December 7, 2024

Man is fallible, but God is not. In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth to explain why he didn’t come to visit them. He ran into a lot of trouble, almost losing his life. You can tell from this letter that Paul was upset about not being able to join them, but his trouble was so great that he had to stay in place. He must have felt their disappointment and reminded them that you can’t always count on humans because they are yes and no, but you can always count on God because he is yes and amen. Even with our most serious issues, when we feel that God can’t hear us, we know that He has a perfect plan, and even though we are anxious, He won’t fail to deliver us one way or another. If you are facing trouble, ask for prayer like Paul did, and if someone asks you to pray for them, pray. Your faith and their faith together will help petition God for an answer. I always see prayer requests on social media, and I don’t scroll past without praying; I may not respond by commenting, but I make it a point to pray anyway. I feel like it’s our duty to reach out to God on behalf of others because if they ask, it must be a great need or of importance to them, and they believe that God will hear their prayer if they combine in faith with other believers.

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:9-11

December 6, 2024

One thing about Paul we should note is that he was undeterred by his adversary. 

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9

We all have an adversary that tries to prevent our success at every turn, but those who are ministers of Jesus will be encouraged by such opposition. It’s almost like confirmation that what you are doing on his behalf is valid. No one wants to go through trials or have to deal with roadblocks in their life, but if we can spin it in such a manner in our minds, that because we are glorifying God in our work, it will serve to help us to get through these adverse times with greater ease. If life were easy, we wouldn’t rely on Jesus as we do. If we submit to Jesus and rely solely on him, we will begin to notice that the issues of life will start to ease. Submitting to him is the hardest thing to learn, but once you figure it out and realize his way is the best, he will keep training you with opposition. Remember when Jesus said: 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

We must learn to rest in him; he will get us through difficult times. If you’re struggling, submit to the yoke of Jesus and release your cares to him, and he will help you.

December 5, 2024

My heart goes out to those who do not believe in Jesus and life everlasting. Sadly, you work your entire life to afford a short vacation, and then you die as an old person with no hope of the "happily ever after." There is a big problem with thinking that this life is all you have, and it comes when you take your last breath, and your heart stops beating; your spirit lives on, and you will realize that immediately. It is terrifying what awaits the unbeliever. We know from hospice nurse's testimonies that as a person in their last moments, seeing what's coming after it's too late, they realize the regretful mistake they've made by rejecting Jesus. What is the point of living this life if there is nothing to live for? You eat, you sleep, and then you die? Life is too complicated and short for this to be all there is. Jesus came to give us hope that our earthly existence is not the end of it, and by trusting in him, we can count on experiencing heaven after our death. I have no regrets about living my life for Jesus. Before following him wholeheartedly, my experiences were hollow and seemingly hopeless; much like treading water, I didn't go anywhere. That all changed when I began living for him.

If you are going from one bar to another, putting your hope in pills, or some illicit behavior that's getting you nowhere, consider changing the direction of your life and seek Jesus. He is the only way to reach the "happily ever after." There is way more than this earthly existence, but with Jesus, you won't regret your life or death. Life will have more meaning, and death will be no big deal.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

December 4, 2024

I may be stirring the pot today with the topic of tongues and prophecy; both can be controversial among Christians and seem to have been a stumbling block for the Corinthians, too. Paul was very clear on these subjects. Much like today, the Corinthians may have been using their gift of tongues to impress others in the assembly with their presumed superior spiritualness. Paul makes it plain that speaking in tongues in a general assembly with people who don’t understand the language only makes them look ridiculous. He told them that it was more advantageous to desire the gift of prophecy, which is the interpretation of scripture as explained by Matthew Henry. Prophecy is not fortune telling as many understand it. However, a word of knowledge, also a gift, may reveal information about a person by the Holy Spirit to help lead them to Christ. Do you remember the point of receiving your spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit? It is to bring others to know Jesus. I can see the gift of tongues as beneficial if, like Peter’s sermon, people of many different languages understand the words that reveal Christ and bring them to salvation. Unlike many in today’s society who discourage tongues, Paul does not prohibit them from utilizing their gift, but he does explain that if using it in public, someone should be interpreting so the hearers understand.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:5

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 1 Corinthians 14:23

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39

December 3, 2024

If only we would love others as Jesus loves us. As a continuation of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that if you had every spiritual gift known to man and didn’t love others, you would be no better than a noise maker. There is also no point in having a spiritual gift if you can’t use it as an extension of your love. We are to have compassion and understanding for people. Life is hard, and nobody needs a religious zealot spewing their gifts while forgetting to love. I know what you’re thinking: people are hard to love; yes, they are, but the only way to bring others to Christ is to show them the love of Jesus through your actions. They must see it and feel his comfort through you in order to believe his love is real. So, before immediately flying off the handle in rage over the mistakes of another person, take a moment and think through the situation and remember that they could be reacting from a place of pain. We don’t know what others have been through or might be going through, which could be causing their negativity. Look at them with compassion rather than anger; remember, you are healed and are heaven-bound, but they are likely hell bound and need Jesus. Don’t sully the image of Christ by a bad reaction. Love others as Christ has loved you. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

December 2, 2024

One of my favorite topics is spiritual gifts. As believers in Christ filled with the Holy Spirit, we were each given a spiritual gift, and you likely have more than one. However, you will have one that stands out amongst the rest. If you haven’t pinpointed your gift, many tests you can take online will help you determine what yours is. Some of them are listed in the following verses:

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

This list is not extensive; there are many more, but you get the picture. These gifts are not self-serving; they are to edify the church, so we function in a spiritual capacity and work as a well-oiled machine for the cause of Christ. It’s not a money maker; it is primarily to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus and glorify the Lord. There are sub-categories under these gifts. As an example, my main gift is teaching, but my teaching is through writing, so my sub-category is writing. If you have a chance and don’t know what your gifts are, find a test online; it’s fun and eye-opening at the same time. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself; once you know, you can start honing in on them to help perfect them. 

December 1, 2024

My family and friends came together to celebrate Thanksgiving and my 60th birthday, which was ruined by Hurricane Milton, who came and left that same day. We had a fantastic time feasting, listening to music, and socializing with people we love. God blessed us with memories that won’t soon be forgotten. Though our time was sweet and full of people carrying the Holy Spirit, it was not a festival set apart by God. He has ordained that we come together as often as we should to partake of the body and blood of Jesus as symbolized by bread and wine. Paul corrected the Corinthians because they had polluted this sacred ceremony by feasting and partying, but also because they neglected the poor and ate up all the provisions before those in need could enjoy any of the food. They desecrated this solemn feast, and Paul sent them a stern warning about their actions. Jesus wanted this time set aside as a remembrance of what he had given up on our behalf by shedding his blood on the cross for our salvation. When we come before him to partake in this ordinance, we are to examine ourselves to judge our own righteousness, confess, and ask forgiveness before we are worthy to participate. To eat this without proper examination of ourselves is like condemning Jesus to death on the cross once again. The point is to make sure you take communion very seriously because it is only one of two ceremonies recommended by Jesus, the other being baptism.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29