Today’s song comes from an American Christian rock band, formed in2001. Ashes Remain is based in Baltimore, Maryland, close to where I spent the past 25 years of my life. Josh Smith and Ryan Nalepa are the two main forces behind Ashes Remain. The lyrics of All of Me begin with a struggling Christian who is afraid of letting others know what’s going on in their life.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [o]ease and relieve and [p]refresh [q]your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls, Matthew 11:28-29.
While listening to All of Me for the first time, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in the passage above. Unfortunately, too many people try to take care of their problems on their own. When pride causes individuals try to take on their own burdens, it’s only a matter of time before your life fall apart. May this song nudge you to come as you are so that you can lay your burdens on the foot of the cross.
Nearly twenty years ago, I taught a World Religion Course. One of the terms this class covered was Relativism. At this time in America’s history, following the events of September 11th, 2001, right, wrong, and evil was able to defined without being Cancelled or offending someone in the Woke Community. However, now the age of relativism has arrived, altering our language and vocabulary.
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord, Romans 12:18-19.
One of the best sermons I ever heard on this topic was by Lee Strobel. Strobel was doing a sermon series at Willow Creek on What would God say to. This particular message was about the life of Dennis Rodman was who playing for the Chicago Bulls at the time. Lee spoke about the first time Dennis was disciplined in life, as a sophomore in college by the father of his host family. Dennis stole something from the farm and was spanked to teach him right from wrong, defining evil for the first time in his life.
But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. 21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good, Romans 12:20-21.
In today’s politically charged world, discipline is considered racist according to CRT, critical race theory. Rather than use the words of Hebrews 12:5-7 to define earthly boundaries, a generation of children raised in public schools aren’t being taught the difference between right, wrong or evil. Like a politician caught doing the exact opposite of the policy they forced their voters to follow, excuses are made to exempt them. May God send a spirit of revival worldwide so that right, wrong and evil is clearly understood.
The One I’m Running To is from a band from Mount Vernon, Kentucky. 7eventh Time Down debuted in September of 2011. In the past decade, 7eventh Time Down has released 5 albums along with two special Christmas EP’s. I discovered this Christian rock band on You Tube. The One I’m Running To uses the stress of paying bills to push people to trust an invisible God when their money runs out.
Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1.
The second stanza focuses on personal temptations and the emotions these daily trials bring. Rather than run away and hide, 7eventh Time Down suggests it’s time to start running toward the Lord. Sometimes all you need is to comes to your senses, Luke 15:17-20, that leads a parable back home to their heavenly Father. May the words of The One I’m Running To inspire you to draw closer to the Lord.
In this age of statistics, athletes, coaches, and political leaders have so many numbers to analyze and crunch daily. While I am used to hearing stats on television, I recently heard a shocking statistic from the pulpit last Sunday. Due to political division within the Christian churches in the United States, 38 percent of pastors considered leaving the ministry in 2021. Perhaps two years of dealing with the Coronavirus have pushed preachers to their breaking point.
But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments. 11 For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you, 1 Corinthians 1:10-11.
Division is the action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated. Whenever a large group of people come together to meet, there will always be political factions who agree on issues. As a former elder, these sects often begin innocently within Sunday School classes. Depending on the particular leader and their desire for power, a spirit of unity can be maintained by the mature or used a weapon of evil to create dissension.
If I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth. 16 And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [[b]God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory, 1 Timothy 3:15-16.
The context of the passage above is guidelines given to a teenage pastor for selecting biblical leaders within his church. If you lower your standards for somewhere that you may like, you open the door for future division. Paul makes a great point by saying “if a man can’t control his own household, how can they lead a church.” While some may refer to this as old fashioned, this is the living Word of God, Hebrews 4:12. May this blog help you improve the unity within your own church.
Today’s song comes from a group of high school friends that formed their band in December of 1992. Kevin Young, Brad Noah, Adrian DiTommasi andTim Barrett started the Christian group Disciple. Since this biblical name is used by many churches and ministries, Disciple hasn’t received credit they deserve as musicians. Once and for All is one of many hit songs blending metal with classic rock.
And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), Hebrews 10:10.
At the beginning of the attached video, Hebrew 10:10 flashes at the top of the screen. Based upon the lyrics, Disciple is quoting the reality that Jesus died once and for all for all sins in the past, the present and future transgressions. This is the great news of the gospel, the Messiah who was sent to earth as a second Adam to redeem the lost, Romans 5:12-21. May this biblical promise magnify God’s grace.
Half of the Gospel of John is devoted to the events of Passion Week: Jesus’ final week on earth. In the passage below, Jesus drops a hint about Good Friday and Easter Sunday. A first century doctor either interviewed Jesus following his resurrection or had a vision of Jesus’ trip to Hades, Acts 2:31. Paul devotes 1 Corinthians 15 to explaining the significance of Jesus conquering death via his resurrection.
In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way, John 14:2-4.
Jesus doesn’t explain how He was able to visit the Abyss which John uses to describe hell. Yet, during one vision, John sees a shaft open up momentarily to unveil this bottomless pit. As soon as the fifth angel in heaven blew his trumpet, the shaft to the Abyss opened to reveal a glimpse of hell. Out of this shaft came a plume of smoke like a modern-day industrial plant polluting the sky above.
Then the fifth angel blew [his] trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth; and to the angel was given the key [a]of the shaft of the Abyss (the bottomless pit). 2 He opened the [b]long shaft of the Abyss (the bottomless pit), and smoke like the smoke of a huge furnace puffed out of the [c]long shaft, so that the sun and the atmosphere were darkened by the smoke from the long shaft, Revelation 9:1-2.
Hell is one of those topics which rarely comes up at a funeral. To avoid depressing family and friends, heaven is brought up to bring comfort to those in audience. Yet, when you consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14, few people follow the less traveled road. Therefore, may this blog cause you to consider the shaft of the Abyss. May the fear of death scare people straight toward eternal life.
When you try to highlight 365 different artists in one year, you reach a point when you think, did I already write about this artist? I hope this isn’t a repeat, but today’s song was introduced to me by my spiritual mentor Ken Horne during a high school retreat. The Robe by Wes King uses the imagery of a baptism along with the passage below as an invitation to come to Jesus so that you can walk away clean and free.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [o]ease and relieve and [p]refresh [q]your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [t]good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne, Matthew 11:28-30.
There are certain people that I’ve met in life that revel in worry. The closer you are or become to these individuals, spirits of worry can become oppressive and often wear you down. The Robe serves as a positive message as God accepts you where you are in life. While some Christian’s still dress up for church to impress others, come as you are to accept and embrace God’s grace and mercy.
The origin of being on the same page is not fully clear. However, it is believed that this expression developed at some point during business meetings with executives. Rather than try to undermine one another, companies function best when leadership teams are on the same page. Churches often develop mission statements so that when questions arise, pastors and elders can get back on the same page as well.
Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper], Colossians 3:12.
Unfortunately, there has only been one reported church that has sustained unity, Acts 2:42-47. While great awakenings of the18th and 19th centuries breathed new life into churches, unity did not last. According to Luke who served as a first century historian, traveling with Paul on several missionary trips, the early church-maintained unity by eliminating poverty. Rather than take up a weekly offering during a worship service, wealthy Christians sold their own possessions to provide funds for every emergency.
Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. 14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony], Colossians 3:13-14.
The apostle Paul is blunt about what is necessary before unity can be achieved. This requires grace, love, patience, and selflessness. Apparently, early Christians practiced the words of Philippians 2:1-5 by taking on the attitude of Jesus. When church leaders emulate unity, members of a congregation start to follow. However, when unity is merely a spoken word without any action, getting on the same page of unity remains an unfulfilled goal.
Today’s song comes from a man who was drafted by the New York Mets to pursue a professional baseball career. Following his college career at a Community College in Mount Carmel, Illinois, Todd Dulaney believed the Lord was calling him to become a professional athlete. Yet, like any journey with God, you approach crossroads and as time passed Todd’s true calling was as a gospel singer.
O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [i][upon the soul] through [j][the abuse of] the Law. 57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.
Victory Belongs to Jesus is based upon the words of the apostle Paul in the passage above. While Todd doesn’t directly quote this verse in the lyrics, he sings about Jesus’ victory over death. While the Jewish leaders who convinced Pilate to crucify Jesus instead of Barabbas, John 18:40, God waited three days to complete this incredible comeback victory in the form of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Saul from Tarsus was a member of the Pharisees, a religious zealot, and a Roman citizen. However, even as a religious man, there are politics inside the house of God. Take for example a man named Nicodemus who approached Jesus under the cover of darkness, afraid of what his friends would think, John 3:1-5. Like a high school jock in the hallway, Nick is sarcastic with Jesus, making a joke while responding.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good, Proverbs 15:3.
When Saul changed his name to Paul following his conversion on the Road to Damascus, politics was used on a few occasions. As a Roman citizen, Paul played this card after being arrested in Philippi, Acts 16:35-39. Meanwhile, when the same Jewish leaders who crucified Jesus wanted to accuse Paul of a similar crime, he appealed to Caesar so he could share his testimony to the government in Rome.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and Yours it is to be exalted as Head over all, 1 Chronicles 29:11.
Paul’s arrest, trial and subsequent death as a martyr illustrates that politics has its limits. While modern day politicians in America are like exclusive members of a private country club, God is still in control whether they like it or not. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, and no one is exempt, even politicians from God’s judgement, Matthew 12:36. Therefore, lean on the Lord and not politics, Proverbs 3:5-6.
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