Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 28:1-43 ESV, Matthew 25:31-26:13 ESV, Psalm 31:9-18 ESV, Proverbs 8:12-13 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34 ESV) 

KLERONOMEO (2816): “Be heir, obtain by inheritance.  Includes all spiritual good provided through and in Christ, and particularly all that is contained in the hope grounded on the promises of God.  The reward of those who have shown kindness to the “brethren” of the Lord in their distress during the tribulation, Mt. 25:34; the kingdom of God, which the morally corrupt cannot “inherit,”[i]

Enjoy the inheritance.

Following Christ means eternal life, starting when you place your faith in Jesus.  The moment God’s spirit takes up residence in our hearts, we receive His gifts:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (1 Cor. 12:4-6 ESV)

God’s Spirit enables us to do divine tasks.  Our gifts vary as much as our personalities. The closer we follow God, the more we enjoy His peace. Believing in God’s promises applying His principles to our lives will cause our lives to change. Our actions become loving and kind as we trust our Savior more.

If we don’t accept our inheritance, we can’t receive the gift.  Trusting Jesus happens with a decision to choose Him.  Believe He existed and died for you, rising again, overcoming death.  Let God’s Spirit flow into you.

Bear the fruit

Whatever gifts you receive from the Holy Spirit, the fruit remains the same:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

Obtaining your inheritance of God’s spirit allows you to produce fantastic fruit.  Trusting Jesus with your life and learning about Him will draw you into a deep relationship with your heavenly Father.

Grab your inheritance today.  Place your faith in Jesus.  Let God’s Spirit take control of your life.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 139-40) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 26:1-27:21 ESV, Matthew 25:1-30 ESV, Psalm 31:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 8:1-11 ESV

Daily Verse: “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” (Matthew 25:2 ESV) 

MOROS (3474): “Primarily denotes “dull, sluggish” (from a root muh, “to be silly”); hence, “stupid, foolish.”  The word means morally worthless, a scoundrel, a more serious reproach than “Raca”; the latter scorns a man’s mind and calls him stupid; moros scorns his heart and character; hence the Lord’s more severe condemnation.”[I]

Avoid foolishness.

Lack of preparation leads to regret.  Today’s parable compares five young girls preparing to meet their bridegroom.  Five of them took oil for their lamps; the others didn’t.  Jesus called the unprepared girls foolish.  When the bridegroom came, they didn’t enjoy the feast because they had to buy more oil first.  The silly girls missed their chance to unite with their love.

Jesus’ story portrays a powerful lesson.  We must prepare ourselves for Christ’s return.  One way or another, we will reunite with our Lord.  Either our natural death on the appointed day will lead us into Jesus’ arms, or His return to earth, we will meet Christ. Both require preparation.  We need to learn to wait well.

Prepare for the Opportunity.

Placing our faith in Jesus and believing He will return begins the journey towards heaven.  Each day we’re on earth, we must wait well.  Knowing when our life on earth ends, we will stand before God and give account for our lives, which spurs us onward.

As I age, my body hurts more.  Since I pray for God to bless my husband and me with long life, I wait expectantly by taking care of my body, God’s temple.  Looking ahead to my eighties, I hope to remain active, playing golf and tennis all my days.  To achieve that dream, I must take care of my body now.  Therefore, I’m becoming healthier daily by walking, regulating my food intake, and practicing yoga—all things which will prepare me for playing tennis when I’m 80 someday.

Waiting well for Jesus means accepting His presence in our lives.  We keep our lamps full by spending time with Him daily through God’s word, each day growing closer to Him as the Holy Spirit takes control of our life.  Heaven and earth meet when our hearts connect with Jesus through His Spirit.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 169) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 23:14-25:40 ESV, Matthew24:29-51 ESV, Psalm 30:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 7:24-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45 ESV)

Doulos (1401): “a slave.  Properly the “bond man” one who was in a permanent relation of service to another one whose will was completely subject to the will of another.  The focus is on the relationship, not the service.  Doulos views him in relationship to his master.”[i]

Bond with Christ.

When you choose who you will bond your life to, pick Jesus. Servant means “in a permanent relation of service to another…completely subject” to their will.  In a world that loves to follow others, chase after the One who will set you free. 

Becoming a slave to Christ means you place His will before yours.  When making life decisions, consult with the Master.  Connecting with God through scripture helps you discern His will for your life.  Committing to putting God’s plan above yours requires daily steps of surrender coupled with faith.  Deny your desires; embrace God’s.

Back to basics.

Returning to tennis as an adult, I played singles with Lynda every opportunity God gave us.  As a tennis teacher, Lynda helped me develop my game.  Whenever my friend began to lose, she would go “back to basics.”  Lynda focused her mind on the elementary aspects of tennis.  Racquet back, move your feet, eye on the ball; three things imperative to playing a match.  She taught me to go back to basics whenever I felt out of sorts.

I apply the same tactic to life, focusing on the basics when I don’t know what God wants me to do.   Lead with grace.  Forgive completely.  Love always.  Basic tenants for following Christ, daily tasks God never changes.

Becoming a slave to Christ means making Him your Master.  Giving Jesus authority over your life gives you a game plan.  Jesus calls us to love God and others.  Every day, you can ground yourself in those four words.  In each situation you face, the question remains the same.  How can I love them for Jesus?

Entering a relationship with Jesus will change your life in ways you can’t imagine.  Applying the basics to your life will help you bond with your Master.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 72) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 21:22-23:13 ESV, Matthew 24:1-28 ESV, Psalm 29:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 7:6-23 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 24:9 ESV)

THLIPSIS (2347): “This word primarily means “a pressing, pressure,” anything which burdens the spirit.  In Mt. 24:9 “to be afflicted.” It is coupled with stenochoria (4730) “anguish”[I]

Pressing pressure.

Tribulation means pressing pressure, something we all encounter in our daily lives.  We will never suffer like Christ.  Life comes with trouble, feeling pain and anguish part of the journey.  When my nephew died, my suffering crippled me.  Like a son to me, I can still hear my brother’s voice on the phone, telling me of Cody’s passing.  In my mind, I hear the scream that left my lips, as tribulation like I’d never experienced entered my life.

Somehow, people think placing their faith in Christ means no more trouble, but it’s a lie.  Jesus tells us the truth:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

Tribulation, a pressing pressure, a constant in our lives, whether small or large, anything that burdens the spirit, we can overcome with Jesus.  He won the battle for us.

Why not me?

We often ask the same question as we journey through life, facing the tribulations that we meet on the road.  “Why me?”  I know I’ve queried God with those words when life’s pressures overwhelm me.  But recently, I heard a message adding a third word to the question, “Why not me?”

Admittedly, I don’t like pain and suffering any more than the next person.  But accepting tribulations as part of life helps us find Jesus’s peace amid our pain.  God equips us for the journey He calls us to walk.  Everyone’s troubles differ, but we all have issues.

And because we experience tribulation, we can develop gratitude.  Without bad days, we wouldn’t appreciate good ones.  Experiencing freedom from life’s pressing pressures comes from trusting Jesus.  Placing your pain at the foot of the cross allows God to fill you with His grace and mercy.  Comfort from the Creator comes in ways that minister to your grieving heart.  Let God heal the brokenness with you, find life to the full in His loving arms.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 116) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 19:16-21:21 ESV, Matthew 23:13-39 ESV, Psalm 28:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 7:1-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (Matthew 23:13 ESV)

HUPOKRITES (5273): “One who answers,”; then “a stage-actor;” It was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice; hence the word became use metaphorically of a dissemble, a hypocrite.” It is found only in the Synoptists, and   always used by the Lord.”[i]

God sees behind the mask.

One common complaint I hear about Christ-follower’s, “They’re hypocrites. They act one way on Saturday and another way on Sunday.”  Yep, we sin on Saturday and show up to worship the Lord on Sunday, including me.  No matter how hard I try, I will always falter.  As human beings, God knows we will sin.  We can’t help ourselves.

Eight times in Matthew 23, Jesus tells of the woes that befall hypocrites.  Sin separates us from God, dividing the mind and causing a broken relationship with God.  The peace that surpasses all understanding leaves us when we knowingly go against God’s will.

Accept your imperfections.

Instead of hiding your sinful nature, accept it as part of life.  Since I began writing devotionals, I spend more time in God’s word than ever.  Yet I still sin.  Errant thoughts will run through my head so fast; I don’t know where they originate.  Yet they do.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 ESV)

Confession conquers hypocrisy.  Overcoming our sinful nature requires honesty, not hiding.  Becoming vulnerable about our struggles draws us closer to God and others.  As I grow closer to God, He makes me more sensitive to my sin.  The quicker I acknowledge and confess my sinful ways, the better my relationship with God.  Right living requires daily surrender to God. 

Confess your sins daily.  Acknowledge God in all your ways.  Experience life to the fullest by accepting your humanity, allowing God to work through your weaknesses.  In Him, we find perfection.

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[i] Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Word Study) (p. 99). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 17:8-19:15 ESV, Matthew 22:34-23:12 ESV, Psalm 27:7-14 ESV, Proverbs 6:27-35 ESV

Daily Verse: “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)

ENTOLE (1785): “From entellomai signifies ‘to enjoin, to charge with, to give charge’ i.e. in an authoritative prescription.”[i]

Authoritative prescription.

Commandment, in its original form, means an authoritative prescription.  Therefore, God’s commandments equal doctors’ orders.  The Ten Commandments help us have better relationships.  Instead of viewing them as an impossible set of rules no one can keep, look at them as “relationship how-to’s.”  The top four in the list tell us how to relate to God, the remaining six, how to interact with people.  If you want healthy relationships, follow God’s prescription.

Unfortunately, the Ten Commandments have a bad rap.  People don’t like to think about the rules because they highlight our imperfections.  But if we embrace them as ways to become better people, they help us live fuller lives.  And to fulfill Jesus’s greatest commandment, we must obey the others.

Love God, love others.

Looking at the Ten Commandments with a lens of love, you realize quickly they help you fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for our lives, loving.  When asked what commandment sums up all of God’s commandments, Jesus responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…love your neighbor as yourself.”

God didn’t give us commandments to make us feel bad about ourselves.  No, God’s prescription for life helps us live life to the fullest, no matter what our circumstances.  Every day we have an opportunity to respond to the world around us.  Our choice remains simple, to love or not.  God says, choose love.

I recently began volunteering in the children’s ministry at church.  In this week’s message, the children learned why God created us: love God, worship and glorify Him.  At the end of the lesson, we discussed ways to love people for God.  Top of the list, do something nice for their friends, not fight with their siblings, listen to mom and dad, and pray for one another.

Out of the mouths of babes, we get our best instructions.  Follow God’s commandments, His prescription for a full life.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 89) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 15:19-17:7 ESV, Matthew 22:1-33 ESV, Psalm 27:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 6:20-26 ESV

Daily Verse: “And again Jesus spoke to them in parables,” (Matthew 22:1 ESV)

ROOT WORD: “Fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral.  A placing beside, to throw or lay beside.  Christ’s parables most frequently convey truths connected with the subject of the kingdom of God.  Two dangers are to be avoided in seeking to interpret parables: ignoring of important features, trying to make all the details means something.”[i]

                      Stories help us relate.

Jesus used parables, short stories, to make His point.  Today’s verse begins the parable of the wedding feast.  A king hosts a party for his son’s upcoming nuptials, but no one comes.  The slighted father becomes angry, retaliating against those who didn’t come; he sends his servants to gather more guests, “good and bad” (vs. 10), to fill the wedding hall.

Dissecting Jesus’s parable could lead us in many different directions.  People turn down God’s invitation to eternal life with Him.  For whatever reason, they don’t accept the invite. 

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14 ESV)

When interpreting Jesus’s teachings, deciphering important details from unimportant ones requires God’s help.  If we rely only on our human interpretation, we may find ourselves in a rabbit hole.  To see life application, we must spend time with our Creator.

Trust God’s Spirit.

Reading the parable of the wedding feast makes me think of people in my life who deny Jesus.  Friends and family members who, for whatever reason, choose not to follow God.  Hurtful experiences in church cause them to stop attending, causing a slow drift away from God.  Or they worship something or someone else.  I have friends who worship their jobs or a personal relationship first and foremost. When God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, having no other god before Him, number one (Exodus 20:3 ESV).

Any one of us can unwittingly place someone or thing before God, missing the invitation.  When we take our eyes from Jesus, putting unrealistic expectations on something temporary, we’ll miss out on the gifs of God.  Peace that surpasses understanding, hope that never dies, love that never ends, all gifts received when we accept God’s invitation.

Don’t miss the invitation God extends.  Trust His promises.  When reading Jesus’ parables, ask God’s Spirit for help understanding the lesson.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 188) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 13:17-15:18 ESV, Matthew 21:23-46 ESV, Psalm 26:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

Daily Verse: “And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23 ESV)

EXOUSIA (1849): “From the meaning of “leave or permission,” or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of the “the ability or strength with which one is endued,” then to that of the power of authority,” the right to exercise power.”[I]

God gives authority.

Jewish leaders at the temple challenge Jesus’s authority about God.  The day before this encounter, Jesus rid the temple of money changers conducting business within its walls.  Appalled, the chief priests and elders want to know who gave Jesus the right to exercise such power.

Brilliantly, Jesus answers the question with a question.  Instead of thinking for the religious leaders, Jesus allowed them to think for themselves.  When faced with the dilemma of who gave John authority to baptize, heaven or man, the elders didn’t have an answer.  Since the chief priests couldn’t answer Jesus, He didn’t respond to their query.

Actions convey authority.

Instead of asking permission, Jesus knew His mission.  On a divine task, direct from His Father, Jesus didn’t hesitate.  When God’s house became tainted with commercial traffic, Jesus put an end to the business.  Teaching parables, Jesus taught those in the temple a new way of thinking.

Jesus left us with a divine task, love God and others (Mark 12:30-31).  We have the authority to love, against such things; no law exists (Galatians 5:23).  When searching for purpose in life, God gives direction.  You have the choice of what your actions convey, to love or to hate.

Exercise your authority today.  Love everyone God brings into your path.  Give affection freely, just as God gives it to you.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 92) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 12:14-13:16 ESV, Matthew 20:29-21:22 ESV, Psalm 25:16-22 ESV, Proverbs 6:12-15 ESV

 Daily Verse: “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13 ESV)

PROSEUCHE (4335): “Worship; by implication oratory (chapel); pray earnestly to God, the most frequently used term.”[I]

Keep prayer sacred.

Jesus quotes the prophet Jeremiah when He calls the Temple a “den of robbers” (Jeremiah 7:11 ESV). People committed sins in the temple, feeling safe from God’s punishment because they occupied His house. But God doesn’t play those games. Our heavenly Father expects us to keep the temple holy. Jesus’ anger arises because the merchants cause distraction in the temple courts.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

Christ lives in us when we place our faith in Him. As a result, our bodies become God’s temple. Keeping our temples free from the distraction of sin requires earnest conversations with God.

Prayer worships.

Proseuche, prayer’s root word, means oral worship. In other words, talking to God. As quickly as I sin, I try to confess. “Forgive me, Lord,” words I utter often, begins my confession. My thoughts require the most repentance. Internally, Jesus sweeps the merchants from my brain as I confess my sinful thoughts to Him.  Once I rid myself of the things which distract me from God, I can connect with my Creator.

Conversations with God don’t end. Each morning, when I finish my quiet time with the Big Guy, I get on my knees for prayer. At the end of the chat, I say, “In Jesus’ name, I pray.”  Then I get up and go about my business. However, my conversation with God continues throughout the day.

“Three Word Prayers” help me keep the conversation going. When I begin to drift off track, uttering a plea to God helps me stay on task. Whether “Grace, not Anger,” “Faith, not Fear,” or “Pray, not Panic,” all draw my thoughts back to God.

Keep your conversations going with God. When thoughts try to distract you from the King, let Jesus sweep them from your mind. Refocus, again and again, on God with prayer. Keep your temple holy by continuously chatting with God.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p 213) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 10:1-12:13 ESV, Matthew 20:1-28 ESV, Psalm 25:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV

Daily Verse: “But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?” (Matthew 20:13 ESV)

HETAIROS (2063):  “A companion, comrade,” is translated fellows (Mt. 11:16). The word is used only by Matthew and is translated as “friend.”[I]

Friends work together.

Matthew uses a word no other author in the Bible does; he describes the laborers as “friends.”  Needing workers for his vineyards, the farmer pays the helpers, one denarius, the going rate for day laborer’s efforts.  As time proceeds, the master recruits more help, paying them all the same wage, whether they worked 8 hours or 1 hour.  Tired and hot from toiling in the sun for their employer, grumbling erupts as everyone receives equal pay.

“Friend (hetairos), I am doing you no wrong.” Says the master to his workers.  Each person working a full day agreed to set wages, while those recruited later didn’t.  Instead, when the farmer said, “Whatever is right, I will give you,” they trusted him and went on about their business (Matthew 20:5 ESV).

God considers us companions.

Matthew’s use of “Hetairos” to describe the laborers means the master considered them companions and comrades.  Everyone works towards the same goal, harvesting the vineyard.  Even though the master wasn’t in the fields, he recruited more help to accomplish the task faster.

Some people, like myself, met Jesus early in life.  Others don’t enter a relationship with God’s Son until taking their last breath.  Length of service doesn’t determine the reward. Aligning our lives with God’s mission, whether young or old, means we reap the same benefit, eternal life.  The longer we serve the Lord, God willing, the more people who enjoy the benefits of heaven with us.

Don’t become bitter because others haven’t put in the same effort as you.  Rejoice that they joined the mission, planting seeds in the fields where God placed them.  When Christ calls us home, you won’t care they joined the party late.  You’ll rejoice they came at all.

Working for Christ means becoming His comrade.  Companions for life, our mission never ends.  Love God, love others until the day your heavenly Father calls you home.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p 104) Thomas Nelson