Sometimes you hear a song on the radio, but the DJ fails to tell you after the song is over who this was by. I first heard this song months ago but didn’t catch the artist’s name. While I assumed the title was Household of Faith, something distracted me on my way home from work. Subsequently, my short-term memory erased the lyrics from my mind. After a recent You Tube search, this song was on the top of my computer screen as I discover Household of Faith is by Winner and Shen.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.
As someone who was witnessed multiple friends and neighbors have their marriages end in divorce, the lyrics of Household of Faith serve as a prayer to keep faith at the center of your marriage. Unfortunately, when couples lose the will to love one another, it’s like Eve in the Garden of Eden staring at the forbidden fruit hanging from the Tree of Knowledge. May today’s song inspire you to hold fast to faith whenever a spiritual storm approaches.
The Democratic Party have been better and more successful as a disciple of their ideology than any other political party in the United States. Meanwhile, churches have failed at communicating a persuasive argument for the rights of the unborn. While cable news networks continue to blame former President Donald Trump for the Republican’s disappointing midterm results, too many so-called conservatives care more about being liked by the mainstream media than standing up for any political conviction.
Jesus approached and, [a]breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [b]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [c]all the days ([d]perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. [e]Amen (so let it be), Matthew 28:18-20.
Then again, maybe I’m forgetting about everyone who did speak out prior to being banned or suspended by social media. Perhaps the fear of being cancelled has silenced many conservatives from sharing what they really feel and think. Regardless of who is to blame, democrats, liberals, and progressives always appear to be a few steps ahead of republicans. While the Bible is designed to shape Judeo Christian values, Democrats have used the National Education Association to push their ideology the past 50 years.
Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it, Proverbs 22:6.
When the Bible and prayer was removed from public education, this opened the door for substitutes. Pete Hegseth mentions this is in his latest book The Battle for the American Mind as patriotism and the flag initially replaced religion. When you examine what’s going on at colleges and universities today across the United States, the Democratic party has successfully shaped a generation of children to become community organizers, environmentalists, and embrace progressive causes. Until this issue is addressed, Democrats will continue to own big tech, cable news and the print media. Only solutions will transform America.
Since I started listening to Christian music in 1985, I have been touched by numerous songs on prayer. My spiritual mentor Coach Ken Horne played Pray for Me at the end of the first retreat I ever attended. Throughout high school and college, artists like Rick Elias moved me with Pray for the Day. About the same time, Bret Williams and In Reach released Prayer which is one of the best confessions any Christian musician has ever sang about.
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working], James 5:16.
While scanning You Tube last weekend, Alisa Turner is the latest artist to release one of the latest songs on prayer. This is My Prayer for You sounds like something a leader or spiritual mentor would say to a new Christian. Then again, there are plenty of people currently battling health, financial and other troubling concerns. As you listen to Alisa’s song, may your heart be uplifted by the lyrics.
Part of any Hollywood blockbuster movie are dramatic shifts in the storyline, like a roller coaster with unexpected twists and turns. Viewers are immediately grabbed, their attention is gained and locked in until this two-hour ride ends. Due to original sin, the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, breaking God’s only rule, the Lord’s initial plan of living forever on earth is derailed. The apostle Paul writes about God’s backup plan in Romans 5:12-21, sending a second Adam to restore that which was lost.
And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die, Genesis 2:15-17.
Life expectancy went from 800-900 years all the way down to 120 following the flood. Christian Scientists point to the Open Canopy Theory, an atmosphere without rain which sheltered human beings from direct sunlight thereby slowing down the aging process. This is the most practical way to explain the steep decline in life expectancy. Meanwhile, the curse bestowed by God upon future men and women in Genesis 3:16-24 also points to the gradual decay of the earth as well.
When men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives of all they desired and chose. 3 Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years, Genesis 6:1-3.
According to the Old Testament, Enoch was the only believer to not experience death on earth, Hebrews 11:5. The key to Enoch’s success and ascension into heaven was due to a consistent relationship with God, Genesis 5:22. From time to time, God will extend someone’s life like Hezekiah. This form of a blessing is addressed by Moses in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, with a simple equation: obedience to God results in blessings.
I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Omnipotent [Himself] and the Lamb [Himself] are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the splendor and radiance (glory) of God illuminate it, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations shall walk by its light and the rulers and leaders of the earth shall bring into it their glory. 25 And its gates shall never be closed by day, and there shall be no night there, Revelation 21:22-25.
When you read the final chapter of the Bible, living forever takes on a new shape and form. Take 1 caused life to end before 1000 years. Take 2 allowed Jesus to restore that which was lost, Luke 19:10, to redeem all who have sinned and fallen short of God’s given. Take 3 begins with the creation of a new Jerusalem. When this city of gold is placed upon the new earth, heaven will be limited to this holy city. All of those in the Book of Life will live forever on earth residing in the New Jerusalem.
Today’s featured song comes from across the pond as they say in golf. Matt Redman is now based in Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom. Matt is also an active member of Compassionart, a charity founded by fellow musician Martin Smith. I was introduced to Matt by a local Christian radio in Delaware. However, during a recent You Tube search, I was touched by the lyrics of Redman’s song Your Grace Finds Me.
But He gives us more and more grace ([a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it), James 4:6.
One of the ways grace finds Christians is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Like the day of Pentecost, grace may arrive unexpectedly or come just when you need to hear some good news. Either way, God gives grace to the humble and those mired in difficult circumstances. As you listen to today’s song, may God’s grace find you in one way or another. Enjoy.
It doesn’t take a Rhodes scholar to identify the difference between a good and poor working environment. Depending upon your field of work, I’m sure you can identify at least one disgruntled co-worker. This individual doesn’t need much to incite their latest rant. A few weeks ago, I had an interaction with a woman who went off the rails over something minuscule. The words she spoke was like venom from a poisonous snake, sucking out the joy of everyone in her presence.
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.3 And God blessed (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done, Genesis 2:2-3.
As I start to study the Bible from the beginning of the Old Testament, several words have stood out to me. The Creator of the heavens and the earth didn’t just work hard to complete this project. Rather, God spoke life into the creation of our planet. Following each sunset, signaling the end of each day, God reflected upon what was specifically fashioned and formed. Rather than the perfectionist who mutters, “I could have done better,” God spoke good of each created being and thing.
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [e]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you, Philippians 4:8-9.
The apostle Paul builds upon this concept in a letter to the Church at Philippi. The context of Paul’s words come shortly after mentioning Christian helpers whose names are in the Book of Life. Paul suggests that the greatest accomplishment on earth is living a life that honors God so that your eternal destination is secured, 1 John 5:12-13. One of the ways this is accomplished is through speaking good. May today’s passages inspire you to become a positive voice in your spheres of influence.
Jonathan McReynolds was raised by a single mother in Chicago, Illinois. Thanks to a loving church family, Jonathon learned how to play the drums at age five. This love for music opened future doors to become a Grammy winning gospel singer. Rather than succumb to gangs which is prevalent in the Chicago area, the Lord has truly blessed Jonathon McReynolds with songs like Grace.
But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless], Romans 11:6.
As a former Roman Catholic, good works was what I was taught to strive for in life. While isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it prevented me from embracing God’s grace. Like the words written to members of the Church in Rome in the passage above, grace replaces a works mentality. Instead of earning your way into heaven, the reality of God’s grace makes me to love and serve others.
Creature Features which aired for six seasons in Chicago from 1970-1976 was the first television series to highlight the concept and possibility of real-life monsters on earth. The first nationally televised show devoted to mysterious phenomena started one year later. In Search Of ran from 1977-1982 with Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy served as the narrator of this hour-long documentary series. This show introduced me to sea creatures like the Loch Ness Monster.
God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it, Genesis 1:21.
While reading the Bible recently, I was amazed to see that God created great sea monsters as noted by Moses in the Book of Genesis. According to the Hebrew word used for great sea monsters, God is specifically referring to creatures of monstrous size and shape. The Bible also mentions the Dragon, Behemoth, and Leviathan. The book of Job suggests the Leviathan is either an alligator or crocodile. Meanwhile, the Behemoth is some sort of beast of the sea (either giant squid, serpent or whale).
Can you draw out the leviathan (the crocodile) with a fishhook? Or press down his tongue with a cord? 2 Can you put a rope into his nose? Or pierce his jaw through with a hook or a spike? 3 Will he make many supplications to you [begging to be spared]? Will he speak soft words to you [to coax you to treat him kindly]? – Job 41:1-3.
If 71 percent of the earth is water, there are likely many great sea creatures that have yet to be discovered. While most dinosaurs perished either during or after the biblical flood in Genesis, scientists annually find a species that they thought was extinct. As someone who has always been intrigued by mysterious phenomena, it would be convenient to have more evidence on the great sea monsters on earth. Yet, for now I place my trust in the Lord who was the creator of these unique large creatures.
Despite how much I listen to and search for new Christian music, there always seems to be an artist each week that I stumble upon. This usually occurs when I’m trying to find a song title on You Tube that matches the theme of my daily devotional. Such is the cause for the Christian band Unspoken. This group is comprised of Chad Mattson, Jon Lowry, and Ariel Munoz. While looking for a sound about grace, Call It Grace by Unspoken was one of the first songs that popped up.
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and[b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! – 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Grace is one of those theological terms that seminary students tend to over analyze. I prefer the acronym God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. Rather than ramble on about Greek and Hebrews words on this topic, Unspoken simply calls it grace. In the above passage, the apostle Paul writes about grace during a difficult period in his life. Despite fighting through a painful physical condition, Paul came to realize that his weak state opened the door for Jesus to make him strong once again.
Most archeologists agree that the Egyptians appear to have developed the first practical calendar. During the height of the Roman Empire, this calendar was appropriated and further refined into the Julian calendar. From a modern-day perspective, the Gregorian calendar is almost universally used today which was based upon the Julian calendar. After reading the creation story recently, God set in motion the earth’s calendar on the fourth day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs and tokens [of God’s provident care], and [to mark] seasons, days, and years, Genesis 1:14.
TheMayans, Babylonians, Egyptians, Iranians, and Greeks were the first societies to study the solar system. Meanwhile, places like Stonehedge are believed to bebuilt to model the solar system. Outside of Scotland, there are other similar structures that follow the stars like Easter Island in Chile. Just as Tom Hanks was trying to count the days while stuck on an uncharted island in Castaway, civilizations have been fascinated for thousands of years with stars in the sky that serve as markers for time.
To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, 3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, Ecclesiastes 3:1-4.
King Solomon devotes nearly an entire chapter to time. However, Solomon uses the four traditional seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall to highlight the human emotions that each season brings. While you are able to stare at your computer, phone or watch to know the exact time and seconds left in your day at work, only God knows what will happen to you today. Jesus’ earthly brother writes about this in James 1:2-4. Subsequently, whatever the calendar brings you, God makes everything beautiful in His time.
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