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Unity & Harmony brings God’s blessing.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What’s is unity worth? What’s true harmony like, what does it yield? King David wrote this early in his reign, but it wasn’t inserted into Psalms until the end of his life. David reaches into two iconic moments or pictures that are deeply a part of culture of the people of Israel. To understand his comparison, we’ve got to find out about oil on Aaron’s beard and the dew of Hermon! Curious? I was.

Pastor Mike Hinojosa writes, “Ceremonial anointing in the Old Testament was a physical act involving the smearing, rubbing, or pouring of sacred oil on someone’s head (or on an object) as an outward symbol that God had chosen and set apart the person (or object) for a specific holy purpose.” He mentions the significance of separation, but also the idea of blessing. David picks up the theme of oil running down as an abundance of blessing. The oil was a specific blend of spices that God Himself prescribed in Exodus 30:22-25. I had heard that the oil recipe was a well kept secret, passed onto to generations of High Priests. The process of anointing Aaron was a high and holy celebration that perfectly captured the picture of unity as God’s people came to participate and celebrate together.

The dew of Mount Hermon. Mount Hermon (or “sacred mountain”) is the highest mountain in ancient Israel, boasting majestic, snowcapped peaks rising just over 9,000 feet above the sea. GotQuestions.org writes, “the slopes of Mount Hermon, in the north, receive profuse amounts of dew. Mount Zion, in the south, is much drier. David compared the refreshing dew of Hermon to the blessings of unity in Israel, from north to south. Harmony among God’s people is life-giving.”

In both examples of oil running down and dew falling are powerfully popular scenes of God both of blessing and His provision coming down on His people when they are obedient and coming together in these moments of harmony. References to this kind of unity is in stark contrast to the bitter complaints of the older Jewish community as they struggled to embrace freedom in the wilderness. This psalm should let us know just how much God values unity among believers, but also that God is willing to back those efforts with blessing and provision in our obedience.

Prayer

​Dad,
I know that every Pastor or church leader aches for unity within Your Church. No one likes grumbling, complaining, blaming and embittered battles among Your saints! Yet, it is one of the hardest things to eliminate. A culture of disunity just invites more church hurt. In the desire for more harmony, we all understand it brings blessing. Your presence invites us to be of one heart, one mind, one spirit. Help us to lay down our inner personal grievances and grief to welcome the oil of gladness and the promise of life-giving dew that drops on our gathering.

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Prophets foretelling future.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.” Acts 11‬:‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Like the Old Testament Prophets of old, Abagus tells the Church, there is famine coming. GotQuestions.org states, “Claudius Caesar had several unintended effects on Christian history. First, his scattering of the Jews in Rome led directly to Paul’s encounter with Priscilla and Aquila.” And, “God sovereignly used the reign of Claudius Caesar, as He did every other Roman emperor, to continue spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ across the world. Some of Paul’s earliest letters were written under the reign of Claudius Caesar.”

Luke uses this very public tragedy to highlight the prophet office, or the gift of prophecy. A prophet was one who received direct messages from God and communicated them to the people. The gift of prophecy is mainly active as a forth-telling, which is declaring of God’s truth, especially in encouraging one another in the Church. The less common is fore-telling, predicting future events.

Here in Acts 11, Agabus predicted (by the Holy Spirit) that a great famine was coming. Clearly this forecast allowed the Church to prepare ahead of the crisis on behalf of those who would suffer in Jerusalem. This massive mission push was a New Testament theme that not only addressed the speed, agility and ability of believers throughout the entire region. It also highlighted the unity of Christianity in sending money to Jerusalem. This allowed the Pastors to purchase food and get it distributed to those affected. Sending funds and distributing food was a powerful testimony to nonbelievers that the Church didn’t just care about folks spiritual needs but physical needs as well.

This thread of distribution in disasters is still relevant today! During Covid, hundreds of Churches were the distribution centers of food because of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program which began in May of 2020 and ended in May of 2021 having distributed more than 173 million food boxes. And, many people don’t know that ConvoyofHope.org, is oftentimes the first to arrive in national disasters around the country. It is amazing and challenging to know that God has used the Church then and does so still today. One of the marks of Christianity on our culture is how believers give time and money in a crisis – both local and globally. The beauty of this moment recorded in Acts is that God gave warning through the gift of Prophecy that allowed the Church to begin preparing before the famine even hit.

Prayer

​Dad,
It would be great if we (the Church) had more prophetically gifted individuals for just such reasons as Agabus had proven faithful. I have really longed for the Church leadership offices to get beyond just the two pastor/teacher flavors. Lacking our apostolic and prophetic seems to keep us wandering in circles, missing the urgency and the push of the Spirit which both these gifts give us. We have given into fears in our churches because these missing gifts were abused in the past and later shuffled off as insignificant. This one prophetic moment gave the early church more than just a head-start it gave it the edge for politicians and business leaders to follow. This kept the church relevant in resources, leading the charge to care and directing people and funds to where both were much needed. Could you give us another chance, a boost of confidence to follow the model of the early church?

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Visions of the Ancient of Days

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Daniel was given these amazing visions concerning things that happen in the heavens, in the spiritual realm that we do not see but yet exists. And Daniel admits he was troubled by all he had seen and the visions terrified him! ‭‭(Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬).

I love that Daniel tells his readers that he had no idea what these visions meant. In a vision within a vision, like Inception, Daniel asks one of those, “standing beside the throne,” what it all meant. Then Daniel, being a curious visioneer, asks about one particular beast – different from the other three.

Think about this: in this vision Daniel is not just seeing it, he’s engaging with some of the characters in the vision. How is that even possible? The vision had to have been more real than just a dream! Have you ever had an interactive vision or dream? I had one as a young boy. It was very surreal to have a conversation, asking questions of a dream character and have them answer back.

After this heavenly person finished explaining the details of the vision, it all ended. Daniel writes, “I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear, but I kept these things to myself.” (Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭28‬). God wanted Daniel to see the future, even to see Jesus, in action, receiving all authority, honor and sovereignty over all the nations. God wanted Daniel to see the beasts, in all their viscous, ferocious abilities to destroy human lives. And, God allowed Daniel to discover what this massive vision meant. What a responsibility to capture it and write it down. These magnificent other-worldly experiences do not happen that often in the Bible. And the people God entrusted with these visions were given this gift to share hope and confidence in God that would continue working until the end of days and beyond.

Prayer

​Dad,
Dreams and visions are powerful enough, just under normal life circumstances. But wow, Daniel’s visions and his descriptions of what he saw are just amazing. I admire those who can make theological sense out of what you showed Daniel and even more impressive is what it meant to the people of Israel then and to all of us now. I try to wrap my head around the fact that Daniel saw a glimpse of Your glory AND Jesus, as the ancient of days while living in ancient days! Thank you for your word. Thank you for working all good in those who love you.

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Who is at our table?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭29‬-‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke writes about Jesus calling the first followers, his disciples. Luke says Jesus “horáō” – saw Simon, James and John (vs 2), he perceived them with inward spiritual perception. Then Jesus also saw “theáomai” (to observe intently) Levi (vs 27). When Jesus sees someone he really SEES them.

How did he know the men would follow? Did Jesus use his Son of God ways or his Son of man ways? Did God, the Holy Spirit, play a role in Jesus seeing people in a much deeper way rather than just looking at their outward appearance – their clothes, their footwear, their hair? We have a phrase about judging a book by its cover, because that’s all we’ve got to see! That’s what a book cover is for! Jesus was able to flip to page five and fifty-five to see the content of human hearts. He saw past their past! He saw beyond perceptions, first impressions and the “birds of a feather” effect we normally judge by. Jesus didn’t just see Simon or Levi, he saw their friend groups. Even knowing their past, Jesus saw their potential future – probably even their literal future.

Luke compares the way Jesus sees people to the way the religious leaders see people. When the religious critics spoke their own perceptions, of Jesus having dinner with very public sinners, it caused Jesus to also see Levi’s guest as well! Then he addressed the heart issues he saw in them. In general, healthy people have no need for constant doctor appointments! But, sick people do. New Living Translation inserts too much editorial content here. Jesus did not say “those who think they are righteous,” He said, He has not come to call the righteous! Why would Jesus need to call the righteous, they are just fine. Jesus calls those who are active and aware SINNERS to repent. The righteous have no need to repent.

What a dilemma when one thinks they ARE righteous, but are told they are actually regular ol’ sinners like everyone else. No sin, no need for a savior! Ah, but what if they are wrong in their disordered self-awareness? Jesus looks over the sea of humanity and knows we are broken, sinners in need of forgiveness, grace and salvation. Religiously motivation looks at how far we’ve come, but cannot see how far we’ve yet to go! The gap, the void, between us and perfection is impossibly wide. The Law was supposed to teach the religious leaders that it would never be enough to allow them a face to face meeting with a Holy God. Isaiah told us that our righteous acts are like filthy rags! (64:6).

In this story, who is really the scum? Those who can see themselves in need of a doctor, or those who are really sick and just don’t recognize it? I think it’s amazing that many who find life and freedom in Jesus can’t wait to invite their friends to meet him!

Prayer

​Dad,
It’s interesting but sad to see the contrast between individuals in religious leadership and those who are just normal individuals, going through life. Understandably, Levi, being a public tax collector, would have rougher edges and more of a questionable reputation than most. However, it’s also true that his influence with those who need you is far greater as well. If we could only see the effects of our own relationship with you as well as our influence on others. Both the religious and irreligious have the opportunity for people to see You through their own life!

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Paul’s discipleship plan.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.” So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!” Acts ‭26‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Saul, then becoming the Apostle Paul, is a favorite of New Testament characters that God used to get to declare the message of the gospel of Jesus. Paul’s discipleship methods, his evangelism plans are so clever.

One, because Paul had a secular job as a tent maker and repair, he setup his shop in most of the cities he traveled to. In these open-air malls or city marketplaces he would talk shop and Jesus with other shop owners. This was very effective in leading Gentiles to Christ. The other method was not only unique, it was dangerous and painful.

Paul saw his arrests by the Jewish leaders as an opportunity to share his testimony, which is key in sharing the gospel. And Paul had a riveting story to share! The Bible records three official arrests of Paul. However, other accounts and Paul’s own words suggest he was imprisoned more frequently, possibly seven times. As a Roman citizen, Paul knew he had rights and eventually he exercised one of those rights to appeal to Caesar himself – Acts 25:11: “But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!

As we see here with Agrippa, Paul had a method to his incarceration madness. It’s a perfect outline for us to use to easily and humbly share the gospel to everyone that God would open a door to listen.

One: Paul shares his past, who he was before Jesus transformed his life. He writes that he was thoroughly Jewish, even becoming a part of the elite Sanhedrin as a Pharisee, “the strictest sect of our religion.” He told of his obsession, ridding the world of any mention of the name of Jesus the Nazarene. He had ordered the arrest and imprisonment of many believers in Jesus, having them beaten to get them to curse Jesus. He personally chased them down city by city.

Two: Paul shared the moment he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. A blinding light from heaven forced his entourage to fall face down in the dirt. Paul heard a voice in Aramaic – ”We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” ‭‭Acts 26‬:‭14‬-‭15‬. Paul was directly and personally confronted by Jesus!

Three: Paul shared his purpose: Jesus gave him his calling, his true purpose in life – an Apostle to the Gentiles! Jesus told him, “And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles…” And Paul told Agrippa he said yes, “I obeyed that vision from heaven.” Paul even shared his strategy of gaining access to high officials and invites King Agrippa to surrender his life to Christ – ”Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest.”

Four: Paul directly pops the question to Agrippa- because at some point, this is what we are called to do! “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—” Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

Finally, Luke records a key verse letting us know that Paul understood what was ahead of him and that the plan was working. “Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.” Acts 26‬:‭30‬-‭32‬. Now you see, as Paul already knew! Oh, but he was set free by Jesus and imprisonment was just part of the plan!

Prayer

Dad,
Paul clearly understood that suffering, riots, arrests and imprisonment was simply a part of the plan you had for him. It’s not everyone’s purpose, but you were glorified through his life. I am amazed because Paul was resolute, even content with this! Can I be content, even in suffering, and still be in Your will? It is apparent the answer should be YES! Am I willing to see and be fully aware that You are in control and that I can yield rather than struggle or complain? I want the answer to be YES. Thank you for Paul’s plan (and yours), sharing the gospel. It’s a great template to use.

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The pair of paralytics.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The deep compassion of friends who risk so much to get their buddy to Jesus. The shocking response of Jesus to this man was to forgive first, then heal his body. There are lots of questions about Jesus’ behavior. The religious leaders spoke the truth, but didn’t recognize it – only God can forgive sins. Mike Borden writes, “When Jesus declared that the Son of Man “has authority on earth to forgive sins” he is not saying that he wields a power or holds an office that was conferred upon him. He is saying that he, himself, is forgiveness and, since only God can forgive sins, He is God’s forgiveness.”

There are a pair of paralytics in the gospels:

👨🏼‍🦽‍➡️Capernaum (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26):
Friends carry a paralytic to Jesus, breaking through the roof to reach him. Jesus forgives the man’s sins and commands him to walk. This story highlights the connection between faith and forgiveness of sins, and the authority Jesus has to heal and forgive.

👨🏼‍🦽‍➡️Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9):
Jesus heals a man who has been sick for many years, who says he has no one to help him into the pool. Jesus commands him to get up and walk. Interestingly enough, John tells us that Jesus apparently desired to do more than just heal the man with paralysis in Bethesda. ”But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.” John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬. Here, Jesus healed him first and it seems that he wanted to deal with his sin second. Did this man accept the healing, but reject the rebuke? Why would I say that? Because, immediately after confronting the man’s sin, he went and ratted out Jesus to the Jewish authorities.

The religious leaders were equally outraged by both miracles. One, of blasphemy the other a Sabbath violation. One man, aided by friends, sought a life-changing miracle of soul and body. Jesus addressed this in proper sequence of what he needed. The other man sought an escape from torment he thought was his biggest problem, his identity of being less than others. I often hear folks tell me, “if I just had money,” or “if this friend hadn’t hurt me so deeply,” or “no one has ever helped me get into the ‘miracle’ water.” It’s always something. Jesus addressed this man’s excuses, removing any possible barriers of belief – He healed his paralysis!

But Jesus clearly wanted to do more, a deeper work in his soul. When Jesus probed that wound, the man reacted vengefully. This man would not allow Jesus to work where it really matters. Would he try to walk into heaven with a dark, unrepentant heart? When Jesus heals he does so thoroughly, completely, if we will cooperate with him as he heals our soul. Which do think is more important?

Prayer

Dad,
I see far more paralyzed souls than I do paralytic bodies. There are so many who walk around, fairly healthy in body, but so broken from their past, their pain, their stubbornness and sin. Which is easier? Forgiveness of sin, restoring a soul? Or healing a body that is not working? Your grace and power can heal us wholly, restoring and redeeming our life both now and also in eternity. Thank you!

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Highlight reels of life.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭122‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this psalm David starts off ecstatically and enthusiastically expressing how he feels coming to the temple, the highlight of the city of Jerusalem. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Jerusalem, being the city of God, and the temple representing the presence of God, this psalm was sung as the Jewish people made their way back to their homeland after 70 years of Babylonian captivity. David had written this at a time when all things were good in the kingdom!

You know as people, we love reminiscing and reliving the highlight reels of our life. Remember when things were so good? We talk about the seasons, long gone, that were exciting, and everything worked so well. Maybe it was that season of a grand adventure or vacation, when the children were happy and everyone got along. Maybe it was the time when the church was full and everyone could sense the presence of God. Life was grand, the city, the house, even our job felt like it was all going so well. Those were the kinds of moments David was writing about, while he was king of that era in Jerusalem.

Yet, this psalm was inserted at the end of David’s life. And, this psalm was sung as the people were returning to absolute devastation of their beloved city. There was no temple, no protective walls – houses, businesses, parks and plazas had all been destroyed. This song of remembrance was sung to enlist gratefulness and hope in the hearts of the people. It was not sung to go back to “those” days! Instead it was sung to rebuild confidence and faith that God was with them – therefore He will help them rebuild to make a new Jerusalem, with new memories, fresh moments of glory and peace!

The best way to use the highlight reels of life is not to try to relive them, but to parlay those memories into building new ones. Don’t get stuck, like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation trapped in his attic watching old film reels of his childhood. Make new moments! And make them matter!

Thank God for what was, then move on to thank God for what will be.

Ache to create a sense of peace and prosperity of a future city, church, or season where God will meet us once again. Keep moving forward. Moving forward does not tarnish the past, it honors it.

Prayer

​Dad,
It is so hard to have grand and happy memories of past seasons and NOT go back, regressing into wanting something similar to happen in the future. Time is such a bizarre experience as a human! Yet, my head knows that I cannot go back, I cannot experience the past in the present nor the future. I think this has a lot to do with faith and trust. You are not just outside of time, with you it is always NOW. We live sequentially. Plus, the fact that we don’t know the future and could not handle it well even if we were told. One thing I get from your Word is that Israel was told time and time again and warned over and over again, yet they had little chance of recognizing your promises coming to pass, even when it happened right in front of them. Even though the disciples were told what Jesus was going to do and what he would go through. I believe that none of them got it until they experienced it in their past. Until Jesus left. I’m convinced it is near impossible to process what happens in the now, trying to understanding what is happening while in the present – while we are in a specific season, good or bad. You have created us to live linear, one season, one step at a time – no skipping, no shortcuts, no tap-outs. It takes courageous boldness to continue to move forward in faith. I think that’s why our faith in you is pleasing to you.

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Satan’s City?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword: “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.” Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Satan has a city? Well, not exactly. Where is Pergamum? Today it’s in Turkey, and it’s just tourist ruins now. But back in the first century it was the height of Rome’s idol worship with massive statues and temples. The “seat of Satan” was a reference to the center of idolatry, as Pergamos practiced sun worship, which originated from Babylonian idolatry. It is a symbolic way of describing the city’s spiritual atmosphere and the strong influence of paganism and emperor worship, which made it a place where Satan’s power was particularly evident.

Who would want to be known as Satan’s city? It’s not exactly what you’d put on the city’s welcome brochure. We think of our own cities and wonder what idols, what kind of worship takes place there. Cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York or New Jersey, maybe even Portlandia remind us of pockets of power, money, lawlessness or even anarchy! It seems as if Satan has plenty of thrones scattered around the Divided States of America. There are plenty of religious statues in the U.S., and some of them are touch points back to ancient idols – the Hindu goddess, Kali, Baal, Athena, and Saraswati.

There are far more human behaviors that are unashamedly displayed proudly in parades and festivals all across the county – most of which are sexual, occult, or just pure demonic. There are plenty of Americans that are quite proud of their wayward “sinful” ways. John records that the evil IN the city wasn’t God’s only concern. There were assistant deceivers like Balaam – using women (daughters of Moab) to entice the Israelite men to knowingly eat meat sacrificed to idols combined with some manner of sexual infidelity. These men had proactively corrupted others, encouraging them to sin, relishing in the fact that they were destroying human souls, their families and their relationship with God!

People tend to make light of playing with evil, experimenting and exploiting others. It is no laughing matter when one opens a door to sin, only later finding out it can never be closed! The very real Satan, the liar, deceiver and accuser will continue to take advantage of that small, maybe even innocent opening to our soul. His aim is to drag all of us away from the Father and down to the pit of despair where he will exist forever. Jesus, in the final book – the end of all things says, ”Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬. Repent before God cuts us off and out of his presence for good!

So, it’s not so much LIVING in Satan’s city, which many of us probably do. It’s deciding that we will not be conned or enticed to join in the revelry of self-serving sin or play on the fences of evil. We should however run, like Joseph did or repent like King David did.

Prayer

​Dad,
It seems that so many cities come with so many opportunities to seduce our soul! I know now that temptations are customized for each individual. There are commonalities, but each lure, each decoy, is nuanced, fitting to our own desires. Each offer comes with its own impatience, its own unique promise to fulfill what only you can satisfy perfectly. You give us grace, but you have also given us the power to resist, and the strength to run. With each temptation you will show us the way of escape – if we would only take it. Help us O Lord. Forgive us for our willingness to be ensnared and fulfill our desires with sin.

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Proper use of power of position.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This moment captures the pinnacle of power Esther had learned to properly stewart. And, no doubt, she also had a massive dose of FOTL – Favor of the Lord! Even in Esther’s response, you hear no hubris, no ego, no self promoting angle. “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request.” Of course we know it’s a courtly formality that could easily be faked! We see the scoundrel, Haman, cozy up to the King to fulfill a personal vendetta against Mordecai and commit genocide on all the Jewish people in the kingdom.

The book of Esther gives us the perfect compare and contrast on the use of power over people. This moment at the planned banquet rose to the apex of the story arc, when Esther delivers the news to the king – she asked King Xeres to spare her life and the life of her people! One can feel the rage of justice finding its voice in the King, “Who would do such a thing?” Wow! Esther, now filled with the boldness worthy of her stature as a great queen speaks these words, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.”

Immediately Haman grew pale with his dark plans, exposed in the light, before the king and queen! The very blood that drove his revengeful, blind jealousy, would run away from his pompous face, now filled with fear. What an amazing example of the power dynamics that should exist in kings, rulers and leaders over human beings!

When and if you happen to rise in your company, your family or even your neighborhood HOA Association remember this. Power is for protecting the least, the weak the poor, or those on the fringe. Power consumed for one’s self will set yourself against God. God sees those unfortunate and disadvantaged. And God is looking for good and just men and women to lead well with those who have power over others. May the favor of the Lord be with you who leverage your gain, their reputation, wealth and certainty power to lead others.

Prayer

​Dad,
I get the feeling that most don’t think they have any power, any influence over others. I think we do. It may be small, but it is still there – where we work, live and play. Help us remember, in all humility, that you saw us, you loved us even while we were your enemies. Give us your favor, to do and be justice over those we influences around us. That we would speak up for them just as Esther did!

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What happens when God fights for you?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“During the battle the five kings escaped and hid in a cave at Makkedah. When Joshua heard that they had been found, he issued this command: “Cover the opening of the cave with large rocks, and place guards at the entrance to keep the kings inside.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joshua records a brief but brutal ending to a war between Israel and the Amorites. King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem had sent messengers to several other local kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon, inviting them to join him in defeating Gibeon, a large fortified city and new ally with Israel. Joshua writes, “So these five Amorite kings combined their armies for a united attack. They moved all their troops into place and attacked Gibeon.” Adoni-zedek believed this to be a strategically easy victory.

For many of the battles Israel would face, their enemies began to realize they were going up against Israel’s God – Jehovah, the one true God, The men of Gibeon sent messengers to Joshua asking for Israel’s help. This massive battle is famous because of two miracles. One, God chased the Amorites off with a hailstorm – which killed more men than the battle itself. But this is also the famous story of the sun standing still for a day, because Joshua asked God for more time to finish off the enemy.

The Amorites were exceedingly wicked. God told Moses to completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Why? God told Moses, it will “prevent them from teaching you to imitate their detestable customs in the worship of their gods, which would cause you to sin deeply against the LORD your God.” Just do a search on the immoral things the Amorites practiced while worshiping fake gods. God’s warnings to the Amorites did not persuade them to repent. Eventually God’s judgement was to thoroughly remove them from the earth.

It was clear to the five kings in cahoots with each other that they were losing, so they fled to the hills and all five of them hid in a cave at Makkedah. As they were seen running from the battle, the Israelite men reported it to Joshua. After the Amorite armies had been defeated, Joshua returned to the cave and had the five kings brought out. He had the five kings laid out on the ground and told his own commanders to put their foot on each of the Amorite king’s necks. As they did this, Joshua told them to never be afraid, but instead be strong and courageous – a life tagline for him. Then Joshua killed each of the five kings by impaling them on sharpened poles, where they hung until evening. As the sun was going down, Joshua gave instructions for the bodies of the kings to be taken down from the poles and thrown into the cave where they had been hiding, Joshua‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭27‬. Five Amorite kings died a horrible death – befitting the horrible life and leadership over the people they were suppose to serve. Joshua was indeed a warrior leader over Israel and God honored him by giving him many battle wins over their enemies.

Prayer

​Dad,
Wow, wars were brutal then and still brutal today. We live with sin that is so ubiquitous, so invasive, that it rises to the level of mass murder of our enemies. War is hell! I find it interesting that there are times that you judge nations or groups of people yourself, directly punishing them with floods, famines or even storms. Yet, other times you used people, leaders, rulers or kings to make war against a people group, effectively judging them through annihilation. I would much rather have you fighting on my behalf than doing it on my own! Thank you for a future where there will be no more wars. I look forward to that day.