Oct 1, 2023 – 2 Samuel 22:31 – conforming to the way and Word of God
”As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
2 Samuel 22:31
Hi Everyone!
I thought my way made sense, and it made no sense that my way did not work! The reason my way didn’t work is because my way wasn’t God’s way. I didn’t consult with God about entering into the street life before I did it. I just went in my own way, operating in my own strength, all while expecting an amazing result to come in the process. Well, I crashed and burned severely, and in the midst of my greatest failure, I discovered that God’s way is the absolute best way, and I began to submit myself to His way. God has proven Himself to be true, and He has established that His way is the only way that I can be everything I was created to be. One thing I learned is that as we submit to God’s way, He backs us to anybody and anything. The assurance of knowing that God has me covered at every stage of my life now makes it that much easier for me to stay on this path. Today, we will look at 2 Samuel 22:31, conforming to the way and Word of God.
”As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
The word ”way” means ”a road, course of life, or mode of action”. This word expresses a path that is taken or a path that is blazed for us to take. The word ”perfect” means ”complete, without blemish, blamelessness of God’s law, truth, and knowledge”. In order for us to trust in God’s way, we have to acknowledge that His way doesn’t have a blemish to it, that this is the best route for us to take as believers. This will require us to trust in God even when it makes no sense to us. In Isaiah 55:7-9, the Bible says, ”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. 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.” In order for us to understand the way that God wants us to take, we have to remain in the presence of the Lord, and abandon our thoughts and plans about the direction for our life. God’s ways go farther than our thoughts could ever fathom, and for a lot of believers, we can sometimes not appreciate that fact because what we see doesn’t line up with what we believe. In Deuteronomy 32:3-4, the Bible says, ”Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Not only should we trust in God’s way, but we should also declare how perfect His way is in our lives.
The word ”word” means ”commandment or speech”. The word ”tried” means ”refined, or pure”. When a precious metal is refined, it is when metal goes into a fire and all of the impurities are burned away, leaving behind something pure and without blemish. Refined metal is metal at its highest value, and that is how the Word of God is; at its highest value when it is not diluted by our perspectives. In Daniel 4:37, the Bible says, ”Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” Nebuchadnezzar came to an understanding that God’s Word is true and His ways without blemish, and he wasn’t a believer to begin with. Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself at one point and attributed his own power as being his success. God showed him for seven years that He has nothing without the Word and way of God. In Psalm 12:6-7, the Bible says, ”The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” God does not give His Word once. He has been given us His Word since the beginning of time, yet we have fallen short, because we continue to put our own spin on His Word to suit whatever our flesh wants to do.
The word ”buckler” means ”shield, protector, or defence.” In Proverb 30:5, the Bible says, ”Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” It goes back to trust. Not only do we have to love the Word of God, but we have to trust in the Word of God. The word ”trust” means ”to flee for protection, have hope in, or to confide in”. In 2 Samuel 22:3, the Bible says, ”The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.” When we trust in the Word of the Lord, we place ourselves completely under God’s care, assured that He is going to take care of us or anything that comes our way. When we trust in the Word of God, we are positioned for Godly success, to live a life pleasing to our God. The question is, will we?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 2, 2023 – Philippians 2:14 – breaking the complaining spirit in our lives
”Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”
Philippians 2:14
Hi Everyone!
How is our attitude towards the Word of God? How is our disposition towards God when the Holy Spirit presses our hearts to do something, especially things that we don’t necessarily want to do? How does our complaining spirit affect our access to the provision of God? God doesn’t desire us to have a murmuring and complaining spirit within us, because none of that expresses trust for the direction that God has for our lives, nor does that suggest that we have a willingness to hear the Word of God, let alone do what it says. How we respond to what God calls us to do serves as a witness for others as well, because if they see us essentially being dragged by God to do everything, then how will we ever make the kingdom of God experience something that is desired and treasured? We may not like some of the things God is calling us to do, but we have to do it anyway, and do it with an attitude of gratitude, grateful that God decided to call our names. Today, we will look at Philippians 2:14, breaking the complaining spirit in our lives.
”Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”
The word ”do” means ”to perform, complete, or accomplish”. 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.” Our identity is established in what we do, whether we like it or not. If we hear the Word but don’t do what it says, we will easily forget who we are in the Lord. In Romans 2:13, the Bible says, ‘‘For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Justification before God comes to those who perform what the Word of God says, and justification changes our state from guilty to innocent, from bound to free, all because of faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. In Matthew 7:26-27, the Christ says, ”And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Our stability is attached to our obedience to the Word of God, and our durability is also attached. We don’t just want to stand, but we want to endure through everything that comes our way, with our feet on a sure foundation. Doing what the Word of God says puts us in prime position to see the absolute best happen to us in our walk with the Lord.
The word ”murmurings” means ”grumblings”. It is an emotional rejection of God’s providence, will, and circumstance over our lives. It is embedded in our reaction to the Word of God and it shows exactly where our heart is before God. In Luke 19:5-7, the Bible says, ”And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” Here, we have two different attitudes present. Zacchaeus is a tax collector who us despised by his own people, but when Christ called him, he obeyed the Word, made haste to come into the present of Christ, and oh yeah, he climbed a tree just to see Christ walk by! Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector, had the right attitude towards Christ, but the people around him murmured, and then questioned the choice Christ made to go to a sinner’s house. Our murmuring will stop the Word of God from moving in our lives. Our murmuring will also stop the Word from dwelling in our house. Let’s look at the end result. In Luke 19:9, the Bible says, ”And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” Zacchaeus received salvation because he obeyed without murmuring.
The word ”disputings” means ”debate or contention stemming from doubt”. This word has more of an intellectual take, where a person questions or criticizes God. In Romans 14:1, the Bible says, ”Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” We are not supposed to receive people who lack faith or those weak in faith with an argumentative tone, so why would we do that to our God? In 1 Peter 4:8-9, the Bible says, ‘‘And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” If we have to make ourselves be at the service of others, we have to have even more of this attitude towards God. When we fight against the Word of God, we can’t expect Him to be pleased with us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 3, 2023 – Colossians 2:12 – buried and risen in Christ
”Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
Colossians 2:12
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we have passed from death to life because of the finished work of Christ. The nature we once lived was buried with us and left behind when we received salvation from our sin and redemption from the penalty of death. Christ ensured that we never have to wear grave clothes again because His blood continues to cleanse us from all sin. We have life everlasting in Him, and it is not because of anything we have done to earn this gift, but it is because of God’s all-encompassing love for us. God wants His creation to be His children, but we have become dead to who we once were and seize the life that Christ has for us. The blood of Jesus Christ can bring anyone back to life who believes, and it doesn’t matter how bad you were, or what you have done. Today, we will look at Colossians 2:12, buried and risen in Christ.
”Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
The word ”buried” means ”to inter in company with, or to assimilate spiritually”. The word ”baptism” means ”fully immersed spiritually in Christ”. This is our way of identifying with Christ in the likeness of his death, burial, and resurrection. In Romans 6:3-5, the Bible says, ”Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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”. Christ’s death brought glory to God in that it fulfilled His purpose: to offer an atoning sacrifice from sin once and for all to all who believe on His name. When we are baptized into Christ’s death, it also brings glory to God because it fulfills God’s intended design for mankind. In Genesis 1:26, the Bible says, ”And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” God created us to resemble Him in the earth, but our sin nature hindered our appearance and our spiritual state. Receiving the gift of salvation and redemption by faith in Jesus Christ allows us to carry the attributes of Christ, but we have to die to self.
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.” This is a dying to self that is required. When we are buried with Christ in baptism, the old things are gone, the old life is gone, and the old ways of doing things are gone.
The word ”risen” means ”to rouse from death, or to revive”. In Colossians 3:1-3, 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. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Christ was risen new in God, and so are we. Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father, and as the risen in Christ we are also seated in heavenly places in Christ. Think not? In Ephesians 2:5-6, the Bible says, ”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”. The provision for our salvation was made when we were still serving sin, and when we were saved, it brought us back to life and caused us to be seated in heavenly places in Christ right here in this earth!
The word ”faith” means ”credence, persuasion, assurance, or belief, a means of appropriating what God in Christ has for man, resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life”. The word ”operation” means ”effectual working”, which is the same word we get energy from. In Ephesians 1:18-19, 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, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power”.
Who would’ve known that being alive in Christ would open up our eyes and minds to know God’s intention for us, and the power that He has that now works in us.
In Acts 2:24, the Bible says, ‘‘Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” Death couldn’t keep Christ down, and now that we are alive in Christ, death can’t keep us down either!
Who would’ve thought a funeral would bring us back to life?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 4, 2023 – Isaiah 30:1 – seeking the right help in war time
”Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.”
Isaiah 30:1
Hi Everyone!
Who do we turn to when we face adversity? When hardships come our way, and the enemy mounts a huge offensive against us, who do we place our trust in? Last night, I had a nearly five hour battle with the enemy that I spent half the night fighting him with flesh. I tried to out think the devil, preparing myself to respond to my inner conflict in a way that would get my point across and solve the problem, and all that happened was my peace completely left me! It would’ve been even worse if I woke up and sought any counsel other than the Lord’s! The enemy is mounting offensives against the Church daily, and sadly, many are fighting these battles in their own flesh or seeking ungodly perspective or assistance. Until we become a people who rely on the Lord for safety and deliverance, we will never get to a place of victory. Today, we will look at Isaiah 30:1, seeking the right help in war time.
”Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.”
The word ”woe” doesn’t mean anything good! ”Woes” are usually bad tidings or bad circumstances that befall a person who doesn’t follow the commands God sets. The word ”rebellious” means ”stubborn or backsliding”. A little back story. King Hezekiah was the king of Judah. He was a different kind of king, and in 2 Kings 18:4-5, the Bible says, ‘‘He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.” King Hezekiah had amazing qualities, two of which all believers need.
He cleared the way for the presence of God and He trusted in God. But King Hezekiah changed.
Just like King Hezekiah, we can go from trusting in the Lord fully, to relying on our flesh in a heartbeat. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, threatened to invade Jerusalem, and in an attempt to make peace, King Hezekiah cleared out all of the silver out of the house of the Lord. But this wasn’t enough. It will always cost us something really valuable when we operate in our flesh.
Hezekiah’s advisers urged him to turn to the Egyptians for help, but did not encourage him to inquire of God.
In Isaiah 31:1, the Bible says, ”Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” God wants us to rely on Him, not on a place God has already delivered us from. Neither the strength of Egypt, the strength of our past, nor the strength of our flesh is capable of surpassing the strength of God.
The word ”counsel” means ”advice, plan, or prudence”. In Isaiah 29:15, the Bible says, ‘‘Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” We will find ourselves tripped up and turned around if we seek any other counsel than that of the Lord’s.
In Proverbs 19:21, the Bible says, ”There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” We have to trust in the counsel of the Lord, because God’s counsel will see us through any situation that comes our way. The word ”cover” refers to a pouring out of anointing. The word ”covering” means ”an alliance, an offering or sacrifice to speak a covenant”.
If we enter into an alliance with our flesh or the world to fight against the enemy, then we are telling God we are NOT are putting our trust Him.
In Jeremiah 17:5-6, the Bible says, ‘‘Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.”
When we trust in our flesh or make an alliance with the world to deal with the enemy, we have EFFECTIVELY turned our backs against the Lord. We will become a desert place of isolation, a place where growth is greatly hindered.
The word ”sin” means ”an offence leading to punishment”. Adding sin to sin simply means that we make a bad situation worse.
Just as I toiled for nearly five hours warring in my flesh, I made my problem more complicated, all because I didn’t trust in the Word of God. In 1 Peter 5:7, the Bible says, ‘‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” If I would’ve just trusted in the Lord with the contents of my heart and mind, He would have rewarded my stress with peace.
How much peace have we robbed ourselves of because we won’t trust in the Lord?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 5, 2023 – Psalm 20:7 – who do we trust and boast of in battle?
”Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20:7
Hi Everyone!
A battle can be intense. When we are under attack, there are instincts that we rely on that help get us through what has come against us. There is a statement that has been made, ”safety in numbers”, that has provided so much comfort to people who believe in it, but what can numbers do for a person who is being destroyed in a personal struggle? In prison, getting a good lawyer for an appeal is a frequent topic, and many believe that a good attorney will automatically grant freedom. Many people in prison have been sorely disappointed when they find out that their team of lawyers and tens of thousands of dollars didn’t grant them what they paid for. Believers don’t need to rely on numbers, armies, or money to bring about the safety, protection, provision, or purpose of the Lord. We have the name of the Lord, which is more than capable of providing us the victory. When we place our faith in the Lord, we align ourselves in victory. Today, we will look at Psalm 20:7, who do we trust and boast of in battle?
”Some ‘trust’ in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
In the King James Version, the word ‘trust‘ is italicized, meaning that it wasn’t included in the original manuscript. The word was added later for contextual purposes by biblical scholars, to help us understand exactly what is being spoken of. Also to help us understand context, let us go to Psalm 20:1-2, which says, ‘‘The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion”. Psalm 20 is a warfare Psalm, a prayer offered up before war. In war time, people frequently paraded their armies or their weaponry in a display of power. An quick reference of that would be North Korea’s leader, who has often showed military displays of numbers, power, discipline, and weaponry.
The word ”trust” means ”to boast, rely on, place confidence or assurance in, or to have faith in.” In Psalm 33:16-17, the Bible says, ”There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.” Despite any display of military strength, despite any display of financial wealth, none of these are the recipe of victory in the manner God intends. To rely on chariots and horses for victory is to trust in the created thing to bring about an outcome that only the Creator can bring about.
The word ”chariots” means ”vehicles, a team, or calvary”. Being a former gang member, I know how the safety of a crowd of guys can produce this false sense of security, and at the same time, I know how carrying a gun made me feel safe. Ironically, in my experience in the streets, I have been shot multiple times, and people have been shot in a crowd of people. Our thoughts about what it takes for our safety doesn’t produce safety. Our safety can only come from the Lord.
In Proverbs 21:30-31, the Bible says, ‘‘There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” The right advice in war time is pivotal because we have read about how Hushai frustrated the counsel of Ahithophel to Absalom, which would have potentially given Absalom the victory over his father David. Absalom trusted Hushai’s advice which was God’s intent, because David had to be preserved to secure the line to Christ. Nothing will mount up in victory against the counsel and safety of the Lord. In Zechariah 4:6, the Bible says, ‘‘Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” We will sometimes resort to our flesh to fight a battle we are supposed to fight in the spirit, but we need to understand that everything we need the Lord has provided.
The word ”remember” means ”to mark in order to be recognized, or to be mindful of”. The word ”name” means ”an appellation as a mark or memorial, expressing the authority or character of the Lord”. In 2 Chronicles 32:7-8, the Bible says, ‘‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” Hezekiah had to encourage the people of Judah to not be afraid of the Assyrians who were trying to invade. He told them to not worry about the king of Assyria’s track record, nor of his armies, because his power is only in his flesh. Judah has the Lord God in their corner which gives them victory against anything that will come their way.
This victory is ours as well if we trust in the name of the Lord!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 6, 2023 – Numbers 20:12 – an attitude of unbelief leading to disobedience
”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.”
Numbers 20:12
Hi Everyone!
Sometimes, our disobedience of God can carry a bigger consequence than we signed up for, as we learn from the story of Moses. God gave him a command and he disobeyed that command, ultimately causing him to not be able to set foot in the promised land. Imagine Moses, the instrument God used to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian captivity, the person who became enraged by the Israelites worshipping the golden calf, the person who also lobbied God on the Israelites’ behalf when He was at His wit’s end with their disobedience, being one of those same people who directly disobeyed God. We all have a little, or a lot, of Moses in us, so none of us can judge, but Moses’ disobedience had more to it than just his defying the Word of the Lord. There was unbelief under it! Today, we will look at Numbers 20:12, an attitude of unbelief leading to disobedience.
”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.”
Let’s go back and uncover what command Moses disobeyed to understand why God punished Moses, ultimately forbidding him from entering into the promised land. In Numbers 20:7-8, the Bible says, ”And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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.” This command differed from the command God gave to Moses in Exodus 17:6, which says, ”Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Instead of striking the rock, God asked Moses to SPEAK to the rock, but Moses disobeyed. It is a real problem when we hinder God’s ability to do a new thing because we are so connected to the things of old.
In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Bible says, ”Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”. God was trying to do a new thing through Moses, but Moses wanted it the same way it was before. Moses felt his way was better than God’s way, he lost out on experiencing the promised land for himself.
The word ”believed” refers to one putting their trust, confidence, faith, and stability in the Lord. God was expecting Moses to stick himself out on a ledge in faith with what God commanded him to do. In Romans 4:21, the Bible says, ‘‘And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Abraham believed in God and the promise came through him. Moses didn’t believe and he was excluded from the promise. 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.” God counted Moses’ disobedience as rebellion. Rebellion implies that Moses essentially took a stance against the Lord when he disobeyed God’s command. Think not?
Back in Numbers 20:9-10, the Bible says, ”And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. 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?” Moses began to do as he always did and obey the command of the Lord, but something caused him to break rank. The key to Moses’ rebellion was in what we said in verse 10. Moses’ said, ”Must WE fetch you water out of this rock?” The whole point of speaking to the rock was so the all of Israel would see that it was the Lord, not Moses, who brought water from the rock. Moses took God’s spotlight.
The word ”sanctify” means ”to set apart as holy, or to consecrate”. Moses didn’t give God His glory in front of Israel as He, God was the lead pastor!
In Ezekiel 20:41-42, the Bible says, ‘‘I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.” Moses didn’t just disobey God. He didn’t believe that God would bring water from the rock by just speaking to it, and in the process, Moses stole glory that was meant for God. I pray that we don’t elevate ourselves above our God by operating in disobedience, rebellion, or arrogance.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 7 2023 – Luke 21:34 – being aware in a very unaware world
”And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
Luke 21:34
Hi Everyone!
We live in a world of instant gratification. This world prides itself on abundance, on living it up, on partying and having a good time, allowing ourselves to become distracted from hearing and experiencing the Word of God. We would think that those things are for people in the world, but sadly the Church has occupants who actively participate in the same activities of the world. As the world is becoming more and more Godless, the Church is slowly resembling that of the world, and we are falling into places that hinder our readiness to experience the presence of God. We have to pay attention to what is going on in the world, but we also have to pay attention to what is going on inside each of us, to make sure we are living, thinking, and operating according to the way God desires. We want to be ready when He comes back, or when He peeks in to take a close look. Today, we will look at Luke 21:34, being aware in a very unaware world.
”And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
The phrase ”take heed” means ”to pay attention, to be cautious about, to be on guard, or to hold the mind towards”. This expresses that we train our minds and hearts toward what is going on within us mentally, emotionally, and physically. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, 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?” The Bible calls for us to check ourselves, to make sure that our minds, hearts, and conduct aligns with the Word of God. The Bible must be our standard as believers for everything pertaining to holiness. Too many of us try to fuse our own standard in with the Word of God but it is clear that we must check ourselves. In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Bible says, ”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’‘ In order for us to take heed, we must know what the Word of God says. We must study God’s Word if we are to ever learn His standards. The enemy banks on us living unaware, and aims to deceive us from the truth. Remember, the enemy knows Scripture too! In Hebrews 3:12, the Bible says, ”Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” When we don’t honor the Word of God as truth, we won’t believe in what it says. That unbelief will cause us to go our own way, instead of trusting in the Word of God. In Mark 4:24, the Bible says, ‘‘And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.” We have to be especially careful of what we hear because what we attune our ears to can easily become what we take heed to. The world has a message that is attractive, but it leads to death.
The word ”overcharged” means ”burdened”. We can put a real strain on our hearts by what we take heed to. The word ”surfeiting” refers to debauchery, gluttony, constant reveling or carousing. The word ”drunkenness” means ”intoxication”. These are the words of Christ written nearly two-thousand years ago, and society is still living like this! Drug use is at all time highs, the party lifestyle is a worldwide mentality and sadly, more and more members of the Church are becoming yoked with this life. 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.” Believers should live like believers and there should be a difference between who we are and who the world is. They should see that we walk according to who we are in Christ, and live according to His standard.
The phrase ”cares of this life” refers to the distractions that take our eyes, minds, and hearts against Christ. In Mark 4:18-19, Christ says, ”And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” When our minds are distracted, we can’t receive the Word of God in a way where it will grow in us and others can feed from us. God wants to feed us His Word so we can feed others. In 1 Peter 4:7, the Bible says, ”But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” God desires us to receive His Word and then be alert in this world, so that we won’t be susceptible to the enemy’s advances, and we will be ready at any time for Christ to come back for His Church.
If we are ready, then we won’t have to get ready.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 8, 2023 – Psalm 32:1 – the beautiful blessing of forgiveness
”Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Psalm 32:1
Hi Everyone!
Being forgiven of my sin is a gift I could do nothing to repay. Being someone who completely strayed from the church I grew up in, I knew better than to get in the street life, I knew better than to sell drugs, I knew better than to rob people, and I definitely knew better than to take a life. I was completely lost, and I had no clue how I was going to make it ”back”. David committed a horrible sin in having Uriah the Hittite killed in order to take Bathsheba from him, and in his guilt, he came before God humble, broken, and he asked God to forgive him. God responded to his contrition with forgiveness, and responded to his offence with forgiveness and restoration. God did the same thing for me, and took my brokenness, turned it into healing and turned my worst decisions into something that has given me a testimony of where God has brought me from. Today, we will look at Psalm 32:1, the beautiful blessing of forgiveness.
”Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
The word ”blessed” means ”happy”, referring to a state of bliss we have from our relationship with God. In Psalm 84:12, the Bible says, ”O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” In order for us to receive the forgiveness for our sins, we have to trust in the Lord with our confession and our forgiveness, but we also have to trust God with our sin. David came to God, knowing He was the only one who could do something about his sin.
Could it be, that the reason why we haven’t received God’s forgiveness is we are trusting the wrong people with what belongs to the Lord?
In Psalm 51:4, the Bible says, ”Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Before we can get to a state of blessedness, we have to get real and understand that while we have wronged others, we have really sinned against God. It took brokenness for me to confess my sin before God, because before the brokenness, I was filled with excuses, and I was living in denial. It was everyone else’s fault but my own. How can a person live and think like this and expect to be blessed? In Psalm 94:12, the Bible says, ‘‘Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law”. With sin comes chastening, and chastening is to make us aware that what we have done displeased the Lord. If the Lord is still chastening us then that shows that He is not done with us. I thought God was done with me when I got locked up for murder, but He was only beginning to do a great work in me.
The word ”trangression” means ”revolt, rebellion, or trespass against God.” The word ”forgiven” means ”to lift, to carry, to take away, or to pardon”. In Psalm 85:1-3, the Bible says, ‘‘Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.” Even when we broke ranks from God’s love, favour, and relationship, God brought us back from our state of bondage, forgave our sin, and took away His wrath, allowing us to stand before Him. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Bible says, ”If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” When we come into a state of contrition, recognizing that our sin has broken our fellowship with God, we can then begin the process of restoration. The process doesn’t begin with being good, but it begins with humility, with prayer and seeking God’s face. When we honor the Lord in our worship, He responds by forgiving our sin and bringing healing to our lives.
The word ”sin” means ”offences against God”. The word ”covered” means ”filling up of hollows”. We must understand that sin creates voids within us, holes that prevent anything of God from remaining. When God covers our sins, He takes away the holes, fills the hollows, making it as if we never had imperfections in the first place. In Psalm 103:2-4, the Bible says, ‘‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” I have received the benefits of God’s forgiveness, of Him saving my life from certain destruction, and I now stand as a child of God, redeemed of the Lord, and the recipient of His love and mercy. Thanks be to God that the blood of Jesus Christ cleansed me from all sin, removing my blemishes, making me acceptable to God. I would not be where I am right now without Him.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 9, 2023 – 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – a call to holiness
”For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7
Hi Everyone!
God desires holiness from His children. He created us to bear His image and likeness in the earth, so that when the world looks at us, they know exactly who our Father is. When we feed ourselves on worldly desires and live after a purpose that is outside of God’s intentions, we place filth upon ourselves and disappoint God in the process. God wants us to live our lives according to His standards so that we can partake in His benefits. Just as we would feel hurt as parents if we bought a ton of gifts that our kids refused to open, God is just as hurt to give us so many spiritual gifts that we refuse to use. The worst thing we can do as believers is live a life that is beneath God’s standards, where we completely ignore His call. If we truly understood God’s will for our lives, we wouldn’t be so quick to embrace uncleanliness before we fathom holiness. Today, we will look at 1 Thessalonians 4:7, a call to holiness.
”For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
The word ”called” means ”to appoint, invite, or choose someone to salvation”. In Ephesians 1:4-5, the Bible says, ‘‘According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will”. Before the foundation of the world, God made His choice, and His choice was us. He not only created us, but He also made provision for Gentiles to receive salvation by faith in the name of Jesus Christ. It was always God’s intention for us to live holy lives and for us to be able to stand before Him in love. We have often made the choice to live lives contrary to God’s intention, but the call has been going out to salvation and also to sanctification. I know this call was going when I was in the world, because there has always been someone trying to share the Word of God with me, even at my lowest points. That was evidence that God was still drawing me to Him, even when I continued to break ranks. In 1 Peter 1:13-15, the Bible says, ”Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation”. God is more concerned with who we are today in Him than who we were yesterday. God is concerned about the choices we are making today, about the life we are living in Him, that we are living as children of God and not children of the world. This requires us to put away the things that are against God’s design for our lives.
What is God’s design for our lives? In Genesis 1:26, the Bible says, ”And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” God created us to be in His image and likeness, and use what He has given to live in authority. The word ”uncleanness” means ”impurity, lewdness, or pollution”. Nowhere in God’s design for our lives did He desire uncleanness and sin to have authority. In Leviticus 11:44-45, the Bible says, ”For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.’‘ In the Old Testament we would have had to separate ourselves from unclean foods, but what kind of ”food” are we ingesting that is way worse than any food defined in the Old Testament? Holiness is God’s standard for us.
The word ”holiness” means ”sanctification or purification”. This is the setting apart something or someone for Godly use. In Hebrews 12:14, the Bible says, ”Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. We can’t expect to stand in the presence of the Lord if we are not trying to live holy lives. God doesn’t call us to look like the world or identify with the system of the world. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, the Bible says, ‘‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” We can’t present the Lord with just anything, nor should we ever come into agreement with anything in the world. In Leviticus 19:2, the Bible says, ‘‘Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” We should desire to be what our Father is. We should desire to answer the call to holiness.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 10, 2023 – Isaiah 43:10 – witnesses of an awesome God in a Godless society
”Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
Isaiah 43:10
Hi Everyone!
Being a believer in God makes us a witness. There are things we are going to learn, things we are going to experience, and things that the Lord reveals that will show us exactly who He is. God wants us to take what He gives us and then share the good news with others, so they will have the opportunity to get to know God the way we do. God chose us the same way He chose His disciples. They were witnesses of His presence and work in their lives, and they shared their testimony with others, so they could experience the Lord as well. Witnesses give testimony that brings credibility to what they are speaking of, and we are witnesses so people will believe in the name of the Lord. Today, we will look at Isaiah 43:10, witnesses of an awesome God in a Godless society.
”Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
The word ”witnesses” means ”recorders, or testimonies”, stemming from the root word meaning ”to duplicate or repeat”. Witnesses take what they hear and see, and duplicate it so others can hear exactly as they themselves received it. What makes for a good witness is the fact that they testify to the exact event, and don’t put their own spin on it.
Do we see the key word within the first four words of this verse?
It says, ”MY witnesses”. God is declaring that we are His recorders, and we are responsible for saying what He ordains. In Matthew 28:19-20, Christ 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.”
Christ left this earth with those parting words, a commission for us to follow in His physical absence on earth.
He desire us to carry on the work that He himself continued in the earth as if He is the one speaking it through us.
In Isaiah 44:8, the Bible says, ”Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” It is not always an easy thing to be a witness for the Lord. Sometimes, we will be afraid to speak a Word that comes from God, but God knows that too. God wants us to believe in Him and face our fear and speak the Word anyway.
The word ”servants” means ”a slave or bondman”. In Colossians 3:2-3, the Bible says, ”Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” When we received salvation from our sin and redemption by faith in Jesus Christ, our lives no longer belong to us. We died to ourselves and our lives now belong to Christ. As servants of God, we should have a desire to tell others about how we got here. The apostles were threatened with their lives, and ordered to not teach the name of Jesus Christ, but in Acts 4:19-20, the Bible says, ”But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’‘ The apostles had every desire to share the Word of God with others and were not going to fold under the pressure of those who ordered them to not teach Christ to the people.
God’s desire became their desire, and nothing would stop the Word from going out.
In Isaiah 54:17, the Bible says, ”No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” There is nothing to worry about when we are servants of God. We will always live from victory.
The word ”chosen” means ”to select or appoint by thorough examination”. God doesn’t make mistakes when He calls people. In Romans 11:29, the Bible says, ‘‘For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” God stands by His choice.
The word ”know” implies oneness with the Word of God, so we will become what we know. The word ”believe” means ”to render faithful, trustworthy, or firm”. The word ”understand” means ”to discern, to separate mentally, or to distinguish”. So our witness should be something that we trust as true, discerning that God is who He is. In John 20:30-31, the Bible says, ”And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.’‘
Our testimony should point to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ; so others can have life!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 11, 2023 – Proverbs 15:8 – the beautiful things that the Lord delights in
”The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight
Hi Everyone!
What do we give to the Lord? What can we give the Lord that is pleasing and acceptable to Him? What can we really give the Lord for all He has given us? How can we ever repay our debt to Him? These are questions that have been in the minds of many believers who have a mind to serve God. Too many times, believers give God ”any ole thing”, meaning we just toss something together with no attitude of worship, with no respect for God, without even having God in mind. God deserves our everything, not just what we want to throw Him at a moment’s notice. God deserves our firsts, and not our scraps. Does God desire our work without Him in it, or does He desire prayers that completely honor Him? Our attitude is key, and as believers, we have to check ourselves daily to make sure that what we bring to the Lord brings honor to His name. Today, we will look at Proverbs 15:8, the beautiful things that the Lord delights in.
‘‘The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”
The word ”sacrifice” means ”the slaughter of the flesh of an animal as an external act of worship”. The word ”wicked” means ”ungodly, evil, or morally wrong”. When our heart is not right before the Lord, what we offer the Lord is of the substance that is at work within us. Remember the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis? In Genesis 4:3-5, the Bible says, ”And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” Cain was a gardener, so when he made an offering to the Lord, he slapped some vegetables together and presented it to the Lord. Abel took care of the sheep, and he took the first fruits of his flock and gave it to the Lord.
The attitude behind the sacrifice is more important than the sacrifice itself.
God had no respect for Cain’s offering, because in Genesis 4:7, the Bible says, ”If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” Not only did Cain not make a blood sacrifice, but he didn’t even give God the first fruits of his crops. God knew the heart behind the sacrifice, and it was no sacrifice at all.
The word ”abomination” means ”disgusting, abhorrent, or offensive”. So when our hearts are wicked and we offer something to the Lord, it is disgusting to Him. Something disgusting cannot be ingested or received. In 1 Samuel 15:21, the Bible says, ”But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.” When Saul went to fight against the Amalekites, God gave a command for them to utterly destroy the Amalekites and everything they had. This means keep nothing for yourselves! Saul disobeyed God’s command, and did it for the purpose of presenting a sacrifice to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, 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. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.’‘ Saul’s sacrifice was an abomination to the Lord because it was done in disobedience. God knew Saul’s heart, that he had a rebellious spirit, that what he wanted was more important to him than what God commanded. If our hearts are not right before the Lord and we are not operating in obedience, then our sacrifices are in vain.
The word ”prayer” means ”intercession or supplication”. The word ”upright” means ”just, agreeable, or pleasing to God”. The word ”delight” implies a favourable reception by God. In James 5:16, the Bible says, ‘‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A sacrifice made with the wrong heart or motives doesn’t accomplish anything, but the right prayer from a person who has the right heart changes everything! In Proverbs 15:29, the Bible says, ‘‘The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”
When our hearts are right before the Lord, we can expect that God will respond to our prayers. We don’t ever want to present something to the Lord that doesn’t bring honor to Him, something that He will totally reject. We have to check our hearts and check our motives, and then present our offerings to the Lord.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 12, 2023 – Proverbs 20:24 – learning our way from the Lord
”Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?”
Proverbs 20:24
Hi Everyone!
When we were in the world, we all followed the order of the world. That meant that we all have gone in a direction that was outside of God’s desire for our lives. Through patience and labors of love, God drew us to Himself, and as believers of Jesus Christ, we now know the way we ought to go. Many times, even as believers, we will move in a way that is contrary to the Word of God, trying to find our own way instead. Being under the authority of God, it is pointless to try to find our own way, because God holds the roadmap for our lives. In Christ, we know who we are, where we are going, and even what to avoid. These are things we can only know if we receive it from the Lord. In this world everyone is trying to find out who they are, where they are going, and what to avoid, but sadly, they are looking for these things in the wrong place. We musn’t do the same thing. Today, we are going to look at Proverbs 20:24, learning our way from the Lord.
”Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?’‘
The word ”man’s” means ”a valiant man or a warrior”. The word ”goings” means ”steps or companionships”. Simply put, these are the directions our lives take and the things we attach ourselves to. Before we should ever join ourselves to anything, we should look at the Word of God. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, the Bible says, ”Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Whatever we touch, we come into agreement with, so we have to be careful to make sure that we aren’t joining ourselves to something that God doesn’t want for us, or going in a direction that God doesn’t desire for us. In Psalm 37:23-24, the Bible says, ‘‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” When our steps are ordered by the Lord, He will insure that no matter what comes our way, He will hold us up. In Proverbs 16:7, the Bible says, ”When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” When our steps are ordered by the Lord, and we follow His direction, the enemies that try to mount up against us bring peace to us instead of war. God smooths out our lives completely when we take the steps that He desires, but if we never seek God for our direction, how can we ever know our way?
In 1 Chronicles 14:9-10, the Bible says, ‘‘And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.” When the Philistines tried to mount an offensive against Israel, instead of immediately going out to fight them, David stopped and enquired of God for his next move. David knew his direction and his victory could only come from God.
If this seasoned warrior sought the Lord before doing what he is naturally incline and able to do well, then what is our excuse?
In Proverbs 16:9, the Bible says, ‘‘A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” We can only know so much, and in our limited knowledge, we can try to figure out what we are supposed to do, but only the Lord can show us the way. If we try to find our way through any other way, we are going to fall short and displease God.
The word ”man” speaks of ”human beings or mankind”. The word ”understand” means ”to separate mentally, to distinguish, to discern or perceive”. The word ”way” means ”a road, course of life, or a mode of action”. In order to put this Scripture where it needs to be, we need to understand the different meaning for ”man”. If soldiers have to take their direction from the Lord in order to receive victory, then a regular person has to do it as well.
No one is above seeking the Lord for direction, no matter how seasoned they are or how close they are to the Lord.
In Proverbs 16:1-2, the Bible says, ”The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.” Everything we need to go where God ordains us to go lie with Him. We may think we know better because we are living this life, but that is the furthest thing from the truth.
We need God’s direction for everything, and in order for us to receive God’s direction, we must get out of His way.
In Isaiah 55:7, the Bible says, ”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.” When we try to seek our own way, we are walking in wickedness. That separates us from the Lord instead of bringing us into His presence.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 13, 2023 – John 9:31 – our worship producing a sound in the Master’s ears
”Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
John 9:31
Hi Everyone!
God is always willing to hear His children. He isn’t somewhere that He can’t hear us, and in fact, His Spirit lives on the inside of us, so we always have the Lord with us. What then stops God from hearing our prayers?
When we make the choice to live in sin, we can’t expect God to honor anything we bring before Him.
When we live in unbelief of His Word, how can we expect a response? God is looking for people who honour Him as Lord, who place faith in His Word, and He is looking to see our actions express the reverence we have for the Lord. Christ was able to perform the miracles He did on the earth because God was in Him, and the Church can have that same power in us to do a great work for the kingdom of God. Sadly, instead of the Church walking in the same power the Word says we can have, we are blocking the flow of God through disobedience and unbelief. Today, we will look at John 9:31, our worship producing a sound in the Master’s ears.
”Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
The word ”know” is a relational term expressing oneness. It is not merely head knowledge, but it is becoming Scripture by allowing it to take root and produce life in us. The people who can quote the most Scripture don’t ”know” the most Scripture. It is the person who lives the Scriptures out allowing them to become truth in their lives. There is always an action behind what we know, a fruit our knowledge produces. 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.” When we know the Word, we will live it out, and our obedience to the Word of God will show that we belong to Him. There is a freedom to knowing the Word of God, and it activates a power in our lives.
The word ”heareth” expresses that God listens attentively, giving heed to the things we say to Him and the things we ask of Him. This word also expresses that God responds to us with an answer. The word ”sinners” means ”sinful”, people who are out of the will of God, people who have submitted to the god of this world, Satan. In Job 27:8-10, the Bible says, ”For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?” God knows the hearts of His creation, and when people living in the world, are attending to wickedness, they can’t realistically expect that a holy God will bypass all of the filth to hear them when in trouble. Even if God deliveres them, no glory will come back to Him. In Job 35:12-13, the Bible says, ”There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.” When we live with the enemy as our god, how can God be Lord of our lives? In Psalm 34:15-16, the Bible says, ”The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” Being saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. This positions us to be heard by the Lord, and also positions us to receive answers to prayers.
The word ”worshipper” means ”reverent of God, pious, or devout”. The word ”doeth” means ”to complete, perform or accomplish”. The word ”will” means ”determination, purpose, decree, volition, choice, or pleasure”. In Psalms 138:2-3, the Bible says, ”I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Then we have a heart of worship and an attitude that causes us to decrease so God can increase. The idea of worship means that we bring ourselves low, making ourselves available to God to be used as He sees fit. Worshipping God means we empty ourselves out so God can fill us. In Psalm 37:4, the Bible says, ”Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” When we delight ourselves, we make ourselves pliable for the Lord to form us into what He desires for us, and then He will give us what we desire, because our will then becomes His will. In Psalm 34:17, the Bible says, ”The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” When we worship the Lord, our heart, mind, motives, and will are submitted to Him. The man born blind understood something the Pharisees couldn’t comprehend, and God heard him. He is willing to hear us the same way.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 14, 2023 – John 11:25 – I am the resurrection, and the life
”Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”.
John 11:25
Hi Everyone!
In Christ we have life. I am not just speaking of life as we know it now, but we have eternal life when this life is over, a life that will never end. As believers of Jesus Christ, we understand that this is a gift from God bestowed upon us, and it not only changes our perception but it also changes our spiritual state as well. It is reassuring when we know that the Lord Jesus Christ IS truth, in exactly what He gives us; life everlasting, resurrection power, the way to salvation, and the truth we can place our faith in. A person can’t give what they don’t have. Praise God that the same power that rose Lazarus from the dead is the same power that is at work within us! I remember what being dead was like, and now knowing that I have life by faith in Jesus Christ assures me that my life doesn’t end when my time comes on earth. It only begins! Today, we will look at John 11:25, the resurrection and life through faith in Jesus Christ.
”Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”.
A little back story. Jesus had friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mary was the one who anointed Jesus’ feet with the very expensive fragrant oil, wiping his feet with her hair. It would be safe to assume that he knew them very well, and in John 11:3, the Bible says, ”Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” Word was sent to Jesus, also expressing that Lazarus was someone that Jesus loved. Jesus didn’t go right away to heal Lazarus, and in fact, he stayed put for two more days! Lazarus dies of his sickness, and in John 11:14-15, the Bible says, ‘‘Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” So, let me get this straight. Jesus loved Lazarus, knew he was sick, could have gone immediately to heal him, didn’t, and as a result, Lazarus dies? On the surface, one would be questioning whether Jesus really loved Lazarus if he allowed something bad to happen to him, but in John 11:11, the Bible says, ‘‘These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” Jesus always intended to heal Lazarus, even when he didn’t respond to their request, even when something bad happened in the process. Jesus was coming to Bethany, not to heal him, but raise Him from the dead!
The word ”resurrection” means ”a return back to life, generally at the end”. Believers know that there will be a resurrection of the believers in the last days, but Christ is trying to tell us that we have that resurrection now in Him! He is the resurrection. The word ”life” means ”existence without end”. This is who Christ is.
In John 14:6, the Bible says, ”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’‘ Before miracles can be activated in a believer’s life, we must believe who our Lord is. Think not?
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.’‘ We must believe in His existence, that He loves us, and He rewards our pursuit of Him. At this current moment in Scripture, Lazarus has been dead for a couple of days now, and Martha is disappointed because Christ didn’t heal her brother. Martha is the one who is constantly cooking and serving while Mary is seeking the Lord’s teaching, so it would be a natural response to want to confront God when something bad happens, especially when they have been serving the Lord the best they can. Martha approached Christ, but Christ was telling her that it is not over, that He IS was Lazarus needs to live again.
The word ”believe” means ”to have faith in, or to entrust our well-being to”. The word ”dead” means ”slain”. The word ”live” is in an absolute sense, signifying a life that is without end, going on forever. Christ is showing Martha that when we have faith, death won’t be able to keep us in the ground! Martha thought He was talking about in the last days, but Christ was talking about right now! In John 3:36, the Bible says, ‘‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.’‘ Life and death is determined by our faith! As we know the rest of the story, that Christ came and raised Lazarus from the dead after four days in the grave.
There was a greater purpose behind Christ raising Lazarus from the dead. In John 12:17, the Bible says, ”The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.” At the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, there were people present who were there when he raised Lazarus, and what did they do? They gave testimony to what they saw! Who would’ve expected that Christ’s delay in healing Lazarus gave an even better testimony.
In John 12:18, the Bible says, ‘‘For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.” Christ allowed Lazarus to go to the ”point of no return”, so He could bring Him back by the power of God, and draw others to Him because of it! He used one he loved to be a testimony for those He loves. The delay provided something greater, and more people believed because of it!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 15, 2023 – John 20:31 – the highway to eternal life through the Word of God
”But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
John 20:31
Hi Everyone!
The Word of God is the pure essence of God bestowed upon mankind. The Word of God was written so we would receive this testimony as truth and receive salvation for our souls as the result of our faith. The Bible is a record of God’s plan for mankind, and shows us exactly how we were brought to Him. We don’t just understand the ”what” behind the Bible, but also the ”who” and ”why” as well. When we can understand the purpose for the Bible, it then makes it easier for us to understand how methodical, how intentional, and how loving our God is to pave the way for Christ to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin forever. Our beginning speaks of Him, and Christ is the revealed and hidden theme of the entire Bible. It is only through His name that we are saved. It is only through His blood that we are redeemed. It is only through the resurrection of Christ that we live! Today, we will look at John 20:31, the highway to eternal life through the Word of God.
”But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
The Bible is the essence of God, but it is also a book that was written by forty authors, from different times, covering 6,000 years of history. For someone to write something nearly twenty-eight hundred years ago that came true over 700 years later concerning one man, who wasn’t even physically born when it was written, shows just how true the Word of God is.
In Isaiah 53:4-5, the Bible says, ‘‘Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah was talking about what Christ’s death would cause us to experience as believers. Christ took our place, suffering for our sins, being wounded and bruised for the horrible lifestyles we would live and the horrible things we would do. Isaiah is writing about Christ in the future. There’s more.
In Isaiah 53:7, the Bible says, ‘‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Christ took our punishment without defending Himself. In Mark 15:4-5, the Bible says, ”And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.” Nearly 800 years later, Christ confirms the word of prophecy written by Isaiah. How can the Word of God be this detailed about one man’s behavior nearly 800 years before it happens unless it is the absolute true Word of God?
The word ”believe” means ”to have faith in, to entrust one’s spiritual well-being to Christ”. In John 3:15-16, Christ says, ”That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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.” Christ is speaking about God’s plan for our salvation, and Christ Himself would be the vehicle by which we receive salvation. He is confirming Isaiah’s prophecy but He is also showing us how we can receive everlasting life. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ.
In Romans 10:15-17, the Bible says, ”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! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Paul, a completely different writer from a different era, quoted part of Isaiah 53:1, showing that even though the truth is out there, there will be people that won’t believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Faith is attached to the Word of God, and we can’t have true, saving faith without the Word.
In John 1:1, the Bible says, ”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Christ is the living Word of God and there is no such thing as faith without Him.
The word ”life” speaks of the life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection. The word ”name” means ”an appellation of authority”. In Acts 4:12, the Bible says, ”Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’‘ Peter, another writer, testifies that it is only by the name of Jesus Christ that mankind can be saved. The Word of God is written so we would come to know Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, and by knowing Him we would receive Him as Lord and Savior. What a great purpose!
God Bless!
Marshall and Jessica
Oct 16, 2023 – 2 Timothy 2:3 – a good soldier’s endurance
”Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:3
Hi Everyone!
As believers of Jesus Christ, we are viewed as soldiers. A soldier is someone trained under a commander to perform the wishes of Him that is in charge. A soldier learns how to behave, how to communicate, and a soldier is trained on how to live in victory over any enemy that comes their way. A soldier is also trained to follow commands, to trust their fellow soldiers, and to understand that they serve something so much greater than self. As believers, we carry those same attributes. What happens when there is a battle that becomes too hard to handle, and the enemy seems to have cut us off on every side? We are not to run in fear, or give up in defeat, but check in with Christ, stay strong and endure what is coming our way. Most believers don’t see the other side of the battle, or the side of victory, because they fold under the strain of opposition. Believers will encounter trials and troubles, but in Christ, there is always victory. Today, we will look at 2 Timothy 2:3, a good soldier’s endurance.
”Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
The word ”endure hardness” means ”to undergo suffering, hardship, afflictions, trouble, or evil”, emphasizing that we endure hardness WITH someone. God does not desire for us to go through hard times alone. Since the beginning, God has always desired for us to not be alone. In Genesis 2:18, the Bible says, ”And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” When God saw that Adam was by himself, He created woman to help him meet the purpose God has for his life. The enemy loves it when we isolate ourselves in the midst of struggle, because without help, we are most vulnerable. In nature, when lions are trying to hunt, the will charge a herd in order to separate the slower, weaker, or young from the crowd. The ones who are more seasoned know that there is strength in numbers and they stay with the crowd. This same idea works well in the Church, which is why James 5:16 says, ”Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
We are supposed to always attack our weak spots together, because we can pray for other’s healing. Doesn’t the Bible say in Matthew 18:20, ”For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Enduring hardness together in strength, prayer and in the Word ensures that the presence of the Lord will be there.
James 1:2-3, the Bible says, ”My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The key term here is ”when”. God never promised that we wouldn’t go through anything as believers and our skies would be clear all the time. God told us that there will be something to be gained from our trouble. It is not the easiest thing to ”count it all joy” because the pressure can feel enormous and the weight can feel like it is too much to bear. When we rely on what we feel we are not being good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We have to rely on the Word of God in the midst of our hardships, which will allow ourselves to shift from heartache to victory. In 2 Corinthians 2:14, the Bible says, ”Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” If we really know that we will always triumph in Christ, no matter what comes our way, then wouldn’t that be a really good reason to count it all joy?
The word ”good” means ”valuable, virtuous, or worthy”. The word ”good” implies God purpose being fulfilled. In Genesis 1:3-4, the Bible says, ”And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” God declares something good that becomes exactly what He ordains for it to be. The word ”soldier” means ”warrior”. When we become the believers God intends us to be, we will be the soldiers who attend to warfare in the manner God ordains. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the Bible says, ”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. To be a good soldier in Christ, we must know where our warfare is, and what is the nature our weaponry.
A good soldier in Christ doesn’t endure hardness by warring in the flesh. A good soldier in Christ keeps the battle in the Spirit, by prayer, by worship, and by praise. A good soldier learns how to undergo hardship in a manner that pleases God, and that is by sticking to God’s Word!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 17, 2023 – 1 Timothy 1:13 – but I obtained mercy
”Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
1 Timothy 1:13
Hi Everyone!
When we are ‘in the world’, we live in a manner that is sorely displeasing to God. We praise money, relationships, or material possessions. We gratify ourselves through sex, make reputations of ruthlessness and violence, and brag about our Godlessness. When we become believers, we then understand that we didn’t have a clue as to how much we were distancing ourselves from God. We couldn’t comprehend how deep our sin ran, and some of us made sin such a close personal friend, that we felt out of place when we didn’t live in sin! The old adage says, ”If I knew then what I know now..” is so true because most of us now realize how bad we actually were when we are living ‘in the world’. When God opens our eyes to who we are and what we are used to doing, it will be eye opening, and it will allow us to see ourselves exactly as we are. Today, we will look at 1 Timothy 1:13, the nature behind a godless past.
”Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
We must understand that this is Paul looking at Himself through the lens of God’s law. It is the Word of God that creates the standard by which we ought to view ourselves, our responses, and our behavior. In Hebrews 4:12, 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.” The Word of God is a measuring stick for how we are to live our lives, and the Word is also a measuring tool for the things inside our minds and hearts.
The word ”blasphemer” refers to a person who is impious, insulting, or someone who speaks against God. Paul realized that when He worked against Christ, He was also working against God. A ”persecutor” is someone who is a violent aggressor, aiming to discourage the behavior of those being tormented. In Acts 9:4-5, the Bible says, ”And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Paul thought he was working for the Lord, but when the Lord called him, he had no clue who Jesus Christ was. In this one statement from Christ, Paul knew that he was working against God and not for God. Look at what happens next. In Acts 9:6, the Bible says, ‘‘And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Before Paul could verbalize his wrongdoing, he acknowledged Christ as ”Lord”, which means ”supreme in authority”, and he asked Him what did He want him to do. Paul realized he was wrong and immediate wanted to make things right.
The word ”injurious” means ”a maltreater, insolent, contemptuous, or violent to others”. In Acts 8:3, the Bible says, ‘‘As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.’‘ Paul, when he was Saul, attacked the Church, and he ordered people hurt and imprisoned. In Acts 9:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” Saul meant to carry these things out, and he wanted the high priest to give him the authorization to do all that he intended to do.
The word ”mercy” means ”divine compassion or grace”. In Ephesians 2:4-5, 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;)”. God has always been merciful to us. When we we are ‘in the world’, living lives that bring insult and displeasure to God, God still loves us and still draws us to Himself. Even when we have no clue, God does.
The word ”ignorantly” means ”a lack of intelligence or understanding”. The word ”unbelief” means ”disbelief or faithlessness in embracing the Gospel”. Paul acknowledges that he was completely wrong in persecuting the Church, and speaking to the heart of the matter. In Psalm 51:17, the Bible says, ”The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Paul’s broken and contrite heart led to his redemption, and he became a titan of the faith, despite his rough start.
Imagine what God can do with us, when we acknowledge our sin before the Lord and allow Him to clean us up. Christ sought our forgiveness on the cross, asking God to forgive us because we don’t know what we are doing. Are we responding to His great love?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 18, 2023 – 1 Timothy 6:9 – an ambition to be rich leading to a lifetime of destruction
”But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
1 Timothy 6:9
Hi Everyone!
We live in a world where the desire to be rich has trumped the desire to be holy. We are experiencing more value being given to money, jewelry, and cars than being saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. This world does a fascinating job at flaunting the financial successes of others, the ritzy lives they live, their ability to spend millions of dollars at the drop of a hat. This kind of imagery entices more and more people to race after their own version of success, instead of reaching after what will truly make them successful: a flourishing relationship with the Lord. When we lives our lives in aspiration to be rich, our standards will diminish and we will be willing to break the law, kill, or even sell ourselves out in order to get it, leading us to destruction. Today, we will look at 1 Timothy 6:9, an ambition to be rich leading to a lifetime of destruction.
”But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
If someone reads the first line of this verse at the surface level, they will mistakenly believe that rich people are headed for destruction. Some people will read this passage and assume that it is wrong to be rich. In Deuteronomy 8:18, the Bible says, ”But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” If the Lord gives us the power to get wealth, then that proves that God doesn’t have a problem with His children being wealthy. In fact, it also proves that God wants to see His children abounding financially. Think not? In Proverbs 10:22, the Bible says, ‘‘The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” When God blesses us especially with finances, He doesn’t make us feel guilty for having His blessings, because it is what He intends.
Here is where the problem comes in.
The phrase ”will be rich” actually means ”minded or desire to be rich”. This is the person who lives their lives with the primary focus to be rich, and that focus takes their focus away from God. In Matthew 6:24, Christ says, ”No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’‘ When our focus is on getting rich, we become slaves to money, money becomes our God, and in the process, we turn our backs on the Lord. In Exodus 20:3, the Bible says, ”Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” When we place our trust and focus on money, we violate the commandment of God.
In Proverbs 15:27, the Bible says, ”He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.” Not only will we displease our God, but we will also cause problems at home. How many times have we heard about someone who hedged their family’s financial security in order to chase after a ”get-rich-quick” scheme, or because they were in such a race to be rich that they squandered all they had to do so?
The word ”temptation” means ”a trial of one’s virtue, or solicitation to sin, especially from Satan, and the enticements to sin that we may not be able to resist in our present stage of spiritual growth.” The word ”snare” means ”a trap fastened by a noose”. The design of a snare is to keep you in it.
In Proverbs 20:21, the Bible says, ”An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.” When I sold drugs, the money came so fast. Some days I made thousands of dollars a day, but lost it just as fast as I made it. Racing after riches gives a false impression of wealth and the chase becomes a trap, and I have been in prison the last twenty years because of it.
In Proverbs 28:20, the Bible says, ‘‘A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” The person who chooses the Gospel will find themselves blanketed by the blessings of God, but the person who chooses money will find themselves in some very sinful situations. In Matthew 6:33, Christ says, ‘‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” When we seek God first, what we desire will come our way, because our desires will be His desires.
The word ”lusts” means ”longings for what is forbidden”. The word of destruction means ”ruin, death, or punishment”. When our desire is to get rich, it will cause us to become so submersed into sin that it destroys us. The word ”perdition” means ”damnation; spiritual or eternal loss”. In 1 Timothy 1:19, the Bible says, ”Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck”. We don’t want to become people so entrenched with getting rich that it causes our doom. Let us seek true riches in Christ.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 19, 2023 – Isaiah 41:11 – victory in the midst of opposition
”Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.”
Isaiah 41:11
Hi Everyone!
In our lives, we are going to experience opposition. Being a believer in a Godless society will cause us to sometimes feel outnumbered, and the enemy will seem to always have a battle lined up for us the more we race after the Word of God. As believers, victory should be expected as opposition, because in Christ we stand in victory over any and every thing that comes our way. Many of us don’t believe this, and we live defeated in a world where God has given us dominion, power, and victory. Just in case what we have isn’t enough, WHO we have guarantees victory in the darkness of times, and the deepest of struggle. God never promised that we would go through life as believers without enemies or trials and in fact, God prepared us for this in His Word. Just because someone mounts up against us doesn’t mean that they will prevail. Today, we will look at Isaiah 41:11, victory in the midst of opposition.
”Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.”
The word ”behold” means ”pay attention, or fix one’s focus upon”. This is God’s way of telling us, ”Look around and see that you have the victory.” This wasn’t the case, especially when we were in the world, because we didn’t have access to the victory that can only be found in this kingdom of God. 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.” You see the word ”behold” in this verse? It is placed directly after ”old things are passed away”, because God wants us to fix our attention on who we are now, and what we have now in Christ. In John 16:32-33, the Bible says, ”Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Christ prepared His disciples for the days when adversity would come, and He told them they would run, leaving Him alone. Christ told us that we were going to go through conflict and tribulation, but if we fix our attention on the victory that is in Christ and what His victory has provided us, we will have a reason to celebrate in the face of trials.
What are we fixing our minds on, the enemy or the victory?
The phrase ”incensed against thee” means ”to blaze up in anger, zeal, or jealousy”. Didn’t this happen to Christ where people mounted up against Him in anger? In Mark 3:6, the Bible says, ”And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.’‘ People weren’t just mad at Jesus. They conspired to kill Him regularly! The word ”ashamed” means ”disappointed, or to suffer guilt”. The word ”confounded” means ”wounded, insulted, brought into a state of confusion”. In Exodus 23:22-23, the Bible says, ”But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.” When we operate in obedience to the Word of God, He will clear out any semblance of our enemies. Instead of them fighting against us they are fighting against God.
Who can win a battle when they are fighting against God? In Isaiah 54:17, the Bible says, ‘‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Just because someone mounts an offensive against us, doesn’t mean they will win, and just because someone speaks against us, doesn’t mean that their words will hold up.
The word ”strive” means ”to contend or contest”. The word ”perish” means ”wander away, be destroyed, or fail”. In Zechariah 12:3, the Bible says, ‘‘And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” God is going to cause the people who attack us to be hurt by their own attacks, and suffer defeat from their own offensives. It doesn’t have to always end in destruction, because in Proverbs 16:7, the Bible says, ”When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” God promises us victory in Jesus and sometimes the best of victories is when our enemies find that place of peace with us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 20, 2023 – John 20:21 – peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you
”Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.’
John 20:21
Hi Everyone!
We need the Lord’s peace to be who He has called us to be. This world is anything but peaceful right now, and as the world becomes more and more Godless, it will continue to be stripped of its peace. As believers, peace is necessary for the Gospel, especially when we have an enemy who stands in direct opposition of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Even as I compile and type this devotional, the enemy has been trying to plant bad thoughts into my head in an attempt to destroy my peace at 5:50 in the morning! So I am up resisting the enemy with the truth, which is the Word of God, because I am not going to lose the peace I need to share the Word of God with you. As believers, we have access to peace by faith in Jesus Christ. The peace is always there, because that peace was given to us by Jesus Christ, but we have to receive God’s peace to represent Him when we are sent. Today, we will look at John 20:21, the peace given for apostleship.
”Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
The word ”peace” means ”tranquility, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favour”. Do we notice that this isn’t the first time Christ said this, as evidenced by the word ”again”? In John 20:19, the Bible says, ”Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” This was after Christ was crucified and reappeared to the disciples. Christ did not want the disciples to be fearful in His presence so He bestowed peace upon them. In John 16:33, Christ says, ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Before Christ was crucified, He told them that the Word of God would provide us with the peace we need. If we approach any situation without the Word of God, we have prevented true peace from entering our lives. In John 14:27, Christ says, ”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.’‘ Before Christ left this world, He made sure that He provided us with His peace, a peace that is so different from what the world gives, but God will never force us to take His peace. We have to receive God’s Word and then receive His peace.
How does Christ have the authority to give us peace? The cheap answer is because He is God robed in flesh, and He is the Word of God, but 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.” Isaiah is clearly speaking about Christ. Do you see the last description of Christ, where it says, ”The Prince of Peace”? What Christ did by giving us His peace is that He gave us Himself! Christ is peace, because He is of peace. Remember, a person can only give you what they have.
The word ”sent” means ”to set apart as messengers, teachers, or preachers to proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.” This is where we get word ”apostle” from. In Matthew 28:19-20, the Bible 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.” Christ gave the disciples the Great Commission, and set them apart, sending them out to teach and preach the Word of God. That same commission applies to us too. Think not?
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.” We have to share the Word of God at times when it is convenient and at times when it is inconvenient, both for them and for us! How can we do that effectively if we don’t receive the Lord’s peace? In John 17:17-19, Christ prays, ”Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” The word ”sanctfy” also implies that one is set apart for a divine use or purpose, but what sanctifies us? The Word of God. The word ”send” means ”to dispatch in an orderly motion on an errand”. Before we can be sanctified, we have to receive the Word of God. God is never going to do anything out of order. He is never going to send us out without His Word or His peace, because without either, we make our mission of no effect.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 21, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – being new in Christ
”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Hi Everyone!
When we receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, we become new creations. A lot of times, we are not going to feel new, and everything in our current lives may seem exactly the same. There is a huge difference between what we feel and what we actually know by the Word of God. While it takes time for our physical spaces to catch up to this spiritual truth, we are made new immediately after salvation, changed from enemies of the cross to children of God. When I was saved, there was a struggle with accepting who God said I was, and there were also struggles with changing old behaviors and attitudes. There is a process that is involved in walking in our newness, but when we accept God’s forgiveness, and embrace our identity in Christ as new creations, it will become easier for us to live as new creations in Christ. Today, we will take another look at 2 Corinthians 5:17, being new in Christ.
”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The concept of being ”in Christ” expresses a oneness between us and Christ, just as Christ intended. In John 17:20-22, Christ prays, ‘‘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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one”.
Before we were born, Christ prayed over us, hoping that we would believe on Him, receive salvation for our souls, and be one with Him.
Being ”in Christ” represents those who are saved by His blood, receiving new life through His sacrifice. It speaks of those who the Holy Spirit inhabits, leading and guiding them into all truth.
In Romans 8:1-2, 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. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Before we were in Christ, we had a death sentence looming, and we were condemned, but in Christ we have life, freedom, redemption and power. The world still wants to condemn us, and the world still loves to bring up who we were, but the Word of God says there is NO condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. Many of us miss the condition of Romans 8:1, which says, ”who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. Being ”in Christ” means that we have to live by the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is the key to our oneness.
The phrase ”new creature” is a new formation, which means we have been reformed. This is given to new believers who are renewed and changed from evil to good by the Spirit of God. 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.”
Do we see the most important word in this passage: ”are”?
When we received salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, it is no longer about who and what we WERE, but who we ARE now. I was a gang member, a criminal, and a convicted murderer, but I am saved, I am redeemed, I am a minister, and I have been set free. Being ”a chosen generation” is past tense, meaning the decision has already been made as to who we are in Christ. Yeah, we used to be a lot of things, but being a new creature means we have been reformed into who God says we are now.
The ”old things” refers to the old life, old mindset, old way of doing things, and our old speech. The phrase ”passed away” means ”to perish”. Many of us don’t feel like new creatures in Christ because we haven’t let our past lives die. Many of us hold onto the guilt from our past, we rely on our feelings and not our faith, and allow others to continue to heap our past on us. We have to let it go, because the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Bible says, ‘‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” How can we ever receive who we are now in Christ if our perspective is focused on who we used to be? God commands us to push the former things from our minds, and not meditate on who we used to be, and to not accept the old way of life as our truth.
God has done a new thing in us and He has made us a new creature in Christ that we may receive it. It is our job as believers to receive the Word of God and walk in this new life He has for us!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 22, 2023 – Proverb 3:11 – despise not the chastening of the LORD
”My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction”
Proverb 3:11
Hi Everyone!
Our God loves us so deeply. He is an awesome Father who has paved the way through Christ for us to experience eternal life by faith in His name, and He made this available when we were still sinners. As children of God, we have access to the promises of God that bless our lives enormously, and we have the ability to walk in resurrection power because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. There is also another side of the coin. When we are moving in a direction that is contrary to the Word of God, and we find ourselves out of the will of God, the chastisement of the Lord is something that does not feel good. The Lord’s correction may hurt, but His desired outcome is for us to ultimately be brought back into the will of God, so we will once again be able to access the promises of God without hindrance. The chastisement of God is still love, and in fact, a deeper kind of love, and it shows that God is not yet done with us! Today, we will look at Proverb 3:11, the correction and redirection of God.
”My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction”
The word ”son” means ”child or offspring, the bearer of the family name”. The first thing we need to see is that this verse is for believers. One thing we must understand as believers is that our God desires us to know His Word and live out His Word.
In 2 Peter 1:3-4, the Bible says, ”According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” See, God has already prepared us with the ability to live a Godly life, and has spared no provision for us to live in Him, including obedience. He has also delivered us from corruption, and has positioned us to live in power. Our God loves us and wants us to succeed.
The word ”despise” means ”to reject, refuse, or abhor”. The word ”chastening” means ”instruction or discipline”. See, because God has prepared us to live powerful lives in Him, and equipped us to live a Godly life, then we would have to essentially abandon everything God has provided us in order to live outside of His will. We would have to abandon God’s Word in order to go after our own word.
The word ”Lord” means ”Supreme in authority”.
God’s Word is law, and He gives us His Word so we would know how to live in victory. In Job 5:17-18, the Bible says, ”Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’‘ God’s chastening is supposed to be hard to deal with, and on ground level, there is nothing in God’s discipline that would make us feel incredible about it. How are we supposed to feel ”happy” or ”blessed” about being chastised? We have to endure the chastening of the Lord and experience what happens next, because while the chastening of the Lord is going to hurt, God will not only patch us up, but He will bring healing into our lives as we see the process through.
In Psalm 94:11-13, the Bible says, ”The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.” God disciplines us to reestablish His Word in us, to give us His peace. He knows us, but God also knows what’s best for us.
The word ”weary” means ”to loathe, to be disgusted, with the idea of separating oneself from”. The word ”correction” means ”rebuke or reproof”.
There is always a purpose behind God’s correction. Think about it.
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.’‘ Wait a minute, so the Word of God is a tool that God uses to rebuke, reproof, and correct us? So when we endure some major chastisement from the Lord, then wouldn’t that suggest that we may previously have ignored the Word of God, So then it convicted us of our sin? Wasn’t Israel warned before they were punished?
In Hebrews 12:6-7, the Bible says, ”For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” Have we ever considered that God loves us so much, that He would rather discipline us than cause us to live a life that is so far beneath His design for our lives? God doesn’t want to hurt us, but help us be everything He called us to be.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 23, 2023 – Jeremiah 1:8 – foregoing our fear to share the Word
”Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.”
Jeremiah 1:8
Hi Everyone!
There will be a time in every believer’s life where we will be called upon to share the Word of God. Sometimes, it will be to another believer who is willing to receive the Word of God with gladness. Other times, it will be for a believer who is not going to want to hear what is coming out of our mouths. Even deeper, God may call us to speak a word that comes from Him in hostile territory. That is scary to go somewhere where we are not welcome to speak a Word that most will reject. There is a fear that comes with something like this, because most of us do not feel anywhere near qualified to share a word from God with anyone, especially in hostile territory. There is nothing to fear, because if God called us to share this Word, then He will definitely stand beside us to help us deliver the Word, and protect us while we do it. Today, we will look at Jeremiah 1:8, foregoing our fear to share the Word.
”Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.”
The word ”afraid” means ”to be frightened or to be dreadful”. The word ”faces” speaks of the faces that are turned in anger. Being unafraid of their faces also implies that we shouldn’t care about their acceptance either. Being called by God to speak His Word will incite fear, because we think about the magnitude of what we are doing and who we have to speak to. In Ezekiel 2:6-7, the Bible says, ‘‘And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” When God called Ezekiel, He told him to not be afraid of them or their words, but God also told him to not be concerned with whether they accept his word or not, but speak it anyway.
Too many of us are result conscious, wanting to see something happen immediately, and we lose sight that we are only casting seed or watering seed.
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.” God doesn’t care whether the time is right in our minds, or if the Word is in season. I am here spiritually because of a ton of Word that came from God that was ‘out of my season’. Those seeds grew and reaped a harvest decades later. Praise God that He sent people who were unafraid to share the Word with me.
In Ezekiel 3:8-9, the Bible says, ‘‘Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.’‘ One of the reasons we shouldn’t be afraid is because God will strengthen us to speak the Word that comes from Him. He will equip us to be resilient towards any who stand against the Word spoken. In Exodus 3:11-12, the Bible says, ”And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.’‘ Sometimes, we are going to be intimidated by who we are going to speak to, whether they be in power, or whether they incite fear. God knows this, but He assures us that He will be right beside us. We are never alone when we are doing the work of the Lord.
The word ”deliver” means ”to snatch away, save, rescue, of defend”. In Deuteronomy 31:6, the Bible says, ”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.” God had the same word for Joshua, who would lead Israel after Moses.
When we focus on the task, we may find it daunting, but if we focus on the Lord, we will find ourselves covered, loved, defended, and protected. God will never fail us, or cause us to fail when we are obedient to His Word.
In Jeremiah 15:20-21, the Bible says, ”And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” God is going to make us strong in the face of any opposition that comes our way, and He is always ready to save us from anything that comes our way. We have to trust in the Lord to deliver us.
”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 24, 2023 – 1 John 2:20 – the anointing of the Holy Spirit
”But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”
1 John 2:20
Hi Everyone!
When Christ ascended to the Father, He promised us His Holy Spirit, which would dwell in us, and teach us everything we need to know in order to live as children of God. With this anointing comes understanding about who we are and Whose we are, and also with this anointing comes power. The person who isn’t walking in power as a believer in the name of Jesus Christ has not received what they know as truth. The Holy Spirit equips us with a spirit of discernment so we can approach situations in our lives from a Godly perspective, and do the things that God desires of us. When we step outside of the guidelines, the Holy Spirit is there to convict us and ease us back onto the right path. A believer’s life should be completely led and directed by the Holy Spirit, and when we allow ourselves to be led by Him, we will be positioned to be everything that God has called us to be. Today, we will look at 1 John 2:20, the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
”But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”
The word ”unction” means ”anointing, smearing, or special endowment of the Holy Spirit”. This verse says ”ye have” so this is something that we have access to right now. Too many people who profess to be believers don’t believe that we have the same power the Church had when it formed in Acts. In Hebrews 13:8, the Bible says, ”Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” If Christ is the same right now, the Holy Spirit has to be the same right now.
The problem with our Church not walking in the same power is our lack of belief, not the absence of Holy Spirit’s power to work in us.
In Matthew 4:1, the Bible says, ‘‘Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” The Holy Spirit was in Christ the same way the Holy Spirit is in us, so if the Holy Spirit led Christ, He will definitely lead us. In Luke 2:25-26, the Bible says, ”And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Simeon had the Holy Spirit upon him, but not in him, and the Holy Spirit still revealed truth to him. How much more will the Holy Spirit do in us now that He lives in us?
In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, the Bible says, ”Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” This was a total move from God to give us His Holy Spirit.
God desires to fellowship with us as one, and the Holy Spirit is the means by which this is done. God desires to set us firm in Him, and establish us as His children in the earth. He gave us His Spirit so there would be no doubt as to Who is at work in us.
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.” God doesn’t want us to be left out of anything He desires for us to know, which is why He sent us the Holy Spirit, to teach us all things, and fill in the gaps in our own understanding. In John 15:26, Christ says, ‘‘But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me”. The Holy Spirit will teach us about Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is by Christ that salvation has come and it is by Christ that the Holy Spirit has the command to dwell in us. Knowing more about Christ, the Living Word of God, will make us more secure in our faith.
The word ”know” means ”perceive or understand”, and it is a term that expresses a oneness when we receive the Word and live it out in our lives. 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.’‘ When we have a heart of obedience to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit in us produces a freedom and a knowledge that allows us to walk in the Word in truth and power. 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.” We have the ability to be taught all truth by the Holy Spirit. This means that God doesn’t want us to live confused lives, where we don’t know what we are supposed to do. How can we have victory over the enemy if we don’t know how to resist him? The Holy Spirit teaches us how to live the same way Christ did, anointed in the earth.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 25, 2023 – Jeremiah 3:22 – a backslider in need of repentance.
”Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.”
Jeremiah 3:22
Hi Everyone!
At some point in time as believers we may backslide. The idea of backsliding suggests that we turn away from the Lord and go back to the life and activities that we experienced before we were saved and delivered. I have been there before, knowing that home is the best place for me, but still trying to dabble in the world for what I felt I wasn’t getting. Israel had this same problem. God didn’t want them to intermingle with other nations because He didn’t want these godless nations to have a bad influence on Israel, but Israel frequently went after other gods, worshipping Baal and merging pagan rituals with their faith. Even when they were unfaithful, God continued to call for them to come back to Him, the same way He calls for us. God wants us home where we belong, but we have to initiate the return to Him. Today, we will look at Jeremiah 3:22, a backslider in need of repentance.
”Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.”
The word ”return” means ”to repent or be restored”. Repentance is something that is so vital to the faith, because it draws us to turn our back on the sinful life that brought us out of fellowship with God, and turn our faces back to God, moving in His direction. Repentance isn’t just a choice, it is also the physical manifestation of the choice to turn back to God. In Matthew 3:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This was John the Baptist’s message to the people because we can’t have a relationship with God if we live our lives without Him involved. Imagine a marriage where the husband is constantly pursuing other women. Well this is what we do when we walk away from God and serve sin. In Matthew 3:7-8, the Bible says, ”But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.’‘ There is always going to be evidence of our repentance, because our faith in God requires active belief. It begins in the heart and extends into a person’s life. 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.” Godly sorrow is a great first step, but we still have to return to the Lord and live our lives to serve Him.
The word ”backsliding” means ”apostate, idolatrous, or froward”. The word ”children” implies offspring, that God is indeed our Father. In Romans 8:15-17, the Bible says, ”For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 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.” This is the relationship and status we walk away from when we turn our backs on the Lord. Backsliding implies that in our minds, we have found something better.
The text in Jeremiah uses ”backsliding children” to establish that even though Israel backslid, they still belonged to God. The same applies for us as believers. In Jeremiah 3:14-15, the Bible says, ‘‘Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” A marriage is a union where the two become one flesh, something brought together by God that man must not separate. God said He is married to us, so we belong to Him. All God wants is what is rightfully His.
In Hosea 14:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘O israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” Whenever we backside we fall into the same iniquity that we have been redeemed from, breaking our fellowship with God. In Hosea 6:1, the Bible says, ”Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.” God will heal us when we return back to Him.
Sometimes, God will allow a bunch of crazy stuff to happen to us before we return to the Lord. Think about the prodigal son, how he spent his father’s wealth on riotous living. In Luke 15:20, Christ says, ‘‘And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” This is what happens when we return to the Lord.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 26, 2023 – Proverbs 24:10 – standing strong in the face of trial
”If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
Proverbs 24:10
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we are going to go through struggles. When we are racing after the purpose God has for our lives, there will be opposition that comes our way, people who are going to turn on us, and in that moment, we will have to realize who we are in Christ. Even as I type this devotional, someone just came against me out of nowhere, and in that moment, I had to decide whether the Word of God was more important to me than my anger at being offended. In adversity, we tend to show our true character, and many times in my past, I lost this battle showing that I wasn’t as strong spiritually as I thought I was. God will always provide us with ample opportunity to prove who we are, and establish Whose we are. It is not always easily, but we can’t give up and we can’t give in to the sin that tries to take us captive. The enemy would’ve loved for me to lose myself in that moment, but now I am only that much more adamant to make peace with the brother that wronged me. Today, we will look at Proverbs 24:10, standing strong in the face of trial.
”If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
The word ”faint” means ”to slacken, to become discouraged, to be disheartened, or to cease”. The phrase ”day of adversity” expresses a season or occasion of affliction, anguish, tribulation, trouble or distress.
This Proverb suggests that there is not an ”if” whether we will face adversity, especially as believers, but a ”when”.
We will always have some form of trouble in our lives, because in John 16:33, Christ says, ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Even Christ says that we shall have tribulation, so the baseless expectation that we will live and not go through anything hard is clearly unfounded. Even in the midst of our trial, God has us covered.
In 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, the Bible says, ‘‘Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.’‘ We go through things that other believers go through, but no matter what we go through, God ensures that we won’t crumble under the weight of the strain.
God always provides a way for us to overcome the trial. As believers, we have to always be on our guard either way it goes, because the minute we drop our guard, the enemy will attack our vulnerability.
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”. Like a lion silently stalking its prey, hoping to catch us unaware, that is how the enemy tries to work.
I got up this morning and began studying the Word of God. This topic verse popped off the page at me, so I decided to make it the verse of the day. I was working on this devo when we got called to breakfast at 6:35am, and a guy cursed me out for nicely asking for him to step to the side so I could get through the door, and acted like he wanted to fight me. I had a choice, answer in the the flesh, or submit to the Spirit. I chose to live by the very word I am trying to teach today. I walked up to the brother to make peace, and he apologized to me for the way he talked to me, and acknowledged that he was wrong. We shook hands and all is good. Then, right as that was ending, another guy told me that his cellmate spoke a bad word on me, putting a snitch tag on me, which is dangerous in prison. I talked to the brother with his cellmate, and it was obvious that he lied on me for no reason whatsoever. I accepted his apology and moved on from it. In both of these situations, the flesh was screaming to be fed, but praise God that His Word had reign. I didn’t do anything wrong in any of these situations, but I still had to live by the Word of God.
The word ”strength” means ”might, power, or ability.” The word ” small” means narrow or limited. In James 1:2-4, the Bible says, ‘‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
It is hard to count it all joy when we are attacked for no reason, when people slander our names and character, or when people try to mount an offensive against us, but if the Word of God said it, then God can empower us to do it.
God is readying us through experience and through trial for a purpose that is much greater than our understanding. I don’t want to be the person becoming discouraged, or stopping when it gets too hard. I want to be the person who perseveres under strain. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 27, 2023 – Galatians 3:24 – the instructor that had led us to Christ
”Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Galatians 3:24
Hi Everyone!
There is a major difference between religion and relationship, that many churches have reduced to making sure that people follow the law and do not sin against God. There is nothing wrong with that in itself, because as believers, we should have a desire to follow the commandments of the Lord. Christ came and made the Law easier for us to follow, but He also came to fulfill the Law, so we would never be bound to the Law again. The Law was written so that we would develop an understanding of sin and our Lord Jesus Christ, and cause us to see that we need Him for salvation, not for the Law. Christ came so our salvation, redemption, and sanctification would come through faith in His name. God has always desired that His children live in righteousness, but the Law was incapable of producing the righteousness of God. This is why Christ had to come, so we would be made righteous through Him. Today, we will look at Galatians 3:24, the instructor that had led us to Christ.
”Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
The word ”law” refers to the Mosaic Law, with its laws, traditions, customs, and ceremonies. The Old Testament was governed according to the Law, and people failed miserably at following it in its entire history. The word ”schoolmaster” means ”instructor, tutor, teacher of children, a tool by which people are trained up.” In Matthew 5:17, Christ says, ‘‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” If we are going to learn anything, we must learn that Christ didn’t come to continue the Law further, but He came to complete the Law. The Law in itself was limited in nature, and could only provide us with a template of how we should act as children of God. When Christ came, He established that our faith goes much deeper than the Law, as in walking on a tiled floor, trying not to step on any cracks.
In Romans 8:3-4, the Bible says, ”For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’‘ Christ had to die in order to fulfill the Law, because the Law required an atoning sacrifice for sin. In order for the Law to be fulfilled in us, we must have faith in His name and walk according to the Spirit. In Romans 10:3-4, the Bible says, ‘‘For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” See, as long as we are trying to work out our own righteous, we can never seize the righteousness of God in Christ, and as long as we are so religious that we don’t enter into this love relationship with Jesus Christ, we will always find ourselves living by a Law that has already been fulfilled.
The word ”justified” means ”righteous, to be rendered innocent, pious towards God, or one whose heart is right before God”. The word ”faith” means ”credence, assurance, belief, or reliance upon Christ for salvation”. 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.” Our justification does not come through the Law, but it comes through faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and by our faith we have access to the grace of God, and we can experience the glory of God as a result. In Acts 13:38-39, the Bible says, ‘‘Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Christ didn’t come and establish a bunch of rules, but He came to establish the forgiveness of sins, and established that the Law would not be enough to justify us. In Galatians 2:16, the Bible says, ”Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Christ came to fulfill the Law, so He would now be our conduit into the grace and glory of God. The Law could do nothing for us but show us that our justification only comes by Someone so much deeper. When I committed my life to the Lord, I wasn’t concerned about right and wrong. I was only concerned about building a relationship with the Lord and learning more about the Word of God. The Word taught me that Christ is the way!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 28, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #1 – a command to be fruitful
”But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #1
Hi Everyone!
A tree produces fruit, and by that fruit we are able to identify what manner of tree it is. The same applies in a believer’s life, where the fruit we bear will reveal what manner of person we are. There are many in the Church that are not of the Church, and their fruit shows clearly. There are many who are surprised to find out that some of us go to church at all because our conduct is inconsistent with that of a believer. There are yet many of us who are so busy trying to amass worldly fruit of wealth and fame, that we don’t place value in bearing good fruit, Godly fruit, fruit that shows that we are the children of God. When we bear the fruit of the Spirit, we are displaying by our faith, through our character, and by those we impact that there is something much greater than just us at work. Today, we will begin our Fruit of the Spirit study by looking at Galatians 5:22-23, a command to be fruitful.
”But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”fruit” expresses the evidence of a tree’s nature. It is the thing that is visible, giving us an indication of what it is. An apple tree will have apples, and a pear tree will have pears, but we will never see apples and pears on the same tree. A tree grows best in optimal conditions, and trees grown in optimal conditions will produce the best kind of fruit. In Genesis 1:27-28, the Bible says, ”So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.’‘ God gave mankind instructions upon creation, which details the purpose for God creating us in the first place. God wants us to not only be fruitful, but He wants us to have dominion over every living thing that moves on the earth. Many of us are in the Church, yet are in spiritual bondage, suffering severe brokenness, living with an awful sense of defeat.
God desires that we are fruitful, but we can’t just bring Him anything and call it fruitfulness. In Genesis 4:3-5, the Bible says, ‘‘And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” Cain was a gardener by trade, and in his offering to God he brought some fruit of the land, the evidence that he worked hard, the bounty of his hand. God didn’t have respect for his offering because there was no honor in his offering, nothing set apart especially for God. Abel’s offering was honorable to God because he gave him the firstlings of the flock, which were the best. There is a difference in the fruit we bear. In Isaiah 29:13, the Bible says, ‘‘Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men”. The key is what flows from the heart. Where our hearts are will show what kind of fruit we will bear, because if our hearts aren’t focused on the Lord, then we will be like Cain, just giving God anything and expecting His approval. What is attractive about an apple tree with rotten fruit on it?
In Matthew 3:10, Christ says, ”And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” God isn’t going to accept bad fruit in us, which is fruit that doesn’t come from Him. 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.” There are people who look the part, but in their hearts, they have nothing of the Spirit in them. A good tree is one that is planted, rooted, and watered in the Word of God. This is the tree that will bear the best fruit, and that fruit will be evident to all. In Matthew 13:8, Christ says, ‘‘But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” When we bear fruit of the Spirit, there will be exponential increase, and that increase will be honored by God because we are bearing fruit with the right heart, an heart that honors God in all we do!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 29, 2023 – – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #2 – the Holy Spirit’s power behind our fruit
”But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #2
Hi Everyone!
When Christ died on the cross, His shed blood provided redemption and salvation from our sin once and for all. God had more in mind for us than just salvation and redemption though. God desires us to walk on this earth the same way Christ did, and God also desires us to walk in resurrection power in the earth. There is no doubt in my mind that God wants the world to see us and know Who we belong to, which is why God sent the Holy Spirit in Christ’s name, to dwell in us forever. The Holy Spirit empowers us to learn of God’s word in a way we could never be taught in the earth, He empowers us to work even greater works, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to embody the fullness of the faith in our words, character, and deeds. The fruit would be nothing if it didn’t come from the Holy Spirit, and the fruit is evidence that the Spirit is at work in us. Many of us try to operate in Spiritual things in our own strength, but it is only by the Spirit that we will be able to live as God’s intends. Today, we will look again at Galatians 5:22-23, the second part in the devotional series ”Fruit of the Spirit”, the Holy Spirit’s power behind our fruit.
”But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit of God, sent to us after Christ ascended to the Father. It is by the Holy Spirit at work in us that we are empowered to live as children of God and bear fruit as believers of Jesus Christ. If we think we can bear good fruit without the Holy Spirit at work in us, then we are kidding ourselves. 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.” In order for Christ to be born of perfect seed, He had to be born of the Holy Spirit. How could God ever expect us to be born of the Spirit if the Author and Finisher of our faith was born of man? In John 3:5-6, the Bible says, ‘‘Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” When Jesus came to the earth, He spoke with Nicodemus, telling him he must be born again and by what manner he should be born. Nicodemus immediately thought about a physical rebirth, but Christ was talking about a Spiritual rebirth. We experience a new birth by the Holy Spirit. What man is powerless to do, the Holy Spirit of God can do. In Zechariah 4:5-6, the Bible says, ‘‘Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” The Holy Spirit is the answer to our lack of spiritual comprehension, and when our reasoning ends, the Holy Spirit is more than able to take us to a level that we never fathomed experiencing.
Let’s think about the promises of God concerning the Holy Spirit. In John 14:25-26, Christ says, ‘‘These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 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.” There was only so much that Christ revealed to us when He walked the earth, because He knew the Holy Spirit was going to come and fill some serious gaps in our understanding. In John 15:16, Christ says, ”Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Having the Holy Spirit in us not only ensures that we will be taught all things, but it also ensures that we will be fruitful, with fruit that will last. 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.” God doesn’t want the Holy Spirit in us to be left dormant. He wants the Holy Spirit to be power in us, and cause us to give testimony as witnesses in word, deed, and character. God never gives us a command that we are powerless to perform and that is because the Holy Spirit gives us all power to do everything He calls us to do. We bear fruit because of the Spirit of God in us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 30, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #3 – a love that binds all things
”But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.’’
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #3
Hi Everyone!
Love is the ingredient for a Godly life. Love is the manifestation of God in our relationships, and in the way we live our lives on this earth. If love isn’t our goal, the we can expect that the world around us is going to be less full, less meaningful, less fruitful. It doesn’t surprise me that love was listed first in the fruit of the Spirit, because without love, we effectively leave God out of the equation. How can we be saved without love? How can we desire for others to be saved and not have love? How can marriages thrive, children be raised to be awesome people in the Lord, and how can communities flourish without love? Love is everything, and a person may very well forget your sermon, but they will seldom forget your love. Today, we will continue through our series ”Fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23, a love that binds all things.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”love” means ”affection or benevolence, a love-feast, to affectionately regard with goodwill, Godly love exercised towards mankind”. Love is always going to have an effect, so therefore love is an action, and not a feeling. Too many people have been conditioned to believe that love is an emotion, and not a working action that produces fruit. 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.” With the commandment of the Lord to love God, there also comes instructions behind it. We show the Lord that we love Him by doing what He says, by walking the way He designs us to. With our obedience to the Word of God there comes promises of blessing and multiplication. We shouldn’t love for the rewards, but we should love because it pleases our God. In John 8:42, the Bible says, ”Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” Our relationship with God should compel us to love, because love is the identity of our Father. When we look at people, do we see that they were God’s creation, even if they aren’t the children of God? If man was created in the image and likeness of God, and we don’t love them, then how can we say that we love God?
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.” God’s love came to us in the form of a gift, His only Son, sent to be a sacrifice so we could once again fellowship with God in love, as He intended for us from the beginning. In 1 John 3:1, the Bible says, ”Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” With the love of God came the gift of being called His children. With the title of child comes all of the authority and power of the kingdom of God, including the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In 1 John 3:16, the Bible says, ”Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” God set the example of perfect love by giving us Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sin, and we are benefactors of the love of Christ who willingly went to the cross for our sin. It was love that led Him to the cross, and it was love that caused Him to plead to God for the forgiveness of the people who put Him up there. If we have such a powerful testimony of love, and we choose to not love by giving ourselves for others, then do we honestly know love?
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.” Love is who God is. Love is going to be visible in our actions, in our character, and in our relationships. People should see our love in action before they hear us proclaim our love, but we live in a society that is heavy on word but not in deed. In 1 John 3:18, the Bible says, ‘‘My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” The Bible teaches us this because God knows the important difference between the love that the world gives and the love that comes from God. Without a relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ, we are not children of God, which means that His love does not reside in us. How can we give a love that we don’t have?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Oct 31, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #4 – filled with joy unspeakable
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #4
Hi Everyone!
We live in a world that is in an endless race to pursue happiness. In the United States, one of the timeless quotes, written by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence pertains to the right of the citizens, is ”Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, which are given to us by God. Unfortunately, when this was written, Native Americans, women, and Black people had no right to this fabled ”pursuit of happiness”.
In the race to be happy, people leave out joy, an attribute that is definitely given by God, which can exist in us despite any change to our outside circumstances.
Happiness can be a result of joy, but believers in God do not have to ”be happy” to have joy.
Too many of us have equated the two, but happiness is the result of a circumstance, while joy is produced due to the Holy Spirit’s present in us. Today, we will continue in our Fruit of the Spirit study from Galatians 5:22-23, filled with joy unspeakable.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”joy” means ”delight, cheerfulness, or bliss based on divine promises and external spiritual realities.” It is a sense of well being, knowing that we are right before the Lord, and it is a gift from God to see the blessings that we already have in our life. People mistakenly think that everything has to be all good in order for us to have joy, but that is not the case. 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.” Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians for 70 years before regaing their freedom. They still had a hard road ahead of them, returning home to have the land restored unto them, but they would be entering in with the joy of the Lord. If joy only came when everything was good, then why would Judah need strength? In Nehemiah 12:43, the Bible says, ”Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” Nehemiah had to rebuild the wall before Judah was set free. That was met with much opposition, as they had to build and protect themselves at the same time. The wall was now built, Judah was now completely free, and they were now dedicating the wall to the Lord. God allowed them to experience joy where they rejoiced in, and celebrated with joy, the goodness of God in bringing them back from their imprisonment. How many of us still joyfully celebrate our salvation, or has it become too common by now?
In Psalm 16:11, the Bible says, ”Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” As believers, we not only have the privilege to have the Holy Spirit deal within us, but we also have the right as children of God to stand in the presence of God.
If we are ever walking this earth without joy, then we must ask ourselves, have we ventured away from the presence of God?
In Psalm 30:4-5, the Bible says, ‘‘Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Sometimes, grief takes us from the presence of God, because we see our grief and lose sight of the Lord, but if we can ever learn how to praise God in the midst of our grief, those tears will be replaced with an everlasting joy.
In Psalm 126:5, the Bible says, ‘‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” If we sow in tears, then it means that we are still planting, still pressing forward, still trusting in the Lord, even when our hearts are aching. God will turn our hurts into joy when we trust Him with them.
In John 15:10-11, the Bible says, ‘‘If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Obedience keeps us in the presence of the Lord and positions us to receive God’s joy which will completely fill us and stay with us.
In Jude 1:24, the Bible says, ”Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy”. Remaining in the presence of the Lord will allow us to remain upright, but it will allow us to remain in His presence with more joy than we can fathom.
The presence of the Lord produces joy, so if we walk in joy, then that is the evidence that we are in the presence of God.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 1, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #5 – a peace that passeth all understanding
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #5
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we need peace. This isn’t an outside environment of peace, but an inward peace that only God can give. The peace of God can be present in the best of situations, but it can also be present in the worst kind.
I experienced the peace of God as my sister was dying and when my grandma passed suddenly. But also many other occasions: when I lost my cousins and my nephew, my aunt and uncle who raised me, and my stepmom, my aunt, and a lady from Church who became another granny when my granny passed away on my 18th birthday. And also my best friend, and other special close friends.
Reflecting on these losses, most of them in the last 7 years, I am in awe that I am still standing, let alone operating at my absolute best. It is the peace of God that has been a comfort in these dry spaces, keeping me moving despite feeling broken down, when it’s been possible to experience peace under great strain. It bears witness that the peace of God is at work in us. Today, we will continue through our series ”Fruit of the Spirit” from Galatians 5:22-23, a peace that passeth all understanding.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”peace” means ”tranquility, a state of mind arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favour” but the word ”peace” also means ”prosperity, health and welfare, every kind of good”. Naturally, we would think that everything would have to be great in our lives for us to experience the peace of God, but God’s peace isn’t based on our condition, it is based on His Spirit within us. 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.” We must first understand that in order for God to bestow something upon us, He must possess it Himself. Peace is a part of the fruit of the Spirit because it is engrafted into the very identity of Christ. 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.” Peace will increase as God’s presence increases in the earth, and it will be with us forever. God doesn’t check out on us when times get hard.
He has filled us with His Spirit, so if we walk in the Spirit, we will always have access to peace.
In Isaiah 26:3-4, the Bible says, ”Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength’‘. Our peace comes, and remains, when our minds are trained on the Lord. We can’t focus on our grief and the cares of this world and expect to walk in the Lord’s peace. With peace comes strength, but only if our trust is in the Lord. In Isaiah 32:17, the Bible says, ‘‘And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.’‘ Righteousness before God will always produce peace, and because we are the righteousness of God in Christ, we have peace available to us at all times. The world has their own version of peace; materialistic possessions, sex, fame, money, and status, but none of it lasts. In John 14:27, Christ says, ”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.” Christ left His peace to us when He ascended to the Father, and that peace is in the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. There is no reason for us to walk this earth troubled because the peace of God empowers us to have rest in the face of life’s trials.
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.” Too many people are living with anxiety, hard pressed in depression, living life broken and afraid, but believers don’t have to accept this state as reality. Instead of living in anxiety, we can bring our issues to the Lord in prayer, and He will provide us with unexplainable peace. In Philippians 4:9, the Bible says, ‘‘Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” We can’t read our Bibles, go to Church, receive God’s teachings and then not walk in them. In order for our fruit to reveal peace, we must live the Word out, keeping our hearts and minds cleansed of anything that will strip us of peace.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 2, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #6 – the fruit of patience producing the glory of God
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #6
Hi Everyone!
Patience. In the course of my 20 years of imprisonment, I have learned patience on so many levels, but as a believer, I understand the depth of patience in a way I never have before. Patience runs much deeper than just waiting, or tolerating someone who is working your last nerve. Patience requires us to continue to live in the Word of God, rest in His presence, and walk in confidence that where God is leading is going to produce the recipe for His glory. How many opportunities have we missed because we grew impatient, and moved too soon? How many opportunities have we received because we trusted in God, despite how the situation looked and despite how tired we were of waiting? Patience is our testimony on earth that there is a greater strength in us if we wait on the Lord while continuing to serve Him. Today, we will continue to press through our Fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of patience producing the glory of God.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”longsufffering” means ”patience, forbearance, or fortitude”. I love all three of these definitions because they imply strength in the face of trial to remain rooted in the Word of God. If we are exercising patience when everything is going exceptionally well, it isn’t noticeable, because anyone can exercise patience when there is no test. It is when we are tested and are under great trial that our fortitude becomes more visible. In Isaiah 40:30-31, the Bible says, ‘‘Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” When we are immature in our faith, we are going to show our weariness under trial, and some of us may even feel defeated under the weight, but this too can happen to believers who are mature in the faith. If our minds and hearts are trained on the Lord, then His strength will fill us, so we can walk and not allow our trial to break us down, but if our minds and hearts are trained on our circumstances, then we will find ourselves struggling to stay planted. In Habakkuk 2:3, the Bible says, ‘‘For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’‘ What God has for us is going to definitely come, and it is worth waiting for, because it will not only bless our lives, but will also bring glory to God in the process.
Patience and fortitude doesn’t mean that we are supposed to be standing in place, looking at the sky, waiting on our answer to come. God gives us patience to be able to do the things He is calling for us to do, no matter what is going on in our lives, and no matter what promise we are waiting on God for. In my own life, I am waiting to regain my freedom. If I didn’t study my Word daily, help the brothers in my prison environment, and serve the Lord in all He has for me, I won’t be prepared for the promises of God, because I would lack the strength. In Romans 4:20-21, the Bible says, ‘‘He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Unbelief keeps us from being patient. When we are living in the promises of God, there are going to be some things that we must trust God in, and that trust will come in the form of patience. In Romans 4:18, the Bible says, ”Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.’‘ God never promised that what we are waiting on Him for would be easy to comprehend. For Abraham, all signs pointed to his promise not happening, but He trusted God and His Word and waited on the promise.
In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, the Bible says, ‘‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” As children of God, God is calling us to exercise fortitude, entrusting our direction and obedience to the One who holds our promise. Our patience shows God that we are ready to serve the Lord in all situations, no matter if things are going great or not. In James 1:4, the Bible says, ‘‘But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.’‘ God wants us to endure the situations that come our way in their entirety, so that we will be thoroughly equipped for the road ahead. God wants us prepared to do His will.
God Bless,
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 3, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #7 – a gentle attitude birthed in the Spirit of God
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #7
Hi Everyone!
How is our demeanor towards other people, especially nonbelievers? How do we handle them, like lepers, like a parasite the world can do without, or do we treat them as people who can easily be one word away from salvation? Have we as a Church become so judgmental in our behavior that we are deterring more people from the Cross than leading them to it? We must live as Christ lived and treat people as Christ did. If we are harsh in character towards other people, then how will they ever see the love of Christ in us? We as a Church have to examine ourselves in our relationships with others, because we want to be an example of kindness and unconditional love in this earth. We want to be those who are trusted to share this love with others, but we must do it from a heart of gentleness. Today we will continue through our Fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, a gentle attitude birthed in the Spirit of God.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”gentleness” means ”kindness, usefulness, or moral excellence in character or demeanor”. Have we noticed so far that the fruit of the Spirit requires action, and not just words? People should experience our gentleness, and not just hear about it. I love how the Greek definition adds more meaning to the word gentleness, because operating in moral excellence will always call for us to treat others according to the highest possible standard, no matter who they may be. In Luke 10:25-27, the Bible says, ”And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” This is an interaction between Jesus and a man who is trying to trip Jesus up. If we look at this verse further, we will discover that this leads into the story of the good Samaritan. Those who should have helped this fallen man; a priest and a Levite, the very people who were expected to help, did not. A Samaritan man, someone despised by the Jews, helped him, treated his wounds, and gave him a room at the inn until he was healed. In 2 Timothy 2:24, the Bible says, ”And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient”. The Samaritan was more of a servant of the Lord than the people who were supposed to represent the leadership of the faith.
When the world embodies more of the fruit of the Spirit than people in the Church, that is a major problem.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, the Bible says, ”But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” Are we genuinely concerned about the state of the souls of others? Are we exercising love towards both believers and nonbelievers alike? When our hearts are filled with love towards God’s creation, and our hearts desire that they receive salvation so they can become children of God, then we will exercise kindness towards others.
We may never teach a person one Scripture, but our character and treatment of others will be a lasting testimony.
In Psalm 18:35, the Bible says, ‘‘Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.” If God’s gentleness propels greatness in us, then why wouldn’t our gentleness propel greatness in others? We have the same Spirit in us that was in Christ when we walked the earth!
In John 4:16-18, the Bible says, ”Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.” Christ spoke the truth but didn’t bash her. He was gentle and loving with her, and what did it produce? In John 4:29-30, the Bible says, ‘‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.” A woman who was a social pariah, a stench in the nostrils of the Samaritans, a woman who was living in sin became an evangelist because of the love, kindness and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. What will someone else be able to accomplish because they were met by gentleness, kindness, by a character that personified Christ in the earth?
What if our gentleness was all it took for a person to meet Christ?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 4, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #8 – walking in God’s goodness in the earth
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, GOODNESS, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #8
Hi Everyone!
We can’t look at this world for a picture of goodness. This world was created by God, but a simple scroll on the news feed is going to show that something else is at work. This is not what God created this world for, so we can wallow in despair at the sight of what is going on in our world. God called us to have dominion in the earth, so we could bear His attributes as being the children of God. If this world appears short on goodness, it is because the Church isn’t taking it’s rightful place and displaying Christ as the norm in the earth. The goodness of God is in us because of the blood of Jesus Christ being upon us, and because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. If the world would see goodness in the Church, that would be evidence the Holy Spirit is at work here. Today, we will continue through of Fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, walking in God’s goodness in the earth.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, GOODNESS, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”goodness” means ”virtue or beneficence”. I had an idea of what beneficence meant, but when I looked at the dictionary, it read: ”the fact and quality of being kind and doing good; charity, or a charitable act or generous gift”. Once again, we are looking at an action that displays the fruit that is at work in us. Let’s break down the word ”goodness”. The word ”good” suggest that God approves when His will is being done, as evidenced by Genesis 1:3-4, the Bible says, ‘‘And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” God declares something to be produced, it becomes what He ordains for it to be, and He gives His stamp of approval, declaring it to be ”good”. As believers, we are children of God, and as children we have everything in us that Christ had when He walked the earth, and even more. Think not? In 1 John 4:17, 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.’‘ As He IS, not WAS. To this day, everything Christ has is available to us, and goodness is a part of it.
In Psalm 100:5, the Bible says, ‘‘For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” If we have everything that the Lord has then in us lives goodness, mercy and truth, and those attributes are displayed by our actions, not by our speeches. In Psalm 23:6, the Bible says, ‘‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” When the Lord is our Shepherd, we will leave a trail of goodness, an aroma of good that will flow through us because of the Holy Spirit being at work in us. We have the goodness of God within us due to the Holy Spirit, so this means there is no excuse for us to not exercise goodness in the earth.
Our moral and spiritual excellence is manifested in active kindness. In Galatians 6:10, the Bible says, ‘‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” I love how the Bible says, ”as we have therefore opportunity”. Some people will look at this as a way out of doing good, but it actually writes, telling us that the opportunity will always exist for us to do good, because Philippians 4:13 says, ”I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’‘ Even when we feel depleted and have nothing left in the tank, God’s strength empowers us to do good in the earth.
God commands us to exercise goodness in the earth because that will always point the way to Him.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, the Bible says, ”Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
I believe it will take a lot of pressure off us when we realize that it is God’s goodness and not our own. God isn’t asking us to come up with our own goodness, but He is commanding that we please Him by receiving His goodness and operating in it, in the earth. In Romans 15:14, the Bible says, ‘‘And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” There is no use having God’s goodness in us if we don’t use it to actively display kindness and also to encourage others in the Lord. Because of the Holy Spirit, we are full of goodness, and it is our job to share this in our character, in our actions and in our relationships.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 5, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #9 – the fruitfulness of faith
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #9
Hi Everyone!
Faith is something we as believers need in our lives. It is essential for salvation, it is mandatory for our maturation, and it is absolutely necessary to please our Father.
Faith isn’t just a flippant belief in something, but it is belief backed by action.
Too many people have the wrong concept of faith, and in the Church too many pastors have used this ”name it and claim it” doctrine in error, misleading believers and undoubtedly causing some to question the truth of God. We must understand that faith is part of the fruit of the Spirit because faith’s foundation is in the Word of God. Without the Word of God, faith doesn’t exist. When this world sees the faith of the Church manifesting the power of God, then they will have no choice but to believe, even if they still make the choice to not receive the Lord Jesus as Savior. Today, we will continue through our fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruitfulness of faith.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”faith” means ”persuasion, credence, moral conviction of the truthfulness of God, reliance upon Christ for salvation, constancy, assurance, or belief.” Most of us have heard about the ”faith verse” in Hebrews 11:1 which says, ”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith suggests that, even though we don’t have it physically in our possession right now, we are assured that it belongs to us. We hope in the image that faith produces, which becomes so real to us, that we experience the joy before its arrival. In Romans 4:2-3, the Bible says, ‘‘For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Faith isn’t just belief, but we can’t have faith unless we believe. Abraham is a great example of faith in action, not just belief. In Genesis 12:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing”. The first thing recorded that God asked Abraham to do was leave the only life he had known, and go to some place he doesn’t know, a place God will show him. We can’t remain at home in our father’s house and walk in faith. In Genesis 12:4, the Bible says, ‘‘So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.” See the qualifier here, ”As the Lord had spoken unto him”? Many of us are trying to walk in faith, believing some ”name it and claim it” doctrine, but the Lord never spoke the word people are believing in God for.
In Romans 10:17, the Bible says, ”So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Without the Word of God, there is no faith. We heard the Word of God and then believe, and then our actions speak for our belief. This is why Hebrews 11:6 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.” We please God when we hear the Word of the Lord and move in obedience. We can’t have faith without obedience either. If we don’t obey the Word of the Lord, we are not operating in faith, and God will not be pleased. Sometimes, when God gives us a Word, it doesn’t look like the end result, but in Romans 4:18, the Bible says, ‘‘Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.’‘ Faith is moving on the Word of God even when it appears to make no sense to us. According to the world, we have to be crazy to have faith, but according to the Church, we have to be crazy NOT to have faith.
In James 2:14, the Bible says, ”What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?’‘ Faith is always action-producing, meaning that in order for us to exercise faith, there has to be something that we must do. In James 2:21-22, the Bible says, ‘‘Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” Abraham had his faith tested his whole life, even going as far as being willing to sacrifice his own son, the promised son that God gave Him, because God told him to. Abraham exercised his faith by action, and it bore fruit that led to Christ. What type of fruit will our faith bear, and what type of blessing will we become to others?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 6, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #10 – a view of Godliness inciting the attitude of meekness
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance: against such there is no law.’’
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #10
Hi Everyone!
Humility is definitely a characteristic of a believer, especially since it was so prevalent in Christ when He walked the earth. He had every right to come and be the King He was in heaven, but He humbled Himself, giving us an example of a servant willing to help those in trouble. Christ intentionally looked for those who were broken, those in despair, those written off by society. Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, took the Cross to ensure that we would have access to salvation by faith in His name, but we have the audacity as believers to live in arrogance, entitlement, and even being judgmental as if we got to this point on our own? Humility makes us approachable to others, and allows us to understand that we are living in the free gift of salvation and redemption. There is no place for conceit, because our God has done everything for us. Today, we will continue through our fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, a view of Godliness inciting the attitude of meekness.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The word ”meekness” means ”humility”. This is an attitude that encompasses gratefulness, and it also expresses that we present ourselves empty before the Lord. I remember a martial arts movie with Jackie Chan and this teenager wanted to learn martial arts in order to save the world. He watched endless martial arts movies and thought he knew everything he needed to know in order to do martial arts. When it came to the ”doing part”, he couldn’t be taught because he thought he knew everything.
Jackie Chan told him he can’t learn until he empties his cup. What can be put into a full cup?
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 don’t have an attitude of submission to God, and submission to the purpose He has for us, we are going to always think that we know our own way. Many of us exalt ourselves, leaving God with no room to exalt us in the manner He desires. If we operate in humility before God, He will empower us to become everything that He has created us to be. Meekness is a humble and gentle attitude that is patiently submissive towards God and others. In Colossians 3:12, the Bible says, ‘‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”. If this is something that we put on, then this is a choice that we must make as believers.
Shouldn’t understanding that we are God’s choice bring us down to earth a little bit?
In James 1:21, the Bible says, ‘‘Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” In order for us to receive the Word of God in the fashion God intends, we must receive it in humility. In order for us to receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, we must understand that we are incapable of saving ourselves, and we need what God has provided. In Matthew 5:5, Christ says in the Beatitudes, ”Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.’‘ The reason the humble can inherit the earth is because they have entrusted their direction to the Lord.
The meek will do what God commands, enabling God will run the earth through them. God created us to have dominion and power in the earth, but He also created us to submit to His Word and His will for our lives.
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.” The only way we will live a life that pleases our God is if we live in meekness, always humble before the Lord. We have to always look above to God for our perspective on earth.
If we want to learn how to serve, how to love, how to enjoy the peace of God, then we have to have an attitude of meekness.
In 1 Timothy 6:10-11, the Bible says, ‘‘For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” If we follow after meekness, there is an active pursuit of it, an intentionality to be exactly who God called us to be. Christ had every right to flaunt His majesty, but He came to serve, making Himself an atoning sacrifice for us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 7, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #11 – self-control producing the pathway to righteous living
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #11
Hi Everyone!
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ enabling Him to atone for our sin forever, those who believe on His name by faith have a continuous pouring upon us of his blood, that will cleanse us from all our sin. The person who has no appreciation for this precious gift may presume to use their ‘salvation’ as a license to go on and be as sinful as possible, believing now that they are fully under the grace of God. As believers, it is our job to live in constant appreciation for what God has given us by exercising restraint, not giving in to the impulses from our old nature, nor giving any room for sin to grow in our lives. In the course of my faith walk, when I extended grace to someone who was out of line, or when I didn’t do as the world around me did, I produced a testimony than gave glory to the God I serve. Today, we will continue through our fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, self-control producing the pathway to righteous living.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.”
The word ”temperance” means ”self-control”. Self-control implies a choice, and as believers, we can’t live as if we don’t have options, and we definitely can’t live by impulse. When we operate by impulse, we leave obedience out of the equation in most cases. In 1 Samuel 15:3, the Bible says, ”Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.’‘ This is the commandment Saul was given when he went to war against Amalek. Pretty clear instructions, right? In 1 Samuel 15:8-9, the Bible says, “And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.” Saul obeyed only part of the commandments God gave him, and not the full commandment.
A lack of self-control would cause us to do the same; pick the parts we want to obey, and leave out the parts we don’t. Here is Saul’s excuse.
In 1 Samuel 15:21, the Bible says, ”But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.” He disobeyed the Lord in order to sacrifice an offering to Him. Saul told God by his actions that his idea was better than God’s, and because of it, he lost out big time.
In 2 Peter 1:5-8, the Bible says, ”And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” God has equipped us to live a Godly life by giving us knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ, and in that knowledge lies the means by which we are to exercise self-control.
With knowledge comes self-control, but we aren’t able to exercise Godly self-control without the Word of God.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the Bible says, ‘‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. In order for us to properly exercise self-control, we must remain in the Spirit.
Restraint is when we cast down the urge to sin, when we don’t allow the thoughts of our old nature to take root in our lives. Because it begins in the mind, we must weigh our thoughts according to the Word of God, and if something doesn’t line up properly, we have to be courageous enough to cast them away.
I have learned that it takes way more strength to restrain ourselves than it does to go with our impulses. I have been in situations where I have been disrespected and I walked away, and it was painful, but there was always someone who saw it and was encouraged that they can do the same thing.
In Mark 15:4-5, the Bible says, ”And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.” Christ was facing a trial for which there was the death penalty on the table. Instead of defending himself, which would have undoubtedly caused Him to be released, He held His peace and said nothing in His defense.
He was obedient to His purpose and refused to fight in the flesh, and we bear the fruit of His self-control today.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 8, 2023 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit #12 – the fruit of the Spirit being above reproach
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT – PART #12
Hi Everyone!
When I received true salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, I told God that I was only focusing on knowing His Word and pursuing a relationship with Him. Too often, I tried to do the right thing only to find myself crashing and burning a million times over, because I made my religion on trying not to step on the cracks of a tiled floor in order to please God. I thought if I was good enough, God would be pleased, but in my lack of understanding,
I missed something huge. It is not about our goodness, but it is about God’s goodness.
When I focused on my relationship with God and built a desire to build a relationship with God, it became God working in me by the Holy Spirit, conforming me into something pleasing to Him. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that produces the fruit in us that causes the world to see us as believers, not our own work. Today, we will complete our Fruit of the Spirit study in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit being above reproach.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW.”
The word ”law” refers to the laws and customs of the Mosaic Law, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its principles. In my faith walk, it was God would worked on me and worked in me as I pursued Him. My Tee-Tee used to say that if I kept my nose clean, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting in trouble, but I was so worried about not getting in trouble that I tripped myself up trying to keep my nose clean. She meant well, but I needed something deeper.
In 2 Peter 1:3, the Bible says, ‘‘According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”. This verse is so important, because we need to know that God has given us divine power, that is power that came from Him, in order for us to live Godly in the earth. This is done by our learning more about the Word of God, understanding that we are called by God to shine His light and to live in moral excellence.
God would never empower someone to do something that He hasn’t equipped them for. A car goes nowhere without gas, and we go nowhere without the Spirit of God working in us. In Romans 8:3-4, the Bible says, ”For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’‘ The Law was a guide for us to learn what is required but it had no power to keep anyone from living in sin. God sent Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sin, and if we receive salvation by faith in Him, we become the righteousness of God as long as we walk in the Spirit. This means that we can’t pursue our own righteousness and expect fruit to be produced. We must allow the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in us.
In 1 Timothy 1:9, the Bible says, ‘‘Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers’‘.
The law governs lawbreakers, and it is not designed for people whose heart is set on being led by the Holy Spirit of God.
In Galatians 5:18, the Bible says, ‘‘But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Being led by the Spirit, we then learn how to walk worthy of our salvation, and we don’t have to worry about the law.
Brothers in my prison environment give me a confused look when I tell them to not worry about right and wrong, to not focus on trying to behave themselves. How do we take a free gift of salvation and then try to work a job to receive it?
In John 16:13, Christ said, ‘‘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.”
How can I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me if I keep taking the reins from Him to pursue my own righteousness?
In Matthew 22:37-40, Christ says, ”Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
If we make ourselves available to be led of the Spirit, we will be led by love into love. If my focus is love, then I never have to worry about wrongdoing, because I will always try to live a life that pleases God and helps others. If my focus is the Holy Spirit, then I will bear the fruit of the Spirit in my life. What testimony can stand against the Holy Spirit at work in us?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 9, 2023 – Hebrews 12:6 – understanding the discipline of our loving God
”For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
Hebrews 12:6
Hi Everyone!
Discipline is not an easy thing to endure. A lot of times, when we are facing some type of discipline in this world, we don’t experience love with it. Many times, we feel hated, despised, and broken from the discipline of this world. When I was sentenced for my homicide convictions, I did not feel love and in fact, I felt that the judge was more than happy to give me the life sentence I received. Sometimes, we can unfairly approach God from this same perspective, looking at Him like He is some heartless judge out to make our lives horrible, or we view God like His discipline is anything but loving, but that is not true. God’s discipline, and correction comes from the deepest place of love, and it is only designed to bring us closer to Him. If God didn’t love us, He would let us run wild until eternal destruction because of punishment. Praise God that He doesn’t! Today, we will look at Hebrews 12:6, understanding the discipline of our loving God.
”For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
The word ”love” means ”to regard with strong affection”. It is hard to fathom that God is loving us while we are under His discipline, but I see the Lord saving us from ourselves. The word ”chasteneth” means ”to discipline by punishment, to educate, or to train up a child”.
So there is a purpose for the chastening!
In John 3:16, 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.” When God loves, He gives something to display His love for us. He gave His Son! Imagine this with me. God had a design for the world He created and for the people He created in the world. Adam and Eve didn’t fulfill His creative intent when they disobeyed God, and mankind as a whole has been positioned for discipline ever since. Jesus comes, and finally, God finally has someone on earth who embodies everything He has envisioned for mankind to be in this earth, and He sacrifices Him so we can get a ”do-over”.
In Proverbs 22:6, the Bible says, ‘‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The purpose for chastening is training, so we will cleave to the Word of God when we are matured. A football player is disciplined by their coach by running laps, for falling short, or doing wind sprints, push-ups or other workouts.
Those workouts are brutal, but they actually build strength, making it less likely the players will commit similar infractions again. There is purpose in the punishment.
In Psalm 94:12-13, the Bible says, ‘‘Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.” The word of God considers those disciplined by the Lord to be blessed, but it also says that God teaches us. This is done to provide future rest for us no matter how rough a season is in our lives.
The word ”scourgeth” means ”to flog or whip”, which is a serious and painful form of beating that was common with Jewish people. The word ”receiveth” means ”to accept near, admit in, or delight in, as a child of God”. God allows us to experience His discipline in order for us to experience the privilege of being His children. God would rather discipline us than see us become destroyed eternally.
In Proverbs 3:11-12, the Bible says, ‘‘My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” It makes a world of difference to know that there is love behind God’s correction and He still delights in us, that His love is what is driving the discipline.
In James 1:12, the Bible says, ”Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Trial can come as God is refining us, or it can come when we fall short and He wants us to walk in Him. Both processes removes everything that hinders our ability to walk according to the Word of the Lord, so we can be who He has created us to be.
In Revelation 3:19-20, the Bible says, ”As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
God wants His discipline to turn us to repentance, so we will let Him come to us and fellowship with us. Could it be that God loves us so much that He would rather punish us in order to position us for His presence?
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.” With discipline comes training and cleansing, given by a loving God.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 10, 2023 – James 1:18 – a new birth in Christ, a people set apart for God’s purpose
”Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
James 1:18
Hi Everyone!
God created mankind from the clay, breathed the breath of life in us, making us living souls. The fall of man, due to the disobedience of Adam in the garden, separated us from the presence of God, and there was a sacrifice that needed to be made to reconcile us back to God. Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, was sent to this world as that atoning sacrifice for sin forever, so that all who believe in His name would be saved and redeemed from the penalty of our sin. God didn’t just have salvation in mind when He gave us access to this salvation, but He wanted us to represent Him in this earth. God provided us with a new birth, baptizing us with the Holy Spirit, so that we can be set apart in this earth, and actually be the trendsetters of living a Godly life in this earth. We may be the first in our families, the first of our friends, or the first from our jobs to be Spirit led; but the first fruits are separated for God’s purpose. Today, we will look at James 1:18, a new birth in Christ, a people set apart for God’s purpose.
”Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
The word ”will” means ”purpose, decree, intention, or determination”. This verse is speaking of God’s intention for us. 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’s intention for our lives is something that we can’t comprehend, and it is something that far surpasses our perceptions on what His will entails. How did getting a life sentence in prison, serving 15 years and being moved to a prison across the state away from my family put me in the perfect position to meet the woman that I would marry? We couldn’t have authored a better story for our lives, which shows that God’s will is something far beyond our understanding.
God’s will doesn’t make sense sometimes at first, just like the death of His Son producing life in all those who believe? How does death birth life in us?
The phrase ”begat in us” means ”to impregnate”. In John 1:12-13, the Bible says, ‘‘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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Being born of God, we have received the Holy Spirit, who dwells on the inside of us, which gives us the power to live as children of God in this earth. We couldn’t do this on our own. In John 3:4-5, the Bible says, ”Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus was a teacher of the law and he couldn’t comprehend this new birth in Christ, but by this new new birth we receive the Holy Spirit, Who will teach and guide us into all truth.
The phrase ”word of truth” refers to the Holy Scripture of God, which regenerates us through the power of God. In 1 Peter 1:23, the Bible says, ‘‘Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” We were birthed by Someone eternal and we live in something that is eternal. The Word of God is above reproach, and that is what lives in us.
The word ”firstfruits” means ”the beginning of a sacrifice, the first of whom any particular thing may be predicated, also meaning something consecrated to God.” The word ”creatures” refers to mankind. Doesn’t 1 Peter 2:9 makes sense, when it 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”? Because we are consecrated to God, we have a new identity in Christ, and that identity declares us to be chosen, holy, and a unique possession.
New birth in Christ awards us with this truth, but many believers have the hardest time with accepting who we now are in Him.
In Romans 8:29, the Bible says, ‘‘For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Isn’t it amazing that we are a part of God’s plan for mankind, that He has equipped us and given us power to be set apart in this world?
In Jeremiah 2:3, the Bible says, ‘‘Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.” We have this same privilege as believers, to project the glory of God in this world. The question is, will we accept it?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 11, 2023 – Hebrews 13:15 – praising God through every circumstance
”By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Hebrews 13:15
Hi Everyone!
Do we praise God like we should? Do we only praise God in the midst of some awesome blessing, or some great occurrence in our lives? Many of us, me including, have had no problem praising God when everything is going well, because we have a ton of things that we are grateful for. What happens when things aren’t going our way? What happens when we are in the midst of struggle, where we have something heavy on our hearts, and it becomes so deep that we can’t even cry? How do we praise God from a position of fear, brokenness, or heartache? How can we see praise as our way through the hardest ordeals of our lives, when our heart longs for things we have prayed for and entrusted God to? Praise is a testimony of faith that shows that we trust in God no matter how it looks, and it is not easy, but is walking in faith ever easy? Today, we will look at Hebrews 13:15, praising God through every circumstance.
”By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
The word ”offer” means ”to bring before, or bear”. The word ”sacrifice” means ”service of obedience”. The word ”praise” means ”having an attitude of thanksgiving.” The key word is ”continually”, meaning it doesn’t stop. In Psalm 34:1-3, the Bible says, ‘‘I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” There is a lot to unpack in these verses, but the first thing is we should praise God in all situations and at all times, meaning that our praise isn’t the result of some outside circumstance, but the result of an inward reflection of who God is in our lives.
These verses also show us that our praise may be an inward reflection, but we are to project our praise with our mouths.
Our praise in the midst of our circumstances, especially at times of difficulty, will offer up not only praise to God, but also provide a testimony for others to hear the goodness of God, causing them to praise God as well. Is our praise infectious, or are we so silent and afflicted that no ones hears how awesome our God is?
In Psalm 100:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Noise is heard, and it spreads. What do our mouths spread in the land? How do we come into the presence of God, like beggars, like broken kids with no access to the King or no power, or do we come before the presence of God like we belong there, like our God hears us, like He is mighty to save?
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”. When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we have the same Spirit that Jesus Christ did when He walked the earth. This alone should give us so much to praise God in all seasons about because we have access to the kingdom of God and with that comes power.
The key to these verses is the phrase ”speaking to yourselves”. What we tell ourselves in the midst of our lives will ultimately be how we approach the things in our lives. If praise is on our lips and we are encouraging ourselves in the Lord, we will approach situations from the type of perspective that God ordains.
The phrase ”fruit of our lips” is the effect of praise flowing from our inward parts. Fruit is what others see and experience from us. The phrase ”giving thanks” means ”to acknowledge or confess in honour or appreciation of”.
The word ”name” refers to the name of Jesus, the name that is above every name, and it means, ”an hallowed appellation of honour and reverence.” When we give glory to God in the face of all circumstances, it offers up a praise of trust to God, where we are placing our minds, hearts, and lives in God’s capable hands.
In Psalm 107:20-22, the Bible says, ‘‘He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” God has done amazing things in our lives, and even when it seems like God isn’t doing a thing on our behalf, He is still working things in our favor.
In Psalm 50:23, the Bible says, ”Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” Are we going to wait for God to move in order for Him to receive our praise? What if God was waiting on our praise?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 12, 2023 – Romans 14:7 – a life committed to serving the Lord
”For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
Romans 14:7
Hi Everyone!
When I gave my life to the Lord, I realized that my life was no longer my own. I realized that there was a purpose over my life and that required me to die to self, to bury my own ambition and exchange it for the Lord’s. All the things I thought I would have to sacrifice in order to be sold out for the Lord became meaningless, and what I perceived to be loss was actually gain. The more I lived my life serving the Lord, the more full my life has become. The more I entrusted my future to God, the more He entrusted me with, and I am blessed to be His child. Realizing that before I was born, God knew who I was and had a purpose for my life humbles me, because there is nothing I could have ever done on my own to bring my purpose to pass. I even ran from it, trying to live my own path, but God, through His labor of love, drew me back home where I belong. Today, we will look at Romans 14:7, a life committed to serving the Lord.
”For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
The word ”liveth” means ”to pass one’s life in a certain manner”. The word ”dieth” means ”to experience death”. Neither one of these do we partake in for our own pleasure, but to please the God we serve.
In Psalm 24:1, the Bible says, ”The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” We must first understand that this world was created by our God, and it was created for His glory. He created this world with us in it because He ordained mankind to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion in the earth, once again, all for His glory.
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.” This world is not only created by God, but it is also set together for the purpose of God.
Why do we then walk this earth like we are ”the captain of our fate and the master of our soul”, when we are not responsible for the life we have or what we have implanted in us?
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.” Not only were we created by God, but when mankind fell due to the sin of Adam, God provided an atoning sacrifice in Jesus Christ for our sin.
That redeemed us from sin and the penalty of death.
God wants this recognition to then compel us to give glory to God in our lives, through our interaction with others, and through our identity. I realized that it was the Lord who brought me back from the dead, who restored my mind back to me, who saved my life when I was gunned down by two different guys, who continued to lead me towards His purpose even after I was sentenced to life without parole, and oh yeah, He saved me and called me His child!
There is no reason why I can’t serve the Lord with everything I am because He has given me so much, and there is no way I would be where I am now if it wasn’t for Him.
In Galatians 2:20, the Bible says, ”I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Christ death on the cross gave me access to a new life in Him, and God ensured that I wouldn’t ever have to go at it alone, because the Holy Spirit dwells in me.
I now live my life, not in my own power and strength, but entrusting my life and strength to the Lord who has never failed me. Because Christ gave His life for someone like me, who was essentially begging to be killed due to my behavior, who would I be if I didn’t serve the Lord faithfully. What God is asking for is nothing compared to what He has given.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, the Bible says, ‘‘For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
God created us to experience salvation and so He makes a call for us to repent, so that we can be one in Him. We are supposed to use what we have been given to build up other people.
In 1 Peter 4:2, the Bible says, ‘‘That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”
Our lives are but a vapor, and before we know it, we will be looking at the end of our lives. Will we see committed service in reverence to our Lord, or will we see a life squandered away by the cares and pleasures of this world? What will you live for?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 13, 2023 – Psalm 40:5 – the privilege of praising God
”Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
Psalm 40:5
Hi Everyone!
Do we give glory to God for all He has done for us? Does praise flow from our lips, declaring the goodness of God, announcing the immeasurable power of God? Many of us spend our lives faintly acknowledging God, patting ourselves on the back, or attributing the awesome things in our lives to a person’s favor in our lives, instead of to God’s grace, purpose, and power. This world likes to throw the term around ”self-made success” like it is solely up to us to bring about the success that we aspire to have in our lives, and like we were the only people responsible for the success that has happened before. We are supposed to give our glory to God in all things, acknowledging His works in the earth, so others may hear of Him and they can give glory to God too. Today, we will look at Psalm 40:5, the privilege of praising God.
”Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
The phrase ”wonderful works” means ”miracles, or extraordinary and difficult deeds. The word ”done” means ”to perform, accomplish, or complete”. David is reflecting on God’s deliverance in the midst of his anguish, in the midst of a trial he didn’t see his own way out of.
David understands that he is not responsible for his deliverance, but God is and in these Psalms, David acknowledges God through pain, through exile, through danger, and through adversity.
In Psalm 34:1, the Bible says, ”I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” David doesn’t wait on his circumstances to change for him to bless the Lord. In order to bless the Lord at all times, we need to believe that God’s hand is moving in all situations, no matter how rough they appear.
In Exodus 15:11, the Bible says, ‘‘Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Moses contemplates the omnipotence of God, testifying that there is none like Him on this earth or in heaven. Do we acknowledge God’s unmatchable power or do we focus our attention on what we have allowed to have power over us?
Experiencing God leaves no room to doubt Who is responsible for our success, our healing, our deliverance, and for our redemption.
In Job 5:8-9, the Bible says, ‘‘I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number”. When we seek the Lord, we place ourselves in a position of worship, where we decrease, and we allow God to increase. When God’s hand moves, He goes beyond anything we expect of imagine, leaving no doubt that it is only Him.
The word ”thoughts” means ”purpose, intention, device or plan”. The phrase ”reckoned up” suggests that there is nothing to compare them to. This means God stands alone in word and deed. In Job 9:10, the Bible says, ”Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.” Job lost everything, family, money, livelihood, and health, but in the midst of his struggles, He is still acknowledging God’s power, still giving praise for what God can do.
In Psalm 139:17-18, the Bible says, ‘‘How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” Our God has big plans for His children and David expresses remaining rooted in the Lord, we too can trust that He has plans for us that far exceed our understanding.
In Psalm 71:15-16, the Bible says, ‘‘My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” We won’t acknowledge the unmatchable power of God by standing silent. We have to praise God with our mouths and declare the goodness of God.
The word ”declare” means ”to manifest, report, or announce by word of mouth to one who is present”. The word “speak” means ”to arrange words or rehearse’’. In order to give a report on the God we serve, we have to reflect on His work, and really see what God has done.
In Psalm 34:2-3, the Bible says, ”My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Praise is contagious, and when we praise God with our mouths, declaring the goodness of God, others will praise God with us.
In Isaiah 55:9, the Bible says, ”For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’‘ God lives on a level we can’t fathom, and when we are bold enough to trust God in our hardship and praise Him anyway, we show the world who our God is!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 14, 2023 – Jeremiah 7:23 – obedience being the pathway to wellness in God
”But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”
Jeremiah 7:23
Hi Everyone!
God has a desire for us to fellowship with Him as His children, a people set apart in the world for His purpose. He gives us His Word so that we can know who He is, and what He expects from us as His creation and as His children. In the Word of God, there are instructions that God bestows upon us, not so He can exercise dominance over us, but so we can live in the world at an optimal level. Sure there are rules that we have to follow, and some of God’s promises are conditional, but the reward in obeying the Word of God far surpasses anything the world can give. Too many of us want the blessings of God and desire the miracles of God, but forsake obedience to God, and find ourselves on the outside looking in. God asks for so little but gives us a kingdom in return. Today, we will look at Jeremiah 7:23, obedience being the pathway to wellness in God.
”But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”
The word ”commanded” means ”a charge to us, or something ordered by someone superior”. In Matthew 28:19-20, Christ 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.” In the Great Commission, Christ is urging the Church to, not only, follow the commands of God, but to teach others to do the same thing. When we observe something, we put it into practice.
We can’t receive the word of God without obeying what it says, nor can we look at the commands of God as if they are too much for us to handle.
In 1 John 5:3, the Bible says, ”For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” Our obedience is grafted into the love of God, so it is an act of love to obey God’s Word with a sincere heart.
Those who submit themselves to the Lord understand that what God commands us to do is not hard for us to do, and will not be a painful experience. I used to think this, but this is not the case. Obeying God’s commands positions us for success as believers and ensures that we won’t have to experience the wrath of God.
The word ”obey” means ”to hear intelligently with implication of attention, or to heed”. God requires obedience from His children, and this, obedience provides rewards, but also keeps us in the will of God.
Too many of us have desired the provision of God without obeying God’s word.
In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, the Bible says, ‘‘Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” God is so loving that He doesn’t force us to obey His Word.
God is a gentleman, giving us a voice in hopes that we make the choice to obey the Word of the Lord. If we choose not to obey, then we open up the door to experiencing a curse, something God doesn’t desire for his children.
In 1 Peter 1:22-23 the Bible says, ”Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Obedience keeps our hearts, minds, and lives pure before God, and it positions us to live in love towards God and others.
It is not just about following orders, but it is about living our best lives as believers, being able to please our God in our behavior.
The word ”walk” means ”to live, exercise or behave”. The word ”ways” means ”a road, course of life, or mode of action”. In Deuteronomy 6:3, the Bible says, ‘‘Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.” When we walk in the ways God commands us, there are promises that are made available to us because of our obedience, promises that will greatly enhance our lives for the better.
The word ”well” means ”happy, successful, beautiful, or good”. God doesn’t want us to obey Him for His benefit, but so that there will be nothing obstructing His blessings. In Jeremiah 42:6, the Bible says, ”Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.” When we obey God’s word under all circumstances, God promises He will provide us with great benefits.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 15, 2023 – James 4:7 – being victorious over the enemy by experiencing victory in the Lord
”Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we have a real enemy in Satan who is trying to derail our progress in an attempt to make us ineffective for the kingdom of God. Doesn’t it seem like every time we try to move closer to the Lord, Satan comes with his nonsense, and doesn’t it also seem like whenever we step out in faith and cleave to the Lord, the enemy tries to knock us off of course? As we are learning submission to the Lord, there will come a time where the enemy will try to take our eyes off the Lord, to claw back our attention to the world. Many of us try to fight the enemy by praying and asking God to remove him from our lives. Many of us even ask other people to pray for God to get the enemy away from us.
That is not submission to God, because if we submitted ourselves to God, then we would do what the Word tells us to do about fighting against the enemy. If we don’t resist Satan, through God, he won’t flee. Today, we will look at James 4:7, being victorious over the enemy by experiencing victory in the Lord.
”Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
The word ”submit” means ”to obey, to make subject, in a voluntary sense.” Consider submission in the same category as a soldier taking orders from their officer in charge. There is no questioning the authority of the commanding officer. What they command is the law, and there is no expectation that it will be followed. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, the Bible says, ‘‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” Submission requires endurance through good times and through times that become trying. Our circumstances should not affect our submission to God, nor should what is going on in the world effect our submission. In all situations, we are to cleave to the Lord and despite what the world is doing, we have to live according to the Word of the Lord. That will make us stick out like a sore thumb, but I would rather live my life to please God than comply with the world. In Ephesians 5:23-24, the Bible says, ‘‘For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” We are in a marriage with the Lord, and because the Lord is the head, we have to submit to His Word. This submission should not be out of some obligation, or out of fear of punishment, but should be out of love, reverence, and understanding that God’s Word is what is best for us.
Now that we have the right attitude of submission to God, we have to now look at who is going to do everything in their power to drive a wedge into this marriage, between our submission, and between our progress in the Lord.
The word ”resist” means ”to stand against or oppose”. The word ”devil” speaks of Satan, but also means ”slanderer or false accuser”. Slander is when you make statements that you know are false against someone else, which is exactly what the enemy does.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the Bible says, ‘‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ’‘.
The enemy wants us to remain in our flesh, and be passively dealing with them, but God commands us to engage in warfare with the enemy when they try to tempt us. The Word of God commands us to cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought to God’s obedience. This means we don’t allow Satan to gain any ground against us.
The word ”flee” means ”to run away or vanish”. Many of us expect prayers to automatically cause the enemy to flee, and many will pray and still experience their offensives.
If we are to submit to God, and are believers, we have to deal with the enemy the way Christ did. In Matthew 4:8-10, the Bible says, ”Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Christ did pray to God and ask Him to remove Satan, He spoke the Word and told him to get away from Him. Until we use the Word to push the enemy out, we will find ourselves losing battles we should easily win. God’s word is enough to keep the enemy in his place.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 16, 2023 – James 5:7 – the patience in the work necessary for the harvest
”Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
James 5:7
Hi Everyone!
Waiting is the hardest part, some would say, but as believers, what exactly are we waiting for? Some of us are waiting for the answer to our prayers to manifest themselves into reality, and others are waiting for opportunities to come that they have hoped for. I even hear that some people are waiting for the Lord’s second coming, hoping that it comes right now, so they can experience life with Him eternally in heaven. People in my prison environment are waiting on their release date, waiting for the help to get a release date, or waiting for people to move on their behalf. We’re all waiting for something, and that wait is a process, where we continue to develop amid many changes. Are we waiting with expectancy, being farmers who have planted and now waiting for our seed to experience the rain? Today, we will look at James 5:7, the patience in the work necessary for the harvest.
”Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
The word ”patient” means ”to be long-spirited, forebearing, to endure”. The word ”brethren” means ”fellow believers or fellow Christians”. So this was written for the Church to hear and heed. The phrase ”coming of the Lord” refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ to come for his bride, which is the Church. In Hebrews 6:13-15, the Bible says, ‘‘For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Many believers have adhered to this microwave society of patience, wanting things to come quickly, and if it doesn’t, they lose heart and give up.
Who is teaching the ”attractive” message of waiting with the understanding that the process can take awhile?
Abraham received the promise from God, and he left his father’s house, endured wilderness, became separate from Lot, went to rescue Lot, got Hagar pregnant, finally had the promised son Isaac after decades of waiting, was ordered to sacrifice that same son, but through his obedience, God spared his son Isaac and reestablished His promise to Abraham.
The word ”husbandman” means ”a land worker and farmer”. The word ”waiteth” means ”to watch with expectancy”. Too many people in the Church watch for something to happen where no Word is planted, and many suffer disappointment.
In Luke 8:11, Christ says, ”Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” A crop doesn’t grow without a seed, so if the Word of God isn’t sowed, there can be no realistic expectation of a harvest. In Deuteronomy 11:13-14, the Bible says, ‘‘And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.”
Too many of us desire the promises of God, the harvest from the Lord, and the Second coming of the Lord but have not sowed obedience, faith, submission, or service to the Lord. The rain comes when we are obedient to the Word of God, so could it be that we are prolonging our own growth because we fail to obey the Word of the Lord?
The phrase ”early and latter rain” pertains to agriculture, where the early rains soften the ground for planting, and the latter rains ripen the plants before harvest.
In Jeremiah 5:23-25, the Bible says, ‘‘But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.”
We can withhold our own harvest by unbelief, by disobedience, and by rebellion against the Word of God. In this case, patience doesn’t matter because the rains won’t fall because we have translated the spiritual famine in us to the things happening in our lives.
In Galatians 6:8-9, the Bible says, ‘‘For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I know waiting, especially when you are doing the right things, can be excruciating at times, and the rain doesn’t always feel pleasant, but if we continue in the Lord in patience, obedience and truth, then we will reap an amazing harvest when our Lord come back!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 17, 2023 – 2 Chronicles 32:8 – our faithful battle companion and commander
”With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
2 Chronicles 32:8
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we constantly find ourselves in some state of warfare or another. The enemy is busy, and he has a goal to keep us from experiencing the abundant life available to us on this earth. Sometimes, people around us try to press against us as an adversary, and the contender seems to be mightier than we are. It is not easy to look at a giant and see victory, but in Christ, we always have victory. What word do we find rest in, the Word of God, or the word of man? Do we take refuge in the midst of our fear, or do we step out in faith, entrusting God to fight the battle for us, or empower us to do so? What we tell ourselves in the midst of a battle becomes how we view our opponent, our God, and even ourselves. Today we will look at 2 Chronicles 32:8, our faithful battle companion and commander.
”With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
The word ”arm” means ”force, might, or strength”. The word ”flesh” means ”human frailty”. Our adversary can have the look of dauntless power to overcome us, and sometimes seeing our enemy mount up an offensive against us can cause us to enter a state of fear where we see them as mightier than the God we serve. Think not? In Numbers 13:33-14:1, the Bible says, ”And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.” Canaan looked like the promised land to them, and it was undeniable that this land had everything they would want, but there was a real enemy in the land that struck so much fear in the children of Israel, that they were too afraid to take the land.
Israel had two reports, one given by God and one given by ten of the twelve spies, and Israel believed in the report of the ten spies, that the enemy was stronger than them.
In Jeremiah 17:5-6, the Bible says, ‘‘Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.” When we look at our own frailty, when we look at our enemy in fear, we take our eyes off of the Lord, and our minds lose the Word that is planted there.
The word ”help” means ”to protect, to surround, or aid”. The phrase ”fight our battles” means ”to make war and prevail”. In Jeremiah 17:7-8, the Bible says, ‘‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Look at these blessings that come to the person who trusts in the Lord. Many people see this promise and immediately think only about accumulating stuff, but to the person in a state of warfare, they can care less about material goods. The ”fruit” they seek is living in victory, no matter how much the enemy wages war against them.
In 1 Samuel 17:45-46, the Bible says, ”Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.’‘ David saw a experienced giant, trained in all matters of warfare since his youth, but standing taller and mightier than Goliath was the name of the Lord.
David was victorious over Goliath, not because of who he was, but because of Who was with him.
The phrase ”rested themselves” means ”to prop oneself on, to lean upon, or establish oneself in”. The word ”words” means ”speech, message, command, or advice”. What was his advice? In 2 Chronicles 32:7, the Bible says, ‘‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him”. King Hezekiah encouraged God’s people to walk in courage and understand that they aren’t alone, that they serve a God that outnumbers any enemy, any army, or any opposition that comes their way. In Romans 8:31, the Bible says, ‘‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Will we rest upon the Word or God or allow our fear to cause us to flee before the enemy?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 18, 2023 – Hebrews 9:28 – the blessed second coming of Christ
”So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Hebrews 9:28
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. He was perfection walking the earth, without sin or blemish, the complete fulfillment of the Law. His sacrifice gave us a blessed hope, salvation for our sin, and unlimited access to Kingdom provision right on earth. Everything Christ had, including the Holy Spirit of God, now rests in us. As believers, we have all of these precious promises on earth, but we also have another home being prepared for us, our real home in heaven, where we will dwell with God forever. We have a hope and a future, and as believers, we are to live with expectancy that our Lord will come at any time. Do we live like He can come for His Church at any time? Do we spread the Word like salvation can come at any time? Today, we will look at Hebrews 9:28, the blessed second coming of Christ.
”So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
The word ”Christ” means ”Anointed One, or Messiah”. This appellation is given to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The word ”offered” means ”lead to, or presented as a gift”. The word ”to bear” means ”to take up, carry, or place upon on oneself”. In John 1:29, the Bible says, ‘‘The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’‘ God sent Christ as this atoning sacrifice, a lamb without wrinkle or spot. Where does this sound familiar? In Leviticus 6:6-7, the Bible says, ”And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.” Atonement brings us back into oneness with God. In the Law, they had to sacrifice spotless rams and lambs, but Christ was the spotless Lamb of God, ordained to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The word ”sins” means ”offenses against God”. Christ paid our cost for offending God in our actions. In 1 Peter 3:18, the Bible says, ‘‘For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit”. Christ’s sacrifice gave the just and unjust access to salvation, so that we all can partake in the salvation God planned for His creation. In Isaiah 53:4-5, the Bible says, ”Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.’‘ What Christ did for us healed our broken relationship with God, and gives us the ability to be received as children of God.
In 1 Peter 2:24-25, the Bible says, ‘‘Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Christ took immense punishment for our sin so that we can not only be saved from our sin, but so we can live a life that God has ordained for us to live. Without Christ, it is impossible for us to live in righteousness, because He became righteousness for us. In 1 John 3:5, the Bible says, ”And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” The only way our sin could be taken away is by the blood of a sinless person, and Christ was without sin. In 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 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. 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.” Being the righteousness of God in Christ gives us the privilege of being representatives of Christ in the earth, to bear His name and likeness before all we come into contact with.
The word ”salvation” means ”deliverance from sin and its spiritual consequences, and admission to eternal life with blessedness in the Kingdom of Christ.” When Christ comes back for His Church, this is what we will experience. In Titus 2:13-14, the Bible says, ‘‘Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” What is Christ going to come back to see? Is He going to see His Church vibrant, living in Holy Spirit power, walking in total expectancy for Christ to appear? What will He see in you?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 19, 2023 – James 1:17 – knowing where our gifts come from
”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
Hi Everyone!
Do we understand that our blessings come from the Lord, and that God intended us to receive His gifting. God doesn’t make mistakes with who He blesses, nor does He make mistakes with who He calls. When God makes a decision, He stands by His choice. When He gave us Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sin, He didn’t tell Christ to come off the cross, neither did He forbid His Holy Spirit from dwelling in us. He gave us the most precious gift we could receive, and that is salvation, and He didn’t stop there. Too many believers lose sight at Who is providing the blessings in their lives, giving credit to man, or sadly, patting themselves on the back for the gifts they partake in. When we realize that it is not anything we are doing that provides these gifts, but because of what was already done, the glory needs to go to God where it belongs. Today, we will look at James 1:17, knowing where our gifts come from.
”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
The word ”good” means ”beneficial, useful or profitable to others”. The word ”gift” here implies the act of giving, not the actual gift. When we look at the word ”good” what do we understand? In Genesis 1:3-4, the Bible says, ”And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” The word ”good” expresses the fulfillment of God’s Word and purpose. God called for light and it was, and the manifestation of His command was what made it good. So a good act of giving is something that God purposed that has been fulfilled, something God completely intended to do.
In Matthew 7:11, Christ says, ‘‘If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” There are gifts we can give, but none of them can compare to the gifts God can give.
The word ”perfect” means ”complete, fully mature, lacking nothing”. The word gift here actually means ”a bestowment”. 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.” What gift is better than the Holy Spirit, God dwelling in us? Do we notice that this gift was already prepared for us to receive, and reserved for those who don’t even know they need it yet? That is the power of our God and the love He displays towards us to lovingly prepare a gift like this knowing all of our shortcomings.
The phrase ”from above” means ”from heaven or from God”. The phrase ”Father of Light” expresses that God is the Creator of the universe, the Creator of moral and spiritual light, and the knowledge which enlightens the mind, soul and conscience. This includes also the idea of moral goodness, purity, and holiness, and of a consequent reward and happiness.
In John 3:27, the Bible says, ”John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” Too few people in this earth credit for the gifts and blessings they receive from God. Nothing of any use comes without God. In John 4:10, the Bible says, ”Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Many of us do not understand what comes in reality from God, that our gifts do come from God. Also many of us give credit for good things that happen to us, but to the wrong things and people, giving glory to those blessing instead of the Blesser. This shouldn’t be!
The word ”variableness” means ”transmutation, or fickleness”. In essence this means God doesn’t change, and His Word is law. In Numbers 23:19-20, the Bible says, ”God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.” God isn’t like us, where we change our minds and take back our gifts. What God sets before us is for us and God doesn’t take it back.
They hired Balaam to curse Israel and he couldn’t curse them because they are blessed. Why? Because God declared them blessed! In Hebrew 6:18, the Bible says, ‘‘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.’‘ God doesn’t change because He doesn’t lie so His gifts won’t change either!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 20, 2023 – 1 Corinthians 15:9 – leaving guilt behind once and for all
”For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
1 Corinthians 15:9
Hi Everyone!
Guilt. Too many believers have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, received His redemption through His blood, and are saved according to the Word of God, BUT they continue to be plagued with the guilt of the last and the memory of their shortcomings. We are saved, but we still feel like we used to. We are transformed, but people still throw our past in our faces. We are new in the Lord, but we don’t feel worthy because of what we have done. I am no different, and I had a rich history of wearing my sin on my chest like a scarlet letter, declaring myself unclean like I am a leper. It was hard to receive who God said I was because all I kept doing was throwing sin that I have been cleansed from right back on myself, essentially digging up my own grave to pull my old nature back out. How can we ever get to become who God has called us to be if we never receive His testimony concerning us? Today, we will look at 1 Corinthians 15:9, leaving guilt behind once and for all.
”For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
The word ”least” means ”the smallest, with implications on dignity”. The word ”apostle” means ”a commissioner, delegate, or ambassador of Christ, someone sent to spread the Word of God.” This is Paul, someone who is one of the top pastors in the Church, who is calling himself the least of the apostles. Sure, we can look at it like Paul is being modest, being in line with the Word of God when it says in Matthew 23:11-12, ”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.” There is a difference between walking in humility and thinking that, because of our past sin, we don’t have a right to walk in the purpose God has for us. Some of us may believe that Paul is just being humble, but if we keep reading something else might jump out …
The word ”meet” means ”competent, or fit in character”. The word ”called” implies an invitation to serve God as His delegate, ambassador or commissioner. Here, Paul is questioning his own fitness to serve God in the capacity God has chosen him. Now, on the surface, this once again seems like Paul is operating in humility, because in 1 Peter 5:6, the Bible says, ‘‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” One would believe that there is nothing wrong with looking at what we are called to do and feeling extremely small compared what is expected of us, and they would be right. But with Paul, it goes deeper.
In Ephesians 3:7-8, the Bible says, ‘‘Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”. See, in this, Paul sees that God has called him into the ministry, but he also sees that the grace of God empowered him with everything he lacked to be who he was called to be. Paul realized that it wasn’t his power, but God’s power. Paul has great humility, but it goes deeper still…
Here we now look at the reason Paul believes he is not fit in character for the position God called him to serve. The word ”persecute” means ”to cause to flee by violence, fear, imprisonment, or through the death of others.” The word ”church” means ”a community of believers in Christ, a Christian assembly”. In Acts 8:3, the Bible says, ”As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” In Acts 9:1-2, the Bible says, ”And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” What Paul did was undeniable, and there is a record that shows what Paul had done to the Church. So putting this all together, Paul doesn’t feel qualified or fit in character for his position because of his past life.
Here is where many of us stop pressing forward, because guilt keeps us from living the life in salvation that God ordains for us. Here is why living in guilt is not what God desires for us.
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.” The whole time we are beating ourselves up over our life that is saved, we can’t see forward because our past sin has become our image.
However we will change when we cleave to the Word of God, believing His salvation makes us new, and that His grace has divinely empowered us to serve. Paul doesn’t let guilt stop him, and neither should we!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 21, 2023 – Psalm 142:2 – tears from the cave
”I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.”
Psalm 142:2
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we will face adversity, and the trouble that forms itself will seem to be overwhelming. Ever been in a situation where all you can do is cry out? I had a situation like that a week ago, where I cried out to God, and the only thing I could keep saying is, ”Lord, I’m so tired, Lord, I’m so tired.” I was crying, and I broke down under the weight of my struggle. God took what I was going through, and while He didn’t provide me with some immediate answer that solved the anguish I was facing, He gave me a comfort that was unexplainable, a comfort that could only have come from Him. When I left my room, feeling spent from this crying session, and a brother walked up to me, needing perspective and encouragement, I literally just got done crying out to God because things got heavy, and here I was encouraging someone else. When we tell God what is going on in out hearts, He answers. Today, we will look at Psalm 142:2, tears from the cave.
”I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.”
This Psalm is written by David, who is hiding in a cave, trapped, because he had to flee from Saul. Saul wanted to kill David because he knew David was ordained by God to be the king that would replace him. Saul would later be rejected by God as king. David served the Lord in obedience, and loyally served Saul even when he tried to stick him to the wall with a spear!
David was brought into the kingdom after killing Goliath, and to play the harp to soothe Saul’s anguished spirit. Isn’t it weird that the people God often ordains to encourage others fight against brokenness too? So David is in a cave, running from Saul and he is experiencing some brokenness.
The phrase ”poured out” means ”to spill forth or extend”. The word ”complaint” implies that one ponders over their situation and they don’t feel too great about it. This implies that David didn’t just tell God what hurt, but he did it from a place of anguish. In Psalm 34:4-6, the Bible says, ‘‘I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”
We can’t cry out to God and hold some back for ourselves, and then expect God to intervene on our behalf.
God also never promised that our lives were going to be trouble free, because even Christ says in John 16:33, ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
God speaks to our hearts and minds so we have peace in the midst of the storms we face. God doesn’t paint an unrealistic picture for us, but loves us so much that He wants us prepared for what can and will come.
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.’‘
God has given us a safe way to pour out our complaints before the Lord, but if we don’t do what the word says, then how can we find peace?
The word ”shewed” means ”to report, make known, or announce”. This means we don’t suffer in silence. The word ”trouble” means ”anguish, distress, tribulation, tightness, or adversity”. Simply put, the walls closed in around David in the cave and it became rough mentally and emotionally.
In Isaiah 26:16-17, the Bible says, ”LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.”
God doesn’t hear our anguish and do nothing about it. Many of us believe that when we pray, God should remove the thing that is bringing us anguish, but in Psalm 23:4, the Bible says, ‘‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
The key word here is ”through”. Some situations God is not going to remove us from nor remove from us, but He will allow us to go through it, while He is right there with us.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible says, ‘‘There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Even when we go through the caves of life, the hard times, the battles, we can be assured that there is always a way through. Just like God allowed David to go through the cave to refine him further, he will allow our cave to be a source of testimony, to speak from a place of victory.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 22, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 2:17 – speaking the truth in a world full of lies
”For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
2 Corinthians 2:17
Hi Everyone!
We live in very precarious times. The world has its own truth that it is freely giving to society, causing many to he led astray. This is in the era of ”self-help”, where people have ”4 easy steps” for this, and ”10 ways to build” that, most of which leave people hanging out on a limb instead of planted firm into a great foundation. Sadly, in some of our churches, people are conveying false teaching, scratching the back of those who come to church for an easy fix to problems they spent decades making for themselves. There is a prosperity doctrine that is being misapplied, and these blanket blessings have been increasing membership and increasing funds into these churches, but it is not making anyone in that church prosper spiritually. The truth, which is the foundation of the faith, is becoming lost in the sea of opportunists who make the Word of God a business, instead of a lifestyle. Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 2:17, speaking the truth in a world full of lies.
”For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
Let’s look at something here. Corinth was a place that was a major trading route in the world. As people came into Corinth to trade goods, there were many people who spread their various beliefs, hoping that their doctrine would spread into other parts of the world. This was a prime place to take the Gospel as it would position it to spread further. Corinth was also a place of wickedness, and that had spread all over the world from there. Paul, in this verse, affirms that there are people who are making a mockery of the Word of God, using it for foul purposes, perverting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the process. Paul uses ”As many” here, so there were people who spread the truth, and there were many who corrupted the Word of God. What was happening then, is really no different than what is happening today.
The word ”corrupt” here doesn’t just imply that something is being made evil, but it also means ”to adulterate, to retail, to peddle for a profit.” So there were people in Corinth that took the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then used it like they were selling the faith.
Where does this sound familiar?
In Acts 8:18-20, the Bible says, ”And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” Simon was engaged in sorcery before he believed the Gospel and was baptized, and he saw the power of God working right before him. He thought he could buy the power of God, and even though his intention was noble, wanting to help people to receive the Holy Spirit, he didn’t understand the concept of it being a gift. There are people who are actually sharing false doctrine among the unlearned, causing them to be scammed out of money and material possessions, some losing everything they have in the process. This is a sad but true reality.
In 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Having the Gospel of Jesus Christ in us, we now have a standard against which to weigh everything in our lives.
We are able to go to the Scriptures to make sure that the teaching we receive is accurate, and we have a measuring tool for our own conduct as well. We have an obligation as believers to make sure that we not only live in truth, but that we also share the truth with others.
The word ”sincerity” means ”clearness or purity”. The word ”sight” means ”presence”. The word ”speak” means ”to preach or utter words”. This really suggests we should handle the Word of God as though God is right there watching us, because He is!
In John 4:24, Christ says, ‘‘God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
The person who truly worships the Lord is going to love truth, and will never make the Word of God to be a lie.
In 2 Corinthians 1:12, the Bible says, ”For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” The truth of God is extensive, but God, through His Holy Spirit, makes it simple for us. God doesn’t want us to fail in receiving His Word in truth, nor does He want us to go astray either. What Gospel are we receiving, the world’s or God’s?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 23, 2023 – 1 Peter 2:2 – a drink of milk from the Lord
”As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
1 Peter 2:2
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we have a new life hidden in Christ Jesus. With this new life comes a new birth where we are blessed and privileged to learn the Christian faith from scratch learning these divine mysteries as a baby would. Normally, according to man’s knowledge, this would make absolutely no sense, but when it comes to God, this is truly the recipe for our success as believers.
Here’s why. Children learn and retain at much faster rates than adult do. Children are more inclined than adults to exercise faith, as in trusting parents for protection, care, and direction. Children are akin to a blank canvas before the Lord, for Him to mould as He wishes, as in a lump of clay, being formed by the Master according to His plan. This requires we to forsake our way, and place ourselves in a position where we desire the Word of God deeply and richly. Today, we will look a 1 Peter 2:2, a drink of milk from the Lord.
”As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
The phrase ”newborn babes” means ”a young convert, someone who just embraced the Christian faith”. Imagine with me a baby who feeds on milk and then rests from the milk they are fed. In Matthew 18:3-4, Christ says, ”And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This means that when we approach the faith, everything we once knew, and everything we once were is now washed away so we can receive the Word of God in pureness and truth.
Everything happens in opposite fashion when it comes to the faith, because instead of us maturing in order to receive the Word of God, we have to receive the Word of God and then allow it to mature us.
In Mark 10:15-16, Christ says, ‘‘Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” God is not asking us to be scholars in order to receive the kingdom of God. We don’t have to know everything, or know anything, because if we come to God as children, He will give us the access and entrance into the kingdom, and allow us to know Him in a way we never have before.
The word ”desire” means ”to long after, to intensely crave possession of”. The phrase ”milk of the word” implies Christian instruction that builds up the mind. 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.” This renewing of the mind comes with our frequent ingestion of the Word of God, where the Word is being planted in us.
If we are not feeding on the Word of God, nor receiving preaching and teaching, how can we ever expect to develop into the children of God that God ordains us to be? We can’t receive the will of God if we won’t be fed by the Word of God. Do we crave the Word of God like a baby who is hungry for milk?
In Matthew 5:6, Christ says, ‘‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” God fills those who are hungry and thirsty for His Word and a state of blessedness is prepared for them. Many of us wonder why we are not growing, but do we still have that same fire for the Lord we had when we were first saved?
In Romans 6:4, 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.” We literally came back from the dead, but we still live as though we have no life in us, having no reason to be appreciative, having no power at work in us.
As believers, there should be a fire within us to learn the Word of God, a desire to share the Word of God, and a desire to live in kingdom power on earth. Sadly, many of us take our place in the kingdom of God for granted and take our foot off of the gas.
What if you were in a relationship with someone and they were on fire for you, but as they settle into the relationship, they stop doing all of those things that made you fall in love with them? Well, that is how we can treat God.
The word ”grow” means ”to increase or enlarge”. God doesn’t want us to enter His kingdom and then stop growing. In 1 Peter 1:23, the Bible says, ”Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” God doesn’t want us to receive His Word for a season and then walk away. God wants His Word to live forever in our lives, allowing us to develop into the children of God He created us to be.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 24, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 6:14 – fearlessly breaking an unequal yoke
”Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14
Hi Everyone!
About a week and a half ago, my faith in God was put to the test. A while ago, a guy I’ve been doing time with for over 20 years came to our unit. Less than a month later, he started a major problem between a number of people, and got into a fight in the process. Many, many, years ago, out of some misaligned sense of loyalty, I would have stepped in and defended him, and put myself in a troublesome spot, but I didn’t. What he didn’t appreciate is that I have a new life in Christ, new loyalties, and a purpose where I have removed myself completely from my old way of being. So, he met my turned back as I walked away.
As believers, who we are connected to is vital to our Christian development, and if we ally ourselves with the world, disastrous consequences will follow. Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 6:14, fearlessly breaking an unequal yoke.
”Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
When I looked at the dictionary for the phrase ”unequally yoked”, I paused for a minute, thinking about the power in something explained so simply. The phrase ”unequally yoked” definitely means ”to associate discordantly, or to form improper alliances”, but it also means ”to yoke two different kinds of animals together to pull a load”. This definition blew open the doors of my understanding, because it really paints a clear picture of what happens when we form bonds with people God ordained us to stay away from. Here are two people, going two different directions, but fused together by a yoke that is only designed to drive forward in one direction.
The word ”unbelievers” means ”those who disbelieve, those who are untrustworthy, or heathen, non-Christians”. In Deuteronomy 7:2-3, the Bible says, ”And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.’‘ God destined the children of Israel to receive the promised land, and according to verse two here, has already assured them the victory over all the occupants of the land. God is pressing them forward, to not join forces with those who are already considered defeated.
Where does this sound familiar? In Hebrews 2:14-15, the Bible says, ‘‘Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Christ died on the cross and rose again, defeating the enemy and his power over our Church.
When we form alliances with the world, especially as believers, we not only form alliances with defeat and destruction, but we also hinder our walk in victory. I have come from a place in the world where I had a background in the street life and a strong affiliation with a street gang, to a place where I have received salvation, redemption, and Holy Spirit’s power working inside me, Going back would mean becoming reattached to the yoke that connected me to that world.
The word ”fellowship” means ”participation or social intercourse”. This expresses an attempt at oneness. What do people do when the meet each other? They try to find common ground.
The word ”righteousness” means ”justification before God, or right standing with God by faith in Jesus Christ.” The word ”unrighteousness” means ”illegality or wickedness”. To choose the world is to violate the law of God, and to choose God is to reject the law of the world. 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.”
I used to straddle the fence, trying to live both lives, but I had to make a choice, or not to serve the Lord and put to death my life of unrighteousness. I can’t be who God is calling me to be if I continue to walk according to the world.
The word ”communion” means ”a partnership of oneness”. ”Light” and ”darkness” are representative of the life of a believer versus the life of someone in the world. In Ephesians 5:7-8, the Bible says, ‘‘Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light”. Walking in the light is going to ostracize you from the life and people you once knew, from the things you used to do, but God has something amazing if we continue to press towards Him.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 25, 2023 – Philippians 1:27 – living out the Gospel in faith, in unity, and in Spirit
”Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
Philippians 1:27
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we can listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then not live the Gospel out in our lives. Too many of us go to church and look the part, but a glimpse outside of the church building and some of our lives are no different than those in the world. Do we carry our pastors’ messages beyond the services we attend?
What testimony would our pastors receive about us from work, or school, or in our communities, and our relationships? Do we live out our faith in such a manner that good words will travel back to those who teach us?
These aren’t questions of judgement against anyone, but are questions for self-reflection, to help us gauge where we are compared to where we should be. Today, we will look at Philippians 1:27, living out the Gospel in faith, in unity, and in Spirit.
”Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
The word ”conversation” means ‘’our behavior as a citizen of the kingdom of God, our conduct, or the way we live”. The word ”becometh” is the same as saying ”worthy of”. The ”Gospel of Christ” is the good message of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and also the filling of the Holy Spirit. Believers have to live out the Word of God in truth and integrity. People should not be surprised that when we go to Church and become believers.
In Matthew 7:24-25, Christ says, ”Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Believers who live out the Word of God have a solid foundation under their feet that will keep them from falling in the midst of a storm. Having that firm foundation in the Lord we can build on without fear of destruction.
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.” So, as believers our attitude, as those who walk according to the Word of God, must be to live out in love and conduct a desire to see us come together as one.
Too many believers keep great appearances at church. We all look more saved at church, in the presence of the saints, because that is what the atmosphere requires.
Is the you that you are at Church the same you in your community? We shouldn’t live as the world lives, but we should be separate in our conduct.
In Colossians 1:10-11, the Bible says, ‘‘That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”. When we live our faith out we become positioned for fruitfulness, the very thing God created us for, but it goes deeper. Fruitfulness is shallow if we know little about our God, little about the faith, and little about the Word of God. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to teach us God’s Word, to help us be more fruitful in the kingdom and so plant seed graced with the Word of God.
The phrase ”stand fast” means ”to remain stationary, or to persevere”. As a Church, we are asked to move as one. This was why the Church was so powerful when it was formed. As we see in Acts 2:1-2, the Bible says, ‘‘And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” The power of the Holy Spirit came because they were all with one accord.
Could it be that the reason the Church has lost its power is that we aren’t ‘as one’, as we are supposed to be?
The phrase ”striving together” means ”wrestle in company with or seek jointly”. In 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13, the Bible says, ”That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” When we receive the Word of God in truth, we received the power of God to walk the way He ordains us to. God empowers us to follow His Word!
If we don’t conduct ourselves as believers, then what have we really submitted to?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 26, 2023 – Luke 18:1 – the powerful occurrence of prayer
”And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
Luke 18:1
Hi Everyone!
Prayer is essential in a faithful believer’s life, it is impossible for us to succeed without it. Many of us find ourselves taking this privilege for granted, others don’t fully appreciate just how important prayer time is in a believer’s life.
Prayer is a flow of communication between us and God, where we are able to share our joy, our fears, our vulnerabilities, our anger, and our triumphs.
Relationships are built and established through communication, and without it they lose their strength.
Many believers wonder why their lives are in such a constant state of disarray; mentally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. The answer may be in their prayer lives, or the lack thereof.
In life, we are going to face things that are incredibly hard to deal with, but through the power of prayer, we can entrust our life’s circumstances to God, letting Him handle each situation as He wills. Today, we will look at Luke 18:1, the powerful occurrence of prayer.
”And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
The word ”parable” means ”a fictitious narrative about something that illustrates or represents something real”. Jesus spoke in parables to help people understand something Godly through an earthly picture, and bringing the Scripture to life. This in itself shows that God doesn’t hide His care for us from us. He wants us to know Him.
In Mark 4:33-34, the Bible says, ‘‘And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” God makes His Word available to us to understand and helps us believers as He expounds and builds on what we have heard before in His Word.
In Mark 4:11-12, Christ says, ”And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” There are going to be people who close their ears to the Word of God and close their eyes to the truth that God exists, and that is a sad but true reality. Look at what the Word of God is able to do through these parables; giving those who seek God the power to understand, so they seek the Lord and receive forgiveness and salvation, and also the ability to be new creations in Christ.
The word ”pray” means ”to supplicate or worship”. There are people who don’t view prayer as an act of worship, but there are also people who don’t understand what worship is. Worship occurs when we bring ourselves low, or humble ourselves, before God, exalting Him over everything in our lives. Prayer is that posture of humility, where we come before God with anything we have to offer.
In Luke 21:36, the Bible says, ”Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Are we vigilant believers, seeking God’s covering in prayer, seeking His strength in turbulence, so we stand before Him with confidence that we are indeed the children of God? The verse here says ‘’always”, so this is the frequency with which we have to pray to God, so in all circumstances, good and bad, we should take a moment to bring them to God.
In Romans 12:12, the Bible says, ‘‘Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”. This means our outside circumstances should not affect our ability and the frequency of our prayers.
Our outside circumstances should send us into prayer more often. David was described as being a man after God’s own heart, and if we read Psalms, we come to understand why. David prayed to God in every season, to give Him thanks, to encourage others to do the same, to encourage himself in the Lord, to bring his fears, turmoil, and angst to God. David didn’t hesitate, and neither should we.
The word ”faint” means ”to become weak, to fail in heart, to be remiss or slothful in duty”. This is what happens when we become frustrated by the process of waiting, or by the circumstances to come, keeping us in a state of discomfort. In Galatians 6:9, the Bible says, ”And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like the answer is coming fast enough, but as in this parable of the widow and the judge, her persistence got her the prize. If a worldly judge would grant her request, then why wouldn’t our heavenly Father freely grant ours?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 27, 2023 – Psalm 40:2 – deliverance from impossibility
”He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
Psalm 40:2
Hi Everyone!
I am still in awe at how God has changed my life over these twenty years I have been confined to prison. Normally, you see the horror stories of people losing hope, becoming a slave to the happenings in a prison society, and people gradually conforming to the words ”prisoner”, ”convict”, or even worse, ”lifer”.
It was in a horrible pit, a position of sheer hopelessness, looking at the rest of my life through the lens of bricks and bars, but the Lord came in and changed my life forever.
I have been delivered from the prison of my mind and heart by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, and God has empowered me to step into my destiny by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I know what prison has felt like, but I also now know what deliverance feels like, and I praise God for rescuing me from the prison that had been built around me. Today, we will look at Psalm 40:2, deliverance from impossibility.
”He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
The phrase ”brought me up” means ”cause to ascend to a higher place”. The word ”horrible” means ”destructive or ruinous”. The word ”pit” means ”a prison or dungeon”. Every believer has faced some form of prison. Like mine, a person’s prison can actually be ‘incarceration’ prison. But another person’s prison could be the abuse suffered as a child that they haven’t healed from. A person’s prison or dungeon can honestly be the vantage point from which they see life.
In Psalm 69:1-3, the Bible says, ”Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.”
I remember clearly being in the prison of my mind and circumstance long before I was confined, but where I differed from David is I didn’t know how to ask God for help.
The phrase ”miry clay” implies a mud so thick that one can become stuck in it. If the miry clay was easy to get out of, there wouldn’t have been any reason for David to ask God to save him. Some of us are still trying to fight ourselves out of this prison, thinking that we are capable of expelling ourselves out of something that only God can deliver us from. I remember being in this prison, broken from dried tears with no answers because I kept going to the wrong source. David experienced brokenness from this prison he was in but the words ”while I wait for my God” made a huge difference in David.
In Psalm 69:14-15, the Bible says, ”Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.”
Are we asking God for deliverance, or has our prison silenced us enough to where we don’t even ask God for help anymore?
Another prison can be people who despise who we are and treat us horribly, but that is a subject for another day. Are we crying out to God, asking Him for help, asking to be released from the bondage of the prisons we are in, or has the enemy succeeded in breaking us to a state of silence, or even worse, acceptance, where we settle in that place God is trying to deliver us from?
The word ”set” means ”to place, ordain, or establish”. A rock implies a firm foundation, a place of stability, where destruction is not likely. In Matthew 7:24-25, Christ says, ‘‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” The rock is the Word of God, a sure foundation that will hold us up, no matter what storm comes our way. God doesn’t want to just deliver us to exchange one pit for the next. He wants to deliver us to stand on His Word and build according to His plan.
In Matthew 16:18, Christ also says, ”And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” God’s church is built upon the rock, and death has no victory over it. The word ”established” means ”to make firm, to erect an object”. The word ”goings” means ”steps”.
Do we notice that the word ”established” is past tense? It means that it is already done! In Psalm 37:23-24, the Bible says, ”The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” Do we notice that ”ordered” is also past tense?
In advance through Christ, God has prepared deliverance, salvation and our standing on a firm foundation. The question is, will we ask for help?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 28, 2023 – Galatians 6:2 – offering a shoulder for those in need
”Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
Hi Everyone!
In my time in prison, I have been blessed to know brothers who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I had people who were strong for me, who had my back, and also willing to chew me out when I was acting out of character. Now that I have committed my life to the Lord, I am doing the same things others have done for me.
I am not some self-made success, somebody who made it here completely on my own. I had tons of help, tons of people bearing my burdens, and I am paying those contributors back by paying it forward.
The desire I have in my heart to help people rebuild their lives in the Lord is the result of God’s hand changing my life, and also the result of others placing me upon their shoulders when I didn’t have a leg to stand on.
I am so grateful for that, so I stand in my prison environment and I try to help as many people as possible, and sometimes, that requires that I bear someone else’s burdens so they won’t have to shoulder the load alone.
Today, we will look at Galatians 6:2, offering a shoulder for those in need.
”Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
The word ”bear” means ”to take up or lift with the intention of removal”. The word ”burdens” means ”weights or loads”. In this society, people are walking around with extremely heavy weights on their shoulders, and no relief on how to take the load off. The load today is a million times heavier than it probably was 60 years ago, but the intensity probably feels exactly the same.
In my prison environment, I have experienced people with 4 months left to go home try to commit suicide, while people sentenced to life without parole exercise more mental, emotional and spiritual strength than anyone. In Romans 15:1, the Bible says, ”We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” As believers, our hearts have to be in the right place in order for us to bear another’s burden, and the only way our hearts are going to be right, is if they are filled with love. During my confinement, brothers had my back because they genuinely wanted to help me over this mountain and knew I couldn’t do it alone.
In Galatians 5:13-14, 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.” With our salvation, we received freedom, a freedom we never had before. Just because we are free doesn’t mean we then turn our noses up to those who are lost, nor does it mean that we are now exempt from looking back and helping those in need. How can I love my neighbor as myself if I let them crumble before my eyes and I do nothing to help.
Are we to use our salvation solely for ourselves? Should we not want to better the world we live in as well?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, the Bible says, ”Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Too many people, especially believers, have adopted this ”not my problem” mentality towards people they are well able to help. Would you allow someone to drive off of that cliff they don’t see coming, without warning them that there is a cliff ahead? If we wouldn’t allow this to happen literally, then how can we stand by idle and not give a warning when someone is heading for spiritual destruction?
In Ezekiel 33:3-4, the Bible says, ”If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.” Do we really understand that our silence makes us responsible for the next person’s destruction?
The word ”fulfil” means ”to complete or accomplish by obedience”. The phrase ”law of Christ” speaks of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a law of love that fulfills all other laws. In John 13:14-15, Christ says, ”If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” What may be required might not be convenient or fun, but it is necessary. Christ going to the cross wasn’t convenient or fun either, but He bore the burdens of mankind for us.
In John 13:34-35, Christ says, ”A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Love is the law of Christ, and by this love, we are able to see people in need and the love in our hearts will compel us to step in and help. This world will know if we are the true followers of God, not by our words, but by our love.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 29, 2023 – Galatians 3:14 – the promised Holy Spirit conferring blessings on His children
”That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:14
Hi Everyone!
Do we realize that we are living in the blessing given to Abraham? The promise God gave Abraham when he was still Abram is the promise that sustained the children of Israel, kept them through captivity, through warfare, through decrees calling for the death of the the people of God, all to usher in the presence of Christ, who became the atoning sacrifice for sin once and for all.
Christ’s death gave those who believe by faith the promised Holy Spirit – WHO DWELLS IN US FOREVER.
Do we realize that we are walking in the same promise given to Abraham? Do we see that our God is unchanging, still completing His already finished work inside of us, while we walk this earth uncertain about our next move?
God design for us was always so we could be one in Him, and I praise God for how faithful He is.
Today, we will look at Galatians 3:14, the promised Holy Spirit conferring blessings on His children.
”That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
The word ”blessing” means ”a gift, benefit, or favour conferred from God to men”. The word ”come” means ”to cause to be, to be found, to be fulfilled, or to be ordained to be”. The funny thing about this first part of the verse is the word ”might”, because when might is used, it expresses an uncertainty, a point where there is a condition in place.
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.”
The gift of the Holy Spirit comes as the result of a condition, but the promise is made available to all who will meet the condition.
Abraham’s work was finished, but its effects are still happening in the Church today. In Romans 4:16, the Bible says, ”Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.” When we operate in faith according to the Word of God, the promise now belongs to us the same way it belonged to Abraham, but we have it even better, because the Holy Spirit dwells in us!
The word ”Gentile” means ”a non-Jewish person”. In Romans 4:7-9, the Bible says, ”Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” As believers, we sometimes carry the wrong perspective about where we stand in this world. Many of us don’t live like we have the victory, instead living like we are defeated, powerless against the enemy. God called us blessed because the blood of Jesus Christ that washed our sin clean by faith, wasn’t for the Jewish people only. It was for the Gentiles as well. This could come through no other person but Jesus Christ.
The word ”promise” means ”an announcement of a divine assurance of good”. In Isaiah 44:2-3, the Bible says, ”Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring”. God sustains what He creates. This blessed salvation given to us by faith in Jesus Christ has given us the blessedness of the Holy Spirit. Our children will have access to this same promise because of the blessing of Abraham.
The word ”faith” means ”assurance, belief, or reliance upon God and the Word of God”. Faith is another condition of God’s promise to us, because without faith, we can’t partake in the promises of God without faith.
In Acts 2:32-33, the Bible says, ”This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” We don’t have to wait until we go to heaven in order for us to receive the kingdom of God.
Through the Holy Spirit, we have the kingdom of God living inside of us.
In Ezekiel 11:19-20, the Bible says, ”And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” The promise of God equips us to walk in obedience towards Him!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Nov 30, 2023 – Ephesians 2:1 – the dead being brought back to life again through Christ
”And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”
Ephesians 2:1
Hi Everyone!
When I was in my sin, I was as good as dead. Church people may say that I was spiritually dead, but I was also on my way to a painful physical death as well. I was living the street life; I sold drugs, robbed people, and sadly, I am responsible for taking life. Had I not gone to prison, there is no doubt in my heart that I would’ve died before the year was up. When I came to my moment of true repentance, God also blessed me with the gift of salvation by faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and my dead spiritual state was replaced with life in Him.
15 years later, I am still walking in that life, and I can recall the life I used to live with a deep appreciation for what I have been delivered from. I couldn’t just ”be good” and myself change something so jacked up in me. I needed the Lord Jesus Christ and I still need Him today. Today, we will look at Ephesians 2:1, the dead being brought back to life again through Christ.
”And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”
The word ”quickened” means ”to vitalize, revitalize, make alive, or to give life”. It should also be noted the word ”quicken” is italicized here indicating that it is not a part of the original translation and the word was added for clarity. 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.”
In Christ, we have life, and there is no other way we can live spiritually but through Him.
In John 5:24, Christ 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.” Those who receive the Word of God in truth, believing in God who sent Christ to die as our atoning sacrifice have this life inside us. We are no longer slated for destruction, because the life of God resides in us.
The more I tried to change my life, the more I tried to do things my own way to improve, the more I failed miserably, because I didn’t believe in what the blood of Jesus Christ was capable of doing to save me from my sins.
In Ephesians 2:4-5, 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;).” It was not because of anything we have ourselves achieved, that we receive this gift of salvation and life through Jesus Christ. It is because God is loving and merciful, and allowed His Son to pay the cost that to bring us into right standing with God. God brings us back from the dead!
The word ”dead” means ”in opposition to the life of the Gospel, dead to Christ and His Gospel and thus exposed to punishment, spiritually dead”.
I remember living in the street life, thinking I was actually ”living it up”, but I was dying spiritually.
The word ”trespasses” means ”a side-slip, lapse or deviation, deliberate and intentional sins”. In Colossians 2:12-13, the Bible says, ”Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”. From our dead state, salvation came to us from Jesus Christ, and from our dead state, we have been given new life through Jesus Christ.
Many of us don’t see the picture of God spiritually pulling us out of the graveyard, out of a marked grave, and giving us a second chance to live again in Him, despite what we have done. God is not concerned with what we have done. God is concerned about us receiving salvation by faith in Jesus Christ because of what He has done.
In Ephesians 1:5, the Bible says, ”Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will”. While we walk this earth trying to save ourselves, God has already got this thing figured out.
There are people who receive salvation, but still have no clue that Christs blood completely washed them clean. They are sadly trying to bring themselves back to life by doing good when they are already alive in Christ.
In Romans 6:11, the Bible says, ”Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That old life is over with because of the finished work of Christ. That blood is a fountain, continuing to wash us clean, making us pleasing to God’s sight. Many of us don’t feel saved, and many of us feel no different than how we were before we were saved, but there is a difference between how we feel and what is real. We are alive in Christ which now has made us dead to our old lives. Instead of living our lives trying to be our own salvation, let us trust in the salvation of Christ.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 1, 2023 – 2 Timothy 2:12 – suffering and reigning with the Lord
”If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”
2 Timothy 2:12
Hi Everyone!
As believers, there should be an expectation of struggle. God made it clear that we would face trial, but He also made it just as clear that we would experience victory in Jesus too. This isn’t to say that a believer’s life is going to only be turmoil, but often we have brought disappointment to ourselves by expecting that just because we are believers, we are absolved from trouble.
If we read our Word, we will see that every key player in the Bible faces some type of hardship, but God proved himself faithful by being right by us the whole way. I have not experienced a moment where God didn’t have my back. God was there even when it didn’t seem like it. We can’t give up and deny our God when things aren’t ideal. Too many people give up, and never see what God has promised them, but there is a crown in store for us who endure to the end.
Today, we will look at 2 Timothy 2:12, suffering and reigning with the Lord.
”If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”
The word ”suffer” means ”to remain strong, to persevere, and to endure as one bears and undergoes trial.” The word ”reign” means ”to be a co-regent with”. This doesn’t seem like it makes sense for us to have to go through some type of trial to receive a crown. It should be as easy as a placing a crown on our heads, but it’s not that easy. We have to be built for the crown we will wear.
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.” The way to the promised land was easier if they went through the land of the Philistines, but God made them go through the wilderness in order to get to the promised land. We sometimes think that when we struggle that God doesn’t understand our pain enough to bail us out, but what if the trials of the wilderness were the thing that kept us from giving up on the promise. The easy way would’ve caused Israel to meet their destruction, because they weren’t built for warfare, but little did they know that while they walked through the wilderness, God was strengthening them into an army!
There is always a purpose to our trials.
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.” People have the mistaken belief that as children of God, we are exempt from suffering, so many fold under the strain of suffering, missing the glory that comes by enduring. Many of us miss everything God is trying to do in our lives because the road gets hard, and we would rather stop than press forward, but there is glory waiting on us.
In 1 Peter 4:13-14, the Bible says, ”But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” We are blessed because we endure the sufferings of Christ. There is a difference between how we feel and what is real, because we aren’t going to feel blessed, we are not going to feel glorified, and we are not going to feel happy. God meets us in the midst of our sufferings with His presence, ensuring that we never go through it alone.
The word ”deny” means ”to contradict, reject, refuse, or disavow”. It is essentially declaring someone or something untrue. This is extremely important because we don’t want God to disavow us, which means that He denies any knowledge of our existence. Think about that. We can position ourselves to where we can become strangers to God. That is scary.
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.” We aren’t supposed to reject God in the midst of our sufferings, but we are supposed to deny ourselves, forsaking our own way, forsaking our own thoughts.
In Matthew 10:32-33, Christ says, ‘‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” When we go through trial, it should make us cleave even further to the Lord, it should make us dive deeper into His Word, and at the end of this awaits glory!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 2, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 10:17 – giving God the glory in all things
”But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.’’
2 Corinthians 10:17
Hi Everyone!
When things are going incredibly well in our lives, who do we attribute credit to? Do we give the credit for our success to the people that have helped us? Do we give some anonymous donor credit for the blessing we have received? Are we conceited enough to give ourselves credit, calling ourselves self-made successes, patting ourselves on the back for the things that have gone well for us?
I remember when I was shot in 2001, and I had the audacity to pat myself on the back like I was the one that actually cheated death, and I also remember being so overwhelmed with turmoil that I wished I would’ve died that night I was shot. Crazy, huh?
As believers, we are sometimes no different than the world; we receive the blessings of God and then we give someone else the glory for what has happened in our lives. We leave the testimony of God’s provision out of our equation, but we only act like God gets the glory for everything in our lives.
Today, we are going to look at 2 Corinthians 10:17, giving God the glory in all things.
”But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
The word ”glorieth” means ”to boast of, the vaunt in a good or bad sense, to rejoice in, or to attribute”. What happens when God moves something amazing in our lives, or causes something incredible to happen for us? Do we thank God or do we boast in the gift? In Psalm 34:1-3, the Bible says, ”I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
At all times.
Not when it is necessarily convenient, or when everything is going great. A lot of believers are convenience Christians, where as long as everything is going good, they are sold out on God, but the minute their lives take a turn for the worse, they check out of the faith like it failed them.
If we can become a people who give God glory in all things, then when things are crazy, we are acknowledging that God still has authority over our discomfort, and it gives us good practice for when things then go-back-to-good-for-us. When we glory in the Lord, we are not silent about it, hiding in a corner so no one knows where our help comes from. If our boasting in the Lord is heard, according to these verses, others will give glory to God, and in one voice, we can all give God the glory together.
Where does this sound familiar? In Revelation 5:11-12, the Bible says, ”And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Look at this number. This could be over 100 trillion people, animals, and angels giving God the glory in heaven. Could it be that God wants earth to look a little like heaven?
In Jeremiah 9:23-24, the Bible says, ‘‘Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” God doesn’t want us giving glory to people, to what God provides, or to the strength God gives us.
People tell me that the strength I have under the strain I am under is unnatural, but I then tell them that it is God, not me, who is strengthening me, because I have no clue how I would make it otherwise.
Even the knowledge and wisdom that we have doesn’t come from us, but it comes from God, because doesn’t the Bible say in James 1:5, ”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.” If we are getting our wisdom from any other place than from the Lord, it is not real wisdom. Just being able to know the Lord is a blessing beyond our comprehension, and it is a privilege that we shouldn’t take lightly.
Remember in the Bible, the story about the ten lepers who were cleansed by the Word of the Lord? In Luke 17:13, the Bible says, ‘‘And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’‘ We have the part down to a science. When we find ourselves in trouble, or in a bad predicament, we are quick to ask for God’s help.
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.” One person out of ten saw their healing, turned back and gave glory to God. That is sadly what happens, a lot, where very few give God the glory. This should change.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 3, 2023 – Psalm 30:11 – from broken to healed, from a funeral to a party
”Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness”
Psalm 30:11
Hi Everyone!
In the midst of the dark cloud I used to live under, I used to think that the pain and the stress would last forever. I didn’t see a way out, and every attempt I made at trying to secure my own happiness was met with utter disappointment.
I was a mess and my future looked bleak.
Praise God that this isn’t who I am now, and through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in me, I live in joy, I walk in thankfulness, and I know a gladness within me that far exceeds my circumstances. People in my prison environment, both staff and inmate are confounded by the way I carry myself, that I can literally walk around happy in an environment with so much suffering, but it is because God has broken my brokenness, healed my heart and mind, and replaced it with a million reasons to live in joy.
It is only because of what God has done that I live like this. Today, we will look at Psalm 30:11, from broken to healed, from a funeral to a party.
”Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness”
The phrase ”hast turned” means ”to change or overturn”. I love the definition ”overturn” because it is used as a legal term to deem an existing legal judgement invalid due to a new factor. People in prison file appeals, hoping that their convictions will be overturned, so the same dynamic plays out here. The word ”mourning” here means ”lamentation”, which is an outward expression of grief. We mourn over what is lost, or the fact that we are lost. The word ”dancing” in itself implies a outward expression of joy and happiness.
In 2 Samuel 6:13-15, the Bible says, ”And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.” The Philistines defeated Israel and took the ark of covenant from them. David led Israel in defeating the Philistines, and securing the ark of covenant again. Now, the ark is entering Israel where it belongs, and David is praising God with everything he has in him. The previous loss no longer matters, the pain they suffered no longer mattered, because the defeat was overturned and the new statement was victory.
David knew it was the Lord who gave them the victory, and praised God for it. This is why Philippians 4:6-7 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.” Our focus shouldn’t be on our mourning and what is hurting us, but it should be on the Lord, who will not only give us peace that the world can’t comprehend, but also will produce the victory in us.
In Psalm 30:5, the Bible says, ‘‘For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” We can feel that the struggle will last forever but that it is not true. The phrase ”put off” means ”to loosen in order to liberate”. The word ”sackcloth” refers to a coarse piece of clothing people wear as an outward display of mourning.
In Isaiah 61:3, the Bible says, ”To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Instead of sackcloth, God will provide us with a garment of praise, and change the state of our our affliction into a state of rejoicing. This is prophecy concerning the coming of Christ and what He will provide to us. God doesn’t want us living lives of depression, of sorrow, of brokenness. He sent Christ to shed his blood for the healing of the world, but we have to accept the Word as truth.
The word ”girded” means ”to belt, to bind or compass about”. The word ”gladness” means ”blithesomeness, glee, or rejoicing”.
In Jeremiah 31:4-5, the Bible says, ”Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.” God wants us positioned for praise, and He will cause a shift in our environment and in our hearts where we see Him there in the midst. We will experience growth in unexpected places, and and will experience fruitfulness in barren places.
Our God gave us Jesus Christ to not only change our spiritual states from death to life, but also our hearts from mourning to rejoicing!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 4, 2023 – Philippians 2:8 – humble obedience unto God
”And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:8
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of the world. He knew all things, and knew that many would still forsake Him, that many would still treat His sacrifice like it was nothing, yet He did it in love, offering salvation and eternal life to those who believe in His name. We look at His death, but do we look as closely into what it actually took to live His life? He came from heaven to take a bodily form, He experienced life just as we have, but without sin, and He completely submitted His life to God, no matter the cost.
Most of us have trouble obeying God when He wants us to tell someone something from Him, but Christ endured a brutal, torturous death, all in obedience to God’s purpose for His life. God hasn’t asked the vast majority of us to make that kind of ultimate sacrifice, but He did tell us to love Him and others, something we strangely see as a brutal sacrifice. Today, we will look at Philippians 2:8, humble obedience unto God.
”And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
The word ”found” means ”seen or perceived”. The word ”fashion” means ”external condition or appearance”. 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.” Christ came to the earth robed in flesh, there was no question where He came from. His physical appearance was that of mankind, but His nature was of God. In Colossians 2:9, the Bible says, ”For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Christ had the Godhead inside of His being, and He worked the works of God because of it, He knew all things because of it, and He was perfect on earth because of it.
Christ was God in bodily form with His character being loving, relatable, and genuine. The word ”humbled” means ”to depress, bring low, or to humiliate as a condition of the heart.” 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”. Christ lived His life unto God, and even though He was equal to God, He deliberately took up the lesser human form in submission to God.
This is what Christ did when He walked this earth, and He led by example, allowing us to see Him hoping that we would follow His example.
Because Christ humbled Himself before God in the fulfillment of His purpose, God lifted Him up. Too many people walking this earth want the glory, for themselves, when it belongs to God, and they refuse to humble themselves. In Philippians 2:9, the Bible says, ”Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”. Because Christ humbled Himself, God launched Him above every other name.
The word ”obedient” means ”submissive, or attentive hearing”. This is the person who has a heart and mind that is ready to serve God. In John 4:34, the Bible says, ”Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Christ’s mind was always on obeying God’s Word, and He valued obeying God over even His basic necessities.
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.’‘ Our lives will give testimony to whom and what we obey, just as Christ’s life gave testimony to Who He obeyed. Because Christ obeyed God, we now have access to a new life in Him, where we can serve the Lord in obedience as well.
The word ”cross” refers to the instrument used in the crucifixion of Christ. Christ took the curse of death upon Him so that we could live.
In Hebrews 12:2-3, the Bible says, ”Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Christ not only gave up His spiritual form to assume the body He walked with on earth, but He took on everything we take on as well: hunger, pain, sorrow, and death.
In Matthew 26:42, Christ says, ”He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Christ did want to die the way He did, but He fully made Himself available to God in both life and death, humbling himself in obedience to God.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 5, 2023 – Philippians 3:17 – being an example of faith in a faithless world
”Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
Philippians 3:17
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we mature in the faith, we are often looked to as an example of what the faith represents. In my prison environment, when people see someone who appears to be in the faith, they will typically watch them like a hawk, looking for any inconsistencies in their character.
They want to see someone who represents the faith at all times; in times of difficulty, in times of triumph, or in times of conflict. Our teachers and preachers are to represent themselves in such a way where their behavior sets a standard for the faith that pleases God, so the flock can see the example and follow it. Being in a position of leadership, it is not always easy to be an example, but it is bigger than our agenda, or our feelings.
It is about winning souls for Christ. Today, we will look at Philippians 3:17, being an example of faith in a faithless world.
”Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
The word ”brethren” means ”fellow believers or Christians”. This word is expressly for believers in Christ Jesus to receive and obey.
The word ”followers” means ”co-imitator or fellow votary”. Ever heard of the phrase ”Two birds of a feather flock together”? There are going to be noticeable similarities to those we are yoked together with, and it is no different in the faith. As our pastors and teachers share the Word with us, they are also sharing how to live the faith out in their lives. Most people don’t realize that their actions are teaching others as well as their words.
In 1 Corinthians 4:16-17, the Bible says, ”Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.” Paul is encouraging the church in Corinth, us included, to imitate his walk. He went a step further and he sent Timothy to Corinth because his manner of conduct would not be a lowering of Paul’s impact in the Church.
Timothy message not only verbally reminded the Church of Paul’s ways, but was also reinforced by his behavior. Our words and our conduct should make up the entire message of the God we serve, Sadly many people hear the Word of God from us, but don’t see it at work in our lives.
In 1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1, the Bible says, ”Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Our lives should be lives of service, and if our pastors and teachers are imitating Christ, then they should be living lives of service too. Our goal behind imitating our pastorate, as they imitate Christ, is to help all receive salvation, then the mission is way bigger than us.
The word ”mark” means ”consider, take heed, or regard”. The word ”walk” means ”to live or tread all around”. We are supposed to pay attention to those who lead us in the faith, helping make sure that they are living out the faith.
Being in prison, there is always some form of conflict. Sometimes, the conflict gets disrespectful such as someone tries to challenge you by calling you names or by trying to be the tough guy by throwing their weight around. But if I respond in the flesh, even if I win the battle, I would lose my witness in the process.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7, the Bible says, ”For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” There is going to be evidence that the Spirit of God is working in us, and it is not going to be our words only.
I remember a person became disrespectful and I held my peace, and I left the situation alone. What I didn’t know, at the time, was there were tons of people watching, actually waiting on me to punch the guy in the face, but when I extended my hand in peace in response, it gave a testimony that my faith walk was true.
The word ”ensample” means ”a die, stamp, resemblance, or a model for imitation.” In 1 Peter 5:3-4, the Bible says, ”Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” When we have the right mind, the mind of Christ, and we are on the front lines of faith, we have an obligation to project Christ in word and deed. Our actions will speak for the faith we have, and it will be easier for us to lead others to the Lord when we ourselves are being led.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 6, 2023 – Philippians 4:1 – staying strong in the Lord
”Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
Philippians 4:1
Hi Everyone!
How connected are we to the body of Christ? Are we the type of believers who pour the love on thick when we are in the presence of other believers at Church, but when the service is over, we ignore each other like no love was there to begin with? I see that happen in my prison environment where people will show love in church, but then ignore the same people when they see them in the population. This is not the way we should be, especially towards other believers.
How we are towards other believers could be the thing that either causes them to leave the faith, or get stronger in the faith. Paul wanted the Church to not only experience their teaching, but also their love. Sometimes, just knowing there is love on the other side of things waiting for us can cause us to remain planted in the Lord.
Today, we will look at Philippians 4:1, staying strong in the Lord.
”Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
The word ”brethren” means ”fellow Christians, ones connected by intimacy and fellowship, sharers of the same womb”. The phrase ”dearly beloved” means ”united with God and each other in bonds of holy love, or conjoined in faith and love.”
How connected is the Church outside of it’s services we have with each other? Paul desires to let the Church know that everything they experienced from him in person continues, even in his absence. He also desired them to know how loved they were and that connection still remained.
In 1 John 4:7, 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.” Love has to be the glue that holds the Church together, because love is the pure essence of God. What makes a church powerful is not the preaching, but it is the love that is present among the believers.
In 1 John 4:12, the Bible says, ”No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” A church without love is a church without the presence of God, because God dwells where love is. The phrase ”longed for” means ”yearned for”. This is a deep desire to experience each other’s presence, letting the Church know that it is bigger than just the ministry of doing what God wants them to do. It was real for them too.
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.” Christ knew how powerful love is, and when He has a Church that operates in love, walls come tumbling down, ceilings come crashing down, and people are set free.
The word ”joy” means ”cheerfulness and gladness”. The word ”crown” means ”a badge of royalty or honor”. The crown signifies victory, that Paul’s mission in service was a success because of the Spirit that the Church now walked in. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, the Bible says, ‘‘For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” This shows that Paul had the right motivation behind his service to the Church at Philippi, because his desire was to make a Church ready for Christ to come back for, that salvation of souls was the thing that brought him joy.
In 2 Corinthians 1:14 the Bible says, ”As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Paul’s love for the Church made him serve from the depths of his heart, and even from prison, Paul desired to be connected to them. This is a Church that Paul is proud of, where joy enters his heart at the thought of the Church.
The phrase ”stand fast” means ”to be stationary, or to persevere.” In Philippians 2:15-16, the Bible says, ”That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” The love Paul has for the Church should be the type of love that we have for the Church; to desire to see them grow, progress, and remain rooted in the Word under all circumstances.
In Philippians 1:27, the Bible says, ”Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”. Paul desires a Church that will present a praise report of love, unity, and faith. Do we love the Church this much?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 7, 2023 – Colossians 1:28 – a gentle word breaking a lifetime of bondage
”Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 1:28
Hi Everyone!
In our prison environment, being considered a big brother carries a lot of responsibility. Sometimes, I have to counsel men who are on the verge of losing their way. Other times, I have conversations with the officers about policy in order to make things better for everyone. Yet still, there are times where I have to diffuse a conflict before it escalates into a fight. There are times, like this morning in the community bathroom, where I was led to encouraging a brother in the Lord who is trying to understand why life has been so hard on him.
In everything I have been entrusted to do in every prison environment I have been in, there has been no doubt that my goal is to see lives transformed by faith in Christ. In every encouragement, admonishment, direction, and connection, I have tried to, at the very least, share the love of Christ through my actions, using what God has given me to help lead others to Him. Today, we will look at Colossians 1:28, a gentle word breaking a lifetime of bondage.
”Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Looking at the word ”Whom” at the start of this verse, it is important to understand who the ”Whom” is. This lets us know that this verse is connected to a previous verse. In Colossians 1:27, the Bible says, ”To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” So the ”Whom” is Jesus Christ, and He is the focal point of all the ministry we have. If Christ isn’t the focus of our message, then our message is very flawed.
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, the Bible says, ”And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Paul was a very educated man in the Mosaic law. He had extensive scriptural knowledge, but he abandoned it all in order to know Christ Jesus. His message was Christ alone, and we see how effective this ministry was!
The word ”preach” means ”to proclaim or declare, to implant in the mind by repetition”. 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 means that we can’t wait to find the most opportune time to proclaim the Word of God, and sometimes, it is going to seem like the worst possible time to share the Word. If we had to wait on a good time, then we would never share the Word of God.
The word ”warning” means ”to exhort, to put in mind, to caution, reprove, or gently admonish”. The word ”man” here refers to all mankind, not just males. The key to this definition is gentle admonishment. Too many believers are known for beating others over the head with the Word of God, and that is not the right way to convey the Word. In Proverbs 15:1, the Bible says, ”A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” I’ve seen people barrage others with the Word and do more harm than good. If Jesus Christ wasn’t this way with people, then what would ever give us the right to think we can be?
In Acts 20:20-21, the Bible says, ”And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” When we share the Word of God, it serves also as a warning for them, because the Holy Spirit will do the work in making sure that the Word gets where it needs to be. Paul just went from place to place, sharing the Word.
The word ”teaching” means ”to instruct”. The word ”wisdom” means ”skills in the affairs of life, practical wisdom, wise management in forming the best plans and selecting the best means, including the idea of sound judgement and good sense.”
See, we have to teach people how to live the Word out. We can’t just impart a whole bunch of head knowledge, and never show them what they need to learn. Teachers and preachers should have examples in word and deed. I can learn how to build a house, but if I never actually build a house, how does the knowledge help?
The word ”present” means ”exhibit”. The word ”perfect” means ”completeness in a moral sense”. In Ephesians 5:26-27, the Bible says, ‘‘That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.’‘ This marriage between Christ and the Church needs to exist between us and our fellow believers. We want our preaching and teaching to help others exhibit the Church in their lives.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 8, 2023 – John 16:27 – all given by the love of God
”For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”
John 16:27
Hi Everyone!
Do we really understand how much God loves us? Too many of us have not comprehended this in our lives, and it leaves us unable to believe in what His love has provided us with.
We tend to believe in the things we are able to feel or experience with our senses, but God’s love transcends everything we can feel or experience.
When we understand this amazing love of God and reflect on the fact that we have done nothing to receive it, it should then cause us to love God more in response.
This is a circle of love that is so amazing, as, smack dab in the middle of this circle is belief.
If we don’t believe in this love, then it would be virtually impossible to apply it as truth in our lives.
Because Jesus Christ came to die for the sins of the world, we that believe have access to the love of God and the benefit of kingdom provision. Today we will look at John 16:27, all given by the love of God.
”For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”
When a verse begins with the word ”for” it expresses that there is a previous point being connected to the one we are reading now. In John 16:25-26, Christ says, ‘‘These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you”. Jesus Christ is preparing His disciples and His Church for His departure from this earth. Now some people will pervert this passage and make it about a prosperity doctrine because it mentions what we can ask God for.
But the premise isn’t in the stuff we can receive from God, but it is the fact that His Word will be understood plainly. When we can understand God’s Word plainly, we will see how deeply our God loves us, how He allowed His Son to die so that we may live eternally in Him, that no love we have ever experienced amounts to this.
The ”loveth” means ”to be a friend of, to be fond of, to have affection for denoting attachment as a matter of sentiment or feeling”. Because God loves us like this, He wants to make His Word crystal clear in our lives, and He also wants to make Himself available to us, so that we won’t have to ask Christ in order to ask God, but we can go directly to God Himself!
In John 14:20-21, Christ says, ”At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” There is a relationship we have with God and Christ, a oneness that allows us to partake freely in His love. When we are one with God and Christ, the will of God is made manifest in us and we will be able to know things about God that we never knew before.
When we build a relationship, there is an exchange of information all throughout it, but the deeper things are saved for when the relationship grows even deeper.
In John 14:23, the Bible also says, ”Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” God doesn’t want to be some brutal dictator in our lives, but He wants to abide in us, making a place for Himself in our innermost being. We know what happens when the Holy Spirit dwells richly in someone, because we have the examples of Christ, the disciples, the apostles, and what happened in the Church as a reference.
That love God has for us made this available to us, but our love for Him will cause us to obey His Word. We tend to obey what we believe in.
The word ”believed” means ”to have faith in, to entrust one’s spiritual well-being to”. This belief is in Jesus Christ as Lord, teacher, and Messiah. In John 3:12-13, Christ says, ”If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” God gives us the power to receive heavenly things, but we can only receive them by the Holy Spirit. When Christ ascended to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to abide in us.
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.’‘ God gives us the knowledge when in need of Him in order to build a relationship with Him in love and truth.
In John 16:30, the Bible says, ”Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.” Everything we receive from God should aid in increasing our faith in Him, so we know that everything we have and everything we are comes from God.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 9, 2023 – Philippians 3:8 – losing nothing in order to gain everything
”Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
Philippians 3:8
Hi Everyone!
How much do we value our faith in Jesus Christ? Even better, how much do we still value our old lives compared to our new lives in Christ? When we receive the free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, we become new creations in Him.
This means a clean slate in order to live a life full of God’s presence. Through this process, we will learn a ton about God’s Word and will for our lives, and there are going to be a ton of things from our old nature that we will have to unlearn.
This is what trips so many people up, because no matter how worthless they feel they have become, they still are unwilling to let God scrap their old project and rebuild on a sure foundation, which is Jesus Christ.
My old life is safely in the trash, exchanged for my life in Christ, and there is no other place I’d rather be. Today, we will be looking at Philippians 3:8, losing nothing in order to gain everything.
”Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
The word ”count” means ”to consider, regard, deem or esteem.” The word ”loss” implies something working towards one’s detriment. This is Paul’s perspective upon what he used to have. Before Paul’s conversion, he was Saul, and he was no slouch in the Jewish leadership. This wasn’t someone who walked away from a life that didn’t work for him. This was a man who was someone in his respective community.
In Philippians 3:4-5, the Bible says, ”Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee”. In the Jewish faith, Paul was somebody who fit the profile of the perfect Jew, and his lineage traced back to the tribe he came from. In Acts 22:3, the Bible says, ”I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” Paul studied under one of the most famous rabbis of his time, so there was no doubt that what he knew was sound. In Acts 26:4-5, the Bible says, ”My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” Paul’s upbringing and education was well known since he was a boy, and he studied extensively as a Pharisee, with no deviations from Scripture.
Paul wasn’t someone who walked away from a life of obscurity and infamy, but he walked away from a life of prestige and power. He not only walked away, but he deemed his life to be harmful to what God really had for him.
The word ”excellency” means ”superiority”. His past life of prestige was absolutely nothing compared to who he is now in Christ. Just the ability to know Christ was more, but having Jesus Christ as Lord meant everything to Paul.
The word ”Lord” means ”Supreme in Authority, or Controller”.
Jesus Christ is many people’s Saviour, but how many people is He Lord too?
In Luke 6:46, Christ says, ”And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Christ is Lord when we obey His Word.
The same loyalty Paul once had to the Jewish faith he now had to Christ Jesus, deeming Christ more worthy of his loyalty than anything in this world.
Do we have that same mentality? Knowing Christ is so important, which is why Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, ‘‘Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” We used to value a bunch of other stuff over Christ, but now as believers, we have to value knowing Christ, being one with Him, over everything in this world.
The phrase ”suffered the loss” means ”to experience detriment”. The word ”dung” means ”refuse, what is thrown to dogs, or excrement.” What we had before Christ means nothing compared to gaining Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, the Bible says, ”And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Paul tossed out everything he knew before in order to be who God called him to be. We must absolutely do the same, because our old lives mean nothing compared to having Christ as Lord.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 10, 2023 – Psalm 40:1 – a deliverance patiently waited for
”I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
Psalm 40:1
Hi Everyone!
We are all waiting for something, but do we wait patiently? As believers, the way we wait signifies the level of trust we have in God. I remember having this insane sense of urgency in my actions and tasks, all while I claimed to be ”waiting on God” to move in releasing me from prison. All I was doing to trying to pry what I prayed for out of God’s hands, or even worse, think that I could do a better job at my deliverance than God could.
Through the Holy Spirit leading many people with the same word, ”Be still and know that I am God”, I have finally become able to wait patiently on the Lord, fully entrusting my freedom and success to Him. Waiting is not necessarily pleasant at times, but waiting patiently is necessary because in doing so, we are telling God we trust Him over everything we feel, see, and experience.
God is always faithful in hearing our cries which is why I am assured that I will be going home. Today, we will be looking at Psalm 40:1, a deliverance patiently waited for.
”I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
The phrase ”waited patiently” means ”to bind together by twisting as a rope, to expect, to look for, or to hope in.” When I looked in the Concordance they said that they didn’t understand the correlation between the definition of the twisting of rope and hope, but the Holy Spirit gave me the answer. When we bind ourselves by twisting as a rope, we are locking ourselves into the very thing we hope for. Ropes usually have a twist or braid to them, that will not come undone easily, which should be the way our faith is.
In Ecclesiastes 4:12, the Bible says, ”And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.’‘ Just as two people enter a marriage with God, we enter into the same type of dynamic when it comes to faith, where it is us, God and the thing we have entrusted to God. Just as a relationship isn’t easily broken that is intertwined with God, our faith isn’t easily broken when we are intertwined with the Word of God.
Waiting patiently suggests that we are looking for our promise with expectancy, that we are trusting in God to produce the very thing we are asking God for. 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 is the person who looks in the direction their blessing is going to come from, or fixing their eyes on the promise.
Too many of us finding ourselves looking more for the promise, rather than on God who fulfills the promise, and sadly many of us are looking down at our circumstances instead of at our deliverance. This is why it is so hard to twist ourselves in the promises because we sometimes twist ourselves in doubt instead of faith, or allow the process of waiting to produce doubt.
In Habakkuk 2:2-3, the Bible says, ”And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Our promises are for an appointed time and it takes time for them to materialize into reality. It may seem like forever, but God will absolutely bring our promise to us at the perfect time, and it will surely come. In the waiting, we can begin to question whether God heard us, or whether He will answer, but this is why we have to remain twisted together with God and His promise.
The word ”inclined” means ”bow down, to extend oneself”. The word ”heard” means ”to regard or listen attentively”. This is what God does for us when we are afflicted and in search for His deliverance. God hears us! I praise God that He didn’t give me freedom as soon as I asked for it, because there is no doubt in my head that I would have absolutely been right back in prison for even more time, or I wouldn’t be alive right now. God knows what we need and when we would be able to receive His promises in the manner He intends.
In Psalm 34:15, the Bible says, ”The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” This is where some of us have a problem because we don’t see ourselves as righteous, so we feel disqualified from this verse.
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.” Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we are made righteous in Him, which qualifies us for God’s ear.
In Psalm 34:4, the Bible says, ”I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” When we lock ourselves into God in faith and trust, God hears and responds with deliverance. When we wait patiently, God proves Himself faithful!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 11, 2023 – Ephesians 2:12 – from aliens to children
”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.”
Ephesians 2:12
Hi Everyone!
At one point in our lives, we were all without Christ. We lived according to the world and did things that came naturally to us. We know our past life and sin very well, but sadly, many of us receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and use our newfound position in the Lord to turn up our noses to others. The Church has gotten this bad rap of being judgemental, the very opposite thing that Jesus Christ demonstrated.
Why? because so many have forgotten where they came from.
Sometimes, it is important for us to reflect on that time when we were on the outside, and maybe treated as such. This will help us retain the humility of actually receiving such a precious gift from God that we did nothing to deserve.
Looking back, isn’t that a scary place to be, living a life without the Lord?
Today, we will look at Ephesians 2:12, from aliens to children.
”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 word ”time” means ”season or occasion”. When we look at the text, it says ”that time”, giving us the indication that there is more context to add to this verse. This means we have to go back.
In Ephesians 2:11, the Bible says, ”Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands”. Back in the day inside Israel people were known as Jews, the people of God, the Circumcision, and the Gentiles, those outside Israel who were not of the covenant of Abraham. In Genesis 17:11, the Bible says, ”And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.’‘ Abraham received the promise of a son, but before he could receive the promise, every male in his household had to be circumcised. Once this was done, the promise was unlocked.
People of the Uncircumcision where people who weren’t of Abraham’s household, considered non-Jewish people. Genesis 17:14, the Bible says, ”And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.” These were people living without God because being un-covenanted didn’t allow them to be God’s people. They were outsiders, looked upon with disdain, separated from the promise of God.
The word ”aliens” means ”strangers, the state of people prior to reconciliation with God.” In Ephesians 4:17-18, the Bible says, ”This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 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.”
Before knowing Christ, not only were we living in a way that was contrary to the Word of God we lived with no understanding, we moved with no real direction, and we essentially loved by our feelings. Whatever felt right was right for ‘aliens’. We were blind and did not know it.
In Colossians 1:20-21, the Bible says, ”And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” Through faith in Christ, the strangers and aliens were now received by God as children and heirs. Our status completely changed because of what Christ did on the cross for us, not because of what we did for ourselves. There is no reason to boast in anything but in Christ.
The word ”covenants” means ”dispositions or contracts, speaking of the covenant promises of both Moses and Abraham. The word ”promises” means ”divine assurance of good.”
As aliens, we couldn’t receive the promises of the Law and we couldn’t receive the promises that came through the circumcision. But, because of Christ’s death on the cross, people who were once banned from the promises could now now enter into the new covenant.
In Hebrews 8:6, the Bible says, ”But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” The covenant we are now under gives us access to much better promises that far outweigh our past state.
The word ”hope” means ”confidence or expectation of salvation”. Without Christ, there is no hope of salvation, no matter how good we have been or whether we have Jewish blood. In 2 Thessalonians 2:16, the Bible says, ”Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.” Let us always remember where we came from, and Who provided the hope we now rest in, Jesus Christ!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 12, 2023 – Romans 12:17 – virtuous behavior in the face of conflict
”Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
Romans 12:17
Hi Everyone!
As believers, there will come a time when we are wronged by someone. It is inevitable, because mankind is fallible, and no one is going to get it right all of the time.
What happens when we are wronged? Do we seek revenge? Do we try to cause someone else to feel our pain because we haven’t forgiven in our hearts? So many believers are living their lives looking to right every wrong that happened to them, but this isn’t the way we should live.
Even if we feel as if someone deserves conflict, we ought not give it to them, because how can we love and plot against those God has called us to love?
In my prison environment, revenge is a normalcy, not necessarily with fighting and violence, but through pettiness and discord. Sometimes, if an inmate offends an officer, he may have made an enemy, because that officer may plot against him in response. The same rules apply if an officer offends an inmate, and sadly peace becomes a thing that is lost in translation.
Today, we will look at Romans 12:17, virtuous behavior in the face of conflict.
”Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
The word ”recompense” means ”to pay back, repay, or reward”. The word ”evil” pertains to things that are harmful or injurious.
Being confined in prison for over 20 years, I have wronged people and I have been wronged by people. Many times early on, my response to a wrong done in my life was to right the ship instantaneously. I fought people, told people off, and tried to cause them to feel the hurt I felt.
In receiving salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, there is a new standard by which I handle offense, and revenge is not a part of it.
In Proverbs 20:22, the Bible says, ‘‘Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.” We are not even supposed to plot revenge, let alone pursue and carry out revenge. As believers, the Lord is our deliverance from those who offend us.
For the believer, the battle belongs to the Lord.
God doesn’t want us forming the thought or speech of revenge because we will likely carry it out if left unchecked.
In Matthew 5:38-39, Christ says, ”Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” This is the scripture telling us the old way versus the new way. The old way looks to avenge wrong done, but this new way requires us to turn the other cheek. Yeah, being honest, I resisted this command because I didn’t see the logic in offering up another cheek to be slapped again. In growing, I learned that it is much more than that.
In Luke 6:27-28, Christ says, ‘‘But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” My cellie, just yesterday, did something that offended me and when I brought it to his attention, he stood behind the offense, acting as if he didn’t care about my issue! Ouch! Believe me, there will be a time where we will have to live the Word of God out, and it will not always be easy. I had to leave the situation behind and choose peace instead. Over the years, it has gotten easier through practice, but there is a real inner conflict involved. We have to choose the Word of God over what we feel in the moment. Moments pass, but the consequences of revenge can last a lifetime.
The word ”provide” means ”to consider in advance”. The word ”honest” means ”good, virtuous, or valuable to God and others”.
I have learned that as believers we have to weigh consequences before we even make the decision to perform the act.
A successful chess player can think 7-10 moves in advance, foreseeing potential obstacles in their path. I learned that when conflict arises, I have to think for me and the person who offended me. In 1 Thessalonians 5:15, the Bible says, ”See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” We have to always pursue good, as God calls for us to do as His children. Honestly, I have learned that the manner in which I deal with offense is on clear display for all to see, so my response provides a testimony of who I represent, Christ or Me.
In 1 Peter 3:8-9, the Bible says, ”Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” Our attitude has to be one of love towards our fellow brothers and sisters, even if they offend us. When we operate in love towards those who hurt us, it bears testimony that God is at work in us, and a blessing is in store for us.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 13, 2023 – Romans 12:18 – living in peace with all people
”If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:18
Hi Everyone!
It is not always easy to live at peace with people. I know this firsthand, living in a prison environment where believers are not in the majority, and common sense is not always common. There is always room for the potential of conflict or discord living on a housing unit with 260 people separated into two different sections,. Then, adding officers to the equation, there is always a recipe for contention. As believers, our circumstances do not determine the level of peace we operate in, the people we are around don’t determine the peace we extend towards them. Inside us lies the Spirit of truth and peace, and if we live in the Spirit we have unlimited access to the peace of God.
Yesterday, a guy told me how he sees me navigate around conflict, and how it had to be hard to bring people who want war with me, to a state of peace and laughter with me.
I know it is the Lord that allows me to live in peace under all circumstances. Today, we will look at Romans 12:18, living in peace with all people.
”If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
The word ”possible” implies our ability or capability to perform what God allows us to do. This is not a cop-out, giving us a trap door to act as the world acts. The phrase ”lieth in you” is the same thing as saying ”depends on you”. This is not a cop-out either. God is not going to give us a way out of living in peace with the people around us.
There is a standard that we absolutely have to operate in as believers, and in order to understand God’s peace, we have to understand where it comes from.
In Isaiah 26:3, the Bible says, ‘‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.’‘ Perfect peace comes from God, not from the world. If in the midst of conflict, we don’t pursue God’s perspective, then it will be impossible to have perfect peace.
There has been times where, against all logic, I had to trust in God in order to remain in His peace, and I watched God work out a situation that I honestly couldn’t see a way out.
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.” I realized that there are moments in the midst of hardship where we can stop and pray quickly for God’s peace, but many of us don’t.
I am still learning to bring my anxiety to God, because it is not always easy, but the Scripture clearly tells us that we have to bring it to God in order to receive His peace.
The phrase ”live peaceably” means ”to act or be peaceful”. Being peaceful, especially in the midst of conflict, is not a passive act, as we are seriously mounting an offensive of war against our attitudes, our pride, and our self-image. I realized that a lot of my conflict occurred because a blow was dealt to my identity, to my pride, or to my reputation.
In John 16:33, the Bible says, ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” God never once said that we were going to live our lives trouble-free, but He gave us His Word so we would have peace in a world of conflict. He also gave us Christ as an example to follow because his life was not void of conflict either.
In Mark 9:50, Christ says, ”Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Believers are the salt of the earth, the preservative in society. We will last when others will spoil, we will endure under the harshest of climates, and when we have salt in ourselves, it will be the Holy Spirit’s continual impartation of the Word of God in us. God wants us to live in peace, but we can only do it with the Word of God in us.
In Romans 14:19, the Bible says, ”Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” We are to always be looking for the path of peace in the things we face in life. We ought to always be looking to build others up in the Lord. I remember a guy tried to get into it with me, but praise God, I held my peace. Later on, this same brother was going through a hard time, and he asked me to pray for him! Just imagine what my witness would have been if we stayed in conflict!
In Hebrews 12:14-15, the Bible says, ‘‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. We rob ourselves of fellowship with God when don’t live in peace. We have the ability in Christ, so let us live in peace with our brothers and sisters. Everything depends on us, so let us make the choice to love out loud and extend peace everywhere we go.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 14, 2023 – to Dec 23, 2023 THE BEATITUDES – See July 21, 2021 to July 30, 2021
Dec 24, 2023 – Luke 2:10 – CHRISTMAS # 1: Doing the incredible with the unlikely.
”And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
Luke 2:10
Hi Everyone!
When Christ was born, the angel announced it to the shepherds first. Why were the people, who were ceremonially unclean and prohibited from entering the temple because of their profession, the ones who first received the good news about Christ’s birth?
Why was the Word given to the shepherds and then an expectation placed upon them to share the Word about Christ’s birth?
I think if anyone would’ve gotten the Word first, it would’ve been the pastors, the chief priests, the scribes, someone of religious acclaim, not people who aren’t even allowed in church. Wait a minute, doesn’t this sound familiar, for God to use the most unlikely people to do the most incredible things? This is what God had in mind when He sent a baby as the King and also as the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the entire world.
Today, we will look at Luke 2:10, Doing the incredible with the unlikely.
”And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
The word ”angel” means ”messenger of God”. Angels came to perform the Word of God as He ordains. In Hebrews 1:14-2:1, the Bible says, ”Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” God uses angels to administer His Word to position us for salvation and deliverance. God used angels to deliver His Word to the shepherds, so they could declare the Word to everyone!
The word ”fear” means ”to be afraid, terrified, or frightened”. The presence of the Lord will automatically cause fear, but God wants us to look beyond our impulse of fear to receive the Word of God.
In 2 Timothy 1:7, the Bible says, ”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The angel is telling the shepherds to not fear because God did not give them this fear. Fear prevents people from hearing and heeding the Word of God.
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.” Zacharias was a priest, the ”closest” person to God, yet when the angel appeared, he was told not to be afraid. Once the angel dealt with the thing that could block him from receiving the Word from God, the Word of God was delivered. And it was the answer to his prayers. Sometimes, fear robs us from receiving the Good News, and even shuts us down, instead of obeying.
The word ”bring” means ”to declare”. The phrase ”good tidings” means ”a beneficial or profitable announcement fulfilling the Word of God”. The word ”good”, when it is used by God or the angels of God, is expressed as the fulfillment of God’s intention.
In Mark 1:15, the Bible says of Christ, ”And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Christ coming fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7, which 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. 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.”
The fulfillment of this prophecy was a divine announcement beneficial to the hearer, and this announcement was first given to people who didn’t go and couldn’t go to church! God passed up everyone, we would expect, and gave it to people who slept outside with their flocks. The phrase ”great joy” speaks of cheerfulness and gladness, so this is why fear had to be removed.
The word ”people” was not exclusive to Jews. God wanted everyone to know that Christ was born. In Matthew 28:19, the Christ 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.” Christ, before He ascended to the Father, gave a commission for us to teach all nations, and the angel gave the shepherds a charge to declare Christ’s birth to all people.
When we are called to speak, God gives us the message.
In Luke 2:17, the Bible says, ”And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
God gave the announcement of Christ to the least likely people, and they spread it everywhere! If God used the shepherds as evangelists what won’t He do through us?
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 25, 2023 – Luke 1:32 – CHRISTMAS # 2: royalty fulfilled
”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’’
Luke 1:32
Hi Everyone!
As believers, it is easy to think about Christmas when we see baby Jesus in a manger.
What about at other times of the year, and what about non-believers?
This image had been engraved into our brains for as long as we remember, and it is the symbol of our Saviour coming into the world. It is hard to see beyond that image to see a king, to see God robed in flesh, the ”Name Above All Names”. It is also hard to see that Christ’s birth ushered in the fulfillment of the promise God made to David, that his Kingdom would last forever.
Having a Kingdom that never ends means Christ’s authority never ends, so all of these promises given to us by Christ apply fully to us! We are a part of the Holy Kingdom of God, partakers of the divine nature, because of the gift given to us at Christmas. We tend to see the gifts of the Magi as a reference to the gifts of Christmas, but who lay in that manger is the real gift. Today, we will look at Luke 1:32, royalty fulfilled.
”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 verse is prophecy given to Mary by the angel of the Lord. This is when Mary receives the Word that she is going to conceive Christ. I love how the Bible doesn’t just give prophecy concerning events, but also gives prophecy on the role Christ will live out in the earth. The fact that we know that this prophecy was fulfilled should allow us to understand more about the sovereignty of God. The word ”great” means ”mighty or strong”. The word ”called” means ”to address by name, to be identified as”. The word ”Highest” refers to the Supreme God.
In Mark 5:6-7, the Bible says, ”But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”
In this passage, we have a man who is demon-possessed, and seeing Christ from a distance, ran TO him in order to worship him. How is it that the demon inside of that man could worship the Lord, but God can’t get enough worship from His children? The demon identified Christ as the son of the ”most high God”. Isn’t is kinda funny that the prophecy given to Mary was fulfilled by people, but in this case, the prophecy of Christ being called the Son of the Highest was fulfilled by a demon?
In Matthew 16:15-17, the Bible says of Christ, ”He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” The Bible always confirms itself, so it has established that Christ is the Son of the Highest.
The word ”give” means ”to bestow upon”. The word ”throne” means ”a stately seat of power”. The word ”father” here speaks of ancestry, meaning ”patriarch, the founder of a tribe or nation”. In 2 Samuel 7:16-17, the Bible says, ”And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.” The Word of God came to David by the prophet Nathan, establishing David’s kingdom forever. The only way David’s kingdom can be established forever is by Christ.
In Psalm 132:11-12, the Bible says, ”The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.” This is yet another passage from Scripture that gives prophecy that Christ would come from David’s line. Christ is from a lineage of kings, and even as a baby, Christ was the King He is.
In Isaiah 9:6-7, 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. 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.”
As King, the government is definitely upon His shoulder, and that means His Word is law! This beautiful baby born to Mary was God, King, Priest, Saviour, and Counsellor. It was prophesied that He would be all of these things and his birth signalled the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Him.
Christmas is about Christ coming into the world as the Word made flesh. Christ’s arrival also secures the truth of the Word of God. Let us praise God at Christmas for keeping His promises.
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 25, 2023 – Luke 2:11 – CHRISTMAS # 3: a Saviour is born!
”For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11
Hi Everyone!
Christmas is a time where we acknowledge and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. Over the history of Christmas, the meaning has been altered, and Christmas has become more about presents than the presence of the God coming to earth in flesh. It has become more about food, than feeding off of the Word of God.
There is a real power in the Christmas story that shows us the intentionality of God, and how nothing catches Him by surprise. The Christmas story is a prime indicator that even in our lives today as believers, God has every detail of our lives already figured out. My life is a testimony to that because there is no way I am where I am right now spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or relationally without my Saviour.
The work done nearly two thousand years ago is still making new life available to people today. The presence of Jesus Christ was the greatest gift mankind could ever experience, a gift that continues to give.
Today, we will look at Luke 2:11, a Saviour is born!
”For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
The word ”for” at the beginning of a verse generally connects a previous point. In order to gain the full context of the verse, we must go back. In Luke 2:8-10, the Bible says, ”And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” The message of Jesus Christ’s birth was first brought to shepherds who weren’t doing anything other than their jobs, watching over sheep. It should be noted that shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean by their profession, so they were never allowed in the temple to worship. It is also likely that some of the sheep the shepherds tended to would become sacrifices. So imagine being a people who weren’t allowed inside of Church because they were ”unclean”, who were also responsible for tending to the instruments of sacrifice. God shows us that He is willing to reach unclean people, people who feel disqualified to serve Him, and people outside of His kingdom, and it is done through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Why shepherds of all people that God selected to hear the good news first?
In John 1:29, the Bible says, ”The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the LAMB of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” The people who would have the greatest amount of appreciation for a lamb was a shepherd. Think not?
In John 10:11, Christ says, ”I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Sheep were the business of shepherds, and God knew that Jesus Christ would come to receive the unclean and outcasts unto Himself, giving them life everlasting by faith in Him.
God didn’t ordain Christ to appear first to the priest, but to shepherds, and the more I think about it, Joseph and Mary not having room at the inn carries a deeper meaning because He was born in a place where animals come to rest and replenish.
Remember in Matthew 11:28, Christ says, ”Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Why wouldn’t it be shepherds who would first receive the news of the birth of Christ?
The word ”Saviour” means ”deliverer”. The word ”Christ” means ”The Anointed One or Messiah”. The word ”Lord” means ”Supreme in authority or Controller”. The beauty about the Christmas story is that nothing is as it appears to be.
The Saviour and deliverer of the world came to the earth as a baby, not appearing to be anymore more than helpless. Christ was anointed but his appearance didn’t give that off. Christ was Supreme in Authority, but still had to grow into who He was to become.
In Isaiah 46:10, the Bible says, ”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”. Do we appreciate the fact that the angel declared Christ’s end from the beginning? God does the same for us, where He declares us the righteousness of God in Christ, where He declares us saved, redeemed, renewed, a new creation in Christ.
God knows who we are before we do, and He calls us by name. The birth of Christ ensures that we can become everything that God declares us to be. The shepherds, who were deemed unclean and couldn’t enter the temple, were the first evangelists of Christ’s birth! In Luke 2:20, the Bible says, ”And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
There is no ceiling on who we can be, because Christ was born! Merry Christmas, beloved of the Lord!
God Bless!
Marshall & Jessica
Dec 26-28, 2023 – PSALM 23:1-3 In 6 Devotionals, first published November 2020
DEC 29, 2023 – Psalm 23:4 – I fear no evil, for You art with me
THE PRODIGAL PUBLISHED TODAY
Dec 30-31, 2023 – PSALM 23:5-6
