after suffering great loss, and also the place where Ruth met Boaz.
David is a descendant of Ruth and Boaz. So Bethlehem also seems to be the place of the improbable, because Ruth was from Moab, yet she married Naomi’s son. An outsider being chosen, a kinsman redeemer chosen, a miracle happening that restored Naomi’s house back to her. This improbable happening was the result of our sovereign God at work, because this continued the line that led to Christ.
In Luke 2:1-5, the Bible says, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
God doesn’t make mistakes. He put a kingdom in place, Rome, that would call on the people of God to be taxed. In order for them to be taxed appropriately, they had to return back to the town they came from. Joseph’s bloodline led him back to Bethlehem because he was of David’s lineage. This happened while Mary was really pregnant with Christ.
Well, we know what happened next.
In Matthew 2:1-2, the Bible says, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Christ was born in Bethlehem, in the same place as the greatest earthly king, and now this fulfills the promise that David’s kingdom would last forever.
In Isaiah 9:7, the Bible says, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
In this extremely small town, God established a King who was after His own heart.
From this same small town God established a King, Himself, who would reign forever in earth and in heaven.
The Word of God paved the way for this blessed salvation long before He arrived, thousands of years before He came!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 3, 2025 – James 4:10 – a lesson in humility
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:10
Hi Everyone!
I am nothing but a vessel.
There is nothing about me that is special or noteworthy.
Now, there is going to be someone who tries to rescue me from my stinking thinking, telling me to not put myself down like this, but I am actually speaking the truth.
I am nothing but a vessel, and there is nothing about me that is special or noteworthy, but when I received the gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, I also received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the power of God, that now dwells in me.
I am still a vessel, but what makes me valuable is what is housed inside of me, working mightily through me.
We live in a society where image is everything, and everyone is trying to sell themselves as important and deserving of honor, but it is the humble in spirit who will ultimately be lifted up to a place of honor. No matter how far I travel, or what I accomplish along the way, I will never lose sight of the truth, that I am nothing but a vessel.
Today, we will look at James 4:10, a lesson in humility.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
The word “humble” means “to depress oneself, or to humiliate in condition or heart”.
Notice the word humble is a verb, an action word, so this is something that is not going to come naturally. We must place ourselves in a posture of humility and fight against any attempt to exalt ourselves before God or others.
In Matthew 7:7, the Bible says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”.
Too many people use this verse as a means to feel justified in asking God for anything they desire, but this verse is about our posture. It is us telling God that we don’t have anything, know anything, or can go any place without Him, and we don’t want a life where He is not leading us.
In James 1:5-6 the says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
People tell me that I am smart, but I only know what I have been taught by God. I can read a million books, and profess a bunch of head knowledge, but if God never connects the dots, then I will never learn how to apply what I know.
The phrase “in the sight of the Lord” suggests that when we look at ourselves in the presence of a Holy, just, and all-knowing God, we understand that we don’t measure up.
This is true humility, to know that God IS and we are not!
In Job 22:29, the Bible says, “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.”
Sometimes, it takes us being cast down in order to understand that we need God, and sometimes, we have to eat a little crow in the process.
In Matthew 23:11-12, Christ says, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Too many times, we want to be exalted, or acknowledged with honor or esteem, but we don’t want to humble ourselves in order to do it. Sometimes, it seems like God works in reverse, because we have to bring ourselves low before we are lifted up, but consider this. Would we ever have an appreciation of the mountain top without ever experiencing the valley?
The phrase “lift you up” means “to elevate or exalt”.
In Luke 18:13-14, Christ says, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
How can we ever stand before a perfect God with any level of entitlement, like we have the right to stand before God at all?
Could the reason that we haven’t been elevated yet is that we haven”t learned how to humble ourselves?
It is all about our posture before God and also about our posture in life. We can’t humble ourselves before God, and then be arrogant in life.
In 1 Peter 5:5-6, the Bible says, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”.
When we submit, we place ourselves under subjection to someone God has ordained to be over us.
Many of us have been resisted because we have resisted His headship. Until we have the posture of humility, we will never get where God desires for us to be.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 4, 2025 – James 3:13 – wisdom shows by a life well lived in the Lord
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
James 3:13
Hi Everyone!
I remember watching the movie Forest Gump and he gave his iconic line, “Stupid is as stupid does”.
Our behavior displays so many things about us that our words don’t do enough justice in expressing.
There are many who profess to be wise, but their conduct is completely foolish and void of thought.
I have been “a wise fool” a time or two in my life, and my actions were always the evidence of what was at work within my thought process.
In my prison environment, I try to always lead by example, but my leadership means nothing if my behavior doesn’t reflect Christ.
I can be well versed in philosophy, politics, and finance, but if I don’t know Christ, I really am not as wise as I believe myself to be.
The more intelligent someone becomes, the more of a likelihood that arrogance can seep in, so we have to remain humble and remain teachable in order to truly be wise in this world.
Today, we will look at James 3:13, wisdom shows by a life well lived in the Lord.
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
James is trying to encourage the believers scattered abroad about wisdom, and he is teaching us that the truly wise live from wisdom through their life and behavior, not by merely being able to spot off facts. That is why he begins this verse with a question, one that will then provide a clear picture of what to look for in the wise.
The word “wise” means “skilled in learning, with respect to things human and divine, enlightened, as accompanying purity of heart and life, and the ability to apply Spiritual truth to life”.
I remember a song by a secular singer named Erykah Badu where the lyrics say, ” The man that knows something knows that he knows nothing at all”, and that completely applies here, because there is none wise in the earth unless they understand that wisdom comes from God and not from us.
In James 1:5, the Bible says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
God is the one who bestows wisdom upon us, so the truly wise are the people who actively pursue God for wisdom.
The phrase “endued with knowledge” means “intelligent”.
In John 14:26, Christ says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things, so the truly wise is someone who presents themselves before the Lord to be taught from the Holy Spirit the things they need to live.
Also in John 16:13, Christ says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
The Holy Spirit will also guide us, so we won’t have to always try to figure everything out for ourselves. The person who is unwise is the one who does not pursue help when they don’t know something. We have given our own meaning to the words “wise and intelligent”, but this person is the one who is always pursuing the Holy Spirit’s leading on the things in their lives, especially wisdom.
The word “good” means “valuable, or virtuous” but it always expresses God’s fulfilled word, something or someone becoming exactly what He created them to be.
The word “conversation” means “behavior”.
The word “works” means “deeds or actions”.
In Matthew 7:15-17, Christ says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
James is telling us to be on guard against the same thing Christ warned us against, being misled by the appearance of Godly wisdom that really isn’t true wisdom at all. We have to allow the behavior of others to reveal the truth about their wisdom. A person can know Bible scripture inside and out, but if they can’t live it out, then what does it say about what they know?
The word “meekness” means “humility”.
In Matthew 18:4, Christ says, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
When we are teachable as children are before God, we will experience the fullness of the kingdom of God. This is why a child can learn multiple languages faster and better than an adult can, because they have a desire to actively pursue what they don’t know and try it out through exploration. Until we get to this point, we will never be truly wise.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Feb 5, 2025 – James 3:14 – breaking the chains of bitterness and selfish ambition within ourselves
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
James 3:14
Hey Everyone!
“To thine own self be true”.
Didn’t that come from Shakespeare?
Why does this statement still ring true? It is because the truth will always be what it is, no matter how we try to twist it to become what our sensibilities need it to be.
Our God loves us and knows our hearts on the deepest levels, even the level where we are hiding things in our hearts that are not pleasing to Him and will cause division within the body of Christ.
The world has access to information within seconds that could solve all the world’s problems, but we refuse to open up the Word of God to find the answers.
The truly wise display their Godly wisdom through their conduct and deeds, but those who are trying to be wise for personal ambition are only going to create problems within the body of Christ.
Today, we will look at James 3:14, breaking the chains of bitterness and selfish ambition within ourselves.
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
The word “but” is expressing a continuation of a previous thought that is obviously going to be taking a pivot.
This means that we have to go back to gather the full context.
In James 3:13, the Bible says, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
James is writing to the believers, encouraging them to not succumb to the wisdom of the world that is governing the areas that are planted in. The question of wisdom has come up and James is identifying what the truly wise in the Lord look like. We will see their fruit through their behavior and demeanor, and their wisdom is going to glorify God. The “but” suggests a different kind of wisdom from a not too honorable attitude, that we are going to explore today.
The word “bitter” means “pungent or acrid”.
If something is bitter, it will immediately turn up our face in disgust. That is our body’s response system alerting that there is a foreign substance that shouldn’t be there.
The word “envying” means “fiery jealous zeal”.
The word “strife” means “contention or faction”.
Putting this together with the verse that this is connected to, it suggests that there are people in the church who are in competition, and this competition is causing division within the church. The ESV speaks of selfish ambition in their translation, so that also gives us context that the motivations are not Godly.
In Ephesians 4:1-3, the Bible says, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Paul, another writer of the New Testament expresses that in order for us to live the way God commands us to, it should be our ambition to work with each other to be unified in Spirit and peace.
It mentions the word “meekness” which means “humility”.
We can’t be humble, desiring to keep unity within the church if we are living our lives determining to be or at least feel smarter than everyone else.
In Romans 13:13-14, the Bible says, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
If Christ is the standard by which we live our lives, then we have to really be honest with ourselves and eradicate the things from our lives that are at work against the design God has for His church. We can’t have peace and contention.
The phrase “glory not” means “don’t boast or rejoice”.
The phrase “lie not against the truth” means “to attempt to deceive one by falsehood”.
In the church, we try to save face, and we try to clean ourselves up so we don’t appear as we really are inside.
In 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, the Bible says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.”
We have to take a good look at ourselves and our motivations, because what we have in the Lord is not about us, but it is about the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Bible says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
If we belong to the Lord and our bodies, minds and hearts are instruments that God uses for His glory, then why are we in a useless competition to be the most wise? Shouldn’t we be helping others instead?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 6, 2025 – James 3:15 – the difference in wisdom
“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”
James 3:15
Hi Everyone!
There are two kinds of wisdom, the wisdom that comes from above and the wisdom that come from the world.
There are also two different authors for each kind of wisdom, one being the Lord God and the other being Satan.
Sadly, it is really this simple, but in a world that is becoming more and more perverted away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, those very distinct lines are being blurred.
God is not telling us He prefers us to be unlearned, if that was the case, how would understand the difference between the voice of God and the voice of Satan?
God wants us to become learned in His Word, not in our own ability to soak up the world’s knowledge and live according to it as though it was the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As believers, having the Spirit of Truth within us, we have to be able to make the distinction between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom that comes from God, because all lives are at stake.
Today, we will look at James 3:15, the difference in wisdom.
“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”
The word “wisdom” speaks of the learning and philosophy current among the Greeks and Romans in the apostolic age intended to draw away the minds of men from divine truth, standing opposite of the simplicity of the Gospel.
It is a term that expresses the skillfulness behind applied knowledge.
Here is an example of this. Someone once told me that wisdom is defined as “the manifestation of knowledge through intellect”. On the surface, this sounds pretty good, but where is God? Wisdom is being defined here as being revealed through our ability to learn, which is a lie.
Doesn’t John 16:13 say, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Our acquisition of wisdom doesn’t come from our ability to learn, but it comes from the Holy Spirit who will continually lead us toward the truth. There is sadly a group out there that believe in that ‘manifestation’ definition of wisdom, that takes God out of the equation effectively makes US gods instead.
The word “above” refers to heavenly place where God resides.
James is establishing that this worldly wisdom doesn’t come from God.
In Colossians 3:1, the Bible says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
There is an origin to the wisdom we have in God, but the wisdom of the world goes from person to person, being altered and repackaged and sold as truth. We have to be careful, because if James was warning people about this nearly two thousand years ago, then it must be a million times worse now in this internet age that we live in.
In Philippians 3:17-19, the Bible says, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”.
There’s always plenty of running testimonies and courses of action provided for those to live by earthly wisdom, which isn’t true wisdom at all.
We are given the ability to distinguish the difference, but the question is, will we use what God has given us to make the distinction clear?
The word “earthly” means “worldly”.
There is a big difference between God and the world.
The word “sensual” means “natural”.
There is a huge difference between natural things and spiritual things.
In 1 Corinthians 2:14, the Bible says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
There is a language barrier that is between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. Haven’t we noticed that the most brilliant minds in the world are people who are the furthest from God? Could it be that our perception of brilliance is worldly?
The word “devilish” means “demonic”.
In Jude 1:18-19, the Bible says, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
When we have the Spirit of God, we have the wisdom of God and God is more than willing to teach us whatever we ask Him to teach us.
Who are we going to for our wisdom?
James 1:18 says, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
God made His wisdom available to us to live from, but sadly, many people are rejecting the wisdom of God for the wisdom of the world.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 7, 2025 – James 3:16 – breaking the strife that is prevalent in our churches
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
James 3:16
Hi Everyone!
We see a world in disarray and we scratch our heads in confusion, trying to figure out a remedy to solve the many problems that seemingly one news coverage will solve.
The world is hard to figure out for believers, especially if we no longer answer to the call of the worldly nature, and yet if confusion and strife is coming from within the church, isn’t that the one place that is supposed to be a rest haven from the nonsense of the world?
What if someone comes into the church from the world, seeking salvation, but hears back biting, infighting, gossip, and false doctrine that even they know is not true? Are we going to turn them towards the Lord or further away from the Lord?
Problems surface when we try to operate out of our own wisdom, and from our own intelligence as we effectively take Christ out of the equation which is guaranteed to cause conflict.
When we remove Christ, we remove peace as well.
Today, we will look at James 3:16, breaking the strife that is prevalent in our churches.
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
When a verse starts with the word “for”, it is expressing what was connected from a point previously made.
In Chapter 3:13-16, James is speaking about wisdom, what it looks like and certainly what it doesn’t look like.
James is also teaching that there is a place where the wisdom of the world originates – from Satan, and when we take up that mantle, we are vulnerable to conflict and problems within the church.
James is instructing us to display the wisdom of God through our behavior, our love, and also by refusing to involve ourselves with the ways of the world.
James 3:15, the Bible says, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”
We can’t get a quality meal by digging in the garbage can, and that is what we do when we pawn the ways of the world off as wisdom.
I learned a word, syncretism, where there is an assimilation of multiple faiths into a single faith that we could end up with.
We can’t sprinkle a little bit of Islam, Hinduism, paganism, and voodoo into our faith and expect great things to come as a result.
Exodus 20:3 says very clearly, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
This was a huge problem in the apostolic age of the first church, because they were surrounded by Greek and Roman culture, which was plagued by mixture. This was seeping into the church then, and it is definitely seeping into the church again now.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, the Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
The church is supposed to be in active, daily pursuit of the Word of God, having a desire to be led by the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives. When we take up the wisdom of the world, we essentially block the flow of the Holy Spirit from imparting divine truth in our lives, a recipe for disaster.
The word “envying” means “hot jealous zeal”.
This is where a person desires what the world has so badly that they would do anything to get it. This ambition is filled with selfishness, and God is not in it.
The word “strife” means “contention of faction”.
The word “confusion” means “instability or disorder”.
Do any of these sound like they belong in the church?
In 1 Corinthians 14:33, the Bible says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
The church is supposed to reflect the identity of Christ, and since God does not author confusion, then where does it come from?
In James 4:1-2, the Bible says, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”
When we take up the wisdom of the world, it becomes a commotion where everyone is trying to be right, trying to get “their truth” out there, and conflicts will surface everywhere.
The phrase “evil work” means “wicked practices”.
We can’t let Satan in and expect our church to look different from the world. Can we?
In Galatians 5:19-21, the Bible says, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
How can we expect to experience the kingdom of God when practicing the works of the enemy, by assuming his wisdom, of by living a life absent of the presence and peace of God?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 8, 2025 – Colossians 3:11 – what the Bible says about racism
“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Colossians 3:11
Hi Everyone!
There is no such thing as a White church, a Black church, a Mexican church, a Latino church, an Asian church, an Native American church, or an African church.
Sadly, we have made these distinctions, and when someone of another race enters the church, there is a least a handful of people who may feel like they don’t belong there.
This is not the church that is under Christ, because as Christians, there is only one church, one body where Christ is the head.
There is no such thing as a racist Christian, period.
In the U.S., we have racism that is overt, not too subtle, and it is permeating into so many areas of our society.
My wife Jessica and I have experienced racism in every prison environment we have been in, because some people in 2025 still can’t stomach the sight of an interracial married couple. This shouldn’t be.
Today, we will look at Colossians 3:11, what the Bible says about racism.
“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Colosse is a city in Asia Minor, and during this time, had a mixture of people dwelling there. Because Paul is writing this letter to the church in Colosse, he is giving us every understanding of the racism that is surrounding and filling the church. This is something that he is trying to combat, because this is not a reflection of Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When we become believers of Jesus Christ, everything we used to be is gone, and it is replaced by the identity of Christ.
This means that being a Christian is more important than any other title we carry, so me being Black is now secondary to my identity in Christ.
Also, because in Mark 12:31, Christ says, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these”,
The love we show others should be a resounding sound over our differences.
The term “Greek” means “non-Jew, or Hellen”.
These are also ‘uncircumcised’ people.
The word “Jew” refers to those who are descendants of Abraham, those who are under the circumcision, a symbol of covenant.
Weirdly, the word “Barabian” means “non-Greek”, and the word “Scythian” means “savage”, people the Greeks believed to be unlearned people.
So, in this we clearly imply that we have racism against the Greeks by the Jews, and the Greeks, who have experienced racism, are racists towards the Barbarians and Scythians. Does any of this sound like people are loving each other as themselves?
In 1 John 3:17-18, the Bible says, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
When a person exercises racism, they are in essence trying to withhold opportunity, equality, and advancement from someone because of their race. This is the opposite of what Christ calls us all to do as believers, because love is not an emotion, but an action that ushers in the presence of God.
In 1 John 4:7-8, the Bible says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
If we are practicing racism, then we aren’t loving, and if we aren’t loving, then we are not of God. There is no other way to cut it.
The word “bond” means “involuntary servitude, a slave”.
The word “free” means “at liberty to do as one please, freeborn”.
So, me being in prison in modern terms is not supposed to make me less than anyone else as a believer, yet there are believers in free society who speak ill of me because 21 years ago, I committed murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. God doesn’t see these differences. He just see Christ in us.
In Romans 10:12-13, the Bible says, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If we don’t have to check a “race box” to experience salvation, then why are we making race a requirement for fellowship?
In Ephesians 6:8, the Bible says, “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
God is going to bless those who do His will and He is not going to check our race nor our incarceration before He does. We really need to grow up!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 9, 2025 – James 3:18 – fruit of righteousness sown by the pursuit of Godly wisdom
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
James 3:18
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we should always strive for peace and unity with other believers and with unbelievers as well.
We should be seen as peacemakers, people who stand on truth, and gently position ourselves to lead others to the truth.
The pursuit of Godly wisdom should bring us closer to God and others, but the pursuit of worldly wisdom will only cause division and problems, because pursuing the wisdom of the world will lead to the edification of the self and the breaking down of fellowship.
The biggest example of this is in politics, where we have some of the brightest minds in the world coming together in a building to make policy that runs our respective countries. But due to the division amongst them, and as they attempt to exercise a vision contrary to the vision of God, despite being together, they get nothing substantive done.
The church can’t be this kind of structure, where people come together, but are trying to impose individual agendas of their own wisdom, no fruit is borne by it.
Today, we will look at James 3:18, fruit of righteousness sown by the pursuit of Godly wisdom.
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
The verse above begins with the word “and”, which means this is a point that is connected to a point made previously.
In James 3:17, the Bible says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Now, this Scripture makes perfect sense, because the fruit of Godly wisdom is defined through the behaviors one would see of someone who lives by Godly wisdom. This description of what the wisdom from God produces should leave us with no doubt that we will be instruments of peace if we do things God’s way.
The word “fruit” means “harvest, product, or result”.
Will our harvest be in division, contention and factions, or will our harvest be in unity, love, and oneness?
The word “righteousness” means “equity, justification, with has regard to God and His divine law; an internal state where mankind’s heart is right before God, giving them the ability to exercise piety towards God and godliness”.
When we sow the fruit of righteousness, we usher in the presence of God, but when we sow fruit of selfish ambition, and a desire to one-up others, then it becomes a competition that removes God from the equation.
In Proverbs 11:18, the Bible says, “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
We are rewarded by God when we spread righteousness through our behavior and speech.
The word “sown” means “to scatter or spread”.
The word “peace” means “tranquility with God and man”.
So, when we spread peace through our conduct and interactions with mankind, we will have a harvest or experience godliness that will bring Glory to His name. When we are trying to be smarter than each other, there is no room for peace to be sown, so when people see the fruit of division, they don’t see the work of God.
In Hosea 10:12-13, the Bible says, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.”
There is a staunch different between sowing peace and reaping righteousness and sowing selfishness and reaping wickedness, and people can’t look at the church and not see a difference.
In Matthew 5:9, Christ says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
We bear the evidence of our sonship through the peace we sow and the righteousness we live by.
When we are in active pursuit of Godly wisdom, we will receive his peace and that will be a fragrance in the nostrils of those we encounter.
When we see believers arguing and bickering over their own wisdom, it doesn’t look good at all.
In Philippians 1:9-11, the Bible says, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
God wants a church who can decipher between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom, but at the same time, cultivate an environment of peace without submitting to the world.
We can show more of His love this way, which is our goal. What God gives us is enough, and if we live by His wisdom, we can be beacons of light, love, peace and hope to those we encounter.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 10, 2025 – Colossians 3:9 – walking in sound truth in a world full of lies
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds”.
Colossians 3:9
Hi Everyone!
Dishonesty is something that completely soils a relationship, marriage, friendship, or bond between two people.
Within the confines of dishonesty lies a lack of trust at its core, but sadly, in the execution of dishonesty, trust is broken between two people.
As believers, we should be able to be honest with people about anything, of course, with some tact involved, because we don’t want anything hindering our connection with each other.
Fellowship is extremely important, and lies hinder that fellowship.
In prison, you would be surprised how many people grew up in church, but at some point conformed to the lie of the enemy and believed the false report given about us.
We are not to bring dishonesty into the church, because in doing so, we are ushering in the presence of the enemy.
Today, we will look at Colossians 3:9, walking in sound truth in a world full of lies.
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds”.
This part of Colossians is where Paul is giving us instructions on how to live the Christian life.
We have to always remember that Colossians is one fluid letter written no chapters or verse breaks, so one verse is always a part of the whole. Paul is urging the church to put to death the practices of the world, so that there would be a difference between the church and the world around it.
We have to understand that when these churches were formed in the first century, they were not in the majority, and there was a surfeit of very worldly, very wicked things happening all in that dayaround them that were normal.
We have to also understand that even then some people who had joined the church, used to be those who practiced such evil, but had experienced salvation. Paul is encouraging them to remember who they are now, and leave behind who they were.
The word “lie” means “to utter untruth or to deceive by falsehood”.
In John 8:44, Christ says, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
It should give us pause to think that when we tell lies, we are submitting ourselves to Satan, because that is his nature and has been his nature from the beginning.
In Genesis 3:4-5, the Bible says, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
The enemy’s lie directly led to man’s fall, which required Christ’s perfect sacrifice to save us from our sin. The enemy was crafty tricking us, like a fox that presents himself as if he is playing only to entice, but his intent is to lure us away to the place where his true nature can come out.
In Exodus 20:16, the Bible says, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
This is something that God has tried to keep us from since the beginning, because He knows that a lie can break fellowship, can dissolve marriages, and can fracture a church.
In John 16:13, Christ says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
In order to lie, we have to completely abandon the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit, because He is the Spirit of truth. I know it is prevalent in our society to sprinkle a “little lie” in with the truth, which we see in politics, but this is not supposed to be in the church, especially where the Holy Spirit leads.
The phrase “put off” means “to take off or divest as clothing”.
The phrase “old man” speaks of the sin nature that we have been delivered from by salvation.
The word “deeds” means “acts, functions, work, or office”.
If we are to be who God has called us to be, then we can’t walk, talk, and live as the world does.
In 2 Corinthians 6:16-17, the Bible says, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
There has to be a difference between the world and us, and we in essence put on our filthy rags every time we lie.
In Ephesians 4:15, the Bible says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ”.
Truth is something that ushers in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and also something that fosters love and trust in the church.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Perspective
Feb 11, 2025 – Colossians 3:15 – living in the peace of God
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Colossians 3:15
Hi Everyone!
Two days ago, my cellie went to the hole, which is restrictive housing. He had something he wasn’t supposed to have and the contraband he had was found.
I was celled up with him for nearly a year, so there is a certain level of comfort I had with him, knowing what to expect everyday for the most part.
The anxiety behind who is going to be my next cellie made my sleep fitful, and my wife prayed over me and my former cellie.
There was my avenue to rest in the peace of God, but I then picked up my anxiety all over again.
Well, I got my new cellie last night, one who was let out of the hole early because the hole is packed, and he seems okay, but we do our time in two very different ways.
Until I allowed God’s peace to control my mind and heart, I had no rest and my mind raced, trying to figure out something only God knows.
Today, we will look at Colossians 3:15, living in the peace of God.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
The word “peace” means “a state of tranquillity, peace of mind, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favour”.
The word “rule”means “to arbitrate, govern, or prevail”.
The word “hearts” refers to the innermost being, the seat of one’s thoughts, feelings, and will.
Paul is writing the Colossian church, giving them directions for how to live in the manner that God has intended. One thing I know for certain is that if we don’t have the peace of God governing our hearts, then it is going to be incredibly hard for us to live the way God has commanded us to live.
In Isaiah 9:6, the Bible says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Look at what we have in Christ: counsel, power, and peace, all coming from God. Our problem is that we are trying to make our own peace instead of resting in His peace.
In John 14:26-27, Christ says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
The Holy Spirit imparts the peace of God into our hearts, and it is a far different peace than the coping mechanisms that we use to try to find peace. So we each have Our God in Christ who has left us His divine essence, and in that essence is peace, which we have the responsibility to allow to reign in our innermost beings.
I didn’t rest in God’s peace, so my sleep, and anxiety was affected by what I allowed to reign.
In Ephesians 2:13-14, the Bible says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”.
The peace of God brings us closer to Him, but when we don’t allow that peace to reign, it pushes us further away.
The word “called” speaks of an invitation, where God has bidden us into not only His peace, but also into His Fellowship and into His Family as well.
The word “body” speaks of “the Christian church, where Christ is the Head”.
In John 17:20-21, Christ prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Christ, knowing He was going to the cross, interceded on our behalf, that we would be one in God. Imagine This person, going to His death, but all the while He is thinking about our spiritual well-being.
This is the same Person who slept during a storm, and was awakened by the fear of the disciples. What did He do for them?
In Mark 4:39, the Bible says, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Christ called for peace on the outside to reflect who He is on the inside.
In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
When we present our issues to the Lord, He will provide His peace, but we have to receive His peace and live from it.
The lack of peace causes division, not only within each person, but within the body of the Church. We can’t be thankful and anxious at the same time.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 12, 2024 – Colossians 3:17 – living in a state of perpetual gratitude to God
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Colossians 3:17
Hi Everyone!
I was shot multiple times by two people in 2001.
By all means, me being alive is really a testament to God’s protection and sovereignty, because one of the guys reloaded, and continued firing at me as I laid on the ground playing dead.
Did I come out of the hospital with gratefulness to be alive?
Not at all!
I came out agreeing with people that I cheated death, and I bounced back, but I didn’t give God the glory at all.
In fact, I got even worse, and didn’t learn anything from nearly losing my life.
Are we that flippant about our salvation as well, knowing that we have been saved from the penalty of our sin by our loving God, who sacrificed His only Son …
but living like we actually did something on our own?
Until we understand that we have been given the coveted second chance through Christ, we will always live like we are owed something, instead of living as if we owe everything.
Today, we will look at Colossians 3:17, living in a state of perpetual gratitude to God.
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
The word “do” means “to complete, accomplish, or perform”.
The word “word” expresses the things that we say out of our mouths.
The word “deed” means “actions or labour”.
Paul is writing to the Colossian church, encouraging them to be more than people with the appearance of the faith, but to be people who live out the Word in their lives.
Does it make sense to others when you tell them that you are a Christian?
In Luke 6:45-46, Christ says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
It begins in our hearts before it is manifested in our fruit. If a mixture of the world and the Word flows out of us, then that means there is a mixture of the world and the Word in our hearts.
Does 1 Corinthians 4:20 say, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power”?
So if the kingdom we represent as believers in Jesus Christ is in power, then that means that the kingdom of God WILL be seen IF it is in us.
Talk is cheap, but at the very least, our speech should reflect the God that we serve.
Does it not also say in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”?
This should be our desire, not from the obligation of a slave, but the desire of a child who aims to please their Father.
The word “name” here means “an appellation expressing the authority one comes in”.
To do something in the name of Jesus Christ expresses that we speak and do things for His sake, that we represent His interests, so that people will understand Who we are connected to.
As a child, I used to love when someone said I acted just like my Daddy. That meant I was doing something right in my book!
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Bible says, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
An ambassador is someone who goes to a foreign nation representing the interests of the nation they come from.
As believers, our citizenship is in Christ and we are members of the kingdom of God, so when we enter the world, which is a foreign nation, we must represent Christ because we come in His authority.
Imagine the person who is an ambassador that goes to a foreign nation and completely defiles the office they represent with behavior and speech that doesn’t reflect where they come from?
The phrase “give thanks” means “to express gratitude”.
Are we thankful for the position we now carry by salvation in Jesus Christ?
Do we appreciate God for the blood of Jesus Christ washing our sins clean, and if so, do we live like we are grateful for this second chance that we have?
In Colossians 1:12-13, the Bible says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”.
Just as I didn’t deserve to live when I was shot in 2001, I did nothing to deserve the gift of salvation. By the grace of God, I am alive and I am saved, and it is because of Christ.
What do I do with my second chance? I rebuild my life according to a great plan!
In 1 Corinthians 3:11, the Bible says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
I live like I have been given a second chance, but I still have a long way to go in order to fully represent the interest of Christ.
Got work to do!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 13, 2025 – Colossians 3:24 – the rewards of a “thankless job”
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:24
Hi Everyone!
Sometimes, being believers seems like a thankless job.
In fact, when you decide to serve God publicly, share the Gospel, position yourself to help others, and make yourself available to be used by God, it seems like you’re despised a lot more.
Living according to a standard has its difficulty, but living according to a Godly standard is amplified, because we live in a world that frequently rejects the standard of living that God calls us to.
In the midst of what seems to be a thankless job lie the blessings and rewards of serving God, and believers can be so blinded by their own expectations that they completely miss the extraordinary provision of God.
There are earthly rewards and heavenly rewards for our faithful service to God, but our lives shouldn’t be about expecting to be rewarded.
Our service to God and others should be from our hearts, to usher in the presence of God through our service.
Today, we will be looking at Colossians 3:24, the rewards of a “thankless job”.
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
The first word, “knowing”, gives us the indication that there is a context we still have to grasp in order to fully understand the verse we are dissecting today.
This means we have to go back a few verses to Colossians 3:22-23, which says, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”.
Back in the first century church, they had slaves, bondservants, indentured servants, and people who had to work in order to pay off the debts that they owed. Because this letter to the Colossian church was written to believers, it is highly likely that there were believers in these positions as well. Paul commanded believers to perform their duties as though they are serving God directly.
Paul is also compelling us to not try to make it look good for the sake of a watching eye, but to serve from a place of spiritual excellence.
Where does this sound familiar?
In Genesis 39:2-4, the Bible says, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.”
Joseph served God by serving Potiphar, and he served with a sincere heart. It really stands out when you serve from excellence, and because of it, Joseph was made the boss of everything in Potiphar’s house and Potiphar’s house was blessed because of God’s favour being upon Joseph.
The word “knowing” implies more than head knowledge, but a oneness with the knowledge of where it becomes manifested in our actions.
The phrase “receive the reward” suggests that the repayment we are going to receive is going to be in full for our faithful service to God.
In these contemporary times, there aren’t the types of servants depicted in the first century church, but we do have jobs, families, we are in school, and we are in positions where we can serve our church.
How is our posture towards service?
One where our hand is out expecting to be rewarded, or is our focus to honor God by what we do, whether we are rewarded or not?
The verse in Colossians 3:24 says “of the Lord” we will receive rewards, but many of us look to mankind to provide what only God can, and we are left disappointed because we are looking for fulfillment from a place God doesn’t ordain.
In Ephesians 6:7-8, the Bible says, “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
We can too easily look at service as a “thankless job”, because we have trained our eyes on mankind to be our rewarder instead of God. We seek validation from people just as needy as us, and we wonder why we are left wanting?
The word “inheritance” means “heirship or possession, admission into the kingdom of God and its attendant privileges”.
The word “serve” means “voluntarily service, to obey, or be devoted to”.
In 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, the Bible says, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”
If our reward on earth and our inheritance in heaven is something mankind can’t provide, then why do we serve hoping to be acknowledged by people incapable to providing what God can.
He’s watching. Serve Him!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 14, 2025 – Zephaniah 3:17 – deliverance by God in rejoicing and song
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Hi Everyone!
I was listening to Maverick City Music’s version of “More than Able” with Tasha Cobb and Chandler Moore this morning on repeat.
Within this song’s lyrics, I was encouraged about God’s power and sovereignty, and His desire to perform miracles in the lives of those He loves.
The Lord knows my heart, and He knows I need a miracle!
This life sentence produces an emotional confinement that continues to be a threat to the faith that I have, and I am not one to act like I don’t sometimes need reassurance from God that He is going to deliver me from the this pit of misery.
I have been foolish enough to try to do things my own way, operating from urgency instead of faith, and have worn myself down in the process. Listening to this song, I realize that I have a God that rescued Joseph from prison, delivered the people of Judah from exile, rescued Jeremiah from the pit, delivered Jonah from the belly of the great fish, freed Peter, Paul, and Silas from prison, and even took Barabbas’ place.
Our God is mighty to save.
Today, we look at Zephaniah 3:17, deliverance by God in rejoicing and song.
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
The people of God are facing some bleak circumstances. The children of Israel were overtaken by the Assyrian Empire, and they were carried away, never to fully return again.
The children of Judah are next, but it will be the Babylonians that overtake and exile them.
Imagine the fear of capture being spread throughout the Southern Kingdom, at the behest of the God who gave them the land to begin with. We can’t say that they weren’t warned about this for generations, and we can’t say that they didn’t have this coming.
Sometimes, we receive the bounty of our actions, and also from our inability to heed the many warnings that come our way.
So Judah is nearing being conquered and Zephaniah is the prophet, telling them that they won’t escape the exile, but does say that the faithful in the Lord will be delivered from exile. The prophecy of Zephaniah carries warnings both for God’s people and strangers, exhortations to serve God, and a promise of deliverance
The phrase “in the midst” expresses that God hasn’t left them, even though He has allowed them to be exiled.
Sometimes, we don’t feel God in our hardest moments, but that doesn’t mean that He isn’t there.
In Hebrews 13:5-6, the Bible says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
When God is in the midst of us, we have assurance that we are covered even though we feel the weight of our consequences. There is no fear that we need to experience when God is in the midst, because He has us covered.
The word “mighty” means “a powerful warrior, valiant, and strong”.
The word “save” means “rescue, deliver, or get the victory”.
This verse doesn’t say God “can”, but it says “He will save”. The uncertainty is not with God, but it is with our own fear and lack of faith.
In Jeremiah 29:10-11, the Bible says, “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
This is the exact circumstance that Zephaniah is prophesying about spoken through the prophecy of Jeremiah, but God has an appointed time for their exile and their deliverance.
Then, God tells us that He is operating from the purest intentions of good and not evil.
In the 21 years that I have been confined, I have experienced God preserving and growing me into who I am right now. The deliverance from the prison of my former self was a miracle in itself.
The word “rejoice” means “to be cheerful”.
The word ” joy” means “pleasure”.
The phrase “will rest” means “to be silent and still”.
The word “love” here speaks of the power and intimacy of God’s love for us.
The concept of God will joy over us with singing expresses a celebration of our deliverance.
In Isaiah 65:18-19, the Bible says, “But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.”
God is going to celebrate our deliverance with great joy and singing, and we will glorify Him because He is indeed mighty to save!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 15 ,2025 – Deuteronomy 31:6, being strong in the pursuit of God’s promise
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Hi Everyone!
When God gives you your marching orders, what will you do?
What if you were standing in front of what God has promised you, but there is an army standing in front of you, aiming to prevent you from getting it?
21 years ago I was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole, and in this time God has radically transformed my life for His glory.
That was a miracle within itself, but now God has placed in my heart that it is time to push for my exodus from prison.
Standing before me is an army of law, authorities, and judges who are conspiring to see me die in prison. Also standing before me is my own fear.
What if one of your own opponents was fear?
Throughout my salvation, God has gone out before me in battle and cleared out any who would oppose His good purpose for my life.
I have an extensive enough record of God’s faithfulness to trust Him now.
Today, we will look at Deuteronomy 31:6, being strong in the pursuit of God’s promise.
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
This passage is presenting a transition of power. Moses is imparting a final message for Israel, ahead of them conquering the promised land, but he also has to install Joshua as the new leader of Israel. Moses was disqualified from leading Israel into the promised land because he disobeyed a very precise order God gave him.
In Numbers 27:14, the Bible says, “For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.”
Obedience is mandatory when in pursuit of God’s promise, because we can’t obtain God’s promise by going our own way.
The word “strong” means “to be established, to be fastened or fortified”.
This implies a relentlessness that won’t allow us to waver or budge in the face of our pursuit, because there is a guarantee that the enemy is going to try to know us off course.
The phrase “good courage” means “to be steadfast minded, to be alert on foot”, implying a readiness to overtake what is in front of us.
In Joshua 1:6, the Bible says, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.”
God gave Joshua the same encouragement when it actually came time for him to overtake the promised land.
Also, in Joshua 10:25, the Bible says, “And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.”
Putting this together, this is the same message from Moses being spoken through Joshua as they are conquering the promised land.
The word of God didn’t change, and this is confirmed by Isaiah 55:11, which says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
When God gives a word, He spoke it to be fulfilled, so the problem is not with God, but it is with us.
The word “fear” means “to be frightened”.
The word “afraid” means “to be terrified”.
Our opposition will seem scary, and if God us telling us to not be afraid, then He knows fear will come. This kind of fear is the fear that will prevent progress, because the person doesn’t move.
In Numbers 13:31, the Bible says, “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”
The first time God gave them their marching orders, ten of the twelve spies sent brought a report of fear that stuck the children of Israel to the ground. Their fear made them disobey God’s word, but Joshua and Caleb were the only two the believed. Because they didn’t believe, God allowed that whole generation to die off except for Joshua and Caleb.
The word “fail” means “leave, slacken, or become disheartened”.
Our God is a fighter!
The word “forsake” means “relinquish or abandon”.
God us not going to cause us to fail or allow us to land on our faces, in pursuit His purpose.
In Deuteronomy 20:3-4, the Bible says, “And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
Just as Israel didn’t go into battle alone, I won’t, and just as Israel got the victory, so will I!
We have a God who goes out in battle with us, and doesn’t abandon us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 16, 2025 – Micah 7:19 – a God who imparts forgiveness with compassion
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
Micah 7:19
Hi Everyone!
I used to think that I was beyond forgiveness.
I felt that I had done too much wrong, and there was really no incentive to do right, knowing that I could never be forgiven.
This is crazy talk for someone who knows about the Bible, and knows about how God forgave people who society felt deserved no forgiveness.
It wasn’t until I was introduced to the love of God through the sacrifice of Christ that I began to understand God’s desire to forgive us.
After I accepted God’s gift of forgiveness and the gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, I began the long road of living in that forgiveness by learning to forgive myself.
If a Holy God could forgive some like me, then what is my excuse? If God could love someone so unlovable as I was, then most certainly I could begin to love myself.
I used to be a lot of things, but today, I stand healed, forgiven, and transformed because of God’s compassion and forgiveness.
Today, we will look at Micah 7:19, a God who imparts forgiveness with compassion.
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
Micah was a prophet, and his writings were classified as one of “Minor Prophets”, not because they were less important, but because their prophecies weren’t as extensive as the “Major Prophets”.
Micah prophesied that Jerusalem would be conquered and destroyed some 150 years before it actually happened. At the time Micah prophesied, the Assyrians hadn’t even come to conquer the Northern Kingdom yet. To have such a disheartening prophecy end with the forgiveness and compassion of God, shows that even at our worst moments, God is still working at drawing us closer to Him.
The phrase “turn again” expresses a change in direction, or a change in the outcome.
When we “turn again” in the Bible, it implies that we repent, and instead of turning our face towards our sins, we turn our backs on the sin, and turn our faces towards the Lord.
When God “turns again”, it usually means that He has allowed something to happen to us to punish our sin, but He now has decided that the punishment is enough, and He is ready to look upon us with compassion.
The word “compassion” means “to have mercy on as an expression of love”.
In 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Whether we believe it or not, God gives us plenty of chances to get it together. God sent all of these prophets to Israel and Judah with hopes that they would heed the commands given by Him and repent, but they were hardheaded, just like us.
In Psalms 80:14-15, the Bible says, “Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.”
God is looking for people who are tired of going their own way, being out of fellowship with God, and are seeking to enter into a loving relationship with God.
The phrase “subdue our iniquities” means “to conquer, overcome, or bring our perversities into subjection to God’s Word.
Iniquities aren’t just sins, but it is a lifestyle of willful disobedience through a committed choice to serve sin.
In 1 John 1:9, the Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Through confession and repentance, God can then extend His mercy to us and wipe our sins clean.
In Psalm 80:18-19, the Bible says, “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.”
Just as we intentionally went after the iniquity that governed our lives, we must intentionally go after pursuing the compassion and forgiveness of God.
The word “sins” means “offenses against God”.
The concept of “the depths of the seas” means a place where it will never been seen again.
In Jeremiah 31:34, the Bible says, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
We don’t have to reside in the mires of our poor decisions, because we have a loving God who desires to forgive us and restore us.
I used to continue to beat myself up because I didn’t understand that God’s forgiveness was enough, that He can clean up my sin a lot better than I ever could.
Once I understood that, true freedom began!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 17, 2025 – Deuteronomy 30:19 – the choice between life or death, blessing and cursing
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live”.
Deuteronomy 30:19
Hi Everyone!
The treasure of God’s love for mankind is in His giving of free will to us, to live the life that we choose to live.
His desire is that in this free will, we would desire fellowship and a relationship with Him, to become exactly what He created us to be.
Another component of God’s love is in the fact that He has literally given us a road map in the Bible to live successfully in the earth.
Even within the free will He has given us, we must understand that we are free to operate within the framework He has set, but He will absolutely punish sin. A loving, Holy God is incensed by sin and disobedience, but in His love, there is always a warning before destruction.
The brutal consequences will cause suffering, but so that through the suffering we will repent and turn our hearts to the Lord.
Today, we will look at Deuteronomy 30:19, the choice between life or death, blessing and cursing.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live”.
Some people have the hardest time understanding how a loving God could cause people to be destroyed. People also have the hardest time understanding how a loving God could allow all the terrorism, carnage, and crime that we see in the world and not stop it.
The phrase “free will” is the reason.
When we look at this story in Deuteronomy 30, this is Moses preaching to the people under the authority and direction of God ahead of them conquering the promised land. He is preparing them to engage in battle, but also to become victorious in the spiritual battle that is taking place within each of them. God obviously wants the people to succeed, because no one warns someone of impending doom that they don’t care about.
The phrase “I call heaven and earth to record” means “to bear witness or give testimony of authenticity”. God is both parties to the covenant He had made ‘with’ Israel and He is confirming the terms of this covenant through Moses to Israel
The phrase “set before you” implies that God has placed options before us with expressed consequences of life and death. This is not unfamiliar territory for God, to give us a choice.
In Genesis 2:16-17, the Bible says, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
This was in the very beginning!
The tree in question is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so this means that mankind had no knowledge of evil until they took of the fruit.
So from that moment, mankind’s desire to do evil began, and we didn’t get to the third generation of mankind before we had our first murder.
In Deuteronomy 30:15-16, the Bible says, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”
Even in the midst of having knowledge of good and evil, God still gives us a choice, to do good or practice evil, but in this passage, it also displays God’s desire to see us follow His Word so that we can receive the blessings that come from Him.
The word “blessing” means “a state of spiritual prosperity stemming from relationship and obedience to God”.
The word “cursing” means “vilification”.
The problem with mankind is that we want to go buck wild, doing everything under the sun and then we expect a Holy God to bless and not curse. When God makes a covenant, He fulfills His end, but we always deviate from the Word and warnings that He gives.
In Deuteronomy 4:24, the Bible says, “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”
God doesn’t deny the fact that He desires exclusivity, but He is also showing us that there are great benefits by being in a right relationship with Him. He also shows us that He will not leave us unpunished if we violate our relationship by disobeying Him.
The word “choose” means “to select”.
This implies an intentional decision.
In Joshua 24:15, the Bible says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
God is not going to force us to obey, but He will not leave sin unpunished. Maybe the reason the world is jacked up like it is, IS because we have and keep choosing wrongly…
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 18, 2025 – Ephesians 3:13 – the glory that appears from incarceration
“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
Ephesians 3:13
Hi Everyone!
When I tell people who ask me how much time I have been sentenced for, and I then tell them I have a life sentence, one of the things they instinctively do is apologize.
The next thing they try to do is feel bad for me.
I swat away those ideas and I am quick to tell people that I am more about them than I ever am about myself.
I also tell them that I am making the most of everyday, under all circumstances, because I am not doing a life sentence.
I am living one day at a time under the circumstances I have and it is my responsibility to still become everything I am created to be.
Usually, this opens the door for my testimony, and from it, I can share a little of the gospel with people.
Some people look at my imprisonment and expect brokenness.
But if they listen they will come to find healing, perspective, truth, and see a person encouraged by each day that I have to reach after something much greater than me.
Those I have taught over the years are living from that truth and God’s light is so glorious upon them as well.
Today, we will look at Ephesians 3:13, the glory that appears from incarceration.
“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
Don’t feel sorry for me.
Feeling sorry for me takes our eyes off of how God has been so good to me over the 21 years that I have been confined.
Paul feels this same way, as he is writing to the church in Ephesus, a place he previously ministered in for three years.
We are literally reading letters from prison when we read over half of the New Testament, yet people discount the prolific impact people in prison have made and can make on a worldwide scale.
Because Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, he is extending encouragement and instruction, all so that they can live from their complete potential. Naturally, he may be disheartened that he is still in prison, but Paul has a different perspective, a silver lining for them to consider.
What if Paul’s confinement has opened the door for the church in Ephesus to walk in the power of the Lord without always being tied back to Paul?
The word “desire” means “to beg or ask”.
Paul really doesn’t want the pity parties.
The word “faint” means “to become weakened, to fail at heart, or become weary”.
The word “tribulations” means “pressure, affliction, burden or trouble”.
The vast majority of relationships and marriages in prison fizzle because of this right here, because they become weary of the pressure from prison and they disconnect.
In Acts 14:21-22, the Bible says, “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
Before Paul went to prison, he went from place to place, preaching the Word of God, and he also prepared them to experience the sufferings that believers should be expected to encounter. He is encouraging them to remain strong in the faith, even knowing that they will encounter tribulations.
In Philippians 1:12-14, the Bible says, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Sometimes, we can only see the struggle in suffering, but it is a greater story at work.
In the last 21 years I have been confined, I have absolutely accomplished more than I ever had in the 21 years before my confinement. I have been blessed to encourage those and hear the reports of how well they are doing out there, living from the height of their potential because the work God allowed us to do here.
The word “glory” means “honour”, an acknowledgement of God’s light upon us.
Paul wants the church at Ephesus to thrive, not because of him, but because they have taken what they have learned and done extraordinarily in the church and the community.
In 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, the Bible says, “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”
I want the people I have helped over the years to walk in their own light of the Lord, and not in my shadow. If my confinement can provide that, then glory be to God! This was Paul’s same desire for the church.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 19, 2025 – Ephesians 3:16 – the power of our prayers of intercession
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”.
Ephesians 3:16
Hi Everyone!
I remember a song growing up, where the lyrics said, “Somebody prayed for me/kept me on their mind/took the time and prayed for me”.
I am living the life I am living right now because God answered the prayers of people interceding on my behalf.
Brothers in my prison environment marvel at the strength that I walk in, but I know it is solely because of the hand of God sustaining me and keeping me upright.
If it was left up to me, I would find a way to self-destruct, but thanks be to God for the change that has come over me.
I remember a woman from my church growing up, Mrs. Denton, who has gone on to be with the Lord. She never stopped praying for me, and when my own family gave up on me, she never stopped believing in me. I am a living witness of that power of prayer.
Today, we look at Ephesians 3:16, the power of our prayers of intercession.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”.
The part of Ephesians is Paul’s prayer for the church.
When a verse begins with the word “that”, then that means that there is a context that has to be grasped for better understanding.
In Ephesians 3:14-15, the Bible says, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”.
We could assume by the language of the topic Scripture that Paul is praying, but now we can be certain. Paul not only preached in Ephesus, but he also prayed over them as well. This is someone who truly wanted the church in Ephesus to succeed.
The word “grant” means “to give power”.
Paul said “that he would grant you”, which means that he has full awareness that there are things that only God can do.
The phrase “according to” means that it is a road or conduit by which something happens.
The word “riches” implies the spiritual wealth of God’s provision.
The word “glory” speaks of the internal character of God that is manifested in glorious moral attributes, excellence, perfection, and power.
In Philippians 4:19, the Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
When God supplies our need and we walk in that supply, we live in full manifestation of the will and power of God which brings glory to Him. This is why Paul prays for the church and this is why we should pray for each other, because God will be glorified in the process.
In Romans 9:22-23, the Bible says, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory”.
I shuddered at the thought of this verse, how, at any point of my time in the street life, that God could have made his wrath completely known to me, but gave me undeserved mercy and patience to work my nonsense out. Some people look at God like He is a brutal tyrant on mankind, but He is truly a loving Father who does desire to destroy us, but builds us into who He has created us to be.
In Romans 8:26-27, the Bible says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
God even receives our prayers through a filter, because the Holy Spirit takes our prayers, examines our hearts, and conveys our true message to God in prayer. How can we lose when God hears our prayers on a heart level?
The word “strengthened” means “to empower or increase in vigor”.
The word “might” speaks of divine power given by the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 1:8, the Bible says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This power doesn’t come upon us like it did in the Old Testament, but we are filled with this power by the Holy Spirit in the “inner man” which is the soul.
In Ephesians 6:10-11, the Bible says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.“
Paul is only telling the church in Ephesus to “be strong” because he prayed for them to be strengthened a few chapters before.
This is proof of Paul’s assurance that God answered his prayer. Imagine what power people can walk in if we prayed for them instead of criticized them?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 20, 2025 – Ephesians 2:17 – the gospel of peace preached to all
“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”
Ephesians 2:17
Hi Everyone!
I’ll never forget where I came from, no matter how much I grow in the faith.
That recognition is going to keep me humble no matter if our ministry travels the world, if our books become bestsellers, and if I continue to put distance from the behaviors of my past.
I know that God met me where I was, and despite my limited understanding, I didn’t have to come to Him polished up and clean.
When I received God’s gift of salvation, I was at rock bottom, I was suicidal, and I was a street no one wanted to walk down.
Slowly but surely, God loved on me and slowly but surely, I began to receive that love.
Because of it, I have a peace that defies logic and understanding.
My family still scratches their head, expecting me to be broken, but the find me still, even in the midst of the hardest circumstances.
The gospel of peace is something that has changed my heart and if it changed mine, then I know it can reach anyone, no matter how far they seem away from the mark.
Today, we will look at Ephesians 2:17, the gospel of peace preached to all.
“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”
The phrase “and came” gives us the understanding that we must go back to bring context to this Scripture.
In this section of Ephesians, Paul is preaching to the people who where once considered outsiders, rejects, people who didn’t deserve the word of truth by societal and religious standards.
Paul is preaching about Who came to change that false idea forever.
In Ephesians 2:12-13, the Bible says, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
The sacrifice of love, redemption, forgiveness, and atonement was made complete by the blood of Jesus Christ, who came to preach peace to all, whether they were jacked up in the street life, or the one already going to church but didn’t yet have a relationship with God.
The word “preached” means “to declare the Gospel, or to announce the good news”.
This is the same word we get evangelize from today.
The word “peace” means “spiritual prosperity or tranquility arising from reconciliation with God through Christ and experiencing His divine favour”.
In Isaiah 57:19, the Bible says, “I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.”
Despite our logic, God doesn’t discriminate, but He makes His Gospel available to all, because He gives us all the chance to receive Christ as Lord and Savior.
This is why Paul commanded is heir apparent, Timothy, in 2 Timothy 4:2 to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Trust me when I tell you that God was trying to get in my thick skull when I was in the streets, when I was high, when I was shooting my gun, and even after I took life. He was sending representative after representative, and looking back, there is no way I can ever say that I didn’t know, or that God wasn’t there in the trenches with me.
The phrase “afar off” doesn’t just mean people who were geographically away from the church, but also for those who are spiritually far away from God.
The word “nigh” speaks of those who are in the church, those who were a part of the faith.
The same gospel of peace was preached to both types of people, which should tell us that no one is above another, and no one has gotten so far ahead that they can’t receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Romans 5:1-2, the Bible says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
I am who I am today because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have a certainty about who I am and where I stand with God because of it.
In Acts 2:38-39, the Bible says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.”
When the Gospel is shared, there is a call, both for the one who is wayward and the person who thinks they have it all together, and that call is one of peace through faith in Jesus Christ, and one of redemption by receiving God’s gift of salvation by placing faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.
Only through Him do we have real peace.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 21, 2025 – Deuteronomy 4:1 – flourishing through obedience
“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.”
Deuteronomy 4:1
Hi Everyone!
We can’t deviate from the plan and purpose of God and then expect our lives to be blessed.
Many of us want the blessings of God without exercising any concern whatsoever for what He expects from us.
Many of us live far beneath God’s intended purpose for our lives, but expect Him to fill our lives will everything we desire, but that is not how it works.
I have come to the understanding a long time ago that it is me, not God, who have hindered my progress.
There were very simple things that I should have done, and I refused to obey, so I had to walk my wilderness much longer than I had to.
How many things in life, beautiful things, will we forfeit or prolong because we bypass the instructions of God that are meant for our good?
Today, we will look at Deuteronomy 4:1, flourishing through obedience.
“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.”
Moses is preaching to Israel, preparing them to enter into the promised land. They are finally ready after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness due to their disobedience and lack of faith. Even Moses is excluded from entering into the promised land because he disobeyed a very clear instruction from God.
In Numbers 20:8, the Bible says, “Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.”
God gave Moses a clear instruction to speak to the rock.
That is not what Moses did.
In Numbers 20:10-11, the Bible says, “And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”
Moses said, “must we fetch”, which is a clear indication that he was trying to act in his own power, thus taking the glory away from God, who was ready to perform a wonder before Israel to display His power. God exposed a deeper problem within Moses.
In Number 20:12, the Bible says, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
Moses’ lack of faith led to his disobedience, which disqualified him from entering into the promised land. Now, Moses is teaching Israel to learn from his poor decisions.
The word “hearken” means “to listen attentively with the intention of heeding and obeying”.
In James 1:22, the Bible says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
We can’t just hear God’s commands and then do nothing. We have to obey.
The word “statutes” means “a law, regulation, ordinance or decree”.
This is something drafted by God and expected to be followed.
The word “judgments” means “a legal decision or a verdict”.
A verdict is usually final unless a higher court overturns it, but there is no court or law higher than God. God’s word is law, which means that we can’t interpret it the way we want and cherry pick what we want to follow.
In Deuteronomy 5:1, the Bible says, “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.”
When we learn God’s law, we embed it in our minds and hearts, which changes our instincts.
In Psalms 119:11-12, the Bible says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”
When we value God’s word, we will store it within us so that we can carry it out.
The word “do” means “to perform, complete, or fulfill”.
The word “live” is spoken of in terms of flourishing.
In Ezekiel 20:10-11, the Bible says, “Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.”
God didn’t give us His law to punish us, but to cause us to flourish wherever He sends us.
In Romans 6:17-18, the Bible says, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
Imagine what we can experience by doing things God’s way. Imagine who we can become!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Devo Reflection
Feb 22 2025 – Psalm 34:1 – praising God at all times
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 34:1
Hi Everyone!
I don’t want to be a fair weather fan of the Lord, only praying, praising, and worshipping God when everything is going my way.
I want to be someone whose instinct is to praise Him at all times, because He deserves it.
I don’t want to be someone who praises God when I am in prison because I have a little bit more time on my hands.
I want to be someone that God can count on to allow Him to work through, and I want to be someone who stands at every moment in my life telling people how I got there.
When looking at my life, the logical person scratches their head and asks how am I still alive, let alone saved and thriving under the hardest circumstances imaginable.
If God doesn’t do another thing for me, He deserves praise for the rest of my life.
There are people who were a lot better and smarter who aren’t where I am, so I know my life is truly a gift.
Today, I live from thanksgiving, recognizing that my God is awesome.
Today, we will look at Psalm 34:1, praising God at all times.
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
The word “bless” means “to bend the knee, to kneel”.
Remember in John 3:29-30 when it says, “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John the Baptist knew that his time for ministry was coming to an end, and Christ’s ministry was going to emerge and take over. Instead of feeling like something was being taken from him, he rejoiced in the fact that Christ was here. His purpose was to pave the way for Christ to come and he glorified the Lord by decreasing, by bending the knee, all in a display of worship.
In Ephesians 5:18-20, the Bible says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Paul understood that our praise of God is a display of our trust in God, and it is also our recognition that He is responsible for every good thing in our lives. Being filled with the Holy Spirit keeps us in constant recognition of a God who loves us and has crafted us according to His will.
Many of us, me included, mostly wait until we receive some amazing miracle before we thank God, but isn’t the fact that we woke up this morning a miracle within itself. I watch the news enough to know that some people didn’t even make it through the night, and even in prison, a couple of people have died here recently.
The word “praise” means “a laudation showing genuine appreciation for the great acts of the Lord and for His flawless character.
It also expresses adoration and thanksgiving rendered to God by humanity”.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, the Bible says, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
When we praise God, we are taking ourselves out of the equation and giving God was is justly His. Remember when the ten lepers were cleansed in Luke 17?
In Luke 17:15-16, the Bible says, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”
Only one of the ten lepers cleansed came back and glorified God, even though they just were delivered of something that had made them social outcasts, something greatly diminishing their quality of life.
Think about the times when we been delivered by God, blessed exceedingly by Him, and not said as much as “thank you”?
The word “mouth” means “an instrument of speech, or speech”.
My Psychology professor, who is also a pastor, told us that by keeping a thankfulness journal daily, we can stomp out anxiety and fear, because thanksgiving can’t exist at the same time with anxiety. What comes out of our mouths is a testament of what’s going on within our hearts.
In Matthew 12:34-35, Christ says, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”
If we have a good treasure of thanksgiving in our hearts, then there will always be praise in our speech.
If our speech is complaint-ridden, like mine sometimes is, then what is in our hearts is injustice.
Let us aim to change our default setting to one of appreciation and praise to God with grateful hearts for the things we have.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Feb 23, 2025 THE LIGHT OF CHRIST – NEW SERIES – 31 DAYS THROUGH MARCH 25:
LIGHT OF CHRIST #1
Feb 23, 2025 – Genesis 1:3 – light that became
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
Hi Everyone!
Before we can ever step into the light of Christ, we have to understand the origin of light.
We have to understand that light first came to the works as the result of the spoken Word of God, calling forth light to appear.
So our beginning into the study of light begins with the faithfulness of God’s Word, and God’s omnipotence to produce something completely out of nothing.
To understand the light of Christ and how it ultimately finds its way into those who believe, we have to first believe that God is capable of calling light forth, from Himself.
If we don’t believe that, then we are going to have a hard time forsaking the darkness that tries to reign within us in order to accept the light that God has provided to us by Christ.
I was captive to darkness until the light of Christ shined in my heart, the result of God calling it forth.
What if the creation of light is a picture of what has transpired in our hearts by salvation?
Today, we will look at Genesis 1:3, light that became.
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
God began creation by commanding light to come forth. This is the first recorded command of God.
In Genesis 1:2, the Bible says, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Imagine with me a God who is all powerful, bringing light to pass just by speaking it.
An all-powerful God who refuses to create from darkness.
Why do we think that we can become who God desires us to be from the darkness of sin?
The phrase “let there be” means “become, come to pass, or exist”.
The word “light” means illumination in a literal sense. So this is no metaphor for something else. God literally produced light to appear by His Word!
This first look into light is really a picture of faith. God didn’t convince the light to appear, nor did he beg for it to come. It came precisely from His nature, what He spoke it to be.
In Romans 10:17, the Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
The faith we have comes by the Word of God, so there is no concept of true faith without God’s Word.
When we look at the word “faith” we can agree that it means “belief, constancy, reliance upon Christ”.
There is a space between what we request of God and the answer that comes, but faith in God’s Word keeps light there instead of darkness. In darkness, there is worry and fear, but in light there is faith and confidence.
In Mark 11:22-23, the Bible says, “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
When we experience the light of the Christ, we come into an understanding that just as God spoke light into creation and it became what He declared it to be, Christ tells us that this same power to speak things into existence lives in us. This is why we were created in the image and likeness of God, because our lives on earth are supposed to be a manifestation of His light and Word at work in us.
In Isaiah 55:11, the Bible says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Understanding the light of Christ has to first begin with faith, because if we don’t believe that the Word of God will do the very thing that God commands it to do, then we will have no understanding for how God’s Word is Christ. The first time God spoke, He called something that wasn’t present to come forth as though it had always been there.
In Hebrews 6:17-19, the Bible says, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil”.
God is showing us through His spoken Word that what He speaks will become exactly what He declares, and that should produce a faith from Him to anchor us when things don’t look as if they will work out.
We can place true confidence in Him knowing He can replace darkness with His light, because God’s Word is faithful!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #2
Feb 24, 2025 – Genesis 1:4 – the separation between light and darkness
“And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”
Genesis 1:4
Hi Everyone!
As a kid, I used to be afraid of the dark.
The lights went out and my mind immediately went to the monsters lurking in the closets, the beast hiding under my bed, the terrible masked Jason Vorhees that was sure to come into my room and hack me to pieces, or weirdly, one of the zombies from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.
Darkness for my tender mind represented all of the evil that was lurking, waiting for an opportunity to expose themselves.
The light came on and I didn’t have those fears anymore because I could clearly see everything that could approach my way.
In that moment of reflection, I realize that my fear wasn’t in the terrible things my imagination concocted, but it was the possibility of those terrible things coming up on me unexpectedly, leaving me with no chance to cry out for help.
The difference between what light and darkness represented for me was understood as a child, but when I got older, I lost sight of the dangers that lurked in darkness and even became one in-common with what I feared.
Today, we will look at Genesis 1:4, the separation between light and darkness.
“And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”
The word “saw” isn’t merely beholding it, but it is God taking a moment to make a mental observation of what He just created, perceiving and savouring all of its ramifications.
Imagine this being like an artist painting a picture, and when it is done, they take an extra second to reflect upon something that was produced from their imagination. Well, this is the same thing God did. Another thing to consider is that God has never needed light because He is light, so the first thing He created in the earth is what He truly is in heaven.
Seeing something heavenly manifested for earth made God take a moment to experience the blessing He just imparted to the earth.
In Genesis 1:31, the Bible says, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
From the first thing God created, to the last thing God created, He never forsook taking a moment to experience what He created.
The word “good” means “well-pleasing, fruitful, or morally correct”.
This is the first time in the Bible that the word “good” is used, so let’s reflect upon how it is used.
God speaks, calling for light to appear, and it appeared just as He said. God looks it over, and gives His stamp of approval. So when God calls something “good”, He means that it has fulfilled His creative intent.
In Psalm 33:4-6, the Bible says, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”
If we ever need to see that the world God created is indeed God, take a second to reflect upon creation.
Look at how a bird soars under the wind’s current. Look at how a tree waves in the wind. Look at how a dolphin leaps out of the water. We can only see these things because of the light that God created. By God created light first, He intends us to see His goodness in everything He creates.
In Psalm 27:13, the Bible says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
If we can’t see the goodness of the Lord, then we are left with a reason for our hearts to fail.
The word “divided” means “to separate or distinguish”.
The word “light” means “illumination”.
The word “darkness” means “the dark”, but it also means “misery or destruction”
Because God distinguished light from darkness, He conveys to us that because He never had to create darkness, light has so much more importance for us.
God never desired for us to live in darkness.
In Psalms 82:4-5, the Bible says, “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
Darkness also expresses a lack of understanding, and creates a scenario where stumbling is all but certain. The person without understanding can not determine the difference between danger and safety, and they can’t find their way.
In Proverbs 4:19, the Bible says, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
God created light so that we could live in full understanding of the goodness of the Lord, so we would have a constant reference to God everywhere we go.
In Ecclesiastes 2:13, the Bible says, “Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.”
Light was always supposed to triumph over darkness, but why is it that so many proudly embrace darkness?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #3
Feb 25, 2025 – Exodus 13:21 – light that leads by day and night
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night”.
Exodus 13:21
Hi Everyone!
God uses light to expose and eradicate darkness, both physically and spiritually.
The light God gives does so much more, and there is always something supernatural that can happen when God’s light is involved.
What if God used fire as a light source, to guide a growing nation into a promised land He has designated for them?
What if I said that God also controlled the amount of light that came in to protect them from the harsh heat of the sun?
This is what happened when God led Israel through the wilderness.
This miraculous provision teaches us a number of things.
First, it teaches us that God is in control of nature and weather, and He calls forth what He desires when He desires.
Second, this teaches us that God is deeply concerned with our needs, and desires us to experience how much He cares for the details of our lives.
Today, we will look at Exodus 13:21, light that leads by day and night.
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night”.
The word “Lord” here refers to the Self-Existent God.
God is now leading Israel through the wilderness into His promised land for them, following their having just seen God do wonder after wonder in Egypt, in answer to their cries for freedom, ultimately causing Pharoah to let them go.
God certainly was concerned about Israel’s mental fortitude in the presence of adversity.
In Exodus 13:17-18, the Bible says, “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.”
This shows that God knows us on a heart level and will never allow us enter into a place that we are not built to handle. Sometimes, the road we take seems hard, but God will never command us to take a path that would ultimately lead to our destruction.
The phrase “went before them” expresses a God who has already gone where we are traveling.
The phrase “pillar of a cloud” expresses that the sky by day was completely covered, and part of the Hebrew definition is “nimbus or thundercloud”.
This gives us a picture of how the sky looked, like it was going to erupt in rain. Sometimes, what looks like a storm brewing is really God protecting us from something that will completely break our spirit.
The phrase “pillar of fire” gives us a picture of a rolling fire in the sky.
Now, imagine Israel seeing this sight daily, His wonders provided to protect and lead them in the wilderness.
In Exodus 14:19-20, the Bible says, “And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.”
Egypt came to pursue Israel again, to enslave them, but God used these same wonders to block the Egyptians from seeing Israel. The picture of a cloud being between Egypt and Israel gives me the picture of a super dense fog, that prevented Egypt from seeing Israel and their way. Also while God’s provision is blinding the Egyptians it is providing the light that is guiding Israel.
In Exodus 40:36-38, the Bible says, “And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”
When Israel built a tabernacle for the Lord, to worship Him, God used the same cloud that protected them to cover the tabernacle, which ushered in the glory of God that filled the tabernacle. This cloud was now the indication for whether they should move or stay.
Finally, we should look at that fact that God caused all of these wonders in order to give Israel light.
In Isaiah 4:5-6, the Bible says, “And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence”.
God uses His light to also protect us from the elements, defend us from our enemies, and to project His glory. Hopefully, we’ll never look at a storm cloud the same way again.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #4
Feb 26, 2025 – Psalm 119:105 – a light for a traveler’s feet
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Hi Everyone!
Since I received my salvation, God’s Word has been sure and true.
When I first started, I just wanted to read God’s Word and develop my relationship with Him.
Even though I wanted to change, I wasn’t concerned with changing my life, because a part of me knew that it would come by learning more about the Word of God as I built this relationship with Him.
God’s Word stepped in to check me when I was regressing, encourage me when I was frustrated, and comfort me when I felt broken.
Within the pages of Scripture, I found out that God has been walking this journey with me the whole time, keeping me from self-destruction and leading me to deeper levels in His Word.
I remember a brother told me that one day I was going to be teaching the Word, and I laughed, because I felt I was so far off that mark that it didn’t seem possible.
Well, I guess he was right! It is because God’s Word has shown me where I am and where I need to be, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Today, we will be looking at Psalm 119:105, a light for a traveler’s feet.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The word “word” pertains to the written and spoken Word of God, but the meanings also include “commandments, message or His cause”.
The word “lamp” refers to a candle that is lit with oil, so there is fire involved.
Fire gets our attention whether we want to pay attention or not.
In Exodus 3:2-3, the Bible says, “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”
Moses didn’t know that God caused this bush to catch fire and not be consumed because He was going to speak to Moses through the fire. Sometimes, God speaks to our heart when all hell is breaking loose and sometimes, He allows fire to happen because that is the only thing that can get our attention.
The word “feet” is a term to describe the foot, but it is amplified to describe the foot in motion.
Life is a journey, and even when we feel like we are standing still, we are still making progress.
In Ephesians 6:15, the Bible says, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”.
Our activities, when led by the Lord, will continue to allow us to receive the Word and spread the gospel through our word and through our light. It is funny how when I used to share the Word a little bit, I spoke to people in the same struggle as me, but as God continued to teach me on this journey, he expanded it to people everywhere. I thought I was just walking, but God kept growing me and changing me.
The word “light” means “illumination”.
The word “path” refers to a beaten track that has been established as a walking route.
You know what this means? It means that people have been where I have been before! With tears in my eyes, I can say that I am blessed that my path has been made easier to navigate due to waves of people who blazed the trail before me.
In Psalm 112:4, the Bible says, “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
When our hearts are postured towards the Lord, it doesn’t mean that we get everything right, nor does it mean that we are ready for this 180 degree turn we have made in our hearts.
What it does mean though, is that we have allowed the light to come into our dark place and we have made ourselves available to hear the Word of God.
When I first started, I was still cursing, still nearly fighting, and still trying to keep up my tough persona in public, but the more miles my feet logged, the more things were shed off me.
In Ezekiel 36:26-27, the Bible says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
When a person has a new heart, they desire change, even when there is a process involved in seeing the behavior change.
This is where the church has to come into an understanding that the process we went through to find our place, is the same journey others will need to take to follow our footsteps.
In 1 John 1:7, the Bible says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Waking on the beaten track that is lit by the Lord will bring us into fellowship with other like-minded people and will cause us to receive His cleansing through salvation and sanctification.
It’s been a long road, but I am grateful for every step.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #5
Feb 27, 2025 – Psalm 27:1, a radiant light that casts out fear
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1
Hi Everyone!
Where is our confidence in times of trouble?
Who do we turn to when we are afflicted by life’s circumstances?
As a kid being afraid of the dark, the light being on gave me the confidence that everything around me was okay, but it also subconsciously taught me that there is a danger always lurking in the dark.
When the Lord is our light, we have a different vantage point towards the things we encounter, a higher perspective, a deeper look into the things in our path.
David was a man after God’s own heart, and he was promised by God that His everlasting kingdom would come through, but even David had moments in his life that seemed to counter the narrative God gave him.
He fled for his life from King Saul, living in caves to prevent capture, and he also fled from his own son Absalom, who tried to take the kingdom from him. His life wasn’t roses, but because his confidence was in the Lord, I guarantee that it was a lot easier because he was planting his feet on a sure foundation.
Today, we will look at Psalm 27:1, a radiant light that casts out fear.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
The word “LORD” refers to the Self-Existent God.
The first three words of this psalm are so important, “the LORD is” because if we don’t believe that He “IS”, then we can never fully partake in the divine promises of God.
In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
It is impossible to place our confidence in someone we don’t believe exists, but it’s our true faith in God that comes out during times of struggle.
This verse isn’t addressing merely our belief in God, but it also implies an active pursuit of Him. I remember being real little, before my Dad left, and whenever I was afraid, I would come around my Dad because I knew that in his presence, I didn’t have to worry about anything.
My Dad posed a real threat to anybody who tried to harm his family, me included. How can we feel this way about the capability of humanity, but not feel this way about the God who created us?
The word “light” means “illumination or luminary”.
The word “salvation” means “liberty, deliverance, prosperity or safety”.
In times where I was afraid as a child, the light being on gave me the ability to see what was going on around me, and when I was in the presence of my Dad, I had added confidence knowing he was close by. God is a whole lot better than my father!
The word “fear” means “to revere”.
In 1 John 4:17-18, the Bible says, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
The Lord is perfect love, and being in His love gives us the boldness in judgment, the confidence in adversity, the faith in trial, all because we are aware that our God is right there.
In Exodus 15:2, the Bible says, “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Moses led Israel in song after they experienced victory from Pharaoh through the Lord’s deliverance. They were afraid, but God showed Himself mighty in the presence of Pharaoh’s army and in the presence of Israel, and Israel no longer had anything or anyone to fear.
The word “strength” pertains to a stronghold which is fortified and guarded against invasion.
God is someone who guards our life when we put our trust in Him.
The word “afraid” means “to dread, be alarmed or terrified”.
In Psalm 118:21, the Bible says, “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.”
Sometimes, sitting back and recalling how we made it through an impossible circumstance points us directly to God, but when we are done breathing a sigh of relief, is our posture towards God gratefulness and praise for what He has done?
In Isaiah 12:2, the Bible says, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
Our confidence isn’t in our might or power, but it is in our ability to rest in the Lord.
In Moses’ life, David’s life, and in the life of the church, we have seen how the saving hand of God delivers from the kind of things that can completely consume us.
God’s deliverance gave them the evidence that He is trustworthy, and the same should apply to us, but does it?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #6
Feb 28, 2025 – Psalm 97:11 – a light planted for joy to be exhibited
“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”
Psalm 97:11
Hi Everyone!
God gives His light so that those who are of His light can live lives fully directed by Him.
Those who are resistive to God are not going to want His light to be shone in and through them.
If any of us have kids, we can equate this to a school morning when we walk into their room and put the light on. Immediately, they throw something over their eyes to shield themselves from the foreign invader of light.
They don’t see the light as an opportunity, but as an intruder.
But the kid who actually enjoys school is going to be more receptive to what the light means, not the inconvenience of it.
Trust me, God’s light exposing some dark place in my life doesn’t feel good in any situation.
However I am learning to be receptive to God’s light because I understand now that He is using it to guide me into becoming the person He is calling forth.
The closer I get to God, the more I welcome His light.
Today, we will be looking at Psalm 97:11, a light planted for joy to be exhibited.
“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”
The word “light” means “illumination”.
The word light also should be viewed as being representative of God’s guidance.
The word “sown” means “planted”.
The word “righteous” means “just, those who show conformity to the ethical and moral standard of God”.
Packing this all together, when we conform to a Godly standard, God’s guidance becomes planted in our lives, so that we always will know where we should go and what we should do.
In James 1:5-6, the Bible says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
The person who doesn’t conform to God’s standard is going to reject the wisdom of God, but those who place themselves under God’s standard will experience a wealth of wisdom that God will willingly make available. Think not?
In John 16:13, Christ says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
This is available for those who believe in Christ, a promise made available so that we who are deemed righteous will always have God’s guidance.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
The same person who gave us the promise of the Spirit of truth is the same person who took our sin upon Him so that we who believe can become God’s righteousness. God’s guidance is for those who are of His kingdom.
Would we give a person directions to our house if they aren’t supposed to come there? Well God is guiding us into His kingdom because He created us to dwell with Him, but the choice is ours, to be guided or not by His light.
The word “gladness” means “blithesomeness, joy, or glee”.
The phrase “upright in heart” pertains to those who allow God’s light to shine in their innermost being, changing the cognitive, affective, volitional, and behavioral parts of us to reflect His image and likeness.
This means that our countenance changes when we are guided by God.
In Nehemiah 8:10, the Bible says, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
The people of God were exiled to Babylon and they have now returned to the promised land. When the Word of God was read to them, it was something they mostly had never experienced.
Nehemiah 8:8, the Bible says, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”
God caused a miracle to happen. He opened their understanding so they would understand His Word.
For us too, it should produce joy to know God’s Word and live according to His standards.
In Proverbs 10:28-29, the Bible says, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.”
With God’s guiding light, we have real hope that can produce an everlasting joy in the face of any circumstance.
Because of this light, we have strength in the face of situations that could crumble the average person. This doesn’t mean that everything is going to be great all the time, but it does mean that we have a sure anchor for our soul when things crumble.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #7
Mar 1, 2025 – Psalm 139:12 – nothing is hidden from an omniscient and omnipresent God
“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
Psalm 139:12
Hi Everyone!
When I was in the street life, one of the obvious goals of partaking in a life of crime was to not get caught.
One morning, when preparing myself to run away, I swiped my Tee-Tee’s debit card. My goal was to take money out, buy and sell drugs with that money, then deposit her money back into her account without her knowing.
I thought I was a smooth criminal until I was called into the kitchen to meet the Milwaukee Police.
They asked me did I used my auntie’s debit card, and I instinctively said “No”.
They smiled and showed me still shots of me from a camera at the ATM machine.
I am clearly taking the money out, and I was wearing the same spring jacket that I walked down the steps with!
I was busted, and I was taken to jail. The camera saw everything. God is that camera, watching everything we are doing, even the things we don’t want Him seeing.
Today, we will look at Psalm 139:12, nothing is hidden from an omniscient and omnipresent God.
“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
David is writing this Psalm to express that God sees everything.
In Psalms 139:1-2, the Bible says, “O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”
There is a show called “Big Brother”, where people live in a house as cameras follow their every move. Nothing is hidden from view, even the sneaky conversations as they strategize against each other. The people being back-doored don’t see it coming, but the viewer watches the scandal unfold.
Imagine, and cringe, at the fact that God sees every move we make in real time, but he goes even further. He knows the thoughts we are thinking as well. This is why I try not to be fake about anything, because Gods sees it anyway.
David knows this all too well, with God exposing his secret sin with Bathsheba and his murderous plot against Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, all done from ‘the shadows’.
The word “darkness” not only talks about a physical darkness, but also about wickedness.
The phrase “hideth not” implies something that cannot be withheld from God’s sight.
The word “night” implies a twisting away from God.
The word “shineth” means “to make luminous”.
All while I thought that I was getting away with my life in the streets, God saw it the whole time, in real time. If this doesn’t express the love, forgiveness, grace, and patience of God, then I don’t know what ever will.
In Job 34:22-23, the Bible says, “There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.”
We think we are getting away with it when we get away with it with earthly authorities, but there is a greater authority in God, Who always also sees our most hidden thoughts.
In Matthew 9:2-4, the Bible says, “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?”
Christ was healing someone of a crippling medical condition, and He declared that his sins were forgiven. Wouldn’t Christ deal with the obvious problem, the man’s palsy, first?
Well, the obvious problem wasn’t the most important problem. Christ saw in the man’s heart. While this was happening, the scribes were murmuring within themselves, meaning that they weren’t speaking audibly! Christ heard their thoughts in real time! If Christ heard their thoughts, and God hears thoughts, then why is it so hard to believe that Christ is God incarnate?
The “darkness” and “light” are alike to God because He sees them both clearly.
In Proverbs 15:3, the Bible says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
God sees us, yet, despite what He sees, He still loves us and makes salvation available to us.
In Hebrews 4:13, the Bible says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
I know it may make us uncomfortable to know that God knows our business, but the God that sees everything also knows how to lead me from the darkness as well.
In Romans 8:1, the Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Just as our sin is clear before God, salvation is clear through Christ. The light not only exposes our indiscretions, but it also exposes our redemption!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #8
Mar 2, 2025 – Proverbs 6:23 – enlightened by the divine instruction of the Lord
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life”.
Proverbs 6:23
Hi Everyone!
We are implementing an after school schedule for our son, and he is not happy about it!
On our video visit, I got the chance to see his disappointment loud and clear in the kitchen.
The funny part about it is that we are only changing an hour and a half of his schedule where we are having a phone-free zone for homework and for reading books. You would have thought we were sentencing him to the electric chair!
I laugh at the thought of this, but it points to a greater issue, that rules may come as an inconvenience to him, but our intention is that he develops more intentional study habits now before he gets to high school in a couple of months.
We are positioning him for success because we clearly see what it takes for him to become successful. He is in the dark, because he can’t see beyond the loss ow that he feels like he is taking.
Similarly and sadly, people approach the faith like it is a bunch of rules and miss the beauty of the relationship they can have with God.
Today, we will look at Proverbs 6:23, enlightened by the divine instruction of the Lord.
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life”.
When a verse begins with “for”, then that means that a previous thought was made that is being validated by this one.
In Proverbs 6:20-22, the Bible says, “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”
The context of our topic verse deals with us building an attachment to and a oneness with divine instruction. We are supposed to store it within us, cherish it like it is priceless and allow it to produce growth within us. Our topic verse is the reason why we should become one with the divine instruction we receive.
The word “commandment” means “law, precept, or ordinance”.
The word “lamp” means “candle”.
We have to understand that back in those times, they didn’t have light bulbs. They had to use lamps, candles, and torches to provide light at night time or they were effectively in the dark, and be vulnerable to whatever dangers were lurking in the dark and risk not seeing until it was too late.
The word “law” means “statute”, something written to govern the activity of someone else.
The word “light” refers to illumination of God’s standard.
In Psalm 19:7-8, the Bible says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Our posture towards the law of the Lord is that it is perfect, and in it we have the ability to excel beyond our wildest imaginations. Our posture towards the commandments of God determines whether we are enlightened or imprisoned. Our son thinks that somehow he is being unfairly treated, and that is because his posture towards the commandments we have implemented is not receptive.
The word “reproofs” means “rebuke or correction”.
The word “instruction” means “chastisement or warning according to the doctrine of discipline”.
When we reproof something, we check what we are doing according to the Word of God, and if we are found falling short, then we correct it according to the Word.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.“
Who would have ever thought that the commandments of the Lord, that the Word of God, would actually be given to me in order for me to be prepared for everything that comes my way?
I, like our son, didn’t see it as preparation, but I saw it as a burden, and I resisted the commandments of God because I felt that He was raining on the parade that I wanted to have. Sometimes, reproof is not going to feel like it is what is best for us, but it is a warning for us to re-group and being ourselves under subjection to God’s standard so we can excel in life.
In Hebrews 12:10-11, the Bible says, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
God knows that His instruction is going to feel painful, but it bears fruit, and it is to make us even better. Many resist medicine the same way…
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #9
Mar 3, 2025 – Luke 1:79 – a light guiding us in peace
“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:79
Hi Everyone!
It is a relief to be able to live in the light of the Lord.
I don’t have to figure out a bunch of stuff on my own, nor do I have to make a way for myself.
I don’t have to live my life trying to be my own light, which is a waste of time and energy, sometimes with harsh consequences.
I am quick to tell people that I took the path blazed for me, and I thank God for caring about my success so much that He gave me people who led me to Christ, so that I wouldn’t just be a church goer, but an actually member of the body of Christ.
I seriously understand that the light of Christ led me out of my own prison of sin and I walk in light and freedom due to Christ being a light to me.
To be someone ow where peace is my norm after all that I have gone through is beyond anything I could ever imagine.
Today, we will look at Luke 1:79, a light guiding us in peace.
“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
These are the words of Zacharias, who was the father of John the Baptist. When the angel appeared to him, letting him know that him and his wife Elizabeth would be having a son in their old age, he didn’t believe it. This is a major problem because Zacharias was a priest in the temple, and the angel came as an answer to Zacharias’ own prayer.
Imagine a pastor, who knows the Word of God extensively, including the history of God opening up barren wombs, not believing in the words of the angel sent by God. So God silences Zacharias until the birth of John the Baptist, all the way to the point that Zacharias confirmed that his baby’s name would be John. Sometimes, we can talk our way right out of our blessing.
In Luke 1:64, the Bible says, “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.”
He then speaks this prophecy over his son, that he will blaze the path for Christ to come.
This is confirmed by Luke 1:76-77, which says, “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins”.
This is why Zacharias’ mouth was closed because God didn’t want Zacharias’ lack of faith to cause him to say something that will hinder the word of God.
The phrase “give light” means “to shine upon or make appear”.
John the Baptist isn’t the one that will be giving the light, but it is Christ that gives light.
In Luke 1:78, the Bible says, “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us”.
The word “dayspring” has an alternate meaning, also referred to as “the branch”.
In Isaiah 11:1-2, the Bible says, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;”
It is important to establish, from this topic verse, who is giving the light, or it would be easy to mistake John as the light. It is Christ who is the Light.
The word “darkness” speaks of moral darkness, absent of light and truth, including the idea of sin and its consequent calamity.
In Isaiah 9:1-2, the Bible says, “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
This prophecy of Christ was written over 700 years before Christ was to come. This is the spiritual state we are in without Christ’s light: dimness, grief, and anguished. Most of us don’t even know it.
The phrase “guide our feet” means “to direct or straighten fully”.
The word “way” means “the mode or means”.
The word “peace” refers to the peace of mind and tranquility arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favour.
In Acts 26:18, the Bible says, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
This is a spiritual transformation that Christ came to make in our hearts and minds. Paul is giving this account of Christ speaking to him when he was converted, where Christ was giving him his purpose.
Paul went from someone who persecuted Christians to being their lead pastor, only because of the light of the Lord, and his job was to make that light evident, same as ours!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #10
Mar 4, 2025 – Luke 2:32 – a light of revelation for the outsider
“A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
Luke 2:32
Hi Everyone!
Some people have a mistaken impression that because Israel was God’s chosen people, that the Gentiles never had a place in God’s kingdom, but that isn’t true.
God’s design was to bring all men into His kingdom, Jew or Gentile, outsider or churchgoer, criminal or pastor.
The Jewish people were the people who God chose His salvation to come through, and throughout the history of this world, the Bible is a history of how God preserved Israel in order to produce salvation that would be offered to all who call upon the name of the Lord.
It feels good knowing that despite my flaws, despite my separation from Him due to sin, and despite my failures, God’s gift of salvation was made available to someone “broken beyond repair”.
Through experiencing God’s revelation, I enjoy my life more, knowing that I have a growing relationship with my God.
Today, we will look at Luke 2:32, a light of revelation for the outsider.
“A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
These are the words of Simeon, who held Jesus in his arms when He was a baby.
In Luke 2:28-31, the Bible says, “Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people”.
Simeon was waiting on God’s salvation, the Messiah, to be revealed to him, and God was faithful in fulfilling the word He spoke to Simeon.
In Isaiah 55:11, the Bible says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Simeon held the prophesied promise of salvation in his hands, the fulfillment of Scripture, and the evidence that when God speaks a word, He will fulfill it.
The word “light” means “moral and spiritual light and knowledge which enlightens the mind, soul or conscience; including the idea of moral goodness, purity and holiness, and of consequent reward and happiness; used especially of Jesus as the great Teacher and Saviour of the world who brought life and immortality to light in His gospel”.
The word “lighten” means “to disclose, reveal, or make manifest; the removal of the veil of ignorance and darkness by the communication of light, knowledge, illumination and instruction”.
The word “Gentile” refers to a non-Jewish person.
In Isaiah 42:6-7, the Bible says, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”
This blessed salvation is going to change the nature of what we see and experience, and it also breaks us from the prison of our mediocrity and sin to become something that we never could imagine being. Today, we are experiencing the manifestation of a prophecy offered up 2,700 years ago, one that was just as real as when Simeon experienced it 2,000 years ago.
In Isaiah 49:6-7, the Bible says, “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.”
It is not lost on God that Christ is going to be rejected and despised, but people from nobility and people from the slums will have the opportunity to experience salvation. This is a gift from God that He preserved through the Jews so that all may encounter and experience Christ for themselves.
The phrase “glory of thy people Israel” speaks of Christ being the shining symbol, the prime example of Israel to follow.
In Isaiah 60:1-3, the Bible says, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
This light is Christ, and the invitation to salvation is extended to all, even those who are jacked up and ostracized even by people who go to church. The light of Christ breaks the darkness within people, so they will experience the revelation of salvation available to them in Christ.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #11
Mar 5, 2025 – John 1:4 – the light of life for all mankind
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 1:4
Hi Everyone!
If the sun doesn’t shine, we cease to exist.
It is a known fact that the sun is the center of the solar system, and if the earth wasn’t positioned exactly where it is, life wouldn’t be able to survive.
God is that precise as to where the earth is set in orbit that never allows earth to come closer to the sun than God allows.
We are at the perfect distance for God’s will to be done.
Looking at this same idea from a spiritual standpoint, Christ is the center of the universe and all things in creation are built around Him and for Him.
It is because of Him that we have true light, that we couldn’t survive spiritually without, but sadly, we live in a world that gives more glory to created things instead of Christ, who set everything together.
Without Christ, there is no such thing as real life because His life provides the light to guide us.
Today, we will look at John 1:4, the light of life for all mankind.
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
To be able to dig into this passage, we have to understand the context. We have to know who “in him” refers to or we could attach that to anyone.
In John 1:1, the Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
In John 1:3, the Bible says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made”.
So we can establish that whoever “in him” is, He made everything in the earth and in heaven.
In Genesis 1:1, the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
This clears up the context that we are talking about God, who is also known as the Word.
In John 1:14, the Bible says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
So at some point, the Word became incarnate, taking on human flesh, being able to dwell among mankind.
Looking at John 1:17, we see that the Bible says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
From these verses, we know the Word Incarnate to be Jesus Christ, also know as Emmanuel, which means “God with us”, because in Matthew 1:23, the Bible says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
This leaves no doubt that “in him” refers to Jesus Christ.
The word “life” means “in a general sense of existence, life in an absolute sense, without end; in a Christian sense of eternal life, the life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection”.
In John 10:10, Christ says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Christ doesn’t just want us to exist in a general sense, but He wants us to experience a life of bliss and glory. He didn’t come so that we can be mediocre and live unfulfilled lives. He came so that we would shatter our own impressions of how we can live in this earth.
In John 5:24-25, the Bible says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”
I can speak from experience that I was walking dead, wrapped in failure, and slated for destruction. In Christ, I live in a way that defies not only my own expectations, but it also defies the expectations and understanding of people who have known me for decades. I know what it feels like to be given new life, and I live from that new life, because Christ is life for me.
The word “light” refers to the moral and spiritual light and knowledge which enlightens the mind, soul, and conscience; including the idea of moral goodness, purity, and holiness, and the consequent reward and happiness.
In John 8:10-12, the Bible says, “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
This is an example of someone passing from death to life because of the light of Christ, a woman tried in the very act of adultery. Christ didn’t come to condemn us for walking in darkness, but He came to show us that we can walk in His light and live!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #12
Mar 6, 2025 – John 1:5 – the gulf between light and darkness
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:5
Hi Everyone!
Light and darkness are physical expressions of spiritual states that people find themselves under.
The illustration of someone walking in the light shows the one who positions themselves in a great life in the Lord, because they allow their feet to tread in truth, leading them into the presence of God.
Those who walk in darkness are blinded by the lack of light, and do not care to see that the enemy is hunting them down, trying to consume them.
We all have a propensity for both light and darkness, even those in the church, because light and darkness are also representative of the natures that we live in at various points when “life happens”. The respective natures derive from separate kingdoms, one aiming at our destruction and another aiming at our salvation.
One has nothing in common with the other, but only those who have once walked in darkness can understand the darkness of others.
Today, we will look at John 1:5, the gulf between light and darkness.
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
The word “light” speaks of the moral and spiritual light and knowledge which enlightens the mind, soul, or conscience; including the idea of moral goodness, purity, and holiness, and of consequent reward and happiness.
This affects our volition, our will, and will be manifested in the choices we make. When we allow God’s light to shine in and through us, there will be evidence of it, even when we don’t initially understand what is at work.
In Matthew 5:16, Christ says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The light that shines in and through us may confound someone who doesn’t understand our nature, but when they do, it will open up the floodgates for them to understand more about the God we serve.
The word “shineth” means “lighten, to appear, or to show”.
The word “darkness” speaks of moral darkness that is absent of light.
Just as Christ came to a world darkened by sin and became light for the world, we must do the same, because in Matthew 5:14, Christ says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
God designed us to walk in light, and in the process, become a people who stand out in the face of darkness. Sadly, we can’t expect people to understand the light that is in us, because their nature causes them to be blind to what is at work in us.
In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, the Bible says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Understanding that darkness is a nature that adheres to a kingdom, we know that Satan is in place to keep us blinded to the light, so that a change doesn’t come over us, so that we will make conscious choices in favor of the darkness to have it reign in our lives.
Sadly, there are people in church who are still blinded, and have not experienced the light of Christ.
The word “comprehend” means “to perceive or seize with the mind”.
In John 3:19, the Bible says, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
I know this firsthand, because I resisted the light more times than I could count. The pleasures of darkness made me feel like it was a huge sacrifice to give it all up for something that doesn’t provide immediate gratification, and it was something that I didn’t want to do.
I wanted to stay in my mess and according to me, everybody else were the ones who were jacked up. Now I will never be a believer who develops amnesia about who I used to be.
In Romans 13:12-13, the Bible says, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
In the face of light, I had to make a choice. I could either continue to choose darkness, partaking in all the stuff that brought on so much pleasure, or I could choose to walk into the light and experience a new life in Christ. God is not going to force us to choose either way.
In Galatians 5:17, the Bible says, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Light and darkness is Spirit and flesh, and we have to make the choice between which nature we are going to serve. Either way it goes, the fruit we bear will be the evidence.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #13
Mar 7, 2025 – John 1:7 – testimony of the marvellous light of Christ
“The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”
John 1:7
Hi Everyone!
Two nights ago, my witness was a little shaky to say the least, because during an argument with my wife, I lost my temper, saying some things that are completely uncharacteristic of me.
During that moment, a person couldn’t look at me and see Christ in me, and that is a real problem.
You know it’s bad when people who don’t go to church tell you they prayed for you.
I went to Bible study the next morning and humbled myself before my brothers, giving testimony, with tears in my eyes, about my behavior.
I left there encouraged by my brothers who shared truth with me, that God has already forgiven me and restored me.
I talked to my wife, and we both humbled ourselves, though still having to talk through the argument we had the night before.
We had a visit last night, and God’s peace and love flowed between us. Only God could turn this seemingly impossible situation around for His glory, the same way that Christ became the atoning sacrifice for the impossible situation named Marshall Jones.
Today, we will look at John 1:7, testimony of the marvellous light of Christ.
“The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”
The phrase “the same”, written in King James’ English, starting a verse immediately gives us the indication that there is a connection that must be made to a person, place, or event. This means we have to go back to establish the connection in order to understand the context.
In John 1:6, the Bible says, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
In our finite minds, we think that we are merely born, but birth was no accident to God. We were sent to earth by God to perform His purpose in the earth. John, also called John the Baptist, was born for the purpose of bearing witness of Jesus Christ.
In Luke 1:13, the Bible says, “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
An angel appeared to Zacharias and told him that his barren and old wife would bear a son named John.
Also in Luke 1:16-17, the Bible says, “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
John the Baptist was born to preach the good news about the appearance of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Saviour of the world.
The word “came” means “to appear publicly”.
The word “witness” means “a person who gives testimony, who establishes a record, or provides evidence of truth”.
In Acts 1:8, the Bible says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This is the same power that John the Baptist received to bear witness of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of truth, so when he spoke of Christ, he gave sound testimony. We must do the same, because our speech is not the only thing that gives testimony of Christ. Our behavior should as well.
In Acts 4:13-14, the Bible says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”
Our conduct, especially as believers, should always point to Christ, and while we might be the one to not cause a man who is paralyzed to walk again, but we can love our neighbor on a high level, which will always correlate to our faith.
The phrase “bear witness” means “to testify”.
The word “Light” refers to Jesus Christ,
Who brought life and immortality to light in His gospel, and Who also dispenses moral light and truth?
Testimony always has purpose, and the testimony of Jesus is so men may hear and believe.
The word “believe” means “to entrust one’s spiritual wellbeing to, or to place faith in”.
In Romans 10:13-15, the Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
What does our witness reflect, Christ or the sin that Christ came to deliver us from? Is the testimony of our lives drawing others to the cross, or giving them a reason to stay away?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #14
Mar 8, 2025 – John 1:9 – receiving the Light of Christ
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
John 1:9
Hi Everyone!
Within the street life, there is an excitement of spontaneity, where some days, making it home in one piece was a blessing.
Even in the midst of life in the streets, there were always these beacons of light, people who tried to share the Word of God with me.
They were people who saw what I could become if I would just place my trust in Christ instead of in my ability to navigate the streets effectively.
Many times I did want to hear it, even knowing it was right for me. I have come to realize that even that was a part of the process that has led to me to the right standing I am in today.
God is going to provide us with these beacons of light in many junctions of our lives, no matter how jacked up we are, no matter the discrepancy we have with normalcy, or no matter the difficulty we will have in changing our lives.
This displays the love, patience, and grace of God in continuing to try to lead us in His Light.
Today, we will be looking at John 1:9, receiving the Light of Christ.
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
We have established in our series so far that Jesus Christ is the true Light of the world.
In John 1:8, the Bible says, “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
We also established that John the Baptist was not that light, but was born with the purpose of showing the world blinded by sin and religious legalism who the Christ was.
Finally, we have established that the purpose behind sharing the Light of Christ with others is so that they will believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
This is our witness, the experience that we have with the risen Saviour that allows us to share the gospel of Christ’s light with the world.
This is validated by Matthew 28:19-20, the says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
This is the commission that Jesus gave His disciples when He ascended to the Father, and it is the same commission that believers today are responsible for fulfilling.
The word “Light” refers to Christ, but it means “the author and dispenser of moral and spiritual light, used especially of Jesus Christ as the great Teacher and Saviour of the world who brought life and immortality to light in His Gospel”.
The word “lighteth” means “to impart moral or spiritual light, to enlighten, brighten, or cause one to see”.
There is a big difference between people who are light bearers and the one True Light. Our job is to not be Christ for someone, but rather to be a light and a road to show people who Christ is. This can be done in our speech, but it is displayed more through our behavior.
In James 1:22-24, the Bible says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
When our behavior lines up with the Word of God, not only will we always remember who we are, but people will be able to see the connection between us and Christ. If Christ isn’t reflected in our conduct, then we are shielding a person from the Light that can save their souls.
Within this topic verse, it uses the phrase “every man”, meaning this gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for “church folks”, but it is for everyone.
In Isaiah 49:6, the Bible says, “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”
God desires that the light that leads to salvation be available to all people, including people who are on the outside.
In Mark 2:17, the Bible says, “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
God doesn’t look for those who think they have it all together, because they are their own salvation, but He looks for people who know they are jacked up and know they are a little crazy.
In 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
When I was in the streets, God sent beacons of light to show me the gospel when I was neck deep in sin, and decades later, I am one of those beacons of light, showing others the gospel! Praise God!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #15
Mar 9, 2025 – John 3:19 – a light that exposes the darkness operating in us
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
John 3:19
Hi Everyone!
The light of Christ exposes the darkness that rests in all of us.
It doesn’t matter if a person has gone to church for 50 years, or doesn’t go at all.
The light has the same purpose, to expose the darkness within us, to introduce us to loving God who desires to forgive our sins, and restore us according to His divine intention for us from the beginning of creation.
When the light shines upon us and our deeds, there is no hiding what is there, and it is our job at that point to take a hard look at ourselves, and work back into making change.
Our own actions condemn us, but Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. He came to be the perfect atoning sacrifice for sin so that He could save mankind from their sin.
The light exposes that truth as well. Whatever choice we make, it will be plain to God because the light will reveal all things.
Today, we will look at John 3:19, a light that exposes the darkness operating in us.
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
There is a misconception about God that deserves to be clarified.
Some people believe that God isn’t loving because He allows barbaric acts to be performed, and that He let’s bad things happen to good people in good towns.
It is not God performing these acts, but it is the sin that lives in us, drawing us into these decisions. God created us with free will, and sadly, some people are going to make atrocious decisions towards mankind.
I know this firsthand, but I also know that God has given us His word and the pathway to salvation, which will vastly impact our decisions for the better.
In John 3:16-17, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
It is not God’s desire to condemn us, but to provide a way for us to be saved. His light exposes our sin as God should, but the light also exposes our way out of a life of sin.
The word “condemnation” means “a judgment, sentence pronounced where consequence or punishment is given”.
The word “light” here means “True knowledge of God and spiritual things, Christian piety”.
The word “world” means “the present order of things as opposed to the kingdom of Christ, and hence, always with the idea of transience, worthlessness, and evil both physical and moral”.
Imagine the light coming on in a room full of roaches, and you will understand what happens when the light of Christ shines in a dark place.
In John 1:9-11, the Bible says, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
Imagine Christ coming to the world He created only to be rejected for being the true light, for being Who He is. This is what happens when we, being evil, are exposed to the light. We scatter, or flat out tell God to turn the light off!
The word “men” means “mankind”.
The word “loved” means “to serve with fidelity, to respect, with an idea of veneration and duty”.
The word “darkness” speaks of moral darkness that is absent of spiritual light and truth, including the idea of sinfulness and consequent calamity”.
The light of Christ shines to prevent us from experiencing the calamity and destruction that we are sure to suffer if we continue on this path.
In Romans 6:16-17, the Bible says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
When I was in the world, I gladly served sin and enjoyed the pleasure behind it, thinking that if it felt good, that it must be right. Even then, the light of Christ was always there, giving me a choice: to keep serving sin or to choose a better way.
The word “deeds” means “acts or behavior”.
The word “evil” means “morally corrupt”.
In John 8:10-11, the Bible says, “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
This woman stood rightfully accused, her misdeeds brought to the light, but Christ didn’t condemn her. The Light told her to go and sin no more. The Light compels us to change our behavior, not condemn us for our choices.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #16
Mar 10, 2025 – John 3:20 – the practice of evil diminishing the light of Christ in us
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
John 3:20
Hi Everyone!
When I was living in the world, proudly living a life that countered the Word of God, I didn’t want to change badly enough to make a step in the right direction.
The sad thing is that I would hear someone share the Word with me, know they were right in my heart, and still go back out there and make my life even worse.
I used to tell myself that I wasn’t a bad person, that I did good things for people, but the truth was that I did way more evil deeds than good.
What we practice is the prime indication of what nature we are in service to, whether light or darkness. In sports, practice is used to hone our skills, to build resiliency, or to make a behavior an instinct. That is exactly what happens when we practice sin. We begin to love sin more than living a life pleasing to God, and we stay away from God because we don’t want light to shine on our behavior. The further we get in our practice, the further we get from God.
Today, we will look at John 3:20, the practice of evil diminishing the light of Christ in us.
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
The verse begins with the word “for”, which means that it is the conjunction that is connecting two points. This means we have to go back to understand the full context.
In John 3:18-19, the Bible says, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
Jesus Christ came to save the world from sin by being the perfect, atoning sacrifice for sin. If we believe in Him, there is no condemnation, because we heeded the warning given by the light that our deeds were evil, and conformed ourselves to the Word of God.
In Romans 8:1, the Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
People quote the first part of this verse all the time, without giving credence to the condition that activates the promise. The disclaimer says, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. This describes the person living their life under the instruction and direction of the Holy Spirit.
The word “doeth” means “perform repeatedly, habitually, and continuously”.
The word “evil” means “morally bad or wicked deeds”.
The word “hateth” means “to detest or love less”.
The word “light” refers to the true knowledge of God and spiritual things, but it also refers to day light, where all things are made clear.
When I sold drugs, I used to prefer selling drugs at night, because I was less visible to the police who desire to interrupt my behaviors. In the daylight, in that same place, I stuck out like a sore thumb for all to see. The light disrupted my desire to perform evil deeds without being seen.
In Job 24:13-14, the Bible says, “They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.”
There was a church lass named Sister Linda who used to live in my old neighborhood. She would come outside, walk around the block, looking for one of us to pray with and share the Gospel. Guys ran from her quicker than they would run from the police, and I get it now because they didn’t want to acknowledge that the way they were living was wrong. They, like me, fought against the light. Strangely enough, I never ran from Sister Linda, and I let her share the Gospel with me and pray with me.
The word “deeds” means “acts or behavior”.
The word “reproved” means “to admonish, convict, or rebuke”.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
God isn’t trying to convict us of our evil deeds just to show us what filthy sinners we are, but so that we can receive the light of Christ and become everything that He created us to be.
In Romans 1:28, the Bible says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient”.
There will come a point where we will continue to reject the Word of God, where we will continue to push away the reproof of God, and where we will continue to ignore the warnings God gives us through countless people, before He turns us loose to enjoy sin in its fullness. This is not a good place to be!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #17
Mar 11, 2025 – John 3:21 – what the light reveals
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
John 3:21
Hi Everyone!
The closer we get to the light, the more viable we are to those who see us.
The further away we get from the light, the likelihood of us being seen diminishes.
My Tee-Tee told me when I was younger that the truth will come to the light, and I think she might have told me that because even though I was trying to hide my evil doings, she knew God could see everything clearly.
If God could see me, and when I got closer to the light, then it is only a matter of time before someone else would be able to see me.
As believers, we want our lives to be under the light, so our behavior, our speech, our love, and comfort can point to Christ.
We want people to see us and be able to attribute what they see to God’s work in us, because someone may ask us how can they get some of that good news for themselves.
Our behavior should reflect the light we walk in, not the darkness we have been delivered from.
Today, we will look at John 3:21, what the light reveals.
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
This ends the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus, who was a ruler in the Jewish synagogue. He came to Christ by night because he knew that Christ was the truth, but it is my opinion he wasn’t yet ready to deal with the scrutiny of following after Christ.
In John 3:2, the Bible says, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”
Jesus provide an ample enough record of behavior and deeds to show exactly where He came from. He is Light, so His deeds were on full display for all to see. In the last study, we looked at the evil deeds in mankind that keeps them from coming to the light of Christ. Now we will look and the deeds that are pleasing to God.
The word “doeth” means “to perform habitually, continuously, or repeatedly”.
This is what we can expect to see from a person on a daily basis.
The word “truth” means “conduct conformed to the truth, integrity, probity, virtue; a life confirmed to the precepts of the gospel; someone who lives uprightly”.
In Luke 6:43-45, the Bible says, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Our fruit identifies the tree. We probably will never know the type of tree we are looking at until we see fruit from it, and the same rules apply in the faith. Good fruit doesn’t appear until we start living out the Word of God, allowing His seeds to produced increase.
Where does truth come from? In John 17:17, Christ prays, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
If we are trying to bear fruit with anything other than Whe word of God, our conduct cannot be tied back to God.
In John 8:31-32, the Bible says, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Continuing in the Word of God is an action, not a thought or idea, and it shows a oneness with the Word of God that displays that we follow Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Bible says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Do we live that someone actually died so that we can live? Do we live like we belong to God? Do our actions bring glory to God?
The word “light” means “true knowledge of God and spiritual things, Christian piety”.
The word “deeds” refers to our conduct.
The word “manifest” means “to cause to appear, to make apparent or visible”.
The word “wrought” means “worked by, or engaged in or with”.
This simply implies that it is the product of God’s work in us.
In Acts 6:8, the Bible says, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”
Our lives will always bear evidence of the faith we have and our obedience to God’s word.
In Acts 6:15, the Bible says, “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
We want our faces to reflect the same thing, that God has to be at work in our lives, even in the face of our enemies. This is what coming to the light can produce, a life that glorifies God!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #18
Mar 12, 2025 – John 8:12 – Jesus Christ, the Light of the world
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Hi Everyone!
In pitch darkness, a single candle can be seen for miles. Light provides such a disruption to darkness that that one candle can be traced all the way back to its source.
Understand where I am coming from?
As believers, we radiate the light of Christ in a world of darkness, and people trace the light back to the source, we have the ability to share with them the Source of true light, which is Jesus Christ.
When Christ walked the earth, He did the exact same thing, radiating God’s light so when people traced the light back to the Source, He showed them God. We have an amazing privilege to radiate the light of Christ, to allow His light to shine in us, because in it, we have the beauty of sharing who Christ is with someone who doesn’t know. We can only show someone Christ effectively if we are also following the light of the Lord.
Today, we will look at John 8:12, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
This context is pretty interesting. Jesus went to the temple to teach, and while He was teaching, the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman caught in the act of adultery.
In John 8:5, the Bible says, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”
Putting this in modern day, imagine pastors taking a prostitute, bringing her to church, with the full intention of giving her the death penalty for her sin. Isn’t church the place where the sinner can find salvation, where the spiritually sick can be made well?
Didn’t Christ say in Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”
It is completely illogical to expect that Christ is going to condemn the woman to death for her sin.
It is also comical to think that they came to the living Word of God and tried to tell Him about the law.
Christ’s response?
In John 8:7, the Bible says, “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Of course this cleared them out, from the oldest to youngest, leaving Christ and the woman. Christ tells her that He doesn’t condemn her, but to go and sin more. Then, Jesus goes right back into teaching in the temple, as if this wild disruption didn’t happen, leaving us right at our topic verse.
The word “I am” is used as Christ is identifying Himself.
This is no accident, because in Exodus 3:14, the Bible says, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
There is a huge difference between me saying “I am Marshall” and Jesus saying, “I am”, because in that one statement Jesus recognizes Himself as the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. Those two words spoken by Christ not only invoke power, but impart truth.
The word “light” means “true knowledge of God and spiritual things, Christian piety, and the moral and spiritual light that enlightens the mind, soul, and conscience”.
The word “world” not only refers to the earth, but also the present world and order of things, as opposed to the kingdom of Christ, always with an idea of transience, worthlessness, and evil both physical and moral.
Christ is that candle in the midst of pitch darkness that can be seen for miles. Think not? Remember the birth story of Christ?
In Matthew 2:2, the Bible says, “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
If a star was seen from the east leading the wise men to Christ, then imagine the light the Creator of that star radiates, leading us to Him?
The word “followeth” means “to become a disciple of someone and through faith and practice, to follow their teaching”.
You see, that it is much bigger than believing in the teachings?
It is putting the teaching into practice so that we become what we believe, so that when we live our lives, it gives an accurate reflection of Christ.
In Matthew 16:24-25, the Bible says, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
In order to follow after Christ, we have to admit ie declare ourselves untrue, and deliberately choose to be identified with Him.
The phrase “walk in darkness” means to live a life of sinfulness that is contrary to the Word of God.
When we follow after Christ, we are led out of darkness by that candle that is seen for miles, which means that there is no form of darkness that the light of Christ can not penetrate through.
Gives us all hope, doesn’t it?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #19
Mar 13, 2025 – John 11:10 – walking in the light of day
“But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”
John 11:10
Hi Everyone!
Many days I stumbled when I was involved in the streets.
Of course, as hard-hearted as I was, I always thought that I could still find my way, even though I continued to crash into things everywhere I turned.
My crashes were no light matters, because my crashes landed me in prison, caused me to be shot multiple times, and ultimately landed me in prison with life sentences without the possibility of parole.
In the dark, the enemy lurks and preys on the fact that he has the darkness to veil his true intentions.
Some hunters in the animal kingdom hunt at night because it gives them an advantage, and they know that if they walk in the light, they would see the threats coming.
The spiritual realm works the same way, and if we walk in the light of the Lord, we will not only have a sure foundation under our feet, but the enemy can’t cause us to stumble.
Today, we will look at John 11:10, walking in the light of day.
“But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”
In this passage, Jesus was given the report that His dear friend Lazarus was sick. Lazarus’ sisters sent people to go get Jesus, because they knew He could heal him.
In John 11:4, the Bible says, “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
Jesus already knew the end of the matter from right where He sat, so He remained in that same place for another two days. This is where many of us are tripped up in our prayer lives, me included, because we seek Jesus in the face of our suffering, but then there is a delay, or nothing appears to happen in our favour. This is when darkness comes upon us, because in our discouragement, we will then try to seek our own way, or give up.
In John 11:5, the Bible says, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”
It will also seem like God doesn’t love us when the answer to our pleas doesn’t seem to come. That can be a dark place as well. The Bible says that Jesus loved them, so how we may feel about what we are going through doesn’t remove that truth.
In John 11:7, the Bible says, “Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.”
Two days after He got word about Laxarus’ sickness, He now sets about to go, but He is going into enemy territory. The Jews there tried to stone Jesus.
The disciples are walking in fear now, which is another form of darkness, but the Bible says in John 11:9, “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”
Simply put, Jesus is telling His disciples to not worry because they are safe with Him.
The word “walk” means “to live or to be a companion of”.
The word “night” refers to a life apart from Jesus where they don’t believe and obey Him.
The word “stumbleth” means “to stub on, or trip up”.
In Jeremiah 13:16-17, the Bible says, “Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock is carried away captive.”
This is a dangerous spiritual state to be in, walking in the night, because we are vulnerable to all of the enemy’s advances. In our arrogance, we will forsake God as our light, and leave ourselves unprotected in the process.
In 1 Peter 5:8, the Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”.
A lion operates in stealth, trying to find the weak or young to separate from the herd. He operates best in darkness, from vantage points that can’t be seen. If He is spotted early enough, he knows that he has lost his advantage and usually won’t pursue.
The phrase “there is no light in him” confirms that Jesus is talking about a spiritual state and not a physical condition of light.
This is the person who has no spiritual life.
In Malachi 2:8-9, the Bible says, “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Walking in the night is a serious problem, because we are trying to live a life without Jesus Christ. That is a life without direction, that is a life of fear, and that is a life void of power.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #20
Mar 14, 2025 – John 12:35 – receiving the light of Christ while it is still time
“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.
Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.”
John 12:35
Hi Everyone!
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine died suddenly. He was having leg pain and swelling, and he complained to health services nearly daily about his condition.
That is the first indication that something was wrong because he never complained.
He stood for institution count, and by the time he was to go to work an hour later, he was found dead in his cell.
The word came that he apparently had blood clots in his leg that went to his brain and lodged in his brain, killing him instantly. I was just getting ready to write him a letter and one of my brothers just got a letter from him. His name was Eric Johnson.
What I am saying in all of this is that we don’t have forever to receive salvation for our sins. Eric wasn’t a believer, and despite all the witnesses around him, despite all the conversations about Christianity, he wouldn’t believe. He thought tomorrow was coming and sadly, it didn’t.
Today, we will look at John 12:35, receiving the light of Christ while it is still time.
“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.”
This passage comes out of a conversation that Jesus is having with the people.
He knows that He is going to the cross soon, and wants people to receive salvation before it is too late. He is once again using a physical state to highlight a spiritual condition.
In John 12:24, Christ says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Christ is describing Himself in this, expressing that through His death, the power of salvation and redemption will be available to all who believe.
In John 12:26, Christ says, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
There is a call for us to serve the Lord, with a promise attached, that wherever Christ will be, so will we be. Where does this sounds familiar?
In Ephesians 2:4-6, the Bible says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”.
It is because of Christ’s death on the cross that we not only have direct access to experience the light of Christ, but we also experience this light from the heavenly places that He is seated in. His death brought salvation, and that redemption snatched us from death and brought us into life with and in Him.
What a precious gift and yet, people take the invitation for granted, thinking that they have forever to get their lives right with the Lord.
In John 12:34, the Bible says, “The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?”
They are asking Christ if His kingdom is supposed to last forever, and He is to live forever, how is it possible that He will die?
In this, they don’t realize that Christ has always been talking about a heavenly kingdom, a kingdom that dwells in those who believe, and they have no clue that Christ is going to be raised from the dead with all power! The people think that they have forever, but Christ is trying to tell them to live in His light now, while there is time.
Christ speaks of “a little while”, which is an undetermined, but relatively short period of time. The call went out, and also the warning that the window is short.
The word “light” here is Christ speaking directly about Himself as moral and spiritual truth.
The word “walk” means “to tread around or to live”.
Christ is compelling people to experience Him while they have the chance, to not take His presence for granted, because He knows that He is going to the cross.
This is why Isaiah 55:6-7, the Bible says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
The call is for us to walk out of the darkness we are captive in, and live in the light of Christ. Those in darkness think they have it together, but they “knoweth not where he(they) goeth”, showing us that we can’t find our way into His salvation without His light.
Psalms 95:7 says, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice.”
Today. Not tomorrow. Not when we get our lives together. Today is the day!
God Bless!
Marshall and Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #21
Mar 15, 2025 – John 12:36 – becoming children of the light
“While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”
John 12:36
Hi Everyone!
We don’t have the rest of our lives to figure out whether or not we are going to serve the Lord or not, neither will we have the rest of our days to figure out if we are going to be fruitful for the Lord or not.
Christ is calling us, whether we believe or not, with hopes that we will believe.
Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, and today is the day that we stop procrastinating, and we stop making excuses for why we refuse to walk in the light of the Lord.
I remember a time 23 years ago where I ironed my clothes at night because I promised my auntie that I would go to church with her in the morning.
I walked around the block and I was gunned down by two guys I didn’t know over a beef I had nothing to do with. We are watching the news and seeing tons of people not make it home on planes and in cars. There is no guarantee on life, but there is a guarantee on Christ if we believe.
Today, we will look at John 12:36, becoming children of the light.
“While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”
We should understand by now that Christ is nearing His death on the cross and He is trying to implore the Jews to experience the truth, that He is indeed the Light of the world, the Savior of the world, the promised Messiah. He is telling them to live as if tomorrow is not coming and today is the day for salvation.
Remember in Psalms 95:7, where the Bible says, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice”?
Well, there is an obvious call being made, but there is actually more to this call.
In Psalm 95:8-9, the Bible says, “Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.”
The same hardened heart that was presence with the children of Israel is still presence with them, and Christ is standing right in front of them. Sadly, the same hardened heart is also present in us, and we have the Holy Spirit continuing to drop bread crumbs that lead right into the presence of God.
The phrase “while ye have the light” is evidence that there will be a day where the light, that is Christ, won’t be there, and that should be a scary thing to think about.
The word “believe” means “to have faith in, or to entrust one’s spiritual well-being to”.
Christ came so that we would believe in the light and become children of the light.
In John 1:11-12, the Bible says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”.
This is a picture of what is happening in John 12 and it is also a picture of what is happening in the world today. There is a call going out in the world to believe in the name of Jesus Christ for salvation and redemption, but God is not going to force us to believe.
In John 3:16, Christ says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This iconic verse isn’t something to merely quote, but it is a divine call given to us by our Savior that is God’s plan for salvation. In John 12 Christ knows that He is nearing the cross, and He wants to make sure that people understand that we have to believe in order to experience His light.
The word “children” means “kinship or heir” usually implying that a person is a partaker of something.
In Romans 8:16-17, the Bible says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Our faith in Christ makes us children of God and also the children of the light, but the Holy Spirit will continue to confirm to us that we are indeed the children of God.
Why is that? Because we have an enemy who tries to blind us from receiving who we are in Him
Remember when Satan tempted Christ in Matthew 4:3, where the Bible says, “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”
Satan tried to get Christ to question His identity, and he will do the same thing to us as well. When we are sure of who we are, we don’t have to prove anything. Our light will speak for us.
In Matthew 5:16, Christ says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
We will radiate the light of Christ if we are God’s children, and it will bring glory to God. Our belief turns into light that display the glory of God!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #22
Mar 16, 2025 – Acts 12:7 – a light that produces true freedom
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
Acts 12:7
Hi Everyone!
God is capable of shining His light in the darkest of places.
There are places that we won’t go where God’s light is shining brightly, and while we sit back on our soap boxes and cast judgments, God’s light is setting captives free.
Two days ago, my wife posted a video, where she talked about our video visit. We laughed, joked, had a dance-off (I won, of course!), and it was hilarious.
There were people who liked the posted, but there was one person who told my wife that she is basically ruining her life if she thinks that she can be happy with someone in prison.
We have been trolled by all kinds of people, all who discount the work of the Lord that is happening in this place and in places like this. We are experiencing true freedom in what society deems to be a dark place, because God’s light has shone in the prison.
Today, we will look at Acts 12:7, a light that produces true freedom.
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
Peter is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and people are receive the gospel in record numbers. At the same time salvation is being experienced, hatred is being birthed as well.
In Acts 12:1-3, the Bible says, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.”
The only reason Herod took Peter was because it “pleased the Jews”. When a person lives in darkness, their aim is to always serve flesh and not to serve God. Peter was imprisoned and he was sleep in between 2 soldiers chained to a wall. This is a bad situation, but God has other plans!
In Acts 12:5, the Bible says, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
Please understood the power of the moment here. The church could do nothing physically for Peter, and his goose was essentially cooked by human standards, but the church prayed for Peter. Please don’t ever discount the power of prayer, especially over someone in prison, because God will respond! I am a living witness of the power of an answered prayer over a prisoner.
In Ephesians 6:18, the Bible says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”.
We are supposed to prayer for the saints, being mindful of their needs and situations, but we are also supposed to pray for those who are in darkness, those who are imprisoned, and those who are captive to sin, that the light of Christ shines in their hearts. Prayer works, and we are going to see how.
The word “behold” gives us the indication that this is something that God wants us to pay close attention to.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, the Bible says, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”.
I am the product of the answered prayers of the saints, because I understood that now is the time for salvation and I took the Lord’s hand, accepting Him as Lord and Saviour.
The word “angel” refers to a divine messenger from God sent as an agent in administering the affairs of the kingdom of God and in promoting the welfare of humans”.
In Hebrews 1:13-14, the Bible says, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
An angel comes to produce the will of God in someone’s life, and the angel came in the prison as an answer to the church’s prayer, to release Peter from prison. Something happened first though.
The phrase “a light shined” refers to the splendor and glory of God radiating and beaming through the angel of the Lord.
Before Peter was set free, the light had to shine in the darkness of the prison His was in.
In Isaiah 9:2, the Bible says, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
While society is condemning prisoners, the church is praying for the prisoners, and the light of Christ is being shone, setting captives free, spiritually first, then physically. Never discount what the light of Christ can do, or where it will reach!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #23
Mar 17, 2025 – Acts 16:29 – a light that shines in the darkest of prisons
“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas.”
Acts 16:29
Hi Everyone!
The darkness we live in can be scary.
What happens when the darkness we face shakes us to the core, causing for us to look for light?
In all actuality, darkness is supposed to be scary, but those conditioned to live in it did have to learn to live in it and even find some comfort with it.
Hopefully we will get to a point in our lives where the darkness is no longer good enough, no longer a safe place, no longer comfortable for us, but it is my hope that instead of finding an appearance of light (self-help), we would turn to Christ, who is The True Light, who will dispel all the darkness we have in our lives.
I experienced a darkness so severe where, one night, it WOULD have caused me to swan dive off of the third tier in a former prison environment if the Light of Christ had not showed in my cell that night.
That was the day I had true repentance and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Today, we will look at Acts 16:29, a light that shines in the darkest of prisons.
“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas.”
I am so blessed that God shined His light in my prison environment.
Sadly, there are many people who are yet to experience the light of Christ, and where they are right now is their prison.
The topic verse we are covering takes places inside a prison, where Paul and Silas are confined for casting out a demon from a woman who, for many days, followed them proclaiming repeatedly that they were servants of God who show the way of salvation.
In Acts 16:19, the Bible says, “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers”.
The woman was hired for her soothsaying and Paul destroyed her bosseW way of making money, so they had him imprisoned.
Before they made it to the prison, Acts 16:23, the Bible says, “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely”.
Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten before they were taken to jail. Naturally, we would think this is totally unfair, because Christ told the disciples to cast out demons, so why were they being beaten and jailed for obeying God’s Word?
The Dean of my Biblical Studies Program, Pastor Robin Knoll, always says, “Sometimes, the reason you are there is not the reason you are there”.
So Paul and Silas are in prison, and Acts 16:25, the Bible says, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
Despite being beaten and imprisoned unfairly, Paul and Silas praised God so fervently that the other prisoners heard them.
In Acts 16:26, the Bible says, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
A miracle happened in the prison, a response from God to the praises offered up by Paul and Silas, and you’d expect the prisoners to hightail it out of there instantly. That is the difference between light and darkness. Those in the light would never take their own blessing unlawfully.
Normally, the officer responsible for the inmates would be put to death if any inmate got away, so this officer charged with overseeing his prisoners was going to kill himself after thinking that they escaped, but Acts 16:28 says, “But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.”
Despite the darkness, God allowed Paul to see what was in the heart of the jailer. The jailer was affected, not just by the earthquake which broke doors open and loosened chains, but by the fact that prisoners forsook the expected response in a hectic moment like that.
The word “called” means “to ask”.
The word “light” means “a lamp or torch”.
The word “trembling” means “terrified”.
The phrase “fell down” means “to prostrate oneself in supplication or homage”.
The man wasn’t bowing down to Paul and Silas. He was bowing down to the God they served!
The jailer saw his own darkness, and in Acts 16:30-31, the Bible says, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Allow me to take an interpretive journey with you.
The jailer was in the darkness of his sin. The foundation of the prison was shaken, producing a life-or-death moment. He saw his own darkness in this moment, but he also experienced the light of Christ through the living testimony Paul and Silas. He got into a posture of worship and asked to be saved.
Our darkness will provide moments for us to see the light or call for a light, and receive salvation for our soul, but the question is, will we take it?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #24
Mar 18, 2025 – Acts 26:18, a full change brought on by the light of Christ
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
Acts 26:18
Hi Everyone!
There is a major change that happens when we receive the light of Christ.
For the first time in our life, our eyes are open and we are able to see life from the lens that God desires us to see through.
We have now been placed under the care and authority of Christ as His body, and we are partakers with Him of the divine nature of God.
We have received the kingdom of God, which now lives in us, and we have been forgiven of all of our sins, having our sins washed in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Because Christ was the atoning sacrifice for sin, He left behind an inheritance, the Holy Spirit, so that we can live in the kingdom of God right here as we live and breath on the earth.
If the light never came on, we would still be in darkness but these promises would remain active and available in our lives.
Today, we will look at Acts 26:18, a full change brought on by the light of Christ.
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
In this passage, Paul is preaching to King Agrippa. Paul was arrested by the Romans at the behest of the Jews, and he initially starts by defending his innocence, but in doing so, it opens the door for him to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with King Agrippa. He gives King Agrippa his testimony, how Christ met him on the road to Damascus. What we are reading in this topic verse are the words of Jesus Christ spoken to Paul, the words that Paul is sharing as his testimony to King Agrippa.
Sometimes, we expect that God wants us to preach eloquent sermons to win souls for Christ, but a lot of times, He just wants us to tell our story, how we were living a life outside of Christ until we met Him and He changed our lives forever.
The word “their” is important for context, because we have to know who Christ is talking to Paul about.
In Acts 26:16-17, the Bible says, “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee”.
So the “their” are the Jews and Gentiles, but especially the Gentiles. Paul was sent to the outsiders to show them the way into the kingdom of God.
The phrase “open their eyes” implies a restoration of sight, but this context implies spiritual vision being restored.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the Bible says, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Satan is responsible for our sight being taken, but through salvation, we now have our eyes open, and most will see that we were duped by the enemy.
The word “turn” means “to turn to the service and worship of the true God”.
The word “darkness” refers to the moral and spiritual darkness absent the light of the Lord, including the idea of sinfulness and consequent calamity.
The word “light” refers to the true knowledge of God and spiritual things.
There is not only a change in direction, but there is also a change in purpose.
In Ephesians 1:18, the Bible says, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints”.
God shows us what our purpose is, and He also shows us, what we truly have in Him. We have divine instruction at work inside of us, and even have warnings in place if we saunter outside of God’s will.
The word “forgiveness” means “to pardon or remit”.
The word “sins” means “offenses against God”.
A pardon means that our offense is completely wiped away as if we never committed the offense. All of the rights we lost would also be restored back to us.
In Luke 1:76-77, the Bible says, “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins”.
This is what Christ was prophesied to provide and He is still providing it to this day.
In 1 John 1:7, the Bible says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
This is our inheritance, something bestowed upon us due to the death of someone else. That someone else is Christ, and through His death on the cross, our eyes are open, our hearts are changed, we are under the authority of God, we are forgiven, and we are set apart for divine use!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #25
Mar 19, 2025 – Romans 13:12, robed in the armour of light
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
Romans 13:12
Hi Everyone!
When I received true repentance and salvation for my sins, I saw my true self in the mirror for the first time, and I hated what I had become.
In that great moment of my life, I felt so unworthy.
I felt that I had no right to be forgiven for what I have done, especially since I grew up in church and was supposed to know better.
That was nearly 17 years ago, and God has miraculously changed my life beyond anything I could ever imagine.
I have sadly seen the news and received the reports of old friends of mine being killed, and I wondered if they even took the many chances they were given to receive the same salvation that I did?
I realize that there is no tomorrow when it comes to salvation, because tomorrow isn’t promised. I also realize that tomorrow is not the time to live saved, because tomorrow may not come.
Today is the day for salvation, and today is the day to live saved.
Today, we will look at Romans 13:12, robed in the armour of light.
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
Paul is writing to the believers in Rome, preparing them to live as believers, to live as if today is their very last day.
In Romans 13:11, the Bible says, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
If he us writing this to the church, it is because people in the church have forgotten who they are in Christ and have blended in with the world in their behavior. Paul is trying to rouse them out of their spiritual sleep, so they can experience the importance of the moment they are in right now.
In James 1:23-24, the Bible says, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
See, if we go to church to “hear the good word” but our behavior is not changed in the process, then eventually we are going to forget who we are.
The word “night” refers to the time of wickedness.
The phrase “far spent” implies that the time has worn down, leaving a small window of opportunity.
The word “day” means “light of true and higher knowledge; moral light”.
The phrase “at hand” means “fast approaching, soon to appear, close enough to experience”.
We have to live like there is no tomorrow, and that is the problem with the church. We have become so arrogant with our tomorrows that we take our salvation for granted today.
In James 4:13-14, the Bible says, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Our lives are truly a vapor, and I know this very well, because this passage in James was the one used at my sister Angela’s funeral. She was 37 and a mother of three when the Lord called her home, falling to cancer that caused the invasion of PML, an aggressive brain condition which shut down her brain in zones until she breathed her last breath. She left this earth wishing she had more time, wishing she would have done more, loved more, and experienced more.
The phrase “cast off” means “put away”.
The phrase “works of darkness” means “deeds that are absent of spiritual truth and are filled with wickedness”
In Ephesians 4:21-22, the Bible says, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts”.
The behavior we display should not be consistent with the life we have been delivered from, but of the life we have been delivered into. Remember, Paul is writing this letter to the church, so there were believers then who still were allowing sin to reign, even though they were believers. We can’t just take our foot off of the gas because we have received our salvation.
The phrase “put on” means “sink into, or invest with clothing”.
The phrase “armour of light” speaks of the spiritual nature of Christ that we walk in through life and warfare.
In Philippians 2:12, the Bible says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
This means we are responsible for ensuring that we live according to the Word of God. This means that we have to do more than listen to the Word of God, but we have to sink into our new nature with gratefulness and joy.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #26
Mar 20, 2025 – 2 Corinthians 4:4 – a blind mind that rejected the gospel
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
2 Corinthians 4:4
Hey Everyone!
Sometimes, people can’t see what is right in front of their faces.
People are so close to the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet refuse to believe.
In my Biblical Studies Bachelor’s Degree Program, there seems to be more unbelievers than believers, which is astounding, because we are given a curriculum that clearly shows how a sovereign God created the events in history to produce undeniable evidence that Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God, but He is also God Incarnate.
Amid all three classes that are teaching us not only the Bible, but historical and literal context surrounding Scripture, people still make the choice to not believe.
How can’t they not see? The only answer is that they are blinded from seeing the truth.
Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 4:4, a blind mind that rejected the gospel.
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
The first thing we have to do is find out who the “in whom” pertains to. Establishing who the characters are is extremely importance in understanding context. This means we have to go back to understand.
In 2 Corinthians 4:3, the Bible says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost”.
So the “in whom” are those who are lost?
Those who haven’t accepted the gospel as truth and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Since Paul is writing this letter to the believers in Corinth, where the church is growing, the question probably has surfaced as to why some people aren’t receiving such a clear gospel message when it is right in their faces. Paul is providing this answer. Sometimes, people aren’t receiving the gospel because it is hiding in plain sight.
The phrase “god of this world” refers to Satan.
In John 14:30, Christ says, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
Christ identifies Satan as the prince of this world, which signifies that there is an authority he has in the earth, but this authority and kingdom authority have nothing in common with Christ.
In Ephesians 6:11-12, the Bible says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
To think that there is not a spiritual realm where the enemy is trying to divide and conquer believers, where he is trying to get believers to deny their faith, where he desires to see us broken and in despair is to think unrealistically.
The word “blinded” means “to obscure”.
The word “minds” means “perception or understanding”.
In Ephesians 4:18-19, the Bible says, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
When a person’s understanding has been blinded, they have unwittingly removed themselves from a life with God and have given themselves over to experience whatever worldly lust comes to mind. The enemy wants to keep us so consumed by sinfulness that we never see our way out of the darkness.
There is a kind of person who is blinded like this.
The phrase “believe not” means “to disbelieve, or to be distrustful”.
This is the person who refuses to believe even when the truth is sitting right in their faces.
In Romans 2:5, the Bible says, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God”.
There is an expiration date on sinfulness, and on blindness. There is going to come a point where there will be no excuse.
In John 16:8-9, Christ says, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me”.
The Holy Spirit is moving through the earth, trying to impart truth in all of us, especially the unbelieving.
The word “light” means “moral and spiritual truth”.
The phrase “glorious gospel” refers to the good news of God’s plan for salvation by Jesus Christ.
The word “shine” means “to illuminate or beam forth”.
The enemy wants to keep us in darkness so we don’t receive the gospel truth.
In 2 Corinthians 3:16, the Bible says, “Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.”
Only through Christ can the light come in our darkness, and only through Christ can the blinders come off that the enemy has placed, exposing us to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #27
Mar 21, 2025 – 2 Corinthians 4:6 – a beautiful light shining in our hearts
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
Hi Everyone!
Receiving salvation by faith in Jesus Christ not only adorns us with His light, but we are filled with His light, giving us the power and ability to become who God created us to be.
We can’t become who God created us to be as believers from darkness, but we have to be led by His light, so that we can know how we should live, where we should go, and how we should believe.
This isn’t some eye-opening moment, where our sight is restored, but this is knowing what to do when the light actually comes on. With this light comes power, wisdom, knowledge, and true understanding of our Lord and Saviour, so that we can allow His light to shine through us as we share the gospel.
Our lives are to be reflective of that light all to bring glory to God by our lives.
Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 4:6, a beautiful light shining in our hearts.
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
There is a purpose for receiving the light of Christ. In this verse, it begins with the word “for”, which is a conjunction connecting points of view. This means we have to go back to experience context.
In 2 Corinthians 4:5, the Bible says, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
In order for us to preach Christ, we have to understand that Christ is the Word of God and that comes as the result of us receiving the light of Christ, the light God commanded to shine out of darkness. If the light doesn’t come on, then we don’t experience Christ, and without that experience, there is no witness.
In 2 Timothy 4:2-3, the Bible says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”.
We were in darkness until the light of Christ shined upon us. We received this Light as truth and the light shined in us. So now, we are entrusted with being a type of light, so that others can receive the true Light. We are preaching to the same darkness that we were delivered from.
The word “commanded” means “to speak, call, or bring forth”.
The word “light” speaks of moral and spiritual truth.
The word “shine” means “to illuminate or beam radiantly”.
The word “darkness” implies a life absent of Christ, a life without moral or spiritual truth.
In Genesis 1:2-3, the Bible says, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
The same way God called light forth from darkness is the same way He called light forth from the darkness that was in us. If God could light a whole world with His light, then putting light in our darkness is light work for Him.
The word “hearts” refers to our innermost being, the center of our thoughts, desires, passions and will.
I cringe at the thought of God shining a light on some of the stuff I was thinking about, but 1 Corinthians 4:5 says, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Instead of cringing at the thought of some of the ideas that try to work within us, let us give that to God and praise Him for knowing what is going on inside of us, and for His word being true that His light shines out of darkness.
Fortunately for us, the light of Christ convicts, but there is also a more beautiful purpose involved.
The word “give” means “to bestow or offer up”.
The word “light” “moral or spiritual light”.
The word “knowledge” doesn’t speak on just head knowledge, but it really expresses oneness with what is known.
Essentially, God’s design is for us to become Scripture. Think not?
In 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, the Bible says, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
God created us to experience His Word in our innermost being so that we can share that with others.
The word “glory” means “splendor, glory, or honor”.
So when God’s light shines in our hearts, we are giving His truth and the ability to experience oneness with God through Christ.
We then pay this forward by sharing what we have received, and God is glorified in the process.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #28
Mar 22, 2025 – Ephesians 5:8 – living our faith in Christ out
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
Ephesians 5:8
Hi Everyone!
I remember when I was living in darkness.
The world was a cold place and I became cold with it, and my behavior was consistent with someone completely in submission to Satan.
Sure, I had some great moments. I did good deeds for people, I was sacrificial, I was generous, I respected the elders and I protected the children in my neighborhood.
When I was arrested for my homicide case, it shocked the neighborhood I lived in Racine, a city outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It shocked my family.
It took five years for it to finally shock me.
The reason?
The darkness I was consumed in kept me making excuses instead of taking responsibility for my behaviors.
As a believer, I am a staunch advocate of a person being who they say they are.
If we are believers, then we should see fruit. If we are in darkness, we are not going to bear fruit. We cannot profess faith without living it out.
Today, we will look at Ephesians 5:8, living our faith in Christ out.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:“
The word “for” beginning a Scripture suggests that more context is need from previous Scripture to establish the connection.
In Ephesians 5:6-7, the Bible says, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
Paul is writing to believers, telling them to remember that they are no longer children of wrath, that they don’t have to serve the sinfulness that once ruled them. Paul is imploring the church to distinguish themselves from the world, because it should see a difference in us.
In 2 Corinthians 6:16-17, the Bible says, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
If we are supposed to be the temple of the Lord, a place people can come to in order for them to experience the presence of God, then will they actually experience God or Satan?
The word “darkness” speaks of moral darkness, those who practice wickedness and are under the influence of Satan.
This verse says “ye were darkness”, so this is an identity issue as well.
In Isaiah 9:2, the Bible says, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
This is the same great light that Saul saw when He met Jesus on the road to Damascus, the same light that Christ spoke from, and the same light that changed Saul to Paul. Paul’s change caught so many people off-guard that they had to check to make sure it was real.
In Romans 1:20-21, the Bible says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
God has given us creation to provide a record of the existence of God, but we allow ourselves to become blinded to the truth by the darkness within us.
The word “light” means “true knowledge of God and spiritual things; Christian piety”.
The word “walk” means “to tread all around as proof of ability, or to live.
We are the light of the Lord and not our own light.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Christ says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
If we are children of the light, then we have to let Christ radiate from us. When people see us, they are supposed to identify us with Christ.
In 1 Peter 2:9-10, the Bible says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
Because of the light of Christ, we have a different identity, and are perceived differently because of God with us.
If we really are partakers of the kingdom of God, and we really are children of the light, then everything we are should reflect Christ.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #29
Mar 23, 2025 – Ephesians 5:13, a light that manifests everything
“But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”
Ephesians 5:13
Hi Everyone!
The light reveals all things.
I know this well, because I lived in a house that had roaches.
In the darkness, the place looked like anyone else’s but when the light came, we clearly saw the silent invaders who raided our home unawares.
Sadly, this is what happens in a believer’s life when they allow Satan’s influence to have some level of reign in their lives.
An infestation of wickedness is happening unawares and even though we look normal on the outside, the inside is being filled with a bunch of stuff we don’t want.
We need to want to continue walking in the light as believers, because the light makes plain everything that rests in the darkness.
Just as the light of Christ reveals the evil laid rest within us, so the light will also manifest the evil that exists in the world.
We will be able to see things as they are, not as we desire them to be.
Today, we will be looking at Ephesians 5:13, a light that manifests everything.
“But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”
The word “but” is a conjunction that connects to ideas. This means we have to travel backwards to grasp the context of the passage.
In Ephesians 5:10-12, the Bible says, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”
Ephesus was a major trading port, so many people from all over came into Ephesus, but Ephesus also embraced Paganism.
So establishing a church in this location was prime, but it also ensured that the people being converted had come in with some baggage to say the least. Some of the habits the people had built from a lifetime of practice would take time to unlearn, care was needed lest judgment be cast too hurriedly on those who don’t get it right away.
Paul’s letters to believers, makes it clear that these new church folks are still battling the flesh that they have been delivered from. So Paul is commanding that they break fellowship with these deeds of the world and not even speak on them or make provision for them, to reduce the risk of them coming back.
In Romans 13:14, the Bible says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
The only way we keep ourselves from being another Ephesus is to keep Christ in our hearts and minds.
The word “reproved” implies “rebuke, admonishment, or conviction”.
The phrase “made manifest” means “to render apparent”.
The word “light” refers to moral or spiritual truth, the true knowledge of God and spiritual things or Christian piety.
I remember being moved from a cell hall I was in when I was in Waupun Correctional Institution, and placed in a different cell hall that was quiet, respectful, where inmates didn’t get into trouble. I was there for four years before I went to the hole for a fight, defending an already-injured person from another person’s attack. I was placed with the original cell hall I once was in.
But now the light revealed everything and I saw a wickedness there that I had never seen before!
I wanted out!
In Hebrews 4:12-13, the Bible says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
The Word of God coming into my heart taking residence over those four years I sat in that quiet unit gave me a different perspective, and also made me aware of not only the evil around us, but also the evil that lived in my heart. The light revealed exactly what sort it was, and dwelling around so much wickedness and godlessness was unsettling.
In John 3:20-21, Christ says, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
I saw a difference when I tried to share truth with the brothers I used to be side-by-side with when I was doing evil. I was now seen as opposition because I chose to walk with the Lord, and they tried to convince me to get re-involved ‘just a little’.
God revealed that compromise is the fastest way to relapse, and that is what Paul is teaching us. The light revealed that to me and still reveals that to me.
There can be no compromise when it comes to the Word of God.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #30
Mar 24, 2025 – 1 John 1:7 – in the light the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Hi Everyone
One of the most beautiful gifts given because of the light of Christ is that it paves the way for us to be saved.
Salvation was a part of God’s plan for mankind, to restore us unto Himself after the fall, and the Bible is a series of stories that ultimately tells one story, how God provided us Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sin, so that we can live as children of God in a fallen world.
The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin, including as well, the sins that produce enormous weight and guilt.
The beauty of salvation is that is also grafts us into the family of God, a powerful community of believers where we can grow together, learn together, and help each other.
When we look at the church it should be a place where we not only experience the presence of God, but it is also a place where we begin to experience oneness with the family of faith.
Today we will look at 1 John 1:7, in the light the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.“
In order to understand the context of this passage, we have to find out the connection made by the conjunction “but”. When the word “but” is used, there is a shift from one state to the next. So we have to go back a little.
In 1 John 1:5-6, the Bible says, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth”.
If we are believers, then we walk in the same light that Christ walks in because God is light. In order to fellowship with light we have to understand that the darkness within us will be extinguished because light and darkness can’t exist at the same time.
We are not talking about an occasional occurrence of sin, but we are talking about a lifestyle of sin, because the word “walk” means “to tread all around as proof of ability, or to live”.
There are many who say they are believers but their lifestyles reflect the darkness they have been delivered from. That means their lives are lies, because there is a contradiction between their salvation and their lifestyle.
They can’t receive His salvation and still live the same way.
In James 1:22-24, the Bible says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
We have to put the Word of God into practice in order to “walk in the light” as the Bible commands us.
We have to live the Word out so that our fruit is Scripture, bearing evidence of the presence of God at work within us. Living the Word of God out produces light that brings God glory.
The word “fellowship” means “partnership or social intercourse”.
This expresses oneness the precise thing Christ prayed for in John 17:20-21, which says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
There is a lot here, but this expresses that God has prepared us for ministry, to share the light of Christ with others so that others will come to the faith. Our body bears witness that we belong to Christ, so it is important that the church is also one.
In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, the Bible says, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”
God desires communion with the body of Christ, and He also desires us to partake in His divine nature together.
The “blood” refers to the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross, atoning for the sin of mankind.
He “cleanseth” means “to purify, make free from filth in a moral sense.”
The word “sin” means “offenses against God”.
By walking in the light of Christ, we are living out our atonement and our salvation, which causes us to live according to the Word of God.
In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the Bible says, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”.
Do we live as if we have been redeemed, brought back to life, or do we live like we were never made whole?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
LIGHT OF CHRIST #31
Mar 25, 2025 – Revelation 22:5 – reigning in the light of Christ forever
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 22:5
Hi Everyone!
We are ending our series on the “Light of Christ”, and in it, we have learned that light has produced the fulfilled will of God in the earth.
We have learned that light exposes darkness, that sinfulness not only exists in the world but within us.
We have also learned that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, imparting spiritual knowledge of God and truth in the world, all to the glory of God.
In learning that our experience with light ultimately led to our salvation, we now know we are filled with the light of Christ and are to serve as beacons of light that show others the way to Christ.
Now that we clearly see the importance of the light of Christ, we are empowered and enlightened by His light so that we can be who God calls us to be.
When this life on earth is over, we will have the privilege of heaven, where we will be in the presence of the fullness of God’s light, and we will reign with Christ forever.
Today, we will look at Revelation 22:5, reigning in the light of Christ forever.
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
The word “and” expresses an addition that is connected to the context of Scripture.
This means we have to go back and establish what our topic verse is connected to.
In Revelation 21:1-2, the Bible says, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Our topic verse is connected to the picture of heaven, our new Jerusalem, our city of true peace. From Revelation 21:1-22:5, it is describing heaven’s attributes, and God is giving the Apostle John a guided tour through heaven, so that we would have this testimony of heaven written in Revelation.
The words “night”, “candle”, and “sun” all give an indication that the concept of days and seasons has been forever abolished by God.
In Revelation 21:23-25, the Bible says,
We won’t need fortressed city walls, because we will live perpetually in what we know as day, and we will walk in the fullness of the light of Christ. We will be perfect, not just spiritually mature, but truly perfect in Him. Time is non-existent in heaven.
The phrase “giveth them light” means “to shed ray upon, to shine or brighten”.
In Psalms 36:7-9, the Bible says, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”
This is a type of picture, as written of in the Psalms about what John experienced in Revelation.
It won’t do justice to what we will see when we actually experience it for ourselves.
Our loving God made His light available to us so that we can experience the great provision of His kingdom.
In Psalm 84:11-12, the Bible says, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.”
When we see God as our sun and shield, we will understand that we can’t live without His provision or protection. To eliminate the sun’s need means that God is much more powerful than the sun, and that He provides something so much greater for us.
The word “reign” means “exercise dominion, to enjoy the high privileges, honor, and felicity of the Messiah’s kingdom”.
God doesn’t just want us to go to heaven, but He desires us to reign with Christ in heaven!
In Romans 8:16-17, the Bible says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
When we receive God’s gift of salvation, we experience adoption and we become co-heirs with Christ, possessing the same power, authority and dominion that He had when He walked the earth.
In heaven, we will experience the complete magnitude of what God bestowed upon us to experience here on earth, dominion by and through His light!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Mar 26, 2025 – Proverbs 25:28 – the broken down walls from our lack of self-control
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
Proverbs 25:28
Hi Everyone!
Self-control.
This is something I truly lacked growing up, and something that continued to rear its ugly head throughout all my life.
There is an impulse within us to respond to things that God desires us to stand silent on, and also an impulse within us to move when God desires for us to be still.
Even then, there are times, where we move without inquiring of the Lord first.
I was guilty of this on more than one occasion, and I still sometimes, move first and then ask God, was my move the right one?
Living impulsively may seem exciting at times, and it may even make logical sense, but a lot of times, moving impulsively can leave us in a pit of regret from saying things we wish we could take back, or doing things that we wish we could undo.
Without self-control, the enemy has room to come in unrestricted and plant seeds towards our destruction.
Today, we will be looking at Proverbs 25:28, the broken down walls from our lack of self-control.
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
Proverbs is a book written mostly by Solomon, and is a compilation of wise sayings God inspired him to write during his reign.
Though the book of Proverbs shouldn’t be viewed as a book of commands, if one was to heed what is written in Proverbs, they would be sure to live a much better life. When taking advice, it is important that we consider the messenger as we ingest the message, but we are to weigh any message given according to the Word of God.
In 1 Kings 3:5, the Bible says, “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.”
This is a powerful moment in Solomon’s life, one that would change his life forever. God appeared to him in a dream and essentially gives him a blank check. If God asked us the same question, what would our response be?
In 1 Kings 3:9, the Bible says, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”
Solomon asked for wisdom to do the job as king of Israel effectively, because he felt himself too small amid such a great task.
In 1 Kings 3:12, the Bible says, “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.”
Solomon didn’t ask something of himself, but he wanted to receive of the Lord what he needed to please God as King, and not only did God honor his request, but He also gave him all of the things that he could have asked for but didn’t, making him the wisest and the wealthiest person in the world. So the Proverbs we read are the sayings of the wisest person who walked the earth in his time.
The phrase “no rule” means “lacking restraint or control”.
The word “spirit” refers to one’s spiritual life, and in our soul, the anger, passions, the seat of emotions, mind, or will”.
Putting these two together, this is a person who lacks self-control. This is a person who acts and speaks before they inquire of God or even think, and this person is highly vulnerable.
In Proverbs 16:32, the Bible says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
I used to think that the angriest person was the strongest, but I have come to find out the exact opposite, that they are the absolute weakest.
Those people who have self-control operate in the greatest amount of strength, because they usually don’t put themselves in situations to be broken down and humbled from arrogance or anger.
In Galatians 5:22-24, the Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Self-control (temperance) is in the fruit of the Spirit, the evidence that the Holy Spirit reigns in one’s life. We have to put our flesh, or our impulses, in check in order to move according to the Spirit. A city broken down and without walls is a city vulnerable to attack from the enemy.
In Nehemiah 1:3, the Bible says, “And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.”
Before Nehemiah could rebuild the city, he had to first repair the walls. Many of us are trying to build our cities without walls, leaving us open to destruction time after time.
Many of us don’t realize that in order for us to be self-controlled, we have to remove “self” from the equation. When will we learn?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Mar 27, 2025 – Acts 5:38 – planting a sure seed in a surer foundation
“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought”
Acts 5:38
Hi Everyone!
God provides, protects, and sustains what is His.
When we are walking in the Lord, there will be things, people, and opposition that comes our way, but that isn’t a sign that we are doing something wrong.
When we stand on the other side of the adversity in victory, we will understand that God has been there the whole time, and we will also know that no level of adversity can match the power of God.
Now, there is a difference between a person moving in the power of the Lord and someone just calling it the power of the Lord.
My marriage to Jessica began from the most improbable circumstances and many people: prison authorities, some of our family, and some of our friends, tried to stand in opposition to our future together.
Five years later, and we are still thriving mightily and we continue to build a marriage that honors God and allows us to share God’s love with others together.
Today, we will look at Acts 5:38, planting a sure seed in a surer foundation.
“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought”.
This passage, relates part of a conversation that took place in the Jewish counsel that stood in opposition to the apostles’ ministry of Christ in the temple.
The council had previously had them incarcerated, but God sent His angel to open up the doors of the prison, with the command for them to preach the Gospel in the temple.
The disciples were obedient to God, and the very next morning, they were in the temple, preaching the Gospel. The people who initially confined them had no clue that they had got out of prison, and after checking in on them, they found the prison doors locked, but no one was there!
They discovered that the apostles were not only out of prison, but were the same ones preaching the Gospel in the temple. They brought the apostles back before the council, where they tried to reinforce their command to never teach in Jesus’ name.
Peter tells the council that they have to obey God rather than men, and began to share the Gospel with them! The council came together after this with the intention to slay the apostles, but Gamaliel, a Pharisaic doctor of the law had a different idea.
In Acts 5:35, the Bible says, “And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.”
He starts out by telling them to think twice. Gamaliel then goes on to give them a history of people who staged movements identified as ministries only to see them crash and burn. He uses history to show them that the things of men will fail.
The word “refrain” means “to withdraw from, to desist, or let alone”.
He is imploring them to let the apostles’ ministry fail out on its own, if it will fail, because in Proverbs 21:30, the Bible says, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
Gamaliel sees the fact that the apostles were miraculously released from prison and preached the Gospel in the same areas without fear. Gamaliel was the voice of reason in the madness.
The word “counsel” means “advice, plan, or purpose”.
The word “work” means “labour”.
The phrase “come to nought” means “to dissolve, be demolished, or to disintegrate”.
Gamaliel was very familiar that things built without the Lord would be destroyed.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, the Bible says, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
When the foundation of Christ is laid, what is build upon it, as long as it is of the Lord, will stand up to anything.
In 1 Corinthians 3:13, the Bible says, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
Trust me if something is not built in the Lord, God will never allow a lie to represent Him. The fire will always test the merit of a ministry.
In Isaiah 8:9-10, the Bible says, “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.”
This passage is prophesying the coming of the Assyrians against Israel, and God is telling them that no amount of resistance is going to stop the Assyrians from taking over. Why? Because they are being sent by God!
When God ordains something to happen, it will happen, And He completely backs it.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Mar 28, 2025 – Acts 5:29 – an act of obedience against a disobedient authority
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:29
Hi Everyone!
Being a believer places us under a different kingdom and within that kingdom, there is a different authority, a higher authority, the highest authority.
All decisions must be weighed through the Word of God, especially decisions about what earthly rules to obey.
Being in prison, this is especially important, because there are a series of rules in place that can cause a conflict of interest, so we have to have the Holy Spirit’s discretion on how to proceed.
Sometimes, the governing authorities are going to tell us to disobey God’s Word.
In that moment, what will we do?
At a former prison, we had Bible studies work during our lunch break, but the relief officers told us we couldn’t have our Bibles out in our study.
Another time they even searched our Bibles and tried to scare us with prison policy. Our response? We closed our Bibles and discussed the Scripture we were just going over!
Today we will be looking at Acts 5:29, an act of obedience against a disobedient authority.
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
This passage is an interaction between Peter and the apostles and the ruling authorities of the Jews. Peter and the apostles are spreading the Word of God to people, and the Jews have a major problem with it! They placed them in prison because of it!
In Acts 5:17-18, the Bible says, “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”
Imagine being incarcerated for sharing the Word of God with people by those who are supposed to know the Word themselves. This is how God responded to this.
In Acts 5:19-20, the Bible says, “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
God came and got them all from prison and commanded them to go to the temple, God’s House, and preach the Word of God!
Sometimes, God is going to have us share the gospel in a place where the governing authorities are going to hate our guts, but do we disobey God?
In Acts 5:21, the Bible says, “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.”
The apostles response to God’s command was to obey, and they carried out God’s directive immediately, completely unconcerned by the fact that they were just confined for this very same thing yesterday!
Of course, they were brought right back before this same council!
In Acts 5:27-28, the Bible says, “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Here we have the conflict. We have a ruling Jewish council who commanded them to do something that contradicted the command that God gave them. In this case, who do we obey?
If God commanded me to teach the Word, then that is what I am going to do, and I have experienced staff actually listen in thinking that I was going to stop, and they ended up hearing some Word too!
The word “obey” means “to submit to authority, to conform to advice, but be persuaded by a ruler”.
In Romans 13:1, the Bible says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
The prison staff asked me to disobey a directive given to me by God. God will never contradict Himself, and will never command me to break His commandment.
In Hebrews 13:6, the Bible says, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
I have watched officers walk past me while I was having a Bible study in the day room, and go to other brothers having a study 50 feet away and threaten to write them tickets for having a study. Those brothers disbanded their study out of fear, not realizing that I once got those same threats by the same officers!
In 2 Timothy 4:2, the Bible says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
This is not just when the time is convenient for them, but when it comes at an inconvenience to us as well.
The will of God must be done, and we are commanded to share the Gospel. The question is, will we allow fear to make us disobedient to God?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Mar 29, 2025 – Proverbs 20:7 – righteousness and integrity that rub off
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”
Proverbs 20:7
Hi Everyone!
Who we are as parents will reflect greatly upon our children.
The example we set becomes the mantle we leave behind to our children.
Does our example leave our children drawing closer to the Lord, or does our example lead to them never experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through them?
We want to have blessed lives, and we want to have blessed families, but are we living in the righteousness that we became when we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?
I had parents that dropped the ball on their parental responsibilities, and that adversely affected me and my siblings.
Now that I have been blessed with children to parent, I want them to experience powerful relationships with God, and I want to lead by example by having my own powerful relationship with God.
I don’t just want to leave behind an inheritance of material possessions, I want to ensure that my children’s children’s children are faithful believers of Jesus Christ.
Today, we will be looking at Proverbs 20:7, righteousness and integrity that rub off.
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”
The word “just” means “righteous or lawful, one who conforms to the standard that God has set”.
Conformity is mandatory if we desire to live righteously, because we have to cast aside our own standard, exchanging it for God’s.
This is why in Romans 12:2, the Bible says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
When we conform ourselves to God’s standard, His will becomes the priority in our lives, and He will make His will known to us. This isn’t just one decision, but this is a daily, lifestyle choice to decrease and allow God to increase.
In Psalm 37:4-5, the Bible says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
Too many people want the blessings of God so much that they overlook the command in this passage.
To “delight thyself” means “to be soft or pliable, able to be formed”.
To “commit” expresses a rolling towards the Lord. So we can’t experience the promises of blessings while we are still trying to live our own lives and working our own agendas.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
It is through Christ that we become the righteousness of God. We can’t be this by just being good. We have to conform to God’s standard of salvation in order to receive His righteousness.
The word “walketh” means “to live according to, to exercise, or to practice”.
The word “integrity” means “completeness, or spiritual prosperity”.
This is a life lived that is fruitful in the Lord, and that fruitfulness is apparent to all.
In Job 1:1, the Bible says, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”
This was the fruit Job bore in his life, living in reverence to God having made a conscious decision to serve God through his life. His fruit was so obvious that God acknowledged it!
In Job 1:8, the Bible says, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
God knew Job was a man of righteousness and integrity, and would hold up to any kind of testing.
When the testing of Job came, Job 2:9-10, the Bible says, “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”
The world is going to ask us to relinquish our integrity, especially in the face of adversity, but the righteous will secure themselves in the foundation of Christ.
The word “children” refers to offspring, the builders of the family name.
The word “blessed” means “a state of bliss experienced”.
In Psalm 112:1-2, the Bible says, “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.”
The blessing we receive from living a faithful life in the Lord becomes the experience that we teach our children from, so that they can be partakers in the blessings of the Lord. We have the ability to leave behind a legacy of righteousness and integrity, but the question is, will we?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Mar 30, 2025 – Proverbs 20:18, seeking Godly counsel in all situations
“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Proverbs 20:18
Hi Everyone!
Life as a believer is a wonderful experience.
We get to experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through us.
We can serve God by serving others, watching their joy being made complete from how God blessed them through us.
We also have a spiritual navigation system that is capable of dealing with every situation we face. We have so many gifts that come as the result of our salvation, and God desires us to experience all of them, but do we access what we have available?
Do we pursue God in prayer before we make certain decisions?
Do we seek God’s face when we are offended by someone we love, and we need direction about how to proceed
Being in prison provides an ample amount of situations that should make me pursue God, but sometimes I allow my foolishness to have reign and I want to do things my way.
We can only succeed in our walks with the Lord through heeding the wise counsel God provides.
Today, we will look at Proverbs 20:18, seeking Godly counsel in all situations.
“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
The word “purpose” means “imagination, plan, or intention”.
The word “established” means “to make firm, to set up, or to set in place”.
The word “counsel” means “advice or advisement”.
In Colossians 1:16-17, the Bible says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
We have to first understand that this world, and everything in it was set up and set in place by God. All power belongs to Him, and if this whole universe is set together by Him, then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that maybe, we should be pursuing understanding and advice from the Person who created everything about how we should live in this world.
In James 1:5-6, the Bible says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
Our first mistake is when we don’t go to God first in pursuing His wisdom concerning the things that we face in our lives. Our second mistake is when we don’t heed the advice that He sends. God us going to tell us what we should do if we are truly listening.
In Proverbs 15:22, the Bible says, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
We are essentially going up a river without paddles by not receiving the Godly counsel of others, but when we do accept God’s counsel, it is like putting a motor in back of the boat. We will get there much easier and faster with God than we ever would on our own.
The word “good” means “well-pleasing, fruitful, or morally correct”.
This is a word that described God’s creative intent being fulfilled. There is only one type of good advice, and that is advice that comes from God.
The phrase “make war” refers to the completion, accomplishing, or victory in the face of warfare.
When we are facing spiritual warfare, we must know that we have to go to God before making a move.
In 1 Samuel 30:1, the Bible says, “And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire”.
David went to war, only to come back and find out that the place he settled in with his army and family was burned by fire and everyone was kidnapped. David was a man of war so it makes logical sense for him to instinctively get revenge.
In 1 Samuel 30:7-8, the Bible says, “And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”
David encourages himself in the Lord and then pursued Godly counsel, because he wanted to make sure that would have God’s permission and blessing to pursue those who took his family and people.
In Luke 14:31, the Bible says, “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”
Victory only comes when we pursue Godly counsel and operate according to Godly wisdom. We can’t expect to succeed in this world without God’s counsel.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Mar 31, 2025 – James 3:1, being teachers of the Gospel
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
James 3:1
Hi Everyone!
I cringe at the thought of doing this devotional this morning, especially after looking at the verse that I will covering.
See, for the last day and a half, me and my wife have been in this heated argument, and while I am not the cause of the argument, my unforgiving heart has kept it going way longer than it had to.
How can I be a teacher and teach people love, patience, and forgiveness when I am struggling with the very same thing right now?
This is also one of the reasons why I wasn’t too eager when God put it on my heart to teach this, and why I ran when the pastor pointed me out of a crowd on my 17th birthday and told me I would preach the word of God.
The responsibility is huge, both to the people I teach and with making sure that I don’t become an eyesore to the faith.
This means that I have to live my faith out in all ways, no matter the hurt, no matter the struggle, and no matter the excuses I could conjure up otherwise.
Today, we will look at James 3:1, being teachers of the Gospel.
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
The word “brethren” means “one connected to another in intimacy or fellowship; one possessing the same Father as another; or fellow Christians”.
This makes it clear that James is writing to believers, people that are supposed to know better. Who Scripture is written to is very important for understanding whether the text applies directly to us or not.
This one clear does, because James is writing to a church where people are actively teaching the Word of God, and also where people are installing themselves in positions of teaching for status and all the wrong reasons.
The word “masters” means “instructors or teachers”.
In Luke 12:48, Christ says, “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Christ is speaking about teachers. We are truly given a lot as teachers to be able to do what God is given us to do. I know this firsthand. I also know that being a teacher means that I have to live as an example of the faith by being the very thing that I am teaching. This means that I have to live a more disciplined life, and sometimes, I fail in this.
In Luke 12:42-43, the Bible says, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
Faithful and wise stewardship means that we cleave to the Word of God, and we live out our calling bringing glory to God. It means that we handle the responsibility of teaching and serving well, also we live as believers should.
James is suggesting that believers understand that the position of teaching is highly important. You are make an investment in not only someone’s “forever”, but you are also making contributions in a person’s spiritual development as well. There is a possibility that someone can come to the faith because of what you say or do, and also a possibility that a person can walk away from the faith because of what you say or do. This is not a light responsibility.
In Matthew 23:8, Christ says, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”
It is highly humbling when a person refers to me as a teacher or preacher because I see my frailties, my flaws, where I come short. I am just someone who shares the Gospel at the end of the today, which is what we all are commanded to do.
In Romans 2:20-22, the Bible says, “An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?”
I don’t want to be someone who teaches a person one thing but practices another. I don’t want to be an eyesore to the Gospel, neither do I want to displease God in my offering.
The word “condemnation” means “judgment, punishment, or consequences”.
This means a teacher will be punished more harshly for violating the same Word of God that they teach.
In Matthew 23:14, Christ says, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”
I don’t want to be this person, someone who makes a spectacle of the Gospel, instead of being an example of the Gospel.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
